Hoan Kiem Lake: Hanoi's fabled story and emblem

Hoan Kiem Lake (Hồ Hoàn Kiếm), also called Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a freshwater lake in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam's historical district. Its name means "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword." One of the city's most picturesque locations, the lake acts as a hub for public life.

History 

Legend has it that early in 1428, after Emperor Le Loi had vanquished the Ming, he was out on the lake in a boat when Kim Qui, the Golden Turtle God, surfaced and requested his magic sword, Heaven's Will. Kim Qui, according to King Le Loi, had come to retrieve the sword that Lợi had received from the Dragon King, a local deity, some time ago in order to defeat Ming China. After the turtle defeated the Chinese, the Emperor later returned the sword to him. The lake was renamed Luc Thuy, which means "Green Water," by Emperor Lợi to honor this occasion. The legend is associated with the Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa), which is located on a small island close to the lake's center. The first name of Hoàn Kiếm lake is Tả Vọng, when the King hadn't given the Magical Sword back to the Golden Turtle God (Cụ Rùa).

Hoan Kiem Lake Today

There are lots of trees and shady areas near the lake and the temple where one can get away from the bustling city streets. Head toward the Old Quarter and the main post office, which is beside the lake, to get there. Before you cross the bridge, you can buy tickets at a booth on your left. It is best to arrive at the lake as early as possible to watch the locals practice Tai Chi and yoga in the morning. The temple is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. Walk across the bright red Huc Bridge, which is lined with flags, to Jade Island in order to reach the temple.

Locals practice t'ai chi on the beach every morning at about six of the clock in the morning. In addition to being a beautiful time to explore the lake, sunsets can also produce some absolutely stunning photos.

A popular symbol of Hanoi is the dilapidated Thap Rua, which is located on an islet close to the southern end. Around the lake are several graceful stone gateways that resemble pagodas and are inscribed with Chinese characters. One such gateway is Hoa Phong Pagoda (Thap Hoa Phong), which is located close to the southeast of the lakeshore.

Little groups of university and high school students from Hanoi may frequently be spotted interviewing foreigners to practice their English. They are consistently courteous, frequently highly engaging to converse with, and offer a chance to engage with local youth while honing their language abilities—a goal that the Vietnamese take very seriously!

Ngoc Son Temple

On Jade Island, in the middle of the "Lake of the Returned Sword," also known as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple was constructed in the eighteenth century. According to legend, a Chinese Ming Dynasty was defeated by an emperor using a magical sword, and as a result, the Golden Turtle God returned to the lake.

In remembrance of this legend, "Turtle Tower" stands close to the lake today. Seeing one of the gentle giants, known as large soft-shell turtles, swimming in the lake is considered highly auspicious. These turtles are also endangered. The temple is primarily dedicated to war hero General Tran Hung Dao, who in the 13th century routed a 300,000-strong army sent by Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan to invade Vietnam. The temple's name translates to “Temple of the Jade Mountain.”

A sizable bronze bust and other deities can also be found inside the pagoda. There are altars honoring Tran Hung Dao, as well as some antiquated items like ceramics and a preserved example of a 250 kg giant turtle that was discovered in the lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Area: 12 ha

Length:  700 m

Shore length: 1.75 km

Mean depth: 1.2 m

Max. depth:  2 m (6.6 ft)

Location: Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

The Temple of the Jade Mountain 

Address: Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 

Hours: 8AM - 6PM

Distance from La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel: 230m - 3 min walk