King Dinh's temple
On the old palace foundations.
Kien1980v at Vietnamese Wikipedia — Public domain · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0 · Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — CC BY 2.0
The site of Vietnam's first imperial capital. In 968 Dinh Bo Linh ended the war of the twelve warlords, declared himself emperor of Dai Co Viet and built his capital here in his home region, using the limestone peaks and rivers as natural walls. Hoa Lu remained the capital for 42 years under the Dinh, Early Le and Ly dynasties, until Emperor Ly Thai To moved the court to Thang Long, today's Hanoi, in 1010. Little of the palaces survives above ground, but two temples stand on their foundations in the old village of Truong Yen: the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the temple of King Le Dai Hanh, both rebuilt in later centuries in carved wood. The temple of King Dinh is the only place in Vietnam where the king is honoured together with his parents and sons. On Ma Yen hill opposite, a stairway leads up to King Dinh's tomb. The site is small and quiet, a short drive north of the Trang An wharf, and fits an hour on the way to or from the boat trips. Modest dress is expected in the temples.
On the old palace foundations.
For the founder of the Early Le.
Steps up to King Dinh's tomb.
Truong Yen old village, about 3 km north of the Trang An wharf
It was the first capital of a unified Vietnamese state after 968, and the seat of power for 42 years until the capital moved to Hanoi in 1010.