Hoan Kiem Lake, also called Ho Guom in Vietnamese and Sword Lake in English, is one of the places that attracts hundreds of domestic and international tourists whenever they have the opportunity to come to Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem Lake is considered a cultural symbol with a long and proud history of the Vietnamese people. When visiting it, you will surely be surprised by the natural landscape that is so poetic and quiet as in pictures.
Besides, Hoan Kiem Lake is also considered as the convergence of the four seasons of the year. In spring, the lake is brilliant in peaches and traditional festivals. The lake is cool in summer, with fresh breezes dispelling the sultry heat. In autumn, people are infatuated with willow branches hanging in the fanciful mist. And in winter, Hoan Kiem Lake turns splendidly in the sudden or drizzling rain of cold weather.
Location of Hoan Kiem Lake
Located in the center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is surrounded by three famous streets, Hang Khay – Le Thai To – Dinh Tien Hoang.
With the capital Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is the heart associated with many historical stories as well as entering the nation’s poetry.
After changing the name to Hoan Kiem Lake, it had the name of Ho Guom.
Ho Guom was formerly known as Luc Thuy Lake because the lake is blue year-round, or Thuy Quan Lake because it used to be a place to train marines to fight.
And until the fifteenth century, when King Le Thai To (1385-1433) returned the precious sword to the Tortoise God after defeating the Minh invaders. Since then, the lake was officially been named Hoan Kiem Lake (returned the sword).
However, most Hanoians like to call it Ho Guom (Sword Lake) in the short form of its name.
The ways to Hoan Kiem Lake
In terms of location, Hoan Kiem Lake stays in the most favorable area of the capital, where anyone who has the opportunity to go to the Hanoi center will have a full view of the lake.
So, it is easy to come to the lake on most streets in this city.
The lake is the connection between old towns, like Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Cau Go, and Luong Van Can with the French Old Quarter covering the Church, and streets of Trang Thi, Hang Bai, and Trang Tien.
>>> You may want to see 10 beautiful lakes in Hanoi.
Attractions around Hoan Kiem Lake
The Huc Bridge
The Huc Bridge is the highlight of the attractive beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake in general and Hanoi capital in particular.
With a unique construction architecture, the bridge has a shrimp-shaped curved design, made of very primitive wood and painted in red – the color symbolizing life, prosperity, and prosperity.
This attraction also attracts a lot of tourists coming to take pictures to remember during their time to visit Hanoi.
Ngoc Son Temple
Crossing the beautiful The Huc Bridge is to Ngoc Son Temple. The temple is located quietly alone on an island to the north of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Coming to Ngoc Son Temple, you can not only admire the architectural masterpieces but also have the opportunity to learn about culture as well as cultural stories associated with the history of the temple.
Hoan Kiem Walking Streets
Hoan Kiem Walking Streets include the roads around the lake. The pedestrian street has attracted many people as well as tourists walking together to enjoy the cool atmosphere of Hanoi every night.
Hoan Kiem Walking Streets are most crowded after about 7:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. As the city lights up, the pedestrian streets are crowded with people passing by with various games and exciting cultural and artistic activities.
Hanoi Old Quarter
One thing that is indispensable when we visit Hanoi is 36 ancient streets, also known as Hanoi Old Quarter, where you can explore daily life, traditional culture, and unique culinary features.
Ba Kieu Temple
Ba Kieu temple is also known as Thien Tien Dien, located at 59 Dinh Tien Hoang.
This is one of the oldest model temples in Vietnam, built in the 17th century. In the temple, there are 3 goddesses worshiped: Princess Lieu Hanh, Quynh Hoa, and Que Nuong.
Dinh Le Book Street
Dubbed the paradise of books in Hanoi, the street sells a variety of books from specialized books, history, literature, philosophy, and economics.
The prices in Hanoi Book Street are often very cheap, and the books also have pretty good quality.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
This theater is one of the most famous venues performing water puppet shows in Hanoi, attracting plenty of tourists.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is open every day of the week, and ticket prices range from 60,000-100,000 VND/ticket.
Trang Tien Plaza
Located at the corner of Trang Tien – Hang Bai intersection, Trang Tien Plaza is one of the most luxurious shopping centers in Hanoi.
Typically, this destination is also one of the most popular wedding photography spots for young people in the capital.
Ly Thai To monument
Ly Thai To monument is located at Chi Linh Flower Garden on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, quite near Hoan Kiem Lake. This typical cultural architecture honors the king who publicly established Thang Long Citadel.
The relic area of King Le
The relic monument of King Le Thai To is located at 18 Le Thai To, built in the late 19th century in the old temple area.
The 12m high statue is cast in bronze, and placed on a high stone foundation overlooking the lake. In front of the statue is a communal house built with bricks with two roof floors. Also, the three-door gate leading into the area creates a highlight in this group of the monument.
Hoa Phong Tower
Right on the pavement of the lake, Hoa Phong Tower is an ancient relic of Bao An Pagoda. This pagoda was destroyed by the French to get land to build the post office.
This small tower has a classical design and a nice photographing spot by the lake.
What to eat at Hoan Kiem Lake?
Eating and drinking may be the focal points that people are interested in besides attractive tourist destinations.
After visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, you may like to check the following dishes:
- Bun Cha Hang Buom (Meat pie vermicelli), Address: 43 Hang Buom Steet, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Bun Thang Hang Khay (Hang Khay vermicelli), Address: Lane 31, Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Boiled snail on Dinh Liet, Address: No. 1 Dinh Liet Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Bun Thang Cau Go (Cau Go Vermicelli), Address: 48 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Nom Ho Hoan Kiem (Mixed Vegetable with dry beef), address: 23 Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Four-seasons sweet soup Hang Can, Address: No. 4 Hang Can, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Egg coffee at Dinh Coffee Shop, Address: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Trang Tien ice-cream, Address: 35 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Pho Thin, Address: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
What to buy around Hoan Kiem Lake?
Around the lake, there are countless items that you can buy as gifts for friends and relatives, such as crafts, cute little gifts, clothes, and shoes, or local food in Hanoi: rice cakes and o mai (salty plum).
The streets of Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Bac, Hang Duong, and Dong Xuan Market are reputable and quality addresses for you to enjoy shopping.
According to my experience, you should go shopping in the afternoon because the stores there do not like customers coming in the early morning to ask for some products but do not buy anything.
If you go to Hanoi, do not forget to explore the old town and take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, and various exciting things await you.