Detailed Content
If you ask the editor to choose one attraction that represents the soul of Hanoi, it would undoubtedly be Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple, located in the city center! This place is like the living room of Hanoi, where you can see people of all ages exercising by the lake in the morning, young people sipping egg coffee under the shade in the afternoon, or romantic couples taking walks by the lake at night. Hoàn Kiếm Lake always quietly embraces the various expressions of this city. Join the VietGo editor as we step into this ancient lakeside filled with greenery and legends, uncovering the charm of the Hoàn Kiếm legend and the relics on Jade Island!
Introduction to Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple: A Thousand-Year Legend Deeply Rooted in Vietnamese National Soul
Hoàn Kiếm Lake (Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, also known as Green Water Lake or Sword Lake) is located in the heart of Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi, covering an area of about 12 hectares. This lake is not only a landmark that divides the Hanoi Old Quarter from the modern city but also an important spiritual hub of Vietnam's history and folklore. In the early 15th century, Lê Lợi, the founder of the Lê Dynasty, is said to have obtained a magical sword inscribed with the words "顺天" while resisting the Ming Dynasty army; after successfully gaining independence with the power of the sword, King Lê Lợi rowed on the lake, and a giant golden turtle surfaced to reclaim the sword. Lê Lợi understood that his destiny was fulfilled and returned the sword to the turtle. From then on, this pond, originally called Green Water Lake, was named Hoàn Kiếm Lake, symbolizing the end of war and the return of peace to this land.
On the northeastern side of the lake, Jade Island (Đảo Ngọc) is home to Ngọc Sơn Temple (Đền Ngọc Sơn), established during the Nguyễn Dynasty in the 19th century. This temple perfectly integrates the ideas of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and it not only worships Văn Xương Đế Quân, the deity of literature and fame, but also honors the Vietnamese national hero Trần Hưng Đạo, who repelled the Mongolian army three times. Due to its high historical value and cultural representation, the Vietnamese government officially listed Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple as national special relics on December 9, 2013. [Cục Di sản văn hóa]
Cục Di sản văn hóa: Di tích lịch sử và danh lam thắng cảnh hồ Hoàn Kiếm và đền Ngọc Sơn ↗
Main Features and Highlights of the Park
1. The Huc Bridge (Cầu Thê Húc): A Vermilion Arch Bridge Bathed in Morning Light
The Huc Bridge connects the land to Jade Island and is a bright red wooden arch bridge. "Thê Húc" means "to absorb the morning sunlight" in Chinese characters. This red bridge resembles an elegant red ribbon stretching across the green waves, complementing the weeping willows by the lake, making it a favorite photo spot for all visitors to Hanoi.
2. Giant Turtle Specimen: A Real Witness to Mythical Legends
Entering the side hall of Ngọc Sơn Temple, the most shocking sight is the giant softshell turtle specimen displayed in the showcase. One of them weighed 250 kilograms and passed away in Hoàn Kiếm Lake in 2016. Locals respectfully refer to it as "Cụ Rùa" (meaning Turtle Ancestor). In Vietnamese traditional beliefs, these century-old giant turtles are seen as incarnations of the divine turtle, and witnessing their form is an essential part of understanding the Hoàn Kiếm legend.
3. Pen Tower and Dai Nghien (Tháp Bút & Đài Nghiên): Symbols of Literary Cultivation
At the entrance of the first gate to Ngọc Sơn Temple stands a tall stone tower called the Pen Tower, topped with a brush pointing to the sky, and the tower body is inscribed with the words "write the blue sky"; above the second gate, there is a stone sculpture called Dai Nghien. It is said that every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month at sunrise, the reflection of the Pen Tower will fall exactly in the center of Dai Nghien, showcasing the ancient people's profound thoughts on literary education and astronomical design.
4. Dac Nguyet Pavilion and Tran Ba Pavilion (Đắc Nguyệt Lâu & Đình Trấn Ba)
Dac Nguyet Pavilion (meaning the pavilion that attracts moonlight) is the second gate of Ngọc Sơn Temple, a two-story building with a beautiful classical aesthetic; while Tran Ba Pavilion, located at the southern end of Jade Island, is an octagonal pavilion facing the center of the lake, meaning "suppressing the waves." Here, you can enjoy a distant view of Turtle Tower standing in the middle of the lake, making it an excellent vantage point for capturing the beauty of Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
5. Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa): A Spiritual Landmark Standing Alone in the Lake
Located on a small island at the southern end of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Turtle Tower was built in the late 19th century. Although visitors cannot directly access Turtle Tower Island, this ancient tower, which combines traditional Vietnamese flying eaves and French arch styles, presents a solemn and elegant beauty from any angle by the lake, making it one of the most representative city images of Hanoi.
