Hanoi Attractions: #20 Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a cultural complex that includes housing the royal enclosure, which was first erected during the Lý Dynasty. It was then enlarged during the Tran, Le and finally Nguyen Dynasties. The ruined citadel roughly coincides with today’s Hanoi Citadel.
The Main Gate.jpg

The Main Gate of the Citadel
Most of the buildings here had fallen into disrepair by the late 1800s following the French taking control of the city. Most of the remaining structures were then torn down. However since the turn of this century a systematical and thorough excavation of the site has been undertaken. This resulted in UNESCO recognising the site in 2010 and inscribing it onto their World heritage List.

Looking into the courtyard

Hanoi Flag Tower

The iconic flag tower
The Flag Tower of Hanoi is an important building here. It is fully accepted as a symbol of the city. It was built by the Nguyen Dynasty in 1812. And mercifully was spared during the colonial rule by the French. This was no altruistic act, it was simply used as a military post as it affords great views of the city.

D67 House and Tunnel

This is situated towards the north of the Kinh Thien Hall and was previously used as a headquarters of the Vietnamese People’s Army during the American War. The house was constructed in 1967 hence it’s rather unimaginative title. It has a 2 feet thick perimeter wall which affords good soundproofing. There is an exhibition of equipment used by the Politburo, the Ministry of Defence,the Central Military Commission, and the General Staff in resisting the US during the war.

Beautiful ladies in traditional Ai Dai (dresses)and Non La (conical hats) stroll around the gardens
!steemitworldmap 21.037254 lat 105.839871 long Imperial Citadel of Thang Long D3SCR

Other Hanoi Attractions can be found here:

#1 Cua Bac Church @inseasia/hanoi-attractions

#2 Hoan Kiem Lake @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-2-hoan-kiem-lake

#3 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-3-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum

#4 The Vietnamese Museum of Ethnology @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-the-vietnam-museum-of-ethnology

#5 Truc Bach Lake @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-5-truc-bach-lake

#6 Quan Thanh Temple @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-6-quan-thanh-temple

#7 Vietnam Museum of Revolution @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-7-vietnam-museum-of-revolution

#8 Hanoi Opera House @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-8-hanoi-opera-house

#9 Vietnam Military History Museum @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-9-vietnam-military-history-museum

#10 St. Joseph’s Cathedral @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-10-st-joseph-s-cathedral

#11 Temple of Literature @inseasia/hanoi-attractions-11-the-temple-of-literature