Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake ( Lake of the Restored Sword ) is located right in the  center of Hanoi and is the city's top attraction for foreign and Vietnamese tourists.

The lake holds a significant importance to the Vietnamese people. Legend has it that the lake is home to the “Magic” Sword owned by King Le Thai To which was instrumental in defeating the Chinese.

There is also a temple ( Ngoc Son ) on a small island in the middle of the lake which offers a unique view of the area surrounding it. You can also catch some local people playing traditional chess/checkers here.

Hoan Kiem Lake is the center of many Hanoian’s life and the lake is abuzz with activities from morning till night. It is a place where people go to exercise early in the morning and the evening and it is quite a sight seeing local Hanoian’s doing traditional exercises like Tai Chi or Fan dance or even Aerobics.   It is a place where young people spend lazy days together with a boyfriend/girlfriend sitting on one of the benches trying to catch a kiss or two.   It is a place where people sometimes meet their friends and catch up on each others life. It is a place where people just go to for the soothing relaxing effect of this beautiful treelined lake.