Located in the center of Hanoi city, Hoan Kiem Lake is known as the heart of the capital. If you have a plan to visit Hanoi, let’s check the post for more information
History and Legend
Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake (returned sword), before known as Luc Thuy (Green water) because its water is green all year. In the 15th century, the lake was renamed Hoan Kiem Lake with the story of King Le Loi returning the sword to the magic turtle
Legend has it that Dragon King gave Le Loi a magical sword against invaders. After winning the invaders, Le Loi became king and established Thang Long citadel (Hanoi). One day he was sightseeing in a boat on Luc Thuy Lake when suddenly a giant turtle appeared asking him to return the sword to the Dragon King. The king immediately returned the sword to the golden turtle. To commemorate this event, he renamed the lake “Hoan Kiem” (means returning the sword).
Today the lake is home to turtles. If you are lucky you can see giant turtles
Sights around the Hoan Kiem lake
Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake now is situated inside a complex of Pen Tower, The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple.
Ngoc Son Temple (means Temple of the Jade Mountain) is located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem lake. Built in the 18th century, it is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated 300,000 Nguyen Mong soldiers invaded Vietnam in the 13th century. In particular, the temple also a specimen of a giant tortoise weighing 250 kg. was found in 1967
Turtle Tower
In the middle of the lake, there is a tower called Turtle Tower nobody knows about the legend of the Turtle Tower. In the summer, turtles often come here to breed and sunbathe, so people call the Turtle Tower
From Friday to Sunday is a crowded time for visitors to Hoan Kiem Lake because this is a time only for pedestrians, cars are not allowed to operate, convenient for sightseeing and enjoying street food as well as participate in fairs.
Some hotels around Hoan Kiem Lake
La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa
- Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery: 29 Trang Tien Street, Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Solaria Hanoi Hotel: 5 Hang Voi, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Authentic Hanoi Hotel: 13 Ly Thai To Street, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa: 33-35 Hang Dau, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Meliá Hanoi: 44 Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Source Image: Internet
