Hoa Lu is the site of Vietnam’s first capital; it served as the capital from Vietnam’s independence from China in 968 A.D. until 1009 (when the capital was moved to Hanoi). Be sure to visit the Đinh Tiên Hoàng, a temple devoted to Vietnam’s first emperor following liberation from China. The temple is beautiful and remarkably peaceful, nestled among the rolling green hills. We visited on a day tour with Handspan Travel that also included Tam Coc and Bich Dong Pagoda. Handspan did a great job, and we highly recommend them.