Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long, Hanoi
The Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long in Hanoi is a noteworthy historical site representing various eras of Vietnamese history. Originally constructed in 1011 by Emperor L媒 Th谩i T峄�, the founder of the L媒 dynasty, this imperial complex has witnessed the evolution of Vietnam's dynastic rule through the centuries. The Citadel, initially established in the early 11th century, served as the political center of the country for almost 800 years.
Over the years, the Citadel was expanded and modified by subsequent dynasties, including the Tr岷, L锚, and Nguy峄卬. Each dynasty contributed to its grandeur, reflecting the changing architectural and cultural tastes of the periods. However, by 1810, the Nguy峄卬 dynasty moved the capital to Hu岷�, which marked the beginning of the decline of the Th膬ng Long Citadel as the center of political power.
By the late 19th century, during the French conquest of Hanoi, the Citadel had fallen into disrepair. Many of its historic structures were severely damaged or destroyed in the subsequent decades. It wasn't until the 21st century that significant archaeological efforts began to systematically excavate and preserve the ruins of this once majestic imperial city.
A significant but grim chapter in the Citadel鈥檚 history occurred in mid-1945 when it was used by the Imperial Japanese Army to detain over 4,000 French colonial soldiers during the Japanese coup d'茅tat in French Indochina.
Recognition of the site's historical and cultural significance came on July 31, 2010, when UNESCO designated the central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long as a World Heritage Site. This honor highlights the importance of the site not just to Vietnamese heritage but to the world, acknowledging its rich historical layers that offer insight into the cultural and political developments in Vietnam over the millennia.
Over the years, the Citadel was expanded and modified by subsequent dynasties, including the Tr岷, L锚, and Nguy峄卬. Each dynasty contributed to its grandeur, reflecting the changing architectural and cultural tastes of the periods. However, by 1810, the Nguy峄卬 dynasty moved the capital to Hu岷�, which marked the beginning of the decline of the Th膬ng Long Citadel as the center of political power.
By the late 19th century, during the French conquest of Hanoi, the Citadel had fallen into disrepair. Many of its historic structures were severely damaged or destroyed in the subsequent decades. It wasn't until the 21st century that significant archaeological efforts began to systematically excavate and preserve the ruins of this once majestic imperial city.
A significant but grim chapter in the Citadel鈥檚 history occurred in mid-1945 when it was used by the Imperial Japanese Army to detain over 4,000 French colonial soldiers during the Japanese coup d'茅tat in French Indochina.
Recognition of the site's historical and cultural significance came on July 31, 2010, when UNESCO designated the central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long as a World Heritage Site. This honor highlights the importance of the site not just to Vietnamese heritage but to the world, acknowledging its rich historical layers that offer insight into the cultural and political developments in Vietnam over the millennia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hanoi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long on Map
Sight Name: Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long
Sight Location: Hanoi, Vietnam (See walking tours in Hanoi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Hanoi, Vietnam (See walking tours in Hanoi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Hanoi, Vietnam
Create Your Own Walk in Hanoi
Creating your own self-guided walk in Hanoi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Hanoi's Old Quarter Walking Tour
The Old Quarter (Vietnamese: Ph峄� c峄� H脿 N峄檌) is the name commonly given to the historical civic urban core of the city, located outside the Imperial Citadel of Th膬ng Long in the northern half of Ho脿n Ki岷縨 District, renowned for its small street blocks and alleys, and a traditional Vietnamese atmosphere.
During the L锚 dynasty (1428-1789), the area included several lakes and wetlands... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
During the L锚 dynasty (1428-1789), the area included several lakes and wetlands... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Hanoi Introduction Walking Tour
Known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences, the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, traces its origin back to the third century BC. Originally, a portion of modern-day Hanoi served as the capital of the historic Vietnamese nation 脗u L岷. Following the collapse of 脗u L岷, the city was made part of Han China (111 BC-40 AD).
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles