Hoan Kiem Lake

Hồ Hoàn Kiếm

The geographical and spiritual heart of Hanoi, with the Turtle Tower, the red Huc Bridge, and Ngọc Sơn Temple. The weekend pedestrian street is the best place to experience everyday life in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem Lake lies between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. The lake covers about 12 hectares and takes its name from the legend of Lê Lợi returning his sword to a divine turtle. On a small island at the south end of the lake stands the Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa), an iconic image of Hanoi. At the north end, the red Huc Bridge (Cầu Thê Húc) leads to Ngọc Sơn Temple (Đền Ngọc Sơn). The temple honors Văn Xương, Quan Công (Guan Yu), and Trần Hưng Đạo, and displays a giant turtle specimen caught in the lake in 1968. Admission is 50,000 Vietnamese dong, and it is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A statue of Lý Thái Tổ stands on the northwest corner of the lake, next to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. On the east shore, Hanoi Central Post Office and St. Joseph's Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic building, are a 5-minute walk away.

Visiting tips: come at 6 or 7 a.m. to see locals practicing tai chi and dancing in the square. A walk around the lake takes about 30 minutes in the evening. From Friday to Sunday, the roads around the lake are closed to traffic from 7 p.m. and turn into a pedestrian street with street performances and folk games, the liveliest time of day. The Cafe Dinh or Cafe Giang on the northwest side of the lake serve egg coffee for about 30,000 to 40,000 dong.

Getting there: the Old Quarter is walkable from anywhere in the center. The Airport Bus Route 86 terminates right by the lake.

Note: crowds are dense during the pedestrian street hours, so keep an eye on your belongings. Dress modestly when visiting Ngọc Sơn Temple.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby