Exploring Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi | Top Places to Visit in Vietnam 🇻🇳

There is one spot in Hanoi, Vietnam, that is surely familiar to locals and a must visit for international tourists alike. Ho Quam Sword Lake. So what makes it special? Let me take you there to have a look today. Hi everyone, I'm Thao. I'm 29 years old and currently live and work in Hanoi. It's 8 30 a.m and today I'm going to take you on a tour of Sword Lake. But first, I'm going to grab some breakfast to satisfy my hunger. I visited my favorite steamed bun shop. As you can see, the shop is always bustling with customers. It truly wins diners over by preparing everything fresh daily right before their eyes, with the steamed buns cooked directly at the counter. And, of course, the taste is absolutely delicious. There is a wide variety of fillings, such as sausage, egg and meat, and mung bean, offering plenty of choices to suit everyone's preferences. Today, I enjoyed a traditional steamed bun. The dough is made primarily from wheat flour, combined with a touch of baking powder and unsweetened fresh milk, while the filling consists of pork, two quail eggs, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, onion, shallot, and various seasonings. Because they are made fresh daily, the buns have a wonderfully soft, fluffy texture, and the filling retains a rich, savory meat flavor. A piping hot steamed bun offers a simple yet irresistible appeal. It is a quick, convenient, and affordable meal that is absolutely delicious. Depending on the filling, the price ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 viand, approximately 39 to 77 cents. In Hanoi, if you are looking for long-standing traditional eateries, especially those truly favored by locals, you will often find them tucked away in small alleyways. That is precisely where you can discover the richest and most authentic flavors. Now, come with me to the city center to see Sword Lake. Since it is still summer, the weather is quite hot and the sun is blazing. I had assumed hardly anyone would be out strolling or taking photos at this time, but upon arrival, I was amazed to find the scene as bustling and lively as ever. Nothing keeps people from heading out, not even the scorching heat of a Vietnamese summer. Many people have visited Hanoi and passed by Hon Kiem Lake countless times, but do they know the name of this brick tower? It is the Ho Fong Tower. The name evokes the image of a gentle, harmonious breeze, symbolizing a wish for calm weather and peace. Alright, let's go for a stroll and see what's around today. Bathed in golden sunlight under a clear blue sky, the area around Sword Lake Ho Guam buzzed with excitement, captivating photography enthusiasts, especially young people. Beds of snow-white hydrangeas in full bloom along the water's edge created a poetic backdrop and served as a constant source of artistic inspiration. From a distance, the air was filled with the sounds of lively chatter and enthusiastic discussions about the best camera angles. Everyone, from groups of close friends and couples to solo photography buffs, was drawn to the location's blend of natural beauty and historic charm. They posed enthusiastically, each showcasing a unique style and outfit, ranging from flowing, traditional-inspired dresses to modern, youthful attire, all harmonizing beautifully with the scenery. Their excitement was evident in their radiant smiles, the intent focus as they reviewed their shots, and their eagerness to capture the perfect moment by the lake or with the iconic turtle tower visible in the distance. Some young people even brought large black umbrellas, serving both to shield them from the sun and to add a distinctive visual accent to their photos. The joy and satisfaction of capturing stunning images and meaningful snapshots amidst the vibrant flowers and romantic atmosphere of Sword Lake created a truly lively, positive, and energetic vibe. Lining the shores of Sword Lake, ancient trees stand like silent sentinels, witnessing the capital's many ups and downs. Their massive trunks and wide, shady canopies exude a distinct sense of antiquity and majesty. Most striking are the sprawling boughs that lean low over the deep blue water, creating a scene that is both romantic and serene. Beneath this natural canopy, the sweltering summer heat seems to recede, giving way to cool breezes wafting from the lake, transforming the area into a delightful, relaxing space for locals to stroll and admire the scenery of Hanoi. Furthermore, the area boasts a vibrant array of cultivated flowers. Naturally, the lively beauty of the flowerbeds surrounding Sword Lake did not simply appear on its own. It is the fruit of the hard work and sweat of unsung laborers beneath the familiar conical hat, an iconic symbol of Vietnam. And amidst the sweltering summer heat, a sanitation worker can be seen watering each cluster of flowers with cool, refreshing water drawn from the lake. Thanks to such attentive and meticulous care, the floral borders along the water's edge always retain their fresh, radiant charm. These vibrant flowerbeds are also among the favorite spots for people to take photos when visiting. Locals also frequently come here for light exercise or a jog. It must be incredibly relaxing to work out while gazing at the Turtle Tower in the distance, all amidst the cooling shade. If you prefer not to walk, you can hire a cyclo, a popular mode of transport for taking in the full beauty of Sword Lake while touring the area. Since Turtle Tower sits right in the middle of the lake, you can photograph it from almost any angle. Consequently, visitors often take pictures from various spots around the lake rather than sticking to a single location, as there are so many stunning perspectives to choose from. Today, I happened to visit just as the Hanoi television station was there filming a