Vietnam beauty spots - Like many old buildings in Vietnam, the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu in the northern province of Ninh Binh has attractions that draw a great number of Vietnamese and foreign tourists every year.

The ancient citadel in Truong Yen Commune captivates the interests of tourists near and far as Hoa Lu was the capital of Dai Co Viet – what Vietnam was called for a brief spell between 968 and 1010 – and holds historical, cultural and natural charm.

Visitors will discover more than they expect from the intact temple commemorating King Dinh, who defeated the Twelve Warlords’ rebellion to reunify the country and later re-named it Dai Co Viet. 500 meters away stand another temple built to honor his successor Le Dai Hanh.

Historians say the two 10th-century heroes chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel to take advantage of the marvelous mountains surrounding the area. However, the current temples were not the ones built by the heroes. They are said to be built on the old foundation of thei original citadel in the 11th-12th centuries and restored in 17th century.

It is said that when Ly Dynasty moved its capital to Thang Long - present Hanoi - in 1010, the villagers of Hoa Lu built the two temples on the same ground to worship Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

In the 17th century, duke Bui Thoi Cong re-erected them and re-oriented them from the north to the east. Since then, these structures have retained their ancient air and solemnity although they have been refurbished many times.

Though the temples are not maintained entirely, some precious antiques like the stone thrones and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh Le and Queen Duong Van Nga who married both kings are well preserved.

Visitors can also admire the altars in the temples with their typically Vietnamese design and the wooden and stone carvings whose motifs are simple but possess exquisite elegance.

Not far from the temple are the stone steps leading to King Dinh’s tomb, which was built in the 15th century.

Besides the temples and other valuable architectural works, visitors to Hoa Lu can admire the natural beauty and magnificence of surrounding mountains.  

The surrounding limestone mountains served as lines of defence for the kings in the past and today create a picturesque view of natural and manmade beauty.

The mountains have also formed many caves with stalactites such as Lien Hoa, Thien Ton, Am Tien, Sang and Luon, showcasing the great works of nature.

Hoa Lu is also home to numerous ornamental and medicinal plants, as well as tortoises, monkeys, pangolins, pythons, snakes, chamois, geckos and birds.

With the passing of thousands of years, gone are the golden and silver-lined palaces of the dynasties; what is left to meditate are the vestiges of the old citadel.

Today, visitors to Hoa Lu will witness the grandeur of the two great dynasties but they will also catch a glimpse of the soul and longing of ancient Vietnam.