Hoa Lu ancient capital: Glorious historical landmark and fulcrum for contemporary development

 Today, the outstanding cultural historical values and virtues of Ninh Binh people have been preserved, promoted and spread widely. These have become typical identities and momentum for the province to develop, and build itself into a millennium heritage urban area and a creative city, and a big tourism hub of Vietnam and the world.

Perpetual cultural and historical values

In the 10^th century, after defeating 12 warlords and unifying the whole country, Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne in 968. He chose Hoa Lu as the capital of the first feudal state of Dai Co Viet.

This meaningful event closed 1,000 years of being ruled by the northern invaders and opened up a new period for the country’s socio-economic and cultural development.

The founding of Dai Co Viet State marked an important milestone for the national history process and affirmed its position as an independent country.

Associate Prof. Dr. Tong Trung Tin, President of the Vietnam Archeology Association, said Hoa Lu is an important military fortification, and it was also a convenient location serving cultural and economic exchanges.

It has three types of space: high mountains, delta and sea and is a connection point of large rivers such as Hoang Long, Boi, Lang and Day.

Recent archeological findings have clarified the appearance of Hoa Lu ancient capital. Hoa Lu citadel was not surrounded by natural walls of mountains, but also comprised other physical defensive structures and surrounding villages. Hoa Lu was truly a base that was rich with human resources and natural resources to take over the mission of reunifying the whole country.

Hoa Lu affirmed its role in protecting and developing the country. In the 10^th century, King Dinh Tien Hoang chose Hoa Lu as the capital of Dai Viet. In 1285, it was selected as a military base by Tran dynasty to train soldiers, store food and prepare military weapons for the second fight against Yuan Mongolian.

Later, Tam Diep – Bien Son defense route helped Ngo Thi Nham fight against 29,000 Qing troops.

During the resistance wars against the French colonialists and US imperialists, Ninh Binh saw the early development of the communist movement. It was the headquarters of Quyet Thang army corps, helping to defeat the US imperialists.

Important resource for development

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam defined “culture has truly become the spiritual foundation, an internal strength and a breakthrough resource for socio-economic development and international integration”.

While clarifying outstanding values serving as momentum for Ninh Binh’s socio-economic development, Dr. Phan Chi Hieu, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said Ninh Binh has a long-lasting cultural and historic tradition. It was the capital of Dai Co Viet state and associated with six kings of Dinh, Tien Le and Ly dynasties.

Hieu acknowledged that the province boasts numerous natural values and natural resources, including UNESCO-recognised World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site of Trang An Landscape Complex. These are important potential for Ninh Binh to develop tourism and services, he added.

Besides, the province has an important geopolitical location. Ninh Binh has all three spaces: high mountain economic-cultural space, delta economic-cultural space and sea economic-cultural space.

Its geopolitical and geo-economic location has offered favourable conditions for Ninh Binh to enhance socio-economic and cultural exchanges with other cities and provinces in the Red River Delta, Tonkin coastal region and Hanoi capital region.

Ninh Binh has affirmed its position as a major tourist hub of the region, with high national and international brand value, when for many consecutive years it has been rated as a top destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Promoting the sacred spirit of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, with a strategic orientation, a long-term vision and a firm stance to enter the new era of the country, Ninh Binh aims to become a centrally-governed city with the characteristics of a millennium heritage city, a creative city, a growth pole in the southern region of the Red River Delta; a model of harmonious combination between restoration, heritage conservation and green growth; striving to become a typical outdoor innovation center of the country based on the foundation of cultural and artistic creativity, renewing traditions, promoting the value of natural landscapes and unique heritage resources.