Statue of Ly Thai To, Hanoi

The Ly Thai To statue is a large bronze sculpture of Emperor Ly Thai To, founder of the Ly dynasty of Vietnam. He also founded the city of Thang Long in 1010 which later became the city of Hanoi.

In February 2003, the Hanoi department of Culture and Information held a design contest for a statue of Ly Thai To. Sculptor Vi Thi Hoa of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association won the contest that consisted of 29 other entries. The statue was made in August 2004 and erected in October 2004. It is the largest bronze sculpture in Vietnam. The statue weighs 12 tons and is atop a 20 ton pedestal. It stands 10.10 meters high. The right hand of Ly Thai To holds the Chieu Doi Do or the decree of the relocation of the capital city to Thang Long, and the left hand points to the location where the construction began. The statue was erected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Hanoi. It is venerated by the local people with flowers and incense.

The statue of Ly Thai To is located in Indira Gandhi Park, named after the slain Indian prime minister who was a supporter and friend of Vietnam. The park is popular with the locals for strolls and for practicing dance and games.