The Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long is a historic fortress in Hanoi, Vietnam, built in 1010 by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ when he moved the capital from Hoa Lư to Đại La, renaming it Thăng Long (“Rising Dragon”). It remained the political center of Vietnam for 13 centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of multiple dynasties.
The citadel was constructed over the ruins of an older fortress and expanded by the Trần, Lê, and Nguyễn dynasties. However, during the French colonial era, much of the structure was demolished, leaving only remnants. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing Vietnam’s rich history and cultural heritage.
After ascending the throne, Lý Công Uẩn decided to choose Đại La Citadel as the new capital, moving it from Hoa Lư to Đại La and renaming it Thăng Long, which is now present-day Hanoi.
In the Edict on the Transfer of the Capital issued by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ, he declared:
“Đại La Citadel lies at the center of heaven and earth, at the crossroads of east, west, south, and north. It has the form of a coiling dragon and a crouching tiger, with rivers and mountains surrounding it. The land is wide and flat, elevated and bright, flourishing with all living things. Among all places in Vietnam, this is the most superior. It is truly the meeting point of the four directions, a land of prosperity, and the eternal capital for future generations.”
This historic decision not only aligned with the developmental needs of the centralized feudal state rising to power but also reflected the emperor’s foresight and long-term strategy in ensuring a prosperous future for his descendants. 🏯✨
These are some ancient tales explaining the origins of the great figure Lý Công Uẩn. To this day, no one has discovered the exact truth about his background. However, he is known as the founder of the Lý dynasty, a powerful ruling house that led Dai Viet to prosperity for over two centuries. Born without a father and having lost his mother early, Lý Công Uẩn was raised with love and dedication by his foster father, Lý Khánh Văn. By the age of six, he had already mastered many books and was considered a bright, handsome, and resilient child. However, alongside his intelligence, he was also mischievous and playful.
One time, when his foster father instructed him to offer cakes to Hộ Pháp (a Buddhist guardian deity), instead of obeying faithfully, he secretly carved out a piece to eat first. That night, Hộ Pháp appeared in a dream to Lý Khánh Văn, revealing the mischief, which led to Lý Công Uẩn getting scolded. Angered, the boy went to the temple and hit the statue three times, then carved the words:
“Exiled for three thousand miles.”
That same night, Lý Khánh Văn again saw Hộ Pháp in a dream, this time with a sorrowful expression, saying farewell:
“The Emperor has banished me far away, I bid you goodbye.”
The next morning, Lý Khánh Văn checked the statue and indeed found the words “Đồ tam thiên lý” (Exiled three thousand miles) written on its back. He instructed a young monk to wash them off, but the words wouldn’t disappear. In the end, he had Lý Công Uẩn himself erase them, and with just a simple touch of his finger, the words vanished instantly.
As he grew older, Lý Công Uẩn remained playful, often neglecting his studies. He was later sent to Tiêu Sơn Pagoda, where Zen master Vạn Hạnh (Lý Khánh Văn’s brother) taught him literature and governance. Despite his intelligence, he remained mischievous. Even when tied up at the Tam Quan gate as punishment, he composed a poem:
“The sky serves as my pillow, the earth my blanket,
The sun and moon join me in restful peace,
Deep in the night, I dare not stretch my feet,
For fear the mountains and kingdom may tilt.”
Upon hearing this poem, Master Vạn Hạnh recognized his imperial spirit and devoted himself to shaping Lý Công Uẩn’s future, ensuring he would one day achieve greatness.
At the end of the Le dynasty, the king was a cruel man. Zen Master Vạn Hạnh had a deep understanding of the times and witnessed the decline of the Lê dynasty, including Emperor Lê Long Đĩnh’s ruthless actions, even toward Buddhist monks. Seeing this, he devised a plan to instill public belief that the Lý family would soon rise to replace the Lê dynasty. According to legend, in Diên Hồng Village, the birthplace of Lý Công Uẩn, a large cotton tree was struck by lightning, revealing mysterious inscriptions known as a prophetic verse (“bài sấm”):
“The tree’s roots, pale and bright,
Its bark, green and fresh,
A single blade of flowers fades,
Eighteen sons become kings,
The East A enters the land,
Another tree turns green,
The Chấn Palace bathes in sunlight,
The Đoài Palace hides its star,
After six or seven years,
Peace will reign across the land.”
Basically this prophecy was used to persuade people that the Lý dynasty was destined to rise, signaling a new era for the nation. Enraged, the king executed people with the surname Lý but somehow spared Lý Công Uẩn, who was nearby. This show how good Lý Công Uẩn was with communicating. Many historians suggest that Master Vạn Hạnh orchestrated this incident to fuel the belief in divine signs—a highly effective method in an era steeped in superstitions.
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