Located in the beating heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is not only the geographical epicenter of the Vietnamese capital, but also the jewel of its cultural and historical heritage. An unavoidable stopover for any traveler wandering the streets of Hanoi, this haven of tranquility offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Known for its serenity and enchanting aesthetics, the Hoan Kiem Lake stands as a beacon of history and culture, captivating visitors with its timeless legends and serene ambiance. It represents an obligatory passage in the journey of discovery of the city, promising an immersion in the tranquility and captivating beauty which characterize Hanoi.
Besides the lake itself, the surrounding area is overflowing with recommended places of interest, each telling a unique facet of the Vietnamese soul. From centuries-old temples to picturesque bridges, meticulously manicured gardens and vibrant markets, the Hoan Kiem Lake district is a mosaic of moments to experience.
To help you plan your visit, this article will provide you with essential information and practical tips for explore Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing stroll, a living history lesson, or simply a moment of contemplation, here you’ll find everything you need to know to fully enjoy the Hoan Kiem experience while your stay in Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the best things to do during 1 day in Hanoi
History and legend
Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning “Restored Sword Lake” or “Restored Sword Lake”), also known as Sword Lake (Hồ Gươm), is a water lake gentle, measuring approximately 12 ha in the historic center of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
In the past, the lake was variously named “Luc Thuy Lake” (Vietnamese: Hồ Lục Thủy, meaning “green water lake” – aptly named for the color of the water).
The story goes that Lê Lợi came across a shiny metal bar when he visited his friend. It turned out that his friend caught the bar during one of his fishing attempts. The king asked for the helm, took it home and molded it into a sword. Suddenly, there were two words printed on the sword “Thuan Thien” (in harmony with the sky).
Lê Lợi then understood that the sword was a gift from heaven. He used it for battle against the Ming Chinese. In early 1428, while Lê Lợi was sailing on the lake, the Golden Turtle God came out of the water and asked for his magic sword. Lê Lợi knew it was time to return the sword to the god, then he raised the sword and brought it towards the golden turtle god. The turtle immediately held the sword in its mouth and disappeared into the green water. To celebrate this event, King Le Loi decided to change the name of the lake to Hoan Kiem Lake which means “The Lake of the Restored Sword”.
What to see and do around Hoan Kiem Lake
The surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake offer a variety of activities that make it crowded and busy all day long, especially on weekends. Let’s find out what to see and where to visit around this popular lake.
1. Ngoc Son Temple
Located on the north shore of the lake, the Jade Mountain Temple (Ngoc Son temple) stands on Jade Island. Built in the 18th century, it is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a national hero who defeated Mongol invaders 3 times.
Inside you can find the altars, some artifacts and a 250 kg preserved specimen of a giant tortoise. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the Huc Bridge.
2. The Huc Bridge
The Huc Bridge is poetically translated as “Perch of morning sunlight”. It is a wooden bridge painted a bright red color.
The Huc Bridge represents typical Buddhist architecture and becomes a must-see photo spot. Visitors can feel its different elegant beauty especially the sunrise and sunset time.
3. Turtle Tower
The Turtle Tower is definitely an important landmark of the capital Hanoi. During the French occupation, the revolutionary flag of Vietnam was hung on the top of the tower as proof of Vietnamese hope for independence.
Today, the tower is still the pride of Hanoians despite the fact that it is not built in a typical Vietnamese style.
4. Thap But
Thap But is located at the entrance of Ngoc Son temple. Built in 1865 at the suggestion of scholar Nguyen Van Sieu, the tower is 28 meters high and has five floors. It was built with stones and rested on a four meter high stone structure.
At the top of the tower resembles a 0.9 meter high writing brush. Printed on the tower are the words “Writing on the Clear Blue Sky” which means “always be upright and truthful”. Thap But is not only a principle of feng-shui but also a symbol glorifying the importance of literature. Furthermore, this tower demonstrates the power and martial art of Lord Trinh.
5. Join the Taichi class and dance
Let’s visit Hoan Kiem Lake early in the morning from 5am to 6am when the lake is covered with frogs and wonderful birdsong. All the hustle and bustle of the city disappears and is replaced by extremely fresh and peaceful air. It’s the perfect time to exercise and dance while breathing in the fresh air.
Every morning, flocks of local residents gather here for exercise, including yoga, aerobics and tai chi. Tourists are also welcome to take part in these fun activities and communicate with locals.
6. Water Puppet Show
The water puppet show is a legendary presenter of traditional Vietnamese art. The shows are performed by a Vietnamese orchestra which accompanies stories and musicians playing songs using wooden bells, drums, bamboo flutes, cymbals and horns.
There are two main puppet theaters sitting on the lake, including Bong Sen Puppet Theater and Puppet Theater Thang Long .
7. Discover the walking streets and night market of Hang Dao Street on weekends
On weekends, nearby traffic is prohibited from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m., creating a public square. The interesting thing about Hanoi Walking Street is that it mainly features folk games and traditional music performances.
Hang Dao Night Market is celebrated from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The night market stretches from Hang Dao Street, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square to the Gate of Dong Xuan market . You can also buy various types of local souvenirs and local snacks.
8. Discover the old quarter
The old quarter of Hanoi is located northeast of Hanoi, belonged to Hoan Kiem district. It was once the residential, manufacturing and commercial center, where each street specialized in a specific type of manufacturing or commerce.
Another common name referring to roughly the same area is the Hanoi – 36 Streets in reference to the 36 streets or guilds that once made up the urban area of the city. Today, these street names still reflect specializations although few of them remain exclusively in their original trade.
Boarding a cyclo, one of Hanoi’s most typical vehicles, a human-powered transport with a seat in the front for passengers and the driver in the back, will also be a perfect opportunity for your photos and your slow visits through the narrow bustling streets and valleys of the old quarter of Hanoi.
9. Enjoy Street Food and Go Shopping
Near Hoan Kiem Lake, don’t miss Trang Tien ice cream which offer you a variety of flavors that are not found in France, notably rice, green beans and taro.
If you are a fan of high-end shopping, the shopping center Trang Tien Plaza will be a good choice for you, where many famous international brands are located, such as Bvlgari, Dior, Cartier and Louis Vuitton. It was originally built in 1901 in the French colonial style and was renovated again to its current appearance in 2013. It is one of the oldest shopping malls in Hanoi and is located on a corner next to from Hoan Kiem Lake.
Enjoying delicious Vietnamese dishes with stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake from Cau Go Restaurant or having a drink, the cafe in Hàm Cá Mập building – Shark Jaw can also be a good try.
Street food are also high on the list that you should try when visiting the area. The food choices in general are good and the dishes are offered at cheap to affordable prices no matter where you prefer to dine. “Pho”, “Bun cha”, “Cha ca”, “Bun thang”, “Bun dau mam tom”… can be on your pocket list.
