Hoa Lu is an ancient capital of Vietnam, built more than 10 centuries ago under the reign of Dinh Dynasty and Le Dynasty. The city was chosen as royal capital for only 41 years (968-1009) then was moved to Thang Long under the Ly Dynasty (1010).
Hoa Lu was a smart alternative for a capital city because of the natural protection afforded by the region’s strange landscape, with rocky outcrops as spectacular as Tam Coc’s. Mountains, rivers and old citadel make the scenery picturesque.
The 2 temples dedicated to Kings Dinh Tien Hoang his successor Le Dai Hanh offer tourists a glimpse of Vietnam image in the 10th century. There is also a modern museum features part of the excavations of the 10th century citadel wall which unearthed in 1998.