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 348 in Parks in Vietnam

Water Body · Nature / Park

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 Sightseeing and Street Food Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $51

5.0

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

Duration: 3 hours

Buy tours from $28

Small-Group Street Food Bike Tour of Hanoi Old Quarter BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $34

4.2

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

13,519 reviews

Google

4.6

By vbmorra

Were it not for the pollution I would give it 5 stars. A pretty setting to walk around, enjoy some street food and people watching. Very relaxing and pretty. There is a lovely old Pagoda to be... more »
By littlechicken383

Love to walk or run few laps around this lake. Beautiful nature and well gardening. Every weekend they block the street for walking only and there are many street performance. 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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