program. From a distance, a striking crimson arched bridge, curved like the body of a shrimp, connects the shore of Hon Kiem Lake to Jade Island. This is the The Huck Bridge. Built in 1865 during the reign of King Tha Duc, the bridge serves as the gateway to the sacred Ngoc Son Temple. The Huck Bridge has long been one of Hanoi's most famous landmarks, drawing visitors with its truly peaceful and serene atmosphere, and offering a beautiful setting for photography and filming. After admiring the view of Sword Lake, let's head home. It's midday now, and the temperature outside is quite high. It's both hot and sunny. I don't think we should stay out too long. It wouldn't be good for our health, especially at this time of day when the heat is at its peak. Looking back at the time I first moved to Hanoi for my studies, everything felt so new, from the friends I made to the lessons learned from living independently. Hanoi has become my second home. I am now 29, meaning 11 years have passed since I left my family at 18 to navigate this vast city on my own. How time flies. At this age, older adults might view me as someone just beginning to truly mature, yet to high school students, I am old enough to be addressed as M. Se. Haha. Many people ask me whether I'll choose to stay in Hanoi or return to my hometown to build a career. It's a tough question, isn't it? One place offers peace and tranquility, while the other opens up opportunities to earn more money. For now, I think I'll stay in Hanoi. Being young, I want to focus on earning an income. I recently stumbled upon an old photo from when I first graduated and started working, and I realized that the short hairstyle I had back then made me look completely different from how I do now. I'm wondering if I should go back to that shoulder length style. I'm going to grab a bite to eat now since I'm starting to feel hungry. I bought some pho Khoan Hanoi-style rolled pho last night and kept it in the fridge, so it's ready to eat right away. Simple as it may be, it is a favorite for many. This Hanoi specialty is a unique and refined twist on traditional pho, encapsulating the elegance of the capital's culinary culture. Thin, soft, and slightly chewy sheets of rice noodles. Skillfully hand-steamed. Wrap around a filling of savory stir-fried beef, fresh herbs, and crisp lettuce. The soul of the dish. The element that makes it perfect is the harmoniously balanced sweet and sour dipping sauce. The combination of the beef's delicate sweetness, the freshness of the raw vegetables, and the silky texture of the rice noodles, all melding with the flavorful dipping sauce, creates a sophisticated, unforgettable culinary experience that never feels heavy or greasy. It's been hot and sunny lately, so I've only been craving light, simple, and easily digestible meals, though they still have to be delicious. A single set of pho Khoan fresh rice noodle rolls comes with 10 rolls and costs around 85,000 viand, approximately $3.28 or 2 euros 83 cents. I ate four of them for dinner last night and saved the remaining six for today. For someone with an average appetite like mine, these two meals were filling and satisfying. Which hand do you usually use for daily activities, like holding a knife, chopsticks, or a pen? I am left-handed, and in Vietnam, the proportion of left-handed people is quite low, estimated at only about 4.26% of the population, aside from holding a pen, something I can do with either hand. I use my left hand for all other everyday tasks. When I was younger, I used to feel self-conscious about being different from those around me. I would often sit apart during meals to avoid bumping chopsticks with others, but as I grew older, I realized that it didn't really matter at all. Sometimes, that difference actually sparks curiosity in others. It's quite interesting, isn't it? Right-handed people around me often assume that left-handers lack strength or appear clumsy, but in reality, I manage everything just fine. Perhaps they only perceive it that way because they aren't left-handed themselves. From picking up food to using a knife to cut it, everything is completely normal. There is no real difference. Ultimately, through these small, everyday actions, I have realized that what others see or think does not matter. What truly counts is how I feel. Am I happy and content? That is the most important thing, because only when I truly love myself can I be loved by others, and only when I respect myself can others respect me. Tonight, I'm meeting up with a female friend, someone I haven't seen in a long time. We used to work together, and even after we both left our old dental clinic, we stayed in touch to share our thoughts and confide in each other. She is someone I truly admire. She started her marriage with absolutely nothing, but through immense effort, and a stroke of luck. Her family is now very well off financially. I believe it's beneficial to meet and talk more with people who have achieved a certain level of success in life. Of course, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another, but listening to their experiences allows me to learn and perhaps take away a lesson or two for myself. The fact that they are willing to share their stories with me is already a wonderful thing. Ultimately, though, each person has to put in the effort to build their own life. She frequently encourages and greatly helps me whenever I face difficulties in life. Putting aside my family troubles, I have been very fortunate to meet many kind people in the outside world, strangers who nonetheless make me feel a sense of closeness. I have one or two major life plans coming up, so I'm looking to get some advice from those with more experience. He. Oh, and I'll be moving house at the end of September. I'll share the details on that in another video. For now, thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.