The Lake of the Returned Sword in Hanoi is the home of the sacred tortoise. hoan kiem lake hanoi lake

Like many attractions, West Lake is shrouded in legends of its origin, and no one still has an unambiguous question about this.

According to one of the legends, a fox with nine tails once lived on the site of the current lake. She harmed local residents in every possible way, ruining their farms, killing livestock. Lak Long Quan, the Dragon King, decided to stop what was happening and flooded the pest's hole. The face died, and in the place of her lair a lake of beautiful beauty appeared.

If you believe another legend, then the golden buffalo, having heard the call of his mother, rushed to her so hard that he knocked out a huge hole with his hoof, in which the lake appeared.

Be that as it may, West Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. And this is appreciated not only by local residents and visiting tourists, but also by royal people who enjoyed their vacation here. Due to the fact that the reservoir was especially loved by the kings and their families, many palaces, temples and pagodas were erected around the lake.

Today, West Lake is a favorite place for both locals and travelers. The Hanoi people call the lake a "dating place". This is probably because absolutely everything here sets you up for a romantic mood: wonderful sunsets and sunrises, mirror-like water surface, cozy restaurants in the surroundings where you can taste traditional Vietnamese cuisine. And you can admire the lake not only from the shore, but also by arranging a trip on a catamaran with your soulmate.

Bach Trick Lake

The picturesque lake Truk Baha is one of the many attractions of Hanoi. It was formed in the 17th century as a result of the construction of a dam on the Western Lake, which divided it into two reservoirs. East Lake became known as Bach's Trick. And the dam was converted into a street. The area of ​​the lake is about 9 hectares, the depth is about 15 meters.

There are many famous historical monuments along its banks, including several Buddhist temples. Due to the unusual topography of the lake, it seems that the water in some places is colored bright blue. According to legend, a giant dragon lives at the bottom of Bach's Trick, guarding countless treasures, which give the lake an interesting shade.

From the combination of legends, a rich and fascinating history of the lake, which is popular among tourists, opens up. Here you can take a boat trip, admiring the impressive landscapes. On the shore of the lake there is a beautiful park with an unusual landscape design, including amazing exotic plants.

Lake of the Returned Sword (Hoan Kiem)

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the heart of Hanoi. It is a significant historical and cultural landmark of Vietnam. The lake covers an area of ​​about 2000 square meters, its maximum depth is 2 meters.

The beautiful name Hoan Kiem is associated with the legend of Le Loi, a courageous peasant from Thanh Hoa province, who in the 15th century raised the Vietnamese people against the tyranny of the Chinese Ming dynasty. According to legend, he was helped by the Sea Dragon, who lent Le the Magic Sword, with which the war was won. A year later, a large golden turtle swam out of the depths of the lake, carrying away the returned sword. Since then, the lake has been called that - "the lake of the returned sword." The Turtle Tower, located on a small island in the middle of the lake, is associated with a legend.

Near the northern shore of the lake is Jade Island, on which a temple was erected in the 18th century. It is connected to the shore by a red wooden bridge. From here you can enjoy a picturesque panorama of Hoan Kiem Lake and the surrounding park.

Hoan Kiem Lake

The name of Hoan Kiem Lake is translated as "Lake of the Returned Sword". It is located in the center of Hanoi. The place is truly amazing. The water surface here is so transparent that right from the shore you can watch how life boils at the bottom ... You will not see this in any photo!

In the center of the lake stands a low tower called the "Temple of the Turtle". An old legend about a Vietnamese hero of the 15th century named Le Loi is associated with her. He once fished on the lake, but instead of a fish he found a magical sword with which he led a rebellion against the Chinese rulers.

When, after the victory, the hero came to the lake to thank the good spirits, the sword fell into the water, where it was picked up by a huge golden turtle. Some time later, the "Temple of the Turtle" was erected here.

