Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) located in the center of Ha Noi, south of the Old Quarter and North of the French Quarter with nice setting, with surprising Vietnamese culture and with the wish for peace of the Vietnamese. It was said that Le Loi was from a wealthy family in Thanh Hoa Province in the 15th century and he was handed with a magic sword which was used to rally people to fight the Chinese invaders who ruled Vietnam that time. After gaining independence back to the country he ascended the throne and had a cruise on the lake. While he was cruising on the emerald water, a turtle appeared from underneath claiming the sword back saying that there was no need for the king to hold the sword, since the country was at peace. The sword was to be returned to the King of Water. The lake was renamed Hoan Kiem Lake after that.

In the middle of the lake is Ngoc Son Temple (the Temple of the Jade Mountain). The island was first built into a summer house for the royal family, but later turned into a pagoda and a temple as it is now. The temple is dedicated to the polytheism tradition of Vietnam, especially the convergence of Buhddism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Nowadays, Hoan Kiem Lake is still an indispensable part of the daily life of the people of Ha Noi.

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From early in the morning, life starts around the lake with movements of Tai Chi

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During day time, people hang around the Hoan Kiem Lake to get the fresh air

or to get together with family

or with friends...

or simply just to sell street food...