Overview

Ha Noi, Northern Vietnam

Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (Lake of the Returned Sword) was once a part of the Red river (Song Hong). Through
thousands of years of changes in the geography, the lake moved to its present position far away from
the river. The lake is the focal point in ...

Description

Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (Lake of the Returned Sword) was once a part of the Red river (Song Hong). Through
thousands of years of changes in the geography, the lake moved to its present position far away from
the river. The lake is the focal point in the old quarter of Ha Noi.

According to the legend, during one of the many conflicts with China in the Viet Nam’s history,
heaven sent a magical sword to Emperor Le Thai To, with which he defeated the Chinese army and
regained Vietnam's independence. One day, while sailing on the lake (then named Luc Thuy), a large
turtle appeared. The king pointed his sword to the turtle. The turtle quickly grab the sword with its
mouth and immediately submerged. The king mourned the lost of his magical sword, demanded to
empty the lake but even then the turtle and the sword have not been founded. The Emperor interpreted
the incident that heaven must have lent him the sword only to protect the country but now it has to be
returned. This is the explanation of the name Ho Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Returned Sword.

Later rulers of Viet Nam have all contributed to the beautification of the Hoan Kiem Lake. A pagoda,
Ngoc Son, is a very popular place to visit, where also a
shrine exists, which is dedicated to general Tran Hung Dao, a national hero responsible for many
victories against the Mongols. On the southwest end of the lake lies Tháp Rùa (Turtle Tower).

Hoan Kiem Lake, smack in the downtown core, is a large lake surrounded by urban landscape, roads,
businesses, walkways; it’s a central gathering place in the center of the city. People come here to
socialize, to talk, to do business, and relax a little.. As early as pre dawn on any given day hundreds of
people are exercising and have already started they’re days here, walking, jogging, and stretching.
Along the banks of the lake there are more than a few historical sites that are connected to the long
history of the city and its all FREE to enjoy!

“The Lake of the Restored Sword” is connected to the legend connecting Le Thai To a name assumed
by the infamous Le Loi who fought the occupying Chinese armies. Le Thai To was essentially a
“resistance” fighter that fought to rid the country of Chinese occupiers…

Le Thai To or Le Loi , according to the legend was in a boat out on the lake with an entourage. A
golden tortoise appeared and requested that Le Thai To return the sacred sword that he had fought the
Chinese invaders with to the King of the Sea. The sword had been lent to him. As the tortoise spoke
the sword “left” its sheath and flew towards the tortoise. The tortoise took the sword in its mouth and
dove under the water as a bright flash of lightning lit up the sky. Since then the lake has been called
Lake of the Returned Sword or Ho Guom for short. It’s certainly a good plot for a movie I think.

Some other places of interest here or CLOSE to the lake that you can explore include the “Turtle
Tower” or Thap Rua and the Ngoc Son Pagoda. In addition to these attractions get yourself across Le
Thai To street on the west side of the lake and you can find and spend some time at a Memorial and
Temple dedicated to Le Thai To himself.

You can sit and relax all along the lake, enjoying the views, watching people going about they’re lives,
buy an ice cream cone or enjoy a coffee. There are many areas where benches exist and some café’s or
you can walk around the lake, taking it all in..its not a strenuous walk and takes about forty minutes,
depending how slow or fast you walk.

Come see for yourself what Hoan Kiem Lake offers, visit it at different times of the day and Im sure
you’ll agree it’s a pretty unique attraction that oozes culture of the people of Ha Noi.

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If there is one thing you can't escape when visiting Hanoi, that would probably be Ho Kiem Lake. It is
a man-made lake - one of many built around the city. Clearly, it is the focal point of social and civic
life in Hanoi.

According to legend, a 15th century emperor received a magical sword from heaven to drive away the
Chinese. After emerging victorious from the war (why do you think Vietnam is not a province of
China?), the emperor saw a giant golden tortoise which snatched the magical sword from the emperor,
and then disappeared into the lake. Hence, the name, Ho Hoan Kiem - in English, Lake of the Restored
Sword.

Updated May 15, 2010

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Ngoc Son Temple is located on an island of Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi. The name of the temple
means “Jade Mountain” and it honours some national heroes. The temple was founded in the 14th
century, but the current temple buildings are from the around 1850.

You have to walk through the Three-Passage Gate (Tam Quan) and across the Flood of Morning
Sunlight Bridge (The Huc) to enter the temple. Beside the Huc Bridge stands a 9 meter high obelisk
called the Pen Tower (Thap But) because its tip resembles a brush. It is written in Chinese characters:
A pen to write on the blue sky.

The temple didn't look very interesting from outside, but inside it was fascinating with many small
rooms filled with incense, candles, and colourful statues. The island was a peaceful place for many
older Vietnamese, who sat beneath the shady trees and played Chinese chess (or was it checkers?). A
nice place.

Read more: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Vietnam/Thu_Do_Ha_Noi/Hanoi-

1481679/Things_To_Do-Hanoi-Hoan_Kiem_Lake-BR-1.html#ixzz3q9Gb8YKa
Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of
the Restored Sword", also known as Hồ Gươm - Sword Lake) is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi,
the capital city of Vietnam. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal
point for its public life.