Nearby is the Temple of the Jade Mountain, home to a giant tortoise caught in 1968. It reveres the great commander Chan Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongol conquerors in the 13th century, as well as Wang Suong, the patron of writers, La To, the patron of doctors and martial arts master Quan Wu.

On the shore of the lake, you can relax in a cozy cafe or watch a puppet show.

Lake Thu Le

Thu Le Lake is located in the business center of Hanoi, on the shore of which there is a recreation park of the same name. Also on the shore of the lake is the five-star Daewoo Hotel, which hosts heads of state and famous politicians such as the President of Russia, the United States and China, the King and Queen of Sweden.

Sights of Hanoi

In the heart of the city's shopping district is the Lake of the Returned Sword. It was formed on the site of the old bed of the Red River, which now flows somewhat to the north.

In the middle of the lake there is a turret called the "Temple of the Turtle" (Thuap Zhua) and with which an old legend is associated, which tells about the Vietnamese hero of the 15th century, Le Loi. Once he was fishing here, but he found a magic sword. With this sword, Le Loi led a rebellion against the Chinese rulers. When the hero came to the lake to thank the local spirits for the victory, the magic sword slipped out of his hands and fell into the water, where a huge golden turtle picked it up. Later, the "Temple of the Turtle" was built.

Nearby is the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Deng Ngoc Son), home to a giant tortoise caught in 1968. The temple was built in the 14th century and was rebuilt several times, the last time in the 19th century. Here they honor the commander Tran Hyng Dao, who defeated the Mongol conquerors in the 13th century, Wang Suong, the patron of writers, La To, the patron of doctors and martial arts master Kuan Vu.

In the park by the lake, you can sit in a cafe or visit a puppet theater on the water.

No wonder it is called "the city between the rivers." In addition to the Red River, along which it stretches for 40 km, the urban area is replete with lakes, both natural and artificial. According to some sources, there are about a hundred of them here. The largest of the lakes is Ho Tay, with a coastline of 17 km. There are many gardens, restaurants, villas and hotels along the banks, which makes it a popular holiday destination for citizens and tourists. Located in the center of Hanoi, the lake is surrounded by legends and myths.

In the heart of Hanoi is another national celebrity - Hoan Kiem Lake. It is simultaneously the geographical, historical and cultural heart of the capital of Vietnam. All excursion programs begin at this reservoir, which has several names. The name "Lake of the Returned Sword" » he was given a poetic legend in which truth is intertwined with reality. It is also called the "Green Water Lake" for its changeable greenish color, which changes depending on the celestial reflection.

West Lake-Ho Tay

The largest body of water in Hanoi covers an area of ​​500 hectares. The name Ho Tei is translated as "Western". Once upon a time, the Vietnamese nobility settled on the shores of the picturesque lake. Here, the royal families of the Chen and Le dynasties rested in summer palaces. Some palaces and pagodas have survived to this day. Folk legends tell how the lake was formed. Both the golden buffalo and the spirit of the fox with nine tails appear here.

An embankment dam and an expensive lake Ho Tay is divided into two parts. In the middle of the reservoir, on a small island, there is a multi-tiered Chan Quoc Pagoda, which is called the oldest in Hanoi. She is a real decoration of Ho Tei. In total, there are 21 pagodas in the lake area. On the shore is the Quan Thanh temple, one of the four oldest in the capital of Vietnam.

Nowadays, many elite buildings have been built on the banks of Ho Tay - restaurants, hotels, residential buildings. In Hanoi, this is one of the places of rest for the townspeople and an obligatory direction of tourist excursions. On weekends, the newlyweds arrange photo shoots, go boating.

hoan kiem lake

The rather large but shallow Hoan Kiem Lake was formed on the site of the former bed of the Hong Ha (Red) River, the largest of several rivers that flow through the territory of Hanoi. This river, like the Lake of the Returned Sword, is closely connected with the process of development of the state of Vietnam. In the history of the country, the lake is given an important place, symbolizing the victory of the Vietnamese people in the struggle for independence against Chinese rule.

