1. Introduction of Hoa Lu ancient capital

Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, is a unique architectural complex in Ninh Binh province, which UNESCO has recognized as one of the four core areas of Trang An World Heritage site. The state also classifies it as an essential national architectural and historical complex that needs to be remarkably conserved.

With a history of more than 1,000 years, this place has experienced many of the nation’s ups and downs. It is a place to preserve historical relics through the ages and become historical proof for our country—a thousand lives. However, despite many ups and downs of time, Hoa Lu still retains its historical traces. Those are strong walls, two temples to Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh solemnly built to imitate the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

2. When should you travel to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh?

You can come to Hoa Lu at any time of the year. However, spring is the most beautiful time, and many festivals are held, so this is the right time for you to participate and experience the bustling atmosphere of these festivals. And if you like quiet and want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this place, you can choose to go on the remaining days.

3. Transportation to Hoa Lu

From Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can choose one of the following ways to move:

• Train: Train tickets from Hanoi to Ninh Binh range from 90,000 to more than 200,000 VND, depending on the train and seat type. When buying train tickets, you should not choose trips that are too late, which may affect your schedule.
• Passenger cars: You can catch a vehicle from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station to Ninh Binh with prices ranging from 50,000 VND to 60,000 VND / person. The average time is about 1h30 minutes. Remember to tell the assistant beforehand they will show you.
• Motorbike: If you like the feeling of traveling by motorbike, you can leave at Phap Van – Cau Gie highway and then continue to go towards Cau Gie – Phu Ly – Ninh Binh with the travel time from 1h – 1h30 ′.

4. Architecture of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Complex

In the past, Hoa Lu was a magnificent imperial capital. The mountains and hills overlapped around the imperial capital’s ring like a solid wall. The Hoang Long River meanders and the immense Nho Quan and Gia Vien fields are convenient natural moats.

The whole Hoa Lu ancient capital’s historical and cultural relics, including a special protection zone, buffer zone, and relics like Thien Ton Cave and Bai Dinh Pagoda, are located in the limestone system in the area. Ninh Binh province, under Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, bordering Gia Vien and Hoa Lu districts. This place is south of Hanoi’s capital, about 100km.

Hoa Lu is an architectural complex that served as the ancient capital. Each piece of architecture in the complex has unique characteristics that contribute to the grandeur of the ancient historical sites. The complex houses various historical relics such as walls, citadels, caves, temples, tombs, and other valuable architectural works. These relics are highly significant in terms of history and culture.

5. Discovering vestiges of King Dinh temple and King Le temple

Most significantly, there are still two monuments here: King Dinh Temple and King Le Temple. These monuments were built around the 17th century with impressive and unique wood carvings. The road to King Dinh temple leads visitors under the canopy of poinciana trees along the way.

Hoa Lu is often called the “stone citadel” because King Dinh and King Le used many stone materials in their constructions. For instance, visitors entering the temple courtyard will see long bouldering floors and two thousand flanking birds skillfully carved out of solid green stone. If you move towards the harem, you will find a bronze statue of King Dinh placed on a blue rock.

King Le Temple, located 50 meters from Dinh Temple, shares the same structure. 200 meters from King Le temple, is Nhat Tru pagoda, built from the reign of King Le Dai Hanh, in front of the pagoda is a stone pillar, 4.16 m high with an eight-sided shape. . Adjacent to is the relic area associated with the story of the third princess of King Dinh Tien Hoang who jumped into the well to commit suicide rather than follow the traitor husband against his father. This temple is dedicated to that princess.

6. Traditional festival in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

March 8 – March 10 every year is the time for the traditional festival of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, to honor the kings and national heroes who built and developed the capital Hoa Lu and established a home—Dai Co Viet country in the 10th century. The festival of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, consists of 2 parts: the ceremony and the festival. Besides the ceremony, the festival, with bold traditional games such as boat racing, wrestling, and cheo singing … takes place in a highly jubilant and bustling atmosphere.

7. What should you eat when coming to Hoa Lu?

In addition to the unique historical sites and landscapes, delicious restaurants and restaurants with idyllic culinary styles of the Northern region are among the attractions for Hoa Lu Ninh Binh. Let’s take a look at the dishes that you must try when coming here:

• Steamed rice: A very famous specialty of Ninh Binh. Rice is a crunchy, bright yellow, served with a special sauce that makes visitors eat forever without feeling bored.
• Mountain goat meat: Goat mountain in Ninh Binh is processed to make many attractive dishes such as lemon goats, steamed goats, spring rolls, goat’s blood, plum plastic … not only delicious but also highly nutritious and good for health. .
• Mountain Snail: The tough, crispy, sweet snail meat is prepared in various ways: steaming ginger, stir-fried lemongrass with chili, mixed salad …
• There are also many other delicious dishes that you can try, such as Nem Yen Mac, eel vermicelli, Kim Son wine, Gia Vien shrimp sauce …

8. Some notes when visiting

• Hoa Lu Ninh Binh is a spiritual tourist destination, so you must dress politely and discreetly when you come here. Visiting the temples of Dinh and Le kings, you need to be gentle and orderly to maintain your dignity and burn incense to pay homage to the kings who have contributed to the country.
• Need to follow the monument management’s or guides’ instructions if traveling in groups.
• Waste must be thrown in the prescribed place; do not litter indiscriminately.
• If you go alone, preview the map to make your discovery journey more convenient.
• You can talk directly with the tools in the temple ruins management to learn more about the monument’s history, cultural values, and architecture…

If you want to see with your own eyes and admire the precious historical buildings and architectural values, please come to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh, the ancient capital – a building with great historical significance that his father’s generation has worked to preserve and preserve to now. Let’s visit the ancient capital and relive the majestic moments of national history.