Tam Coc – Bich Dong is a famous and attractive tourist complex known as ecotourism, landscape tourism, culture, history, festivals, and spirit … Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area is away from Ha Noi 100 km to the South, belonging to the area of Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province.
Bus Station
Here, it still retains the nature and pristine by the creator with the beauty of pristine, simple and popular countryside with many caves mixed with clouds and water bringing the people being sunk in the nature and domestic and overseas famous historic and cultural relics, such as Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong pagoda, Tam Coc cave, Tien cave, and Linh Coc pagoda, etc.
Not only being a famous tourism complex but also Tam Coc – Bich Dong is one of 20 National specific topic tourism areas invested and build, upgraded by the Government on the infrastructure. Tam Coc – Bich Dong has been a green, clean, beautiful tourism area, a safe destination for visitors.
Wharf
Coming to Tam Coc – Bich Dong is to come to a complex of famous landscapes of Ninh Binh, the beauty of the nature and spirit will be the immense inspiration to enjoy the endless pleasure here. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is the pride of the people in Ninh Binh and of Vietnam.
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3531/QD-BVHTTDL on 01-11-2011 on recognizing the National relic rank for the complex of Trang An caves in Ninh Binh province including Gia Sinh commune (Gia Vien), Ninh Xuan commune, Ninh Hai, Truong Yen, Ninh Hoa (Hoa Lu district) and Ninh Nhat commune, Tan Thanh ward (Ninh Binh city).
This is the legal basis and favorable conditions for Ninh Binh province to pay attention on the management, conservation, restoration and effective exploitation of the natural resources in order to attract visitors contributing to the socio-economic development in the province.
Associated with the introduction of the participants of the Union Congress of UNESCO associations and the Ambassadors of 30 countries and territories who visit Trang An Ecotourism Area, Hoa Lu ancient capital and spiritual cultural area of Bai Dinh pagoda in the recent August, the recognition of the National relic rank for complex of Trang An caves marks a very important milestones on the way of recommending the UNESCO to recognize as a world natural heritage.
Nguyen Dong
Van Long Nature Reserve (Gia Vien) has the quite diverse terrain, including a tropical forest ecosystems on limestone and extensive watery system marshes creating a complex of charming landscapes, a land of richly potential tourism.
Standing on Ba Chon peak, the highest peak in the area, visitors can see a sizeable space with endless mountains, undulating valleys, very blue forests, gentle countryside and green, immense rice fields, scene of a very magnificent countryside.
In addition to the forest area on limestone mountains which are is mainly, Van Long also has the most extensive watery system in the Northern delta, as a “waveless bay”, because the immense water surface is embellished by “cỏ năn, cỏ lác”, nenuphar which are always intermittent under the waves together with flocks of white storks hovering in the sunsets, further embroidering Van Long a very attractive landscape.
In the sunrise, standing on the dyke along the Reserve, visitors may panoramically enjoy Van Long lagoon as a water-colour painting reflecting the limestone mountains with the shapes as their names such as Meo Cao mountain, Ba Chon peak, Mam Xoi mountain, Hom Sach mountain, Da Ban mountain, Nghien mountain, Mo Coi mountain and Co Tien mountain, etc.
Swarming with the love of the native land, river ans water, on the bamboo boats, visitors go into Bong cave to enjoy the fairyland Doi mountain reflecting on the water, visiting Chanh cave, windy Kem Tram where visitors may feel the immense and gentle water surface, watching the moss layers and flocks of fishes in the lagoon.
Coming to Van Long, visitors not only contemplate the wild and neglected beauty of the grass and trees, but also watch herds of Trachypithecus delacouri being carefree and amusing on hazardous cliff, watching herds of Black coots being engrossed in searching for food, hearing the call of flock of delacouri, etc.
Van Long has such about 100 beautiful and large caves with the value of developing the tourism as Ca, Bong, Rua, Chanh. Particularly, Ca cave is the longest and beautiful cave, cave ceiling has hang-down stalactite arcs with a lot of shapes. This is the place of collection and reproduction of many rare and valuable species such as snake-head for the King, Sinilabeo lemassoni and many other fish species such as catfish, anabas, black fish.
