Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) is the spiritual and geographic heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, a tranquil lake steeped in Vietnamese legend. According to folklore, Emperor Lê Lợi returned a magical sword to a golden turtle here after using it to drive out Chinese invaders. The Ngọc Sơn Temple on a small island, reached by the scarlet Huc Bridge, is a daily pilgrimage for Hanoians.