Who is this attraction suitable for?
- First-time independent travelers: With a prime location in the heart of Hanoi, it is the best starting point for first-time visitors to establish a sense of direction in the city.
- Cultural history and religion enthusiasts: Travelers who want to glimpse Vietnamese Confucian and Taoist culture, the history of Trần Hưng Đạo's resistance against the Mongols, and the Hoàn Kiếm myth.
- Photography and social media enthusiasts: The vermilion Huc Bridge, the weeping willows by the lake, and the reflection of Turtle Tower are all visually stunning, whether during the day or at night when the lights are on.
- Families with children and elders: The lakeside is flat and easy to walk, shaded by trees, with many benches for resting, making it very suitable for families to stroll leisurely.
Recommended Activities and Itinerary Suggestions
Half-Day Tour Recommended Route
It is recommended to start the morning by visiting St. Joseph's Cathedral (Hanoi Cathedral) to appreciate the beauty of Gothic architecture, then walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake to enjoy a rich traditional Vietnamese egg coffee. Next, cross the Huc Bridge to visit Ngọc Sơn Temple and admire the Pen Tower, Dac Nguyet Pavilion, and the giant turtle specimen. In the evening, take a walk around the lake and enjoy a spectacular Vietnamese national treasure water puppet performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre nearby.
Full-Day Itinerary Suggestions
If you want to plan a complete cultural day trip, you can arrange the following sequence: visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and Temple of Literature in the morning, have lunch in the Old Quarter to taste Hanoi's grilled pork vermicelli (Bún Chả), stroll to Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple in the afternoon, and in the evening, head to Hoa Lo Prison Relic or experience local shopping and night market food in the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Transportation and Arrangement Suggestions
- Walking: If you choose to stay in the Hanoi Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem District, most hotels are within a 5 to 15-minute walking distance to Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
- Ride-hailing (Grab / Be): If coming from Ba Dinh District, Tay Ho District, or other distant areas, you can directly locate "Đền Ngọc Sơn" or "Hồ Hoàn Kiếm" for convenient rides.
- Weekend Pedestrian Zone Special Traffic Control: Every Friday from 19:00 to Sunday 24:00, roads around Hoàn Kiếm Lake will be closed to motor vehicles and converted into a pedestrian zone. During this time, when taking Grab, you need to get off outside the blockade (such as at Trang Tien Plaza or Hàng Gai intersection) and walk in.
Visiting Notes
- Dress Code: When entering religious places like Ngọc Sơn Temple, please wear long pants or long skirts that cover the knees, and avoid sleeveless tops, deep V-neck shirts, or very short shorts to show respect to the deities.
- Weekend Crowd Management: The pedestrian street is very crowded during weekends, so please pay special attention to personal belongings and bag safety.
- Ticketing Information: Walking around Hoàn Kiếm Lake is completely free; however, if you want to cross the Huc Bridge to enter Ngọc Sơn Temple, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket booth next to the bridge (tickets are cash only, so please prepare Vietnamese dong in cash).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is there really a giant turtle in Hoàn Kiếm Lake?
Yes! Hoàn Kiếm Lake was indeed home to the extremely rare Giant Swinhoe's Softshell Turtle. Unfortunately, the last known giant turtle in the lake passed away in 2016. Currently, the giant turtle specimen found in the lake is preserved and displayed in Ngọc Sơn Temple, allowing future generations to see the true appearance of the legendary divine turtle.
Q2: Do I need to buy a ticket just to take photos by the lake?
No, you do not need to. Walking around Hoàn Kiếm Lake, enjoying the reflection of Turtle Tower, and taking photos in the lakeside garden are all completely free. You only need to purchase a physical ticket when you are ready to cross the Huc Bridge to enter the interior of Ngọc Sơn Temple on Jade Island.
Q3: What is the best time to visit Hoàn Kiếm Lake?
The editor highly recommends two time slots: one is in the morning from 06:30 to 08:30, to experience the most authentic tranquil lakeside morning light and the vitality of local residents exercising; the other is after 17:00 in the evening, when the Huc Bridge and surrounding classical lights are illuminated, creating a beautiful reflection on the lake, and you can also connect to the night market or water puppet show in the Old Quarter.