Legend

A beautiful legend tells that here the future founder of the Le dynasty received a magic sword as a gift, with which he defeated the conquerors. According to legend, Le Loy came to visit a fisherman friend, and he gave him a metal rod fished in the lake. Le Loy cast a sword from a rod. When the inscription "Harmony with the sky" appeared on the blade, he regarded this as a sign from above and used the weapon in the fight against enemies.

Events took place in the XV, the struggle lasted ten years. After the invaders were expelled from the country in 1428, Le Loi became emperor, known in history as Le Thai To. Once he was traveling in the area of ​​Hoan Kiem Lake. A golden tortoise emerged from the water. She ordered the sword to be returned to the underwater Dragon King so that it would not be used against her people. The emperor carried out the order, and the tortoise, along with the sword, disappeared into the depths. Since then, this reservoir has become known as Hoan Kiem, or Lake of the Returned Sword.

Attractions

The golden turtle is a symbol of those distant events. Truth and fiction merged into one. Huge turtles really lived in the lake, a stuffed animal of one of them can be seen in the temple. Hoan Kiem Lake has two islands that symbolize the legendary turtle. The small one is assigned the role of her head, the large one - the body. On a small island is the Turtle Tower. It can only be admired from afar.

This is not a very remarkable gray architectural structure, erected at the end of the 19th century. The Turtle Tower has four floors, the lower ones have windows in the form of arches. In the evening, the tower is completely transformed. Thanks to the illumination by spotlights, it turns into a fantastic structure, a real decoration of the lake. In the evenings, the best views can be observed from the bridge leading to the temple.

The Rising Sun Bridge is wooden, bright red. In the evening, it is also well-lit and looks much better than during the day. The bridge leads to a large island, directly to the entrance to the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son), which was built in the 18th century. It was called "Jade" because of the dense crowns of evergreen trees growing on the island. Some trees look very unusual - their roots start high on the trunks and branches, from where they descend into the water. There is a small fee to enter the bridge.

rising sun bridge

jade mountain temple

The temple is dedicated to the Vietnamese general Tran Hung Dao, who won the fight against the Mongol invaders. The temple is active, very colorful inside, decorated in red and gold tones. There are altars with offerings to the saints, carved from wood and brightly painted figurines of which are installed along the walls. Scented candles are constantly burning. The most interesting thing in the temple is a stuffed animal of a huge turtle, which died in 1968.

In the northeastern part of the Lake of the Returned Sword is the Water Puppet Theater. Performances are held here in the evenings. This unique spectacle, accompanied by folk music with a live orchestra and singing, is rooted in the deep past. Hidden from the audience behind a bamboo curtain, the puppeteers are waist-deep in water. They control the puppets with poles and ropes. At night, it seems that the characters themselves are moving on the water.

water puppet theater

The Lake of the Returned Sword and Lake Ho Tay are favorite vacation spots for the people of Hanoi. For tourists, they are of undoubted interest as historical sights.

Lake of the Returned Sword in Hanoi is a natural reservoir located in the center of the Vietnamese capital. Another name for a natural attraction - Hoan Kiem Lake. It was formed in the place of the old channel of another water artery - the Red River, flowing to the north.

Lake of the Returned Sword - photo

lake legend

The locals associate the history of the lake with the name of Le Loy, a peasant fisherman who later became a landowner and king. As a commoner, at the beginning of the 15th century, he led the liberation movement, because at that time the Chinese occupied. According to the myth, Le Loy was helped to win the war by a turtle who handed him a magic sword. After the end of the battle, the winner rode on the water surface. And then a giant tortoise came to the surface from the depths of the lake and asked for the sword back. Since Le Loy gave away the weapon to the reptile, the reservoir subsequently became known as the Lake of the Returned Sword. But the animal made a promise that if the country was in danger again, it would hand over the sword to a new hero.

