02/10/2023
๐ป๐ณ | Important cities of Vietnam through its history.
From the 2nd century BC, Hanoi was chosen as the capital by various Chinese dynasties for the entire Vietnamese territory. By the 10th century AD, when Vietnam achieved full independence, the region was once again selected as the center of power for various feudal dynasties in Vietnam, a status it has held until today. Except for some exceptional cases, such as at the beginning of the 10th or 15th century AD when the capital was temporarily moved to other locations in preparation for wars, the 19th and 20th centuries marked a significant decline in Hanoi's prominence under the Nguyen dynasty. From 1975 to the present, Hanoi has officially served as the capital of the unified Vietnam.
Hoa Lu, which is now part of Ninh Binh province, is a historical site that marks a period of complete independence for Vietnam from China. The rugged terrain and numerous rivers in this area provided a perfect natural defense system to protect Vietnam's political center from an ambitious China.
Tay Do, Tay Kinh, Lam Kinh, now part of Thanh Hoa province, served as another capital of Vietnam during the 15th century, specifically during the Hแป dynasty and early Lรช dynasty. While not as large as the Red River Delta, the Thanh Hoa region had sufficient land to provide sustenance for wars. Thanh Hoa is also considered the ancestral land of Vietnam, with the D**g Son culture dating back to ancient times.
Phu Xuan, now part of Thua Thien - Hue province, was a significant capital of Vietnam during the period of North-South internal conflicts (Trinh โ Nguyen, 17th - 18th centuries AD) and the Nguyen Dynasty era (1802 - 1945). Despite its narrow coastal strip and vulnerability to seaborne attacks, Phu Xuan was strategically located in the heart of Vietnam, making it easier to govern both North and South regions. Its position also facilitated maritime trade with the outside world.
Singhapura and Indrapura, located in the present-day Quang Nam - Da Nang region, were important capitals of the Champa Kingdom in the past, from its establishment to the 10th century AD. With its fertile river delta, this region was conducive to the economic development of the kingdom. Due to threats from the Vietnamese in the north and the Khmer in the west, the kingdom had to relocate its capital to Vijaya. Hoi An, located in this region, was also an important seaport for the Vietnamese people during the Nguyen lord in the 17th and 18th centuries AD.
Vijaya, which is now part of Binh Dinh province, was also an important center for the Champa people. It served as a perfect capital to replace Indrapura, offering favorable terrain for defense against attacks from neighboring countries.
Gia Dinh was considered the capital of the southern part of Vietnam's territory during the Nguyen Dynasty from the 17th to the 20th century AD. Its proximity to the sea allowed easy access from the Hue court and facilitated maritime trade. During the French colonial period, Saigon played a crucial role as a capital in administering Indochina before it was moved to Hanoi. Saigon also served as the capital of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Oc Eo, located in the present-day provinces of An Giang and Kien Giang, was a major urban center in Southeast Asia during the Funan Kingdom. It served as an important port in the ancient world when sea levels were higher. Archaeological discoveries indicate that Oc Eo was a prosperous city with commercial connections to other ancient centers such as Rome, Persia, India, and China. However, after the Khmer Chenla invasion, the port gradually declined due to the Khmer empire's shift toward a more inward-focused, self-sustaining economy that relied less on external trade.
