Hanoi’s main attraction is undoubtedly the Hoan Kiem Lake, right in the center. The lake is located in a pleasant park within walking distance of all of the city’s attractions. This is the place where the locals start their day with some tai chi or a badminton game. In the afternoon it’s a popular place to read a booklet. On one of the islands is the Ngoc Temple. One of the most beautiful places to relax.
Lake of the returned sword
The legend of the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the returned Sword, is a legend. In the early 15th century, Chinese Ming Dynasty troops occupied northern Vietnam. One day a fisherman found a magic sword in his nets. He gave it to General Le Loi who was engaged in a blast battle with the Chinese. With the help of the sword, Le Loi managed to expel the occupier and he called himself Emperor Ly Thai To. At the celebration of victory on a boat on the lake suddenly a giant turtle pulled the sword from the Emperor’s hands. He concluded that the sword had returned to its original place and gave the lake its current name.
Visit Hoan Kiem lake
Situated in the heart of Hanoi, Hoan-Kiem Lake is an oasis of tranquility in this busy district. The French called the Petit Lac (Small Lake), in recognition of the larger West Lake. A hiking trail runs around the 14 hectare lake. On the chairs along the banks are crushing couples hand in hand. There are also stubborn shoe polishers and professional photographers. In the early hours, residents do their exercises, tai chi or jogging.
When you visit the lake you will see an island with a temple called Ngoc Son Temple. The red bridge ‘Cau The Huc‘, provides access to this temple and is often used by people for taking selfies and enjoying the beautiful view. The temple shows a tortoise taken from the lake in 1963. According to the scholar, this tortoise was 500 years old but the locals still believe that the turtle of the “Lake of the Returned Sword” -story lives in the lake. A must-see during your stay in Hanoi.