Hoa Lu, the capital of Dai Co Viet (an old name of Vietnam) under the Dinh and Le dynasties bears with it a legend. As the capital of country for 41 years, Hoa Lu has many palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions that were built by different dynasties, however, today not much of this ancient kingdom is left standing. Being the capital of the first fundamental Government of Vietnam, Hoa Lu witnessed many important historical events: the union of Vietnam after “12 Lords Rebellion”, the war with the Song dynasty, the defense against the ancient Cambodian, and the formation of Hanoi nowadays. With the total size of 13.87 square kilometers, Hoa Lu old capital is an attractive place that history lovers should not miss out.
It is far 100 kilometer from Hanoi to the south. Hoa Lu is a main palace that Dinh and Le Temples are in the middle. Vestiges of the palace foundations in the 10th century were detected by the investigation and excavation of the Institute of Archaeology. Among hundred of the antiquities founded, there were paving tiles with sophisticated lotus shaped decoration and dimension 0.78n x 0.48m, even tiles carved with “Đại Việt quốc quân thành chuyên” (it means that these tiles were only used for construction of Dai Viet Citadel). During 42 years of existence (968-1010), Hoa Lu CapitalHoa Lu Capital was a political and cultural center of an independent and self-control state in the 10 th century. This is a place to create position and force for the country to transit to a bright development under the Ly – Tran reigns in the next centuries. This is a place connected with country foundation and defense and permanent resting-place of Dinh King and Le King.
Coming to Hoa Lu, not only visitors can visit historic places but also attend traditional cultural festivals here and the most important and largest one is Hoa Lu ancient capital festival. It is held annually on the 10th -13th of the third lunar month with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.
1, The direction and transportation
Located in Ninh Binh province, about100 km south of Hanoi. Tourists have 4 ways to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital: Motorbike, car, bus or train.
Bus: Take a bus to Ninh Binh from the bus station in Hanoi (Giap Bat bus station or My Dinh bus staion), every 30 minutes will have a bus to go there, from 5am to 11pm everyday. The names of Ninh Binh bus are Sao Viet, Cuong Hung, Hoang Long, Vu Thuong, Gia Minh, Hien Tinh, etc. The price ticket is from 70000 VND to 100000 VND per person. It will take you around 2 hours to Hoa Lu.
Car, mortobike: Start in Hanoi, go to Giai Phong street, turn to Phap Van – Cau Gie highway, keep moving to Ninh Binh province. It will take you about 90 minutes from Hanoi to Hoa Lu.
Train: Take a train in Giai Phong train station and it will drop you in Ninh Binh train station, then you will have to take a taxi or motortaxi to go to Hoa Lu.
2, Food
Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful with many tourist attractions but also for special and delicious food. The famous food here smell and taste with the flavor of limestone mountains where locals feed animals. If you have a chance to visit Ninh Binh, don’t miss to try some special foods which are cooked by locals with good cooking skills such as goat meat, rice crust, mountain snail, Nhech fish salad, Kim Son wine,etc. Around Tam Coc complex has a lot of restaurants.
3, Location
In Hoa Lu, there is many hotels, hostel or homestays to stay. If you want to stay overnight there, you should book a room in Ninh Binh city or in Hoa Lu before visting here to make sure.
4, Notes
- You should ask the price first before buying something in Tam Coc
- Book a room first before visiting here in some websites such as Agoda, booking.com, etc.
- You should also visit Trang An or Tam Coc after visiting Hoa Lu. They’re not far from Hoa Lu ancient capital. And it just take you about 2 hours to visit around Hoa Lu Capital Ancient.
You can book Hoa Lu Tam Coc 1 Day Tour or Trang An Bai Dinh 1 Day TourTour
Book Hanoi Free Tour
It is far 100 kilometer from Hanoi to the south. Hoa Lu is a main palace that Dinh and Le Temples are in the middle. Vestiges of the palace foundations in the 10th century were detected by the investigation and excavation of the Institute of Archaeology. Among hundred of the antiquities founded, there were paving tiles with sophisticated lotus shaped decoration and dimension 0.78n x 0.48m, even tiles carved with “Đại Việt quốc quân thành chuyên” (it means that these tiles were only used for construction of Dai Viet Citadel). During 42 years of existence (968-1010), Hoa Lu CapitalHoa Lu Capital was a political and cultural center of an independent and self-control state in the 10 th century. This is a place to create position and force for the country to transit to a bright development under the Ly – Tran reigns in the next centuries. This is a place connected with country foundation and defense and permanent resting-place of Dinh King and Le King.
Coming to Hoa Lu, not only visitors can visit historic places but also attend traditional cultural festivals here and the most important and largest one is Hoa Lu ancient capital festival. It is held annually on the 10th -13th of the third lunar month with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.
1, The direction and transportation
Located in Ninh Binh province, about100 km south of Hanoi. Tourists have 4 ways to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital: Motorbike, car, bus or train.
Bus: Take a bus to Ninh Binh from the bus station in Hanoi (Giap Bat bus station or My Dinh bus staion), every 30 minutes will have a bus to go there, from 5am to 11pm everyday. The names of Ninh Binh bus are Sao Viet, Cuong Hung, Hoang Long, Vu Thuong, Gia Minh, Hien Tinh, etc. The price ticket is from 70000 VND to 100000 VND per person. It will take you around 2 hours to Hoa Lu.
Car, mortobike: Start in Hanoi, go to Giai Phong street, turn to Phap Van – Cau Gie highway, keep moving to Ninh Binh province. It will take you about 90 minutes from Hanoi to Hoa Lu.
Train: Take a train in Giai Phong train station and it will drop you in Ninh Binh train station, then you will have to take a taxi or motortaxi to go to Hoa Lu.
2, Food
Ninh Binh is not only famous for its beautiful with many tourist attractions but also for special and delicious food. The famous food here smell and taste with the flavor of limestone mountains where locals feed animals. If you have a chance to visit Ninh Binh, don’t miss to try some special foods which are cooked by locals with good cooking skills such as goat meat, rice crust, mountain snail, Nhech fish salad, Kim Son wine,etc. Around Tam Coc complex has a lot of restaurants.
3, Location
In Hoa Lu, there is many hotels, hostel or homestays to stay. If you want to stay overnight there, you should book a room in Ninh Binh city or in Hoa Lu before visting here to make sure.
4, Notes
- You should ask the price first before buying something in Tam Coc
- Book a room first before visiting here in some websites such as Agoda, booking.com, etc.
- You should also visit Trang An or Tam Coc after visiting Hoa Lu. They’re not far from Hoa Lu ancient capital. And it just take you about 2 hours to visit around Hoa Lu Capital Ancient.
You can book Hoa Lu Tam Coc 1 Day Tour or Trang An Bai Dinh 1 Day TourTour
Book Hanoi Free Tour