Đại La
Đại La or La was an old name for the citadel of Hanoi during the third Chinese domination of the 7th and 8th centuries, and again in the 11th-century under Lý dynasty.
Đại La was constructed by jiedushi Gao Pian in 866. It was the seat of Tống Bình County during the Tang dynasty, and was capital of the Tĩnh Hải quân. In 1010, Lý Công Uẩn decided to move his capital away from the cramped Hoa Lư. Đại La was favored because of its central and convenient location, defensible terrain and relatively dry climate. According to the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư, a Yellow Dragon appeared near Lý Công Uẩn's ship when he passed by Đại La. The sighting was considered as greatly auspicious by his ministers. Subsequently, the citadel was renamed Thăng Long.
