Hoan Kiem Lake: walk, Turtle Tower and the legend of the sword
Hoan Kiem Lake, the "Lake of the Returned Sword", is the heart of Hanoi: it touches the Old Quarter to the north and the French Quarter to the south. According to legend, the future emperor Le Loi gave back the magic sword here in the 15th century, the one that had won him victory over the Ming, taken back by a golden turtle rising from the water. Walking around the lake is free and takes 30 to 45 minutes; only one part is paid, the Ngoc Son temple on its islet. The lake serves as a landmark: people meet here, exercise at dawn and stroll in the evening. See also: Ngoc Son Temple, the water puppet theatre, the weekend night market and the Old Quarter.
Highlights
Walking around the lake
The shaded path is a little under 2 km and needs no ticket. Benches and trees line the bank; in the morning, locals practise tai chi, gymnastics and badminton. It is the best way to understand how the city centre is laid out before heading into the neighbouring streets.
Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple
The red wooden bridge, open to everyone, leads to the temple on Jade Islet. Crossing the bridge is free; a ticket is only asked at the foot of the temple. The details are in our page on Ngoc Son Temple.
The Turtle Tower
The small stone tower on the islet in the middle of the lake is the most famous image of Hanoi, especially lit up in the evening. It cannot be visited: you see it from the north and south banks. It recalls the legend of the sword.
The weekend pedestrian streets
Around the lake, traffic is closed off at weekends. Guides give a pedestrian zone from Friday 7pm to Sunday midnight; the schedule can change (public holidays, Tet), so confirm it on site. Families, vendors and street musicians take over the roadway.
Practical info
Tips
- Access to the lake and its path is free. Only entry to Ngoc Son Temple is paid. For the view, walk clockwise from the central post office. Watch out for people who put a fruit basket on your shoulder for a photo, shoe-shiners who "repair" without asking, and cyclos with vague fares: agree the price before you get on. For other traps, see our guide to scams in Hanoi.
How to get there
Hoan Kiem district, central Hanoi. On foot from almost anywhere in the Old Quarter (a few minutes from Hang Dao or Hang Khay street). The airport's bus 86 stops near the central post office, by the lake. By taxi or Grab, ask for the central post office (Buu Dien Ha Noi) or Huc Bridge.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.