Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Hồ Hoàn Kiếm

lake in Hanoi

#5 in Hanoi / #18 in Vietnam

by katiebordner

/ CC BY 2.0

Hoàn Kiếm Lake, located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam, is a historic and cultural landmark often referred to as the "Lake of the Returned Sword." The lake is associated with the legend of Emperor Lê Lợi, who is said to have received a magical sword from the Golden Turtle God that helped him defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty. After his victory, the turtle reclaimed the sword from the emperor while he was boating on the lake, hence the name. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and features the iconic Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa) on a small island. Another notable structure is the red-painted Huc Bridge, which leads to the Ngoc Son Temple situated on Jade Island.

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