Van Long also has an attractive complex of cultural space with many valuable historic relics, the origination of Dinh dynasty, such as Hoa Lu cave in Lau Valley (Gia Hung commune), place of manoeuvre of Dinh Bo Linh before quelling the warlords to become King; mother temple in Thung La (Gia Hung commune); temple of four woman generals (Gia Van commune); Dich Long cave and pagoda (Gia Thanh commune) which is honored as “the third cave in the South”.
Van Long is favored by not only very beautiful landscapes but also the diversity of ecosystems. There are the ecosystem in the residence of the population other than the main ecosystems including terrestrial ecosystem formed on Kaster and aquatic ecosystem formed hollow areas. Each ecosystem bring its own characteristics, but in the view of conservation, there are two specially valuable ecosystems including secondary forest ecosystem on limestone mountains where Trachypithecus delacouri lives and many species of rare plants and animals. Swamp ecosystem is a place of conserving the aquatic flora which is typical in the Red River delta and a place of living for many communities of birds from the North.
Adjacent to the Van Long Nature Reserve, there is a complex of service, convalescence and ecology with full of facilities, built on the harmonious combination of modern Western architecture and oriental architecture, especially that of Hue ancient capital and of the traditional villages of the Red river delta in which is a rest stop and ideal entertainment for visitors who like the wild nature of Van Long.
Truong Sinh
Ninh Binh tour – Ninh Binh is always considered as the land of tourism, place is favored by the nature that arranges such a lot of wonderful landscapes enchanting the people hearts as Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Trinh cave, etc. and most recently ecotourism area the Buddha cave is discorvered and presently appraised as one of the most beautiful water caves.
Located in the center of Tuong mountain, away from Ninh Binh city 18km, in special-use forest Hoa Lu, Dong Tam hamlet, Son Ha commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province, Buddha Cave is currently approximately 500m long, the cave center is very wide with many strange shape stalactites. In the middle of cave, a stalactite with 1.5 m high, 2m wide and shape like a Buddha appears in an illusory and sparkling space. Come to Buddha cave, the visitors will be experienced on oared boats, enjoying the wild and mysterious natural landscapes of forest, river and water, listening to the whistling wind that certainly bringing many enjoyable surprises to the visitors.
In the cave center, there are a lot of strange-looking eddy arcs stimulating the visitors’ imagination.
Immediately landing to the cave mouth, visitors will have the feeling of being lost in a certain mysterious world with sparkling and colorful hang-down stalactites with many illusory and strange-looking shapes stimulating the curiosity and passion of exploration.
Penetrating deep inside, the space opens wider, more mysterious as inviting the visitors to use their imagination to experience the beauty offered by the Creator. And when the boats anchor beside the Buddha-shaped stalactite, please pause for taking some photos.
The visitors are not only explored and tour the mysterious beauties of the nature but also mix with the life of the rural area, moving on bikes passing the village roads being in the shade of bamboo, searching the culture and custom of farmers in the wet rice area, may even try to be herdsman to herd, fish, grind and pound rice or enjoy popular dishes made by yourselves such as grilled anabas, scab sour used with pickled egg-plants, etc.
Source: Travel Guide
Ninh Binh Tourism – Ninh Binh province has many popular and attractive tourist destinations, such as eco-tourism zone of Trang’an, ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Bai Dinh pagoda, Cuc Phuong Natural Forest, Kenh Ga Hot Springs, Phat Diem Stone Church… a vast travel space, charming and glamorous mountain and water. In 2010, Ninh Binh is one of the locations celebrating many important cultural events towards the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi. On the occasion of September 02nd, the number of tourists traveled to Ninh Binh increased very high.
Ninh Binh tourism industry has innovated its management methods in the tourism regions, destinations, positively invested in upgrading transport infrastructure, encouraged investment in projects serving tourism such as restaurants, hotels, etc… so the status of disorder and visitors scramble has been stopped; the traffic congestion has been restricted; the catering and relaxing service gradually can be solved well; the environmental sanitation in the tourism regions, destinations has been significantly improved, clean; the tourism team have made themarkable progress towards high quality service, which is a very encouraging signal.
