Overview:

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a historical site of the ancient Thang Long citadel, starting from the pre-Thang Long period (7th century) through the Dinh – Tien Le dynasties. Hanoi under the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a massive architectural work, built by dynasties in many historical periods and has become the most important relic in the system of monuments of Vietnam. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long has been recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. Here, let’s explore this historic site with Impresstravel.com, Hanoi Tours.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long now belongs to Dien Bien and Quan Thanh wards, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi. Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic has a total area of 18,395 ha, including archaeological sites of 18 Hoang Dieu and other relics left in the Hanoi Citadel such as Doan Mon, Hanoi flagpole, Kinh palace. Thien, D67 house, Bac Mon, Hau Lau, the city wall and 8 palace gates under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Location:

These relic sites are located in Ba Dinh district and are limited by the following roads: to the north is Phan Dinh Phung street, to the south is Bac Son street and the National Assembly building, to the southwest is Dien Bien Phu street, to the west are Hoang Dieu Street, Doc Lap Street, National Assembly House and finally in the East is Nguyen Tri Phuong Street. This is a place to visit that you will definitely not be able to miss when traveling to Hanoi.

How to get there?

To visit Thang Long Imperial Citadel, you go to 19C Hoang Dieu which is the main gate for visitors. From the center of Hanoi, you can easily go to the Imperial Citadel by means of vehicles such as motorbikes, beautiful cars, cars, buses… If you take a bus, you can take route 22, this bus will stop at the parking spot in front of the Imperial Citadel.

Entrance fee:

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is open on weekdays (except Monday).

Time to open:

• Morning: 8:00 am – 11:30 am;
• Afternoon: 14h00 – 17h00

Entrance fee:

• Ticket price to enter the relic is: 30,000 VND / time
• For students, students aged 15 years and over (must have student card), elderly people 60 years old and older, the entrance ticket price is: 15,000 VND / time
• For children under 15 years old and people with meritorious services to the revolution, the entrance ticket is completely free.

• Archaeological site 18 Hoang Dieu

This relic consists of the bottom floor is the eastern part of Dai La citadel under Cao Bien and Tang dynasties, the upper floor is the palaces of the Ly and Tran dynasties, followed by a central part of the eastern palaces of the Le and dynasties. the top is part of the center of the 19th century Hanoi provincial citadel.

• Hanoi flag tower

This is one of the few historical structures in the city that has existed for a long time since the French colonial period in Vietnam. At a height of 40 meters, the tower was built during the Nguyen Dynasty in 1812, on a three-story pedestal.

The flagpole is currently the most intact monument in the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Located in Ba Dinh district, visitors who climb to the top of the Co Tower can enjoy breathtaking views of Ba Dinh Square and the center of Hanoi.

– Opening hours: daily except Monday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

– Address: 9 Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

Kinh Thien Palace

• This is the central relic, the main nucleus in the overall historical sites of Hanoi’s ancient citadel. Kinh Thien Palace is located in the center of the relic site. In front of Kinh Thien Palace is Doan Mon, then the Hanoi flagpole, behind is Hau Lau, Cua Bac, the east and west sides are surrounded by walls and open small doors.
• Currently, the vestiges of Kinh Thien Palace are only the old foundation. The south side of the palace has a row of railings more than one meter high. The front, south direction of Kinh Thien Palace built a system of steps with large box stone slabs. The electric platform consists of 10 steps, 4 stone dragons divided into 3 equal ways to form a dragon shelf.
• Four stone dragons were created in the 15th century during the Le Dynasty. Kinh Thien Palace’s stone dragon sculpture is a masterpiece of architectural and artistic heritage, representing the sculpture art of the early Le Dynasty. The dragon is carved with blue stone, has a high head, a large head, round eyes, long horns with branches, a mane that curls back, a mouth open, and a pearl. The dragon’s body curves softly into many arcs, gradually decreasing towards the electric platform above. On the back of the dragon, there are long undulating fins like clouds and sparks. There are two stylized dragons on the two sides of the stairs. The background of Kinh Thien Palace and the pair of adoring dragons have partly reflected the grandeur, magnificence and magnificence of the ancient Kinh Thien Palace.

Hau Lau

Also known as Tinh Bac Lau (Tinh Bac Lau) is a building built behind the architectural cluster of Kinh Thien Palace, which is the palace of Hanoi’s ancient citadel. Although it is behind the palace, it is in the north, built with the intention of feng shui to keep the peace in the north of the palace. This is also the residence of the queen and princesses during the feudal period.

North Gate ( Cua Bac)

This is one of the five gates of Hanoi citadel under the Nguyen Dynasty. At Cua Bac, there are still two cannon marks shot by French cannons fired from the Red River in 1882 when the French took down Hanoi for the second time. Today on the gate of the city is the place to worship two governors of Hanoi, Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu.

House D67

This is where the Ministry of National Defense, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission made historic decisions marking the milestones of the Vietnamese revolution. These were the Tet Offensive in 1968, 1972 and the culmination of that was the 1975 Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate the South and reunify the country.

• Morning or afternoon sightseeing tour begins with a visit to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum ( closed on Monday and Friday, every afternoon, and whole from 15 June – 15 August, view the outside the building). Inside the mausoleum, there are sightseeing of the Presidential Palace (view from outside), President’s Fishpond, House On Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.
• Next, we will pay a visit to the Temple of Literature. It is where Confucius – The founder of Confucianism was worshiped. This place as known as the first National University of Vietnam. It is where kings, mandarins, talented people of Vietnam training to the functionary.
• To explore Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.
• Continue a short walking tour around the old quarter with a tour guide.