Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (2024) - Images, Timings

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Overview

Hoan Kiem Lake, often referred to as the "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Sword Lake," is a picturesque sight, especially during the early mornings and evenings. It is popular for activities like Tai Chi, jogging, or leisurely walks along the water's edge. Connected to the lakeshore by the iconic scarlet Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple sits proudly on a small island in the lake.

Located close to the Old Quarter, the lake is bursting with life early morning and late evening, when people can be seen exercising, casually hanging out, or even practicing tai chi and line dance. Elderly and children alike are seen enjoying themselves, and the lake also has a local legend full of royalty, treasure, and swords. The refreshing surroundings qualify as the best place for morning and evening walks. If you make it early, at around 6 in the morning, you can catch locals practising tai chi by the banks. On Fridays and Saturdays, the nearby traffic is ousted from 7 pm until midnight, giving way to a fresher vibe to take over the entire lakeside.

1. Huc Bridge

The scarlet-painted wooden bridge dominates the rippling green lake. It depicts a classical Vietnamese design and is a renowned symbol of Buddhist architecture. Another name for the iconic Huc Bridge (Read More)is the Rising Sun Bridge. It makes the Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Island accessible to devotees and travelers by connecting the island to the Lake bank. The locals fondly call it “the bridge where light is absorbed,” and it is considered holy as it connects the sacred Ngoc Son Temple.

2. Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son Temple which translates as the "Temple of the Jade Mountain" was built in the 18th century on Jade Island in the center of the lake. It was built to mark the bravery of military leader Tran H (Read More)ung Dao in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty which took place in the 13th century. Inside the pagoda, there are altars dedicated to Tran Hung Dao.

Thap Rua Tower, also known as the Turtle Tower, one of Hanoi's most iconic attraction was built to commemorate Le Loi who gave Vietnam freedom from the Chinese in 1425. Constructed on a small piece of (Read More) land in the Hoan Kiem Lake, this tower is inaccesible to the public, however, you can admire its glory from the edge of the lake.

Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake

Legend has it that in early 1428, when one day, Emperor Le Loi was sailing across the lake water in a boat, a Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) rose to the surface of the water. The Turtle God commanded the emperor to return the Magic sword- Heaven’s Will to the Dragon God, with which he defeated the Chinese Ming Dynasty. Le Loi followed the command and returned the sword to him, the Turtle God then disappeared into the lake water. To commemorate the return of Turtle God to the lake, Le Loi christened it as Hoan Kiem Lake. Today, if you peer down from the Huc Bridge a little, you can see groups of turtles swimming inside.

The Hoan Kiem Lake Turtle Story

Hoan Kiem Lake was formerly known as Luc Thuy Lake which meant Green Lake - after the color of the lake water. The lake is shrouded in the stories of the past were a legend in the 15th century named Le Loi who said to have encountered a God-sent jewelled hilt on a Banyan tree and a sword caught in a fisherman's net. Since after, he used the magical sword to drive the Minh invaders and freed the civilians. After the victory, he was titled the king of Vietnam under the name Ly Thai To. After almost a year, the king was sailing on a boat in the lake (then named Luc Thuy Lake) when a Golden Turtle God appeared and asked him to return the sword to the Dragon King (in Vietnamese, Long Vuong). Le Loi returned the sword and to mark this incredible event, he renamed Luc Thuy Lake to Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake).

How To Reach Hoan Kiem Lake

The central location of the Hoan Kiem Lake makes it within reach of the people living around the city. From Noi Bai Airport, a 40-minute drive can get you here. Hoan Kiem sprawls in Hanoi's Old Quarter and is quite close to the Temple of Literature.