Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long at 19C Hoang Dieu Street in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2010 that preserves more than a thousand years of Vietnamese political history. Emperor Ly Thai To moved the capital here in 1010 and named it Thang Long, the Ascending Dragon, and successive dynasties built and rebuilt palaces on the site until the 19th century, when the Nguyen dynasty moved the capital to Hue. The visible remains are a mix of periods and styles. The Doan Mon gate, a monumental entrance with five arched openings, leads to the Dragon Steps and the foundations of the Kinh Thien Palace, where stone dragons with unusual curved bodies from the 15th century survive. The Hau Lau, or Princess Pavilion, is a small yellow colonial-era building. Nearby, the D67 house and its underground bunker were used by the North Vietnamese military leadership during the American War, and visitors can view the command room and maps. A large archaeological excavation zone at 18 Hoang Dieu shows layers of foundations, roof tiles, drainage and pottery from the 7th to 19th centuries, presented with English-language panels. The North Gate, which retains cannon marks from 1882, and the Flag Tower are just outside the citadel area. A visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and the grounds are large, open and shaded in places, so it is best in the cool of morning. Crowds are generally light compared with other Hanoi sites, though tour groups come mid-morning. English-language guided tours can be arranged at the ticket desk, and they add a lot of context because many buildings are foundations. The best photo angles are the Doan Mon gate at sunrise and the Dragon Steps with the surrounding lawns. Entry is 30,000 VND for adults and free for children under 15, and the site is closed on Mondays.