Escape the hustle and bustle of Hanoi's motorbike-filled streets and step into a world of serenity and history at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. This maze-like UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's rich past, featuring stunning architecture and hidden bunkers amidst the vibrant city center. Often overshadowed by its neighboring Vietnam Military History Museum, the Imperial Citadel is a treasure trove of historical significance waiting to be explored. Much like its counterpart in Hue, the Imperial City, Thang Long Imperial Citadel reflects Vietnam's tumultuous history through the centuries, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the country's cultural heritage. For those seeking to delve deeper into Hanoi's past and immerse themselves in its vibrant history, why not start with the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long ?S

What Is The Imperial Citadel Of Thang Long ?

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historical sites in the country.

The citadel was built in the 11th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To and was expanded and renovated by subsequent dynasties. It was the seat of political power, housing the royal court, administrative offices, and important ceremonial spaces for 1300 years. Throughout its history, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long underwent several renovations and expansions. Much of its original layout and structures are preserved to this day. 

Being the royal and political center of Vietnam for nearly 13 centuries, there is of course a lot of interesting stuff buried here. Today, you can explore its archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, which includes remnants of ancient palaces, temples, gates, and defensive structures.

Is The Imperial Citadel Of Thang Long Worth Visiting ?

Yes, there is a reason that the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2010. But what is there to see at the site that has earned it the title ?

The Main Gate (Doan Mon)

Doan Mon is the southern main gate to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, built during the Ly dynasty, but the surviving Doan Mon gate today was constructed by the early Le dynasty (15th century) and renovated under the Nguyen dynasty (19th century). It is one of the five remaining structures in Thang Long, including the Hanoi Flag Tower, the Bac Mon, the foundation of Kinh Thien Palace, and the Temple of Literature. Doan Mon is U-shaped, stretching 46.5 meters, with 5 entrances, the central entrance reserved for the king. The gate remains intact today and serves as the southern entrance to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

Kinh Thien Palace

Located in the heart of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Kinh Thien Palace was once the grandest structure within the complex. Much of it was destroyed over time, its foundations and the steps are all that remained. The staircase consists of 10 steps, with 4 stone dragons crafted in the 15th century during the Le dynasty. They have large heads, round protruding eyes, long branched horns, flowing manes, and open mouths with jade beads in between, bearing typical characteristics of the dragons under the early Le dynasty. On the dragon's back are long undulating lines resembling clouds, and rays of fire.

Princess’ Palace (Hau Lau)

Hau Lau or Lau Tinh Bac is a pavilion located behind the Kinh Thien Palace. Despite being situated behind the palace complex, it is to the north, constructed to maintain tranquility to the north of the palace, hence its name “Tĩnh Bắc”. It’s also known as the Rear Palace or the Princess Pavilion, as it was built to house concubines during the Nguyen Dynasty.

Northern Gate (Bac Mon)

Bac Mon is the northern gate of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. When the French tried to take down the citadel, they kept the gate, which still has two large dents from when they fired cannonballs from the Red River in 1882. Today, on the gate, there is a shrine dedicated to two governors of Hanoi, Nguyen Tri Phuong and Hoang Dieu.

Hanoi Flag Tower

The Hanoi Flag Tower was built in 1812 during the reign of King Gia Long. The flag tower is 60 meters tall and consists of a base, column shaft, and observatory.

The French also initially planned to destroy the flag tower. Luckily, they did not go through with this plan, as they intended to transform it into a viewpoint for horse racing instead.

Today, the Hanoi Flag Tower is located within the compound of the Vietnam Military History Museum right next door on Dien Bien Phu Street.

D67 War Command Bunker

Building D67, located within the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi, holds a significant place in Vietnamese history. Constructed in 1967, this unassuming structure served as a crucial base for the communists during the Vietnam War, or the American War, as the locals call it.

Above ground, the building appears ordinary, but within lies the original meeting rooms where key decisions were made by military commanders. Underneath, accessed via a long flight of stairs, lies an underground bunker, 9 meters deep, known as Bunker D67 or the Dragon House. This fortified war bunker, equipped with 60-centimeter thick reinforced doors, served as a bombproof command room where critical strategies were devised. Today, it stands as a museum showcasing tools used by comrades in the Politburo, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of Defense during the Vietnam War.

Archaeological Site

The archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu is situated approximately 100 meters west of the Kinh Thien Palace. After years of excavation, archaeologists have unearthed millions of artifacts stacked on top of each other, from overlapping ages over 1300 years.

The archaeological site has yielded a large quantity of architectural materials, ceramics, and metal objects. Many artifacts are associated with emperors and the royal family, reflecting the imperial lifestyle and influences of Buddhism and Confucianism. The diverse origins of many ceramic artifacts, not only produced by Vietnamese artisans but also imported from China, Japan, and Western Asia, signify extensive cultural exchanges and interactions.

In addition to architectural remnants, traces of ponds, streams, and particularly the canal from the Early Le period along with wooden boats, oars, and rudders painted in red lacquer have been discovered. The lotus pond remnants are also identified through leaf and root remains in the pond's mud layer, portraying a harmonious urban planning and environmental landscape of ancient Thang Long.

Decoding The Imperial Citadel Of Thang Long Night Tour

Experiencing the Citadel at night is completely different compared to day tours. The "Decoding the Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour lasts about 90 minutes, starting from Doan Mon, where you’ll get to enjoy royal court dances. As the tour continues, you’ll admire valuable artifacts found at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the exhibition hall and pay homage to the emperors at Kinh Thien Palace. The final stop is the Archaeological Site at 18 Hoang Dieu. The tour ends with the game "Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long" where some representative artifacts will be projected with lasers onto the walls for visitors to explore and decipher. Interesting details and decoding hints will be gradually revealed throughout the tour. You’ll also get to enjoy lotus tea and candied lotus under the ancient Bodhi tree at the end of the tour.

Imperial Citadel Of Thang Long - Opening hours, Tickets & Location

Address: 19 Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

Opening hours: 

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM, Tuesday - Sunday (closed on Mondays).

Night tours: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Entrance fees:

Adults: 70,000 VND

Students aged 16 and above, senior citizens (60 years and above): 35,000 VND

Children under 16 years old and individuals with contributions to the revolution: Free

Night tour: 

Adults: 300,000 VND

Children under 5 years old: Free 

Children from 5 to 11 years old: 150,000 VND

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