According to the Management Board of Resorts Tam Coc – Bich Dong, particularly on the occasions of September 02nd, over 1,000 visitors travelled, on peak days, this number was up to 2,000 passengers. More than 1,000 tourism boats carried visitors continuously, excitingly and were coordinated scientifically and thoughtfully.
Ninh Binh province has many advantages in tourism, rich and diverse tourism resources. Leadership and Ninh Binh People are actively promoting tourism development to make tourism become a key economic sector, contributing to socioeconomic growth of the province. On the occasion of September 02nd and towards 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, the number of tourists travels to Ninh Binh is increasing more and more, which is very encouraging signal. Ninh Binh should actively introduce, propagate and promote the image of its land, people, culture, traditions and tourism much more to attract more tourists.
Source: Travel Guide
Ninh Binh Tourism – When spring comes in the Hoa Lu ancient capital, millions of Buddhist across the country together with visitors flock to pilgrimage to Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a complex of pagodas located on Bai Dinh mountain, Gia Sinh commune (Gia Vien). Such complex of pagodas includes an ancient pagoda a new pagoda built in 2003. Bai Dinh pagoda belongs to the historical relic of Hoa Lu ancient capital with many record recognized by Vietnam record center such as Vietnam’s largest pagoda area (107ha); largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia (The Tathagata Buddha statue weighs 100 tons, including the past, present and future statutes, each of which weighs 50 tons), the two biggest bell in Southeast Asia (36 tons and 27 tons respectively); pagoda with many big Arhat statues in Vietnam (500 statues in green stone at about 2 meters high); pagoda area with the largest well in Vietnam; the most bodhi trees in Vietnam (100 bodhi trees are extracted from the Indian Bodhi tree).
The festival opens on every sixth day of the first month of lunar year. Previously, the festival only lasted for 1 week. Now with the state investment, the pagoda area has been expanded to be a famous and beautiful spiritual cultural area and the Bai Dinh pagoda festival will take place during the spring. Before the opening date and even in the time for Tet, all the caves and pagodas in the Bai Dinh mountain area filled with spiraling up smoke. The festival atmosphere covers the countryside which used to be peaceful and quiet.
The ritual part in Bai Dinh pagoda takes place in a relatively solemn way as this place not only worships the mountain gods, Buddha, Ba Chua Thuong Ngan but also links with many great historical events and famous heroes such as the Holy Nguyen, Quang Trung, Dinh Bo Linh. Therefore, the ritual part includes the total religious belief system in Vietnam, worshipping nature, Buddhist and Confucianism. On the festival, the village organizes the procession of god from the cave. There are flags and drums, followed by the octet orchestra, beautiful boys and girls, old men and women procession in the sincere, solemn but pleasant atmosphere.
The festival is filled with the warmth of youth, respect of elders as well as the joy of tourists and Buddhists. There are crowds pilgrimaging everywhere in the low or high mountains, woodlands or drug forests. People are in and out, up and down but all are exuberant and excited. And when meeting each other, whether familiar or unfamiliar, all happily greet each other with a greeting: “Namo Amitabha Buddha” in such a gentle, loving and warm way.
Bai Dinh mountain superbly stands alone in the mountainous region and is formed by two bow-shaped mountain ranges toward the west like the arm of throne, opening up a wide valley of more than 3 hectares, which is known as Thung Chua. To visit the caves in Bai Dinh mountain, visitors have to step on 300 stone steps, and the higher they go, the fresher air they can feel and all the worries in daily life seem to be forgotten. On the way to the caves, there is Voi Phuc Cave in the right and the cave worshiping Red Face Monsignor, also the keeper of Bai Dinh pagoda.
According to the roadmap, all visitors will see the fork when finishing climbing the slop: On the right is the Buddhist grotto while on the left is Fairy grotto. After a few footsteps, visitors will be amazed at the Buddhist grotto. Over the grotto gate 4 letters engraved on stones, which means: “Save the fame in beautiful landscape”. With the presence of the majesty statues looming in the incense currently circulating in the high caves, visitors feel like being lost in paradise with the magical and mysterious thoughts.
