The imperial citadel of Thăng Long is located on the banks of the Sông Hồng in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. It was the seat of power of the Vietnamese emperors for over 13 centuries.
The Hoàng thành Thăng Long, literally "Imperial Citadel of the Rising Dragon", is located on the west bank of the Sông Hồng ("Red River") in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. Thăng Long was the capital of Vietnam from 1010 to 1802, and the imperial citadel was the seat of the Vietnamese emperors. Since 2010, the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The citadel of Thăng Long was built in the 11th century by the rulers of the Ly' dynasty and successively extended and expanded by those who followed.
The entire citadel complex covers an area of 140 hectares and was modelled on the cities of other Chinese emperors. It was unceremoniously built as a powerful symbol of independence over the remains of a 7th century Chinese fort.
In addition to the dwellings for the common people, the Imperial City also housed ministers and higher officials. Only the emperor and his closest relatives had access to the Forbidden City. For centuries, it functioned as the centre of power in Vietnam and is thus of outstanding importance for the country's history. Most of the buildings of the citadel of Thăng Long on the banks of the Red River were destroyed in the late 19th century in the course of the French conquest.
Places of interest at Thăng Long Citadel
The flag tower of Hanoi, with the Vietnamese national flag fluttering at the top, stands intact and unmissable amidst its remains. Built between 1805 and 1812, the stone tower is 33 metres high and was used as a military post during the French regime from 1885 to 1954 and was therefore spared. After the Indochina War, it became a symbol of the Vietnamese's regained national self-confidence.
Of the sacred buildings within the Thăng Long Citadel, the Temple of Literature is certainly the most famous. The Princess Pavilion, built according to Feng Shui, was also destroyed but restored during the French occupation. Only a replica of the single-column pagoda can still be visited.
The two gates Doan Mon and Bac Mon have been restored and are imposing relics from the early days of the imperial citadel of Thăng Long.
Besides the historic citadel of Thăng Long itself, its surroundings have also become a sight to see. Archaeological excavations have been carried out since 2002, in the course of which many of the buildings destroyed in the 19th century have come to light again. Only a small part of the entire complex has been uncovered; most of the finds have been transferred to the National Museum.
