Hoan Kiem Lake – The core of Hanoi’s capital land! Not only is it related with the legend of returning the sword to history, but it is also a popular tourist location that must be seen when visiting Ha Noi. Traveling to Hanoi without visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, don’t tell why you are ‘poked’. Let’s follow the trip experiences when we – Paradise Travel visit this fascinating location!
About Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Ta Vong Lake, or Luc Thuy Lake, is located in the heart of Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district. It measures 12ha in width, 700m in length, 200m in width, and 1 – 1.4m in depth. It is encircled by three streets: Hang Khay, Dinh Tien Hoang, and Le Thai To. The lake attracts numerous tourists and locals every day due to its exceptionally ideal location and proximity to several notable tourist attractions.
Hoan Kiem Lake is known as the Heart of Hanoi Capital
History of the name Hoan Kiem Lake
The lake’s name, Hoan Kiem, is related with the well-known mythology of the magical sword’s return. During the Ming invasion of our land in the early 15th century, King Le Thai To with the sword Thuan Thien and his army and people resolved to vanquish the enemy; the sword Thuan Thien was also the sword that Long Quan lent to the king to fight the war.
When King Le Thai To was sailing on Ta Vong Lake after coming to the throne in 1428, a Golden Tortoise appeared out of nowhere and requested that the king return the magical sword to Long Quan. After returning the sword, the Golden Turtle took it and vanished. Hoan Kiem Lake, often known as Sword Lake, was born as a result of this.
Which season is the most beautiful to go to Hoan Kiem Lake?
The greatest time to visit is in the autumn (August, September, and October). The weather is cool at this time, with no hot sun, no rain, and an average temperature, making it very convenient for tourists to visit and discover various tourist destinations. The scenery in Hanoi, especially in October, must be stated to be magnificent, thus it is worth a visit.
The fastest way to go to Hoan Kiem Lake
It is located in the heart of the Hoan Kiem area, making it quite easy to get around. There are many different types of vehicles to choose from, including:
- Bus: Take bus routes 08, 04, 09, 40, 23, 31, 18, 14, 11, 36, 34. There are two routes, 09 and 14, that have a parking lot immediately close to Hoan Kiem Lake, making it quite convenient.
- Taxi: If you want to travel quickly, use a taxi. There are several respectable car companies in Hanoi.
- Motorcycle: If you want to explore the streets of Hanoi, a motorbike is unquestionably the best option. You can try to rent a motorcycle at the hotel or in many places outside, but make sure to ask the pricing first.
For city guests only. The plane is the quickest way to get to Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh City or other provinces.
Which place to visit around Hoan Kiem Lake?
When visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, you must attempt wandering around to investigate, right? And here are some places you should not miss:
Turtle Tower: It was built on Turtle Island in the middle of Sword Lake between 1884 and 1886. From a distance, the tower appears to have a three-story rectangular structure, with three rolling doors on the East-West and South-North sides of the tower, and two pointed rolling doors on the South-North faces. The tops of the first and second floors have a railing with four curving blades at the top.
Turtle Tower
Ngoc Son Temple: Located on Ngoc Island, the temple was erected in 1841 and rebuilt in 1865. This is where Van Xuong De Quan and Saint Tran Hung Dao are worshiped. Ngoc Son Temple is a meeting place for the three religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Other old structures around Ngoc Son Temple include Dai Nghien, Tower But, Tran Ba Dinh, Dac Nguyet Lau, and others.
Ngoc Son Temple
The Huc Bridge It connects Hoan Kiem Lake to Ngoc Son Temple. The bridge has a vibrant red color with an eye-catching curving form. The Huc Bridge, which was erected in 1865, is a renowned tourist attraction.
The Huc Bridge
The Temple of King Le: It was built on the site of an older temple in the late nineteenth century. A bronze statue of King Le Thai can be found here. To 12m tall, carrying a sword as though wishing to return it to the Turtle God.
Ba Kieu Temple: Located northeast of Sword Lake, this temple honors three goddesses: Princess Lieu Hanh, Second Ngoc Nu, and Third Ngoc Nu.
Ba Kieu Temple
Hoa Phong Tower: This is the last surviving historic relic of Lord Bao An after it was destroyed by French colonialists in 1898 to make way for a post office.
Hanoi Walking Street: A popular hangout for young people, it serves a variety of super-delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. Not to mention, you can take part in a variety of other interesting games and activities! Walking Street is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Hanoi Walking Street
Trang Tien Plaza: This is a high-end shopping district near to the lake where visitors may shop and eat pleasantly.
Note when visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi
- To avoid room fires during high season, it is best to book hotels and motels in Hanoi several weeks to a month in advance.
- If you visit Sword Lake near the end of the year, bring warm clothing.
- When wandering around Sword Lake, keep an eye on your wallet in case crooks take advantage of gaps.
- You should just bring a small amount of cash with you for shopping and eating out. Remember to bring your ATM card with you if you want to make a payment or withdraw more money.
- To avoid being disputed, ask the price first before purchasing.
- As the streets of Hanoi are quite congested and confusing, it is better to use a cab or a motorbike taxi if you are unfamiliar with the area.
- It is advisable not to pay the price if you go shopping in Hanoi early in the morning.
So we’ve done the Hoan Kiem Lake adventure from beginning to end! How do you feel about Hoan Kiem Lake, isn’t it quite appealing for a tour? So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go right now.