After burning incense and praying for good, visitors continue tracing the alley to the left end of the grotto which then leads to a smaller cave called Cao Son God, a talented general of Hung King. If visitors step up, they will see a bright wide cave gate that leads to a green valley. Legend has it that this is the place of many valuable medicinal plants that St. Nguyen Minh Khong used to gather simples to make miracle drugs. Currently, the drug plants are still being used for or use as pharmaceuticals.
Back to the fork, visitors turn left about 50 meters to reach the Fairy grotto. Such grotto is much larger than the Buddhist grotto, including 7 chambers, i.e. 7 caves, some of which is on the sky or in the earth. All the caves are interconnected through many stones. Some caves have flat floor, even sunken like a hollow while others are awarded by the Creator with a diversified fanciful stalactites ceiling.
Ba Chua Thuong Ngan is located between the main cave and stone in red lacquer trimmed with gold. Around Chua Thuong Ngan is a stunning forest of stone stalactites. By delicate imagination and a foresighted view, visitors can easily name each stalactite and stone in such Fairy grotto. Each stalactite and stone in the Fairy grotto is masterpiece of the Creator and an essence of time on the stone. Only flowing water and eroded stone for thousands of thousands of years that create such magic.
Visitors to Bai Dinh pagoda festival will feel the love of nature and recollect the past when the old generations found the country in a rice field village. Despite being tired, visitors find it interesting to participate in climbing and visiting beautiful caves in the festival atmosphere.
The pilgrimage to Bai Dinh pagoda creates in human the psychological expectation to reach into the beauty and good deeds. It is the expectation of the beauty that makes us more enjoyable, as well as create more faith and love. Each person will find peace of mind and direct to the charity. The festival activities makes visitors exited with wrestling, con throwing, cards, tug and war as well as many other folk games on New Year.
Source: ninhbinhtourism
Ninh Binh Tourism – On December 07th in the provincial library, the literary – artistic association coordinated with Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized the exhibition of Fine Art – Photography themed ” Land and Ninh Binh People ” for the fourth time.
– The work titled ” Country music note ” of Ninh Manh Thang won the consolation prize” Festival of pictures, documentaries and reportages about the country, people in ASEAN Community 2010 “.
– To attend the exhibition, there were 70 images of 15 authors and 44 paintings of 21 artists, the writers and artists in the province, the people who love fine art and photography…
– The content of works attending this exhibition was inspired from many major arrays of topic such as: industrialization and modernization of Ninh Binh; portrait of workers; natural scenes and activities, festivals in many rural areas of Ninh Binh, the historical and cultural monuments…
– This exhibition is an opportunity for writers and artists to exchange, learn, listen to opinions from the art-loving public, contributes to improve themselves in the creative process.
– This is also a cultural activity with practical significance to celebrate the success of the Provincial Party Congress XX and towards the National Party Congress XI.
Ninh Binh Tourism – in the afternoon on October 02nd, King Ly Cong Uan (played by actor Quoc Anh) together the entourage pull in to Chuong Duong wharf after moving the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Thang Long, end of the days reconstructing the historical immigrant journey.
Based on historical data, the journey of King Ly Cong Uan started from Sao Khe River, through Hoang Long river to Day river and straight forwards Red River.
“Journey to trace the ancients ” – one of the typical programs for celebration of great festival day that takes place from September 30th, starts from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) and ends at Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi in the afternoon on October 02nd.
Ninh Binh Tourism – In the economic development planning of the northern coast region, Ninh Binh is prioritized to develop as a tourist center. Ninh Binh City will be a tourism city.
That was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Tran Huu Binh. He put forward the idea that Ninh Binh would organize a cave festival as some provinces that had unique strengths such as Lam Dong held Da Lat flower festival, Tien Giang held fruit festival and Hau Giang held Vietnamese rice festival.
Through the festival, we can introduce and promote natural resources, places of scenic beauty, especially the beauty of Ninh Binh’s caves to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
Ninh Binh together with Halong are 2 bottom edges of the Red River delta triangle. It is compared as ” Ha Long Bay on land ” with a lot of caves, lakes, flooded mountains which are valuable for tourism development.
In particular, Ninh Binh has diverse and attractive natural tourism resources. It has the karst mountainous area with primitive cave system and unique ecosystem interwoven with the historical and cultural monuments; convergence full range of factors, which is like ” a miniature Vietnam”. It has forests, mountains, rivers, sea with the natural preservation areas, the national parks, the international biosphere reservation area and the national tourist area.
