Historical legend

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the central area of ​​Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. It has a profound historical heritage and extraordinary significance. Legend has it that in the 15th century, Le Loi, the founder of the Le Dynasty, obtained a magic sword in a battle. With this sword, he successfully repelled foreign enemies and established the Later Le Dynasty. One day, when Le Loi was sailing on the lake, a big turtle surfaced. Le Loi returned the magic sword to the turtle, and since then the lake was named Hoan Kiem Lake. Hoan Kiem Lake not only witnessed the historical changes of Vietnam, but also is an important place for local people to relax, entertain and inherit culture, carrying the collective memory of the Vietnamese people.​​

It is recommended that you choose a sunny morning to start this city walk. The light is soft at this time, which is very suitable for taking pictures and can avoid the high temperature in the afternoon. Starting from the hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake, you can walk to the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake to start a wonderful day.

Attractions along the way

Ngoc Son Temple: Entering from the southwest corner of the lake, the first thing that comes into view is Ngoc Son Temple. This quaint building spans the lake and is connected to the lakeshore by a red arch bridge. The arch bridge is called Qixu Bridge. It has a beautiful shape, like a red ribbon floating on the lake. Ngoc Son Temple enshrines gods such as Wenchang Emperor and Guandi, and is an important symbol of Vietnamese traditional culture. The buildings in the temple are carved with beams and painted with exquisite wood carvings, brick carvings and gray sculptures, showing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Vietnam. Stepping into it, it seems to travel back to ancient times and feel the strong cultural atmosphere. ​

Turtle Tower: Strolling along the lake, you can see the small and exquisite turtle tower standing on the island in the center of the lake. The Turtle Tower is about 5 meters high and square in shape. The tower is white and contrasts with the green lake, which is very beautiful. Legend has it that this is the place where the divine turtle lived after returning the sword, so the Turtle Tower is also regarded as one of the iconic buildings of Hoan Kiem Lake. Taking photos at different angles by the lake, the Turtle Tower can present a unique beauty, and it forms a picturesque scene with the surrounding lakes and mountains. ​

Hoan Kiem Lake Lake Trail: The trail around Hoan Kiem Lake is the core part of the city walk. The trail is lined with green trees and benches are set along the way for tourists to rest and enjoy the scenery. Walking in it, the breeze blows on your face, and the lake ripples. The architectural styles on the shore are diverse, including European-style buildings left over from the French colonial period and arcades full of traditional Vietnamese characteristics. These buildings have witnessed the cultural integration of different periods in Vietnamese history, which makes people sigh at the vicissitudes of time.

Food recommendation

Hanoi Spring Rolls: If you are tired of walking, you may want to taste an authentic Hanoi Spring Roll in a small restaurant by the lake. Unlike spring rolls in other places, Hanoi spring rolls have a thin and transparent skin, wrapped with fresh shrimp, pork, vegetables and other ingredients, dipped in a special fish sauce, and a bite, the taste is rich, refreshing and delicious, full of Vietnamese flavor on the tip of the tongue. ​

Vietnamese coffee: Vietnamese coffee is famous all over the world, and there are many cafes around Hoan Kiem Lake. Find a street cafe to sit down and order a cup of rich Vietnamese drip coffee. Watching the coffee drop by drop into the cup, the aroma gradually spreads, then add an appropriate amount of condensed milk and stir evenly, taste a mouthful, the mellow coffee and sweet condensed milk blend perfectly, instantly let you restore your energy and enjoy a pleasant afternoon.

Shopping and special souvenirs

There are many special shops on the old street near Hoan Kiem Lake. You can buy traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, such as wood carvings, lacquerware, silk products, etc. Among them, Vietnamese silk is soft and colorful, and scarves and clothing made from it are all good souvenirs. In addition, small items such as refrigerator magnets and postcards printed with the scenery of Hoan Kiem Lake or Vietnamese patterns are also suitable as souvenirs of the trip and can be brought back to friends.

When you finish the Hoan Kiem Lake City Walk, you will return with a sense of relaxation and satisfaction, and your mind may still be filled with the ancient charm of Ngoc Son Temple, the silhouette of the Turtle Tower, the breeze on the lakeside trail, and the aftertaste of delicious food. Every step you take is not only about this piece of land, but also about the context of Vietnamese history and culture.