Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

Published: July 11, 2026 · Updated: July 11, 2026

AD 1010

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was founded in AD 1010, when Ly Thai To moved his capital to Thang Long, today's Hanoi. It remained the political centre of Dai Viet for nearly eight centuries and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long — Author: katiebordner CC BY 2.0 Source

Overview

The citadel in Hanoi was founded in AD 1010, when Ly Thai To moved his capital to Thang Long, today’s Hanoi. It remained the political centre of Dai Viet under the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties for nearly eight centuries.

Description

Surviving monuments of the central sector include the Doan Mon gate, the dragon-balustraded steps of the former Kinh Thien palace from the 15th century, and the flag tower of 1812. The archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu street, excavated from 2002, revealed superimposed foundations, wells and artifacts of the successive dynasties.

History and legacy

The citadel also served as a military headquarters during the Vietnam War. In 2010 it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its thousand-year continuity as a seat of power.

Periods

Ly dynasty 1009–1225
Tran dynasty 1225–1400
Later Le dynasty 1428–1789

Regions

Vietnam