The beautiful mountains, caves such as Ngoc My Nhan Mountain, Non Nuoc mountain, Ky Lan Mountain, Dich Long cavern, Van Trinh cavern, Bich Dong cavern, Tam Coc cavern, Thien Ton cavern, Fairy cave, Sinh Duoc Cave. In 2009, Ninh Binh welcomed more than 2.4 million tourist arrivals, increasing 26 %, of which, the number of international tourists was 600,000. Tourism revenue was 245 billion dong, increasing 51 % compared to the previous year. In 2010, the province strived to welcome 3 million tourists, of which, the number of international tourist was 700,000 arrivals, increasing 40 % of tourists in the region; branding for Ninh Binh’s tourism, ensuring culture, utilities and its own identity.
Besides, Ninh Binh also has 3 fairly typical tourist resorts such as Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourism area, each year, this place attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists because of its primitive beauty, with many caves, monuments associated with the history, culture and legends such as Bai Dinh Pagoda, Thai Vi temple, Bich Dong pagoda, Fairy cavern, Linh Coc pagoda… with mountain scenery that is more beautiful than any paintings.
Non Nuoc, or Duc Thuy Son mountain is located right on the confluence between Van River and Day River, as an outpost in the eastern gateway of Ninh Binh City. The entrance to the top of Non Nuoc mountain goes through 72 stone levels which are divided into 5 levels. The mountain top is relatively flat and convenient for visitors to rest and have sightseeing.
Along the mountain, there are Non Nuoc Pagoda and a temple worshipping famous scholar Truong Han Sieu whose courtesy name are Thang Phu and Don Tau in Tran dynasty. The Van River estuary surrounds on the three sides of Duc Thuy mountain while only the other side is connected to the mainland. Thousands of years ago, the foothill was eroded by sea waves forming a wide stone arch which covered a corner in Van River. There are hundreds of poems by famous scholars like Truong Han Sieu, Le Thanh Tong, Le Hien Tong, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Pham Su Manh, Tan Da, etc.
The mountain and river are beautiful like a poem
Anyone visiting Duc Thuy can’t help being amazed
On the mountain, under the river
Yellow daisy blossoms with scent
Non Nuoc is a beautiful mountain in Ninh Binh city, which used to be considered as estuary with fairy mountain in Nguyen Trai’s poem. Standing on the mountain, visitors can have a paranomic view of the two bridges over Day River and a part of Ninh Binh city center.
Truong Han Sieu was the first person to detect and exploit the beauty of Non Nuoc. He named the mountain as Duc Thuy Son and was the first one to leave an autograph of a poem so that other poets who came here for sightseeing can make many other poems carved in stone. Temple Truong Han Sieu and Non Nuoc pagoda were built into the foothills. Such area is now known as Thuy Son’s park in Ninh Binh city.
Non Nuoc mountain is located in a key location, obstructing the access to the confluence of Day River, Van River, Highway 10 and many important traffic roads, which explains why the enemy troops always tried to approach such position during the war. Along the way up to the mountain, there are still the locots with traces of wartime bombing.
In the past, the mountain is an ancient outpost watchtower that protected Hoa Lu citadel. Especially, this is the place to witness an important transfer in the country’s history when under the mountain, Queen Duong Van Nga handed over the imperial mantle and waited for the day when Le Hoan army general came back after expelling the first Song invaders, opening a resounding victory in the national history.
Thuy Son mountain is also a hero song of revolutionary heroism with an example of Luong Van Tuy, a young communist who sacrificed himself to overcome bombing to put the revolutionary flag on the top of the mountain (1930) or Giap Van Khuong, an army hero who bravely escaped from the encirclement of the enemy in the battle against French on 30 May 1951.
Coming to Duc Thuy, visitors can visit Han Nom poetry museum, a lively and rich poetic museum from the creator. In the Tran dynasty, Truong Han Sieu, a son of Ninh Binh was the first one to set up such poetic museum and gave birth to the tradition of poetry carved into the rock. His first poem to be carved into the cliff was Duc Thuy mountain praising the beauty of the mountain and his desire to return to his homeland thanks to the charm of Duc Thuy mountain:
Oh beautiful blue mountain
A long time ago, one still goes
Riverbed silhouetted against tower
No covering from the top floor
Further away from life
Understanding right and wrong
A spaceful land and lake
When to come back here
(Translated by Bang Thanh).
