A Short Walk Through Hanoi’s Icons: Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Thê Húc Bridge & Ngọc Sơn Temple

Hoàn Kiếm Lake ((還劍 - Returned Sword)”) is a beautiful lake in the old center of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is one of the most famous places in the city and has great cultural and historical value for the Vietnamese people.

The lake’s name comes from a legend from the 15th century about Emperor Lê Lợi. The story says that Lê Lợi received a magic sword from the Golden Turtle God (Kim Quy) to help him fight against foreign invaders. After he won the war, he was boating on the lake when the turtle came back to take the sword and return it to heaven. That is why the lake is called Hoàn Kiếm, or “Lake of the Returned Sword.”

The Thê Húc Bridge is a bright red wooden bridge that crosses the lake and leads to Ngọc Sơn Temple. It is one of the most popular photo spots and a well-known symbol of Hanoi.