Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is not only a cultural and historical symbol of the capital but also a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists in Hanoi tours. Before coming to admire the beauty and discover the complex of relics of Hoan Kiem Lake, do not forget to refer to the information about the two features of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi details below.

Hoan Kiem Lake’s history

According to the legend, in early 1428, Emperor Le Loi was boating on the lake when a Golden Turtle God surfaced and asked for his magic sword, Heaven’s Will. Loi concluded that Kim Qui had come to reclaim the sword that its master, a local God, the Dragon King had given Lợi some time earlier, during his revolt against Ming China. Later, Emperor Loi gave the sword back to the turtle after he finished fighting off the Chinese. Emperor Loi renamed the lake to commemorate this event, from its former name Luc Thuy meaning “Green Water”. The Turtle Tower standing on a small island near the center of the lake is linked to the legend. The first name of Hoan Kiem lake is Ta Vong, when the King hadn’t given the Magical Sword back to the Golden Turtle Good.

Hoan Kiem Lake – travelers should visit the lake once in Hanoi tours

Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi attracts tourists and locals looking to get away from the noise and frenetic pace of the city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the center on a small island.

Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi tours city in which to rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals.

Today ‘Turtle Tower’ stands close to the lake in memory of this legend. There are also endangered large soft-shell turtles swimming in the lake, and to see one of these gentle giants is considered very auspicious. The name of the temple translates to ‘Temple of the Jade Mountain’ and is predominately dedicated to war hero General Tran Hung Dao who defeated an armed force of 300,000 soldiers sent by Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan in the 13th century to invade Vietnam.

Destinations not to be missed in Hoan Kiem Lake

Ngoc Son Temple: Ngoc Son Temple is one of the destinations not to be missed when traveling to Hanoi tours. Located on an island in the north of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple is connected to the shore by the Thi Huc Bridge painted in bright red color.

To Ngoc Son Temple, visitors not only admire the architectural work of marvelous time imprinted with nostalgia, watching the whole of Hoan Kiem Lake beautiful and sparkling but also have the opportunity to learn about the culture as well as the Little known story associated with the history of the temple.

The Huc Bridge: Together with Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge is a symbol of the charming beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake in general and Hanoi capital in particular. With a unique construction architecture and many long-standing cultural and historical values, The Huc Bridge has become an unforgettable destination for every tourist coming to Hanoi.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater: This is one of the traditional puppet theaters still active to this day and always gives the audience the impressive colorful artistic performances.

The special water puppet shows are not only loved by tourists and locals but also become famous all over the world and attend many art festivals around the world.

Hoan Kiem Lake – the pride of Hanoi people. Hanoi tours, discover new experiences, ethnic places, love our country. Wish you have a meaningful Hanoi trip.