Until Le Dynasty, King Le Thanh Tong when returning from Vinh Lang (Thanh Hoa) also stopped by Duc Thuy mountain. Being amazed by the natural beauty and poems on the cliff, he made Duc Thuy poem carved in the west of the overhang mountain on the east. King Tu Duc in Nguyen Dynasty also carve a poem on the cliff once visiting here. It can be said that no mountain in our country is attached to such many Vietnamese feudal dynasties like Duc Thuy.
Duc Thuy mountain was so famous that many poets came here and carve rows of poem such as Ngo Thi Si, Ngo Thi Nham, Nguyen Huy Oanh, Bui Van Di, Pham Ba Huyen, etc. The mountain has attracted many artists. Duc Thuy is a poetic mountain, and unique poetry in our country, containing interesting poems in the past seven centuries.
The mountain was carved with over 40 poems, which were the invaluable message handed down for future generations, the wonders that adorned and decorated the mountain to be somewhat more ancient, dignified and intellectual. It was also the cultural value representing talent, creativity, sophisticated technique of the ancient stone carving artisans cultural creative talent, technical sophistication, gifted artisans ancient stone carvings. Regardless of time, wind or mist, rain or shine, the Han and Nom characters, whatever big or small, has been carved on the cliff and not dimmed yet. As the sculptures for the complete visual beauty of the mountain, it has attracted many visitors who have been amazed by the beautiful mountain and river and hesitated to say goodbye to such beauty.
From the top of the mountain, the blue skies are so beautiful that make our heart settle down in the wind and sweep away the worries of daily life.
Thuy Son has shown the testament to thousands years of national history and culture. The remaining Vietnamese cultural elites here have tremendous value on the historical education. It is believed that visitors will feel useful, happy and ethnic proud when visiting the historical site Duc Thuy Son.
(Collected and compiled by VHN)
Towards the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long, vissaigroup.com would like to introduce the series of articles on the ancient capital Hoa Lu and Ninh Binh nowadays so that readers can somewhat understand about the land with thousands years of civilization, also the capital of the Dai Co Viet in a proud historical stage of Vietnam.
First article: Hoa Lu ancient capital – History & Festivals
Historical site in Hoa Lu ancient capital
Ancient Hoa Lu, the first capital of the centralized feudal state of Vietnam was established more than 10 centuries ago and is now located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, about 100 km away from Hanoi.
In 968, Dinh Bo Linh defeated the 12 scattered warlords for national reunification, then became emperor in Hoa Lu capital, which existed for 42 years (968-1010) in which the first 12 years were reigned by Dinh Dynasty (Ding Bo Linh ascended the throne as emperor Dinh Tien Hoang brand and then named the country as Dai Co Viet) and the next 29 years were reigned by Le dynasty (the first king was Le Hoan or Emperor Le Dai Hanh).
Over thousands of years ago, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu was truly majestic and splendid with rolling hills surround the capital ring like a geomantic plate, meandering Hoang Long river, Nho Quan and Gia Vien field full of natural deep moats creating favorable conditions for military.
Hoa Lu ancient capital was about 300 hectares in width, including The External Citadel, The Internal Citadel and The South Citadel which were surrounded by a series of arc rocks, majestic landscapes while the space between the mountain slopes were sealed by earthen bricks with the citadel foot of 8 to 10 meters in strikeout.
The External Citadel was about 140 hectares in width and located in the rural Yen Thanh, Truong Yen Commune. This is the main palace with Dinh Temple and Le Temple as the main center, also the place where King Dinh Tien Hoang flagged the nation building. In front of the palace was Ma Yen mountain in which Legend of King Dinh selected to obstruct the access.
The Internal Citadel was located in the rural Chi Phong, Truong Yen Commune, also known as Thu Nhi Commune, the place of children and maids in the palace.
