Trip Planner: Asia / Vietnam / Hanoi / Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)

Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), Hanoi

4.4

#1 of 355 in Parks in Vietnam

Situated at the rim of the Old Quarter among the city's most popular attractions, the green shores of Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) offer a break from sightseeing and provide a quiet spot for people-watching. Notice the temple--topped with a red star--on a small islet in the middle of the lake. Apart from being the city's emblem, it commemorates a local legend, which involves an Excalibur-like sword. The story goes that a local dragon god gave a magical sword to a 15th-century Vietnamese emperor who used it in an uprising against the Ming Dynasty. When the war was won, a giant turtle emerged from the lake and took back the sword to return it to heaven. The lake is home to a rare species of soft-shell turtles. Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , online itinerary creator Edition.

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Tours To Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)

Hanoi City sights and street food BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $51

5.0

10 reviews

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Buy tours from $51

Small-Group Hanoi Street Food Tour with a Real Foodie BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $28

5.0

10 reviews

Duration: 3 hours

Buy tours from $28

Hanoi Old Quarter: Cyclo and Walking Street Food Tour - Small Group BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $34

4.2

10 reviews

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Buy tours from $34

Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

13,505 reviews

Google

4.6

By bhodgkinson

Spent an hour or so at the lake, taking a break from the hectic life in the city. The lake is pretty, with a nice path around the outside. There are plenty of places to take an excellent photo. Would.... more »
By Louie M

The lake is excellent. You've to get around Hanois traffic, but the moment you're there, it's such a great area. Last Sunday (or perhaps each Sunday) the perimeter was closed to site traffic, so the..... more »

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Google

By Lavish Lalwani

Nice place for a walk. Can get very crowded but still good.

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By Trucy

Hanoi - the first time I was here

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