The Trần dynasty
1226 - 1400

Official name: Đại Việt
Capital: Thăng Long; later the Capital was renamed Đông Đô (1397 - 1400)
The palace used for King's audiences: Thiên An palace

There was not much difference between the Imperial city in the Trần and the one in the Lý dynasty. However, based on the Lý dynasty’s achievements, the Kings of the Trần dynasty ordered the repairs of old palaces and construction of new royal palaces in the Imperial Citadel.

People and the army of Đại Việt, under the direction of Trần dynasty, managed to repel three Mongol invasions.

In 1243, on an order of Trần dynasty, Quốc Tử Giám (a royal school) was restored. In 1253, Quốc Học Academy was founded. In September of the same year, the Court issued an edict on the studying at the Accademy. According to the edict, students were allowed to attend lectures at the Academy.

The Early Lê
1428 - 1527

Official name: Đại Việt
Capital: Đông Kinh (another name of Thăng Long)
The palace used for King's audiences: Kinh Thiên palace

The resistance war against the Ming invaders which lasted for 20 years ended in victory, King Lê Thái Tổ chose Thăng Long to be the capital, then he renamed it Đông Kinh. During this period, compared with the Lý - Trần period, the city remained almost unchanged.

Hoàn Kiếm lake is closely associated with a legend of King Lê Thái Tổ. According to that legend, when the resistance war against the Ming invaders ended in victory, the King returned the sword to the Turtle (God). Before that, the Turtle lent the sword to the King so that he could use it in battles.

In the Early Lê dynasty, The Imperial citadel was enlarged, extending to the West. Therefore, it was bigger than the one in the Lý-Trần dynasties.

The Mạc dynasty in Thăng Long
1527 - 1592

Official name: Đại Việt
Capital: Đông Kinh (another name of Thăng Long)
The palace used for King's audiences: Kinh Thiên palace

To protect La thành (wider citadel), the Mạc dynasty had earth walls built around the citadel (the outermost wall-ring).

During about 65 years of reign in Thăng Long, the Mạc dynasty organized 22 exams, which selected 485 Ph.doctors, 13 of whom were awarded the academic title Trạng nguyên (the highest degree).

The Revival Lê dynasty
1597 - 1789

Official name: Đại Việt
Capital: Đông Kinh (another name of Thăng Long)
The palace used for King's audiences: Kinh Thiên palace

During this period, in Thăng Long, two governments existed simultaneously: the government of Lê King (in the Imperial Citadel) and the government of Trịnh Lord( in residence). however, the real power was held by Trịnh Lord.

Drawing that shows Thăng Longseen from Red river, XVII century
Artist: Trịnh Quang Vũ

Drawing that shows the residence of Trịnh Lord, XVII century
Artist: Trịnh Quang Vũ

Independent Vietnam in the Hồ Chí Minh era
1945 - Today

Official name: Democratic Republic of Vietnam; Socialist Republic of Vietnam (from July 2, 1976)
Thủ đô: Hà Nội

On September 2, 1945, at Ba Đình Square, President Hồ Chí Minh read the Declaration of Independence, affirming the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. A new chapter had begun in the history of Việt Nam; Hà Nội became the Capital of the nation again.