The South Citadel (located in the South, opposite and connected to the External Citadel) was surrounded with high mountains surrounding, obstructing the access to the South of the imperial city and protecting from the back. From here, it could be easily to withdraw by waterway.
From the East of the imperial city, there was the Flag pole mountain, a place with the national flag of Dai Viet, rapids tower where King Dinh defeated the marines, Tien Cave which stored the national wealth and Thien Ton Cave – Hoa Lu outposts, also the cave trapping tigers, leopards and sinners.
King Dinh Temple seen from Ma Yen So
In the dynasty of King Le Hoan, there were more splendid palaces such as Bach Thao Thien Tue palace, Phong Luu palace in the East, Vinh Hoa palace in the West, Bong Lai palace in the left, Cuc Lac palace in the right, Hoa Van gazebo, Truong Xuan and Long Boc palace with silver tiles.
By 1010 Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long and Hoa Lu officially became the ancient capital.
Over more than 10 centuries, the historical relics in Hoa Lu ancient capital have mostly been destroyed or ruined. Nowadays, there are only the remaining King Dinh Temple and King Le Temple built in the seventeenth century.
King Dinh Temple was built in the style of “inner force overseas” which was based on the majestic ancient palace with the Ngo Mon Gate, lotus pond, rockery, flower gardens, outer and inner fringes together with three sanctum, burning incense and harem. In the sanctum, there was “Long Sang” made of lively monolithic stone. It was followed by the burning of incense to worship the Founding Fathers and meritorious officials. Finally, there were the statues of King Dinh Tien Hoang with his sons in the harem. The carvings on stones and wood with the themes of dragon, clouds, fairies, flowers, etc. were sophisticatedly decorated in the temples..
King Le Temple worshipping Emperor Le Dai Hanh was located about 500 meters from King Dinh Temple. King Le Temple had a smaller scale included three buildings: sanctum, burn incense worshipping Pham Cu Luong who deserved the credit to help Le Hoan come to the throne, main palace worshiping King Le Dai Hanh (i.e. Le Hoan) in the middle, Le Ngoa Trieu on the right (King Le’s son) and Queen Duong Van Nga on the left. King Le Temple also held many vestiges of ancient architecture with elaborately polished carved plaques where the old palace relics were found with some antique ceramics. Such precious objects were kept the museum on the left of the temple.
In the Hoa Lu relic area, there are some quite beautiful pagodas such as Ngan Xuyen Pagoda (near the foothills of Ma Yen), Nhat Tru Pagoda (approximately 200 meters away from King Le temple) that attract many tourists for incense offering and sightseeing.
Also, what attracts tourists visiting favorite relics of Hoa Lu ancient capital is to meet the very interesting tour guides. The story of the reign of King Dinh and King Le are told in a simple but profound way, especially with their proud and respect against the ancestors.
Nowadays, on the ancient palace, there are two temples in a distance up to 500 meters. One temple worships Dinh Tien Hoang while the other worships Le Dai Hanh. The two temples worshipping the two emperors are so close that they are known as Dinh-Le Temple.
The ancient capital festival
Each year, the traditional festival of Hoa Lu ancient capital is held in spring, the early March of Lunar year at the historical relic area of Hoa Lu to commemorate the merits of the historical characters such as King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh. The festival was formerly known as Truong Yen Festival or Reed Festival.
- The Hoa Lu ancient capital festival is a traditional one with a history from the time Hoa Lu became the ancient capital. Such festival is also known as Reed Festival with the game retracing Dinh Bo Linh in the Reed Maneuver.
- From 2006, Truong Yen Festival was suggested to change its name into Hoa Lu ancient capital Festival by Ninh Binh Province. The traditional Hoa Lu ancient capital festival is a provincial festival toward the building and defending origin of Vietnamese people.
- The Hoa Lu ancient capital festival is held in spring, on the birthday of Dinh Bo Linh (15 February of lunar calendar) or in early March of lunar year starting from the sixth to tenth day of the third month of lunar year (Legend has it that Dinh Bo Linh was crowned emperor on 10 March while the King Le Dai Hanh passed away on 8 March).
- Festival space appears in most of the relics in the Hoa Lu ancient capital such as temple and tomb of King Dinh and King Le, the memorial of King Ly, Hoang Long River, Nhat Tru Temple, Ngan Xuyen Temple, Phat Kim temple, etc.