Lake of the Returned Sword - video

Attractions of the Lake of the Returned Sword

Two small islands lurk in the northern and southern parts of the reservoir. The population believes that they are the head and body of a turtle - the patroness of the Vietnamese people. In her honor, on the territory of the southern island was erected turtle tower, but not immediately after the victory of Le Loy, but much later - in 1886. Historical chronicles tell that by building the tower, the local official wished not so much to perpetuate the memory of the legendary reptile, but to bury the relics of his father in secret from everyone. According to Feng Shui, the place was favorable for this purpose. But the secret has become clear. Because of the scandal that broke out, the mandarin abandoned his venture.

Special attention to The Lake of the Returned Sword deserves the Temple of the Jade Mountain. With its construction, the people of Vietnam honored 3 important persons at once:

• historical hero of the events of the XIII century;
• scientist - patron of literature;
• a man who made a huge contribution to the construction and improvement of the shrine.

For Europeans, temple decorations are just fancy items. But in fact, each architectural element and image is fraught with a certain meaning. The gates of the shrine are painted with hieroglyphs. The large red sign on the right half of the design means "happiness", and the symbol on the left side is identified with prosperity. As a tribute to the patron of literature, on the territory of the temple, immediately behind the entrance is a stele symbolizing a brush for writing. Ngokshon is the local name for the temple, connected to the shore by the Rising Sun Bridge. The design can be seen from afar due to the bright red color. Later, the cult of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism was added to honor the memory of national heroes.

Hoan Kiem is first mentioned in a historical episode about Emperor Le Loi's rebellion against Chinese rule.

A wise tortoise with a golden shell gave the ruler the sword Thuan Thien. Loy defeated more than one Chinese army with his help and revived the Le dynasty on the throne. The long-awaited victory became the occasion for a holiday, during which the emperor and his subjects went to Hoan Kiem to pay homage to the tortoise.

The giver of the sword appeared from the water and asked Loy to return her gift, since a strong weapon shows its strength only in the fight against the conquerors. Le Loy complied with her request, and the turtle swam under the water, having received what she wanted. Since then, the Vietnamese have called this place the “Lake of the Returned Sword.”

4 turtles lived here. The embalmed mummies of the dead three turtles are kept in the Hanoi Museum and in the Temple of the Jade Mountain. The oldest inhabitant of Hoan Kiem was a tortoise weighing 169 kg. Its width was 1.6 m, and its length was 0.8 m. Life in the reservoir was unsafe for the animal, in 2011 it was even treated. In 2016, the famous turtle passed away.

How long does it take to walk around Hoan Kiem

The lake occupied a small area, so you can walk around it, admiring the surroundings, in half an hour. Let's add another 20-25 minutes for stops for photography.

What tourists will see at Hoan Kiem Lake

A large tortoise "lives" in the Temple of the Jade Mountain (Deng Ngoc Son), built in the 14th century. Rebuilt more than once (the last alteration took place in the 19th century), it became a place of veneration for several prominent Vietnamese historical figures: Tran Hung Dao (commander), Van Suong (national patron of writers), La To (saint, protecting healers), Quan Vu (master martial arts).

To get to the temple, you need to go through the gate with the inscriptions "Happiness" and "Prosperity". Further, the monument in the form of a brush for writing meets tourists. The monument is dedicated to Saint Van Suong.

The temple complex consists of the Dak Ngyet pavilion, which translates as "contemplation of the moon", the pavilion that resists the waves and the Thap Bat tower. On the territory of the temple you will see a sculpture of a Chinese commander and a red horse on which he sat.

There is a park by the lake. And, of course, it has a cafe where you can sit while admiring the surrounding beauty. You can look into the puppet theater on the water. The performance to the sounds of folk music and unique singing will be remembered for a long time. Do not be surprised by the morning and evening runs of the Vietnamese near the reservoir.

In Li Thai Park, next to the lake, you will see a statue of Emperor Le Loi on the square. You can also see tai chi exercises here. They are free for everyone.