Overview

Hoa Lu is located in the center of Ninh Binh province, adjacent to the cities of Ninh Binh and Tam Diep. This is the former capital of Vietnam during the Dinh - Le - early Ly dynasties in the 10th century.

About Hoa Lu

Located in Hoa Lu district near the center of Ninh Binh city, this is a historical and spiritual site that is very famous in the north of Vietnam. Hoa Lu district was established in 1907 and named Hoa Lu capital of Vietnam in the 10th century because most of the relics of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu are located in this district. Hoa Lu is located in the semi-mountainous area, there are many natural landscapes such as Trang An and Tam Coc - Bich Dong caves next to the relics belonging to Hoa Lu Ancient vestige complex which were formed and stored for over 1000 years.

Hoa Lu district is located in the north and west with Ninh Binh city. The north is adjacent to Gia Vien district, the west and the south are adjacent to Tam Diep city, the southwest is Nho Quan district, Yen Mo district and Yen Khanh district, the east borders Y Yen district, Nam Dinh province, and Ninh Binh city. Hoa Lu has a natural area of 139.7 km² (Provincial People's Committee in 2003) and a population of 103900 people.

Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu

Time to visit Hoa Lu

It is possible to take a Hoa Lu - Tam Coc full-day group tour on March and April calendar each year, this time in the north has not yet completely shifted to summer and is still the dry season, the weather is usually mild but still relatively cool. In addition, if you want to combine with other locations, you can go to Hoa Lu at:

  • At the end of May is the ripe rice season in Ninh Binh, combined to go to Tam Coc - Bich Dong
  • After the Lunar New Year is a festive season, combined to go to Bai Dinh
  • The traditional festival of ancient capital Hoa Lu (also known as Truong Yen Assembly or Lau Co Association) takes place every March lunar month every year.

Tourist attractions in Hoa Lu

King Dinh Tien Hoang temple

King Dinh Tien Hoang temple is an important relic belonging to the special protection area of ​​Hoa Lu ancient imperial heritage. The temple is located in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. The location of the temple is in the center of the East citadel of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. This is the only place in Vietnam to worship King Dinh Tien Hoang, his parents, his sons and the Dinh dynasty generals at the same place.

Hoa Lu

King Tien Hoang temple

King Le Dai Hanh temple

Temple worships King Le Dai Hanh, Queen Duong Van Nga, and prince Le Long Dinh, Princess Le Thi Phat Ngan, and General Pham Cu Luong. The temple is located 300 meters from King Dinh Tien Hoang temple, belonging to the Eastern citadel. The temple was built according to the style of King Dinh Tien Hoang temple but was smaller in size than King Dinh temple. In front of the temple is the central square of Hoa Lu ancient capital and Den mountain located on Sao Khe river, after the temple is a water trench protecting the ancient capital running at the foot of Mount Don.

Phat Kim temple

Phat Kim temple is located in a relatively narrow precinct, near the north gate of the center of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Legend has it that this position is located on the ground of Vong Nguyet palace, where previously Phat Kim princess (daughter of Dinh Tien Hoang King) lived, very close to Nhat Tru pagoda. In front of the yard, there is a large, hexagonal well, which is considered the place where the princess Phat Kim committed suicide.

Together with Trang An - Bai Dinh, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Hoa Lu has created a famous tourist route on Hoa Lu - Trang An 1 day tours in the north that attracts many tourists each year.