With regards to Truong Yen festival, it is often said that:
“For those who are the first offspring of dragon
Welcome to March, in Truong Yen Festival”.
The ceremony part
Water Communion Ceremony: The ceremony starts with the Water communion when groups of people depart from King Dinh Temple to Long Dinh where there is a jar for holding holy water, then stop to take water into the jar and bring it back to the temple. The communion is sophisticatedly prepared. Before the opening ceremony, a big bamboo tree is selected. On the top of the tree, there is a yellow banner with mantra, the content of which shows deep gratitude of people and young generations to the golden dragon that saved Emperor Dinh in such river. May the river god keep the river cool and gentle, supporting people to get away from evil. The procession is led by pairs of people bringing the five-color flag of all kinds, followed by the octet orchestra and drums. Next, there is a big eight pole palanquin with the incense carried by eight young men in the soldier clothing, followed by the central or local guests. Then the maidens carry the offering in the canopy eight pole palanquins. The behind groups of people are the elderly, women sacrifice team far and wide, people and tourists.
Offering ritual: Right after the procession returns to the central stage of festival, the ritual opening will take place at the alter of the relic area. After the opening speech, there are Hoa Lu drum band and performance recreating important historical events in the old ancient capital Hoa Lu such as the events of Dinh Bo Linh and Le Hoan being crowned emperors, defeating Tong enemy, moving the capital to Thang Long and ending up flying dragon until the end of the opening this morning. The offering ritual is then conducted both day and night in Dinh Temple and Le Temple, praising the merit to the two kings. After that, others will burn incense to commemorate the religious worship statue as well as show gratitude to the ancient sculptures and architecture. Joining the ritual are many other groups in the region.
Festival
In the festival, there are interesting folk games such as reed wood manoeuvre, rowing, stick dancing, human chess, word builder, con throwing, rowing rhythm singing contest, wrestling, Chinese characters, etc. Basically, the games in the Hoa Lu ancient capital are similar to ones in Vietnamese folk festival. There are some typical festival games such as:
Reed wood manoeuvre is a folk game re-expressing the rehearsal and training of the young hero Dinh Bo Linh and word pulling.
Participating in the Reed wood manoeuvre are 60 teenagers aged 13 to 15 years. The most handsome boy is selected to act as Dinh Bo Linh, wearing a straw hat, holding a bulbul with yellow and purple canopies, standing in the two sides to sing and re-express King Dinh in the reed wood manoeuvre. The festival represents the will of Dinh Bo Linh and the whole army.
Thai Binh (Peaceful and Prosperous) word builder: The letters are put together to form the word “Thai Binh”, which is to commemorate the reign of King Dinh, also the name of the first Thai Binh coin in Vietnam. Participants in this performance are 120 girls in blue four-panel traditional dress, holding the flags, running to form the word per each 3 drumbeat. The first row pulls the word “Thai”, runs around to the front to form the line “thanh”, then runs to the left to pull down the line “mac”, and finally runs to the right to pull down the line “dot”. That’s how the word “Thai” is formed. Meanwhile, in the second row, the girls run and form the word “Binh”. Both rows lower the flags to hightlight the word “Thai Binh”.
Hoa Lu beauty contest: From 2005 onwards, Ninh Binh has decided to hold the Hoa Lu beauty contest on the festival occasion, a part of the Vietnam ancient capital beauty contest. The qualifiers took place earlier and the final will take place at Hoa Lu festival stage.
Cheo singing contest: As the possible breeding ground for cheo theater art, on the Hoa Lu festival occasion, the cheo singing contest takes place with the participation of many individuals and local art trouples. It is the Hanoi cheo trouple that undertakes the capital moving and Thang Long drum festival.
Domestic and foreign tourists visit the relics
Visiting the historical Hoa Lu is a good chance to admire the architectural works, the majestic beauty of the entire monument, marking the glorious period of expanding a independent and sovereign Dai Co Viet. Participation in the festival is a good way to immerse ourselves in the history of civilized land which used to be the capital in the thousand year history of the heroic people of Vietnam.
(Collected and compiled by Vu Ngoc Huynh)
