Hanoi is a city dotted with lakes, but of all of them, the one best known to the thousands of visitors who pass through the city is without doubt Hoan Kiem lake.
Sitting right in the heart of the old city, it’s one of the essential places to visit if you’re passing through Hanoi.
Today we take you around this lake, with a selection of things to do at Hoan Kiem lake during your visit.
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Stroll along its shores
The main attraction here is undoubtedly a walk along its peaceful shores — something you’ll appreciate after a spell in the capital’s clamorous streets. The lake is a rest for the senses, a place to simply step away from the traffic and the sensory overload of the city.
Take the chance to walk the full loop around the lake and watch local life go by.
It’s very common, especially on weekends, to be approached by young children wanting to practice English with you, accompanied by their parents — Vietnam is making a huge effort to have its younger generations learn it as a second language. Even if your English isn’t perfect, try to give them a few minutes; they’ll be grateful.
If you come at sunset or early in the morning, you’ll also find crowds of people exercising and ladies dancing or doing Tai Chi. This scene is part of everyday life in Vietnam and reflects the value the country places on community life and public space — and on staying active at any age.
Visit the Ngoc Son Temple
Another of the main sights at Hoan Kiem lake is the Ngoc Son Temple.
You’ll spot it easily: it sits beside the old quarter, at the northern end of the lake, connected to the shore by the red Huc Bridge. It’s especially striking at night, when it lights up. If you’d rather not go in, you can admire it from outside over a juice or a coffee, perched on the little stools of any street stall along the lakeshore.
It was built in honor of Tran Hung Dao (whose altar you’ll see inside), the Vietnamese hero who, as the story goes, managed to defeat an enormous Mongol army that threatened Vietnam.
Besides the altar to Tran Hung Dao, inside the temple you’ll find something remarkable: the preserved body of a giant Hoan Kiem lake turtle, from an extremely rare species (Rafetus swinhoei) — the last specimen died in 2016, an event treated almost as national news.
Keep in mind that in a culture as superstitious as Vietnam’s, the turtle symbolizes protection, longevity, wisdom and stability, among other things — and in the past, whenever one of these turtles surfaced on the lake, it was read as an important omen.
Visitor information and opening hours
- Hours: Open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Entrance fee: 50,000 VND (~US$2)
See the Thap Rua islet
In the middle of the lake sits a small islet called Tháp Rùa.
Rising from this tiny islet is the Turtle Tower — which is exactly what Tháp Rùa means. The tower was built at the end of the 19th century, during the French colonial period, and is visible from every point around the lake.
As mentioned above, this peculiar species of giant turtle inhabited Hoan Kiem lake for a very long time, giving rise to legends woven into Vietnamese popular mythology — including the one that gave the lake its name, which we share below.
The legend of Hoan Kiem lake
Legend has it that Lê Lợi, one of Vietnam’s emperors, managed to defeat the Chinese empire that threatened to control Vietnam thanks to a sword engraved with the inscription «Thuận Thiên» (the will of heaven), which came from the Dragon King, whose palace lay in the depths of the lake.
After defeating the Chinese, as Lê Lợi was boating on the lake one day, an enormous turtle rose from the waters and asked him to return the sword to the Dragon King. The emperor agreed and handed the sword to the turtle, which dove back down and vanished beneath the surface.
From then on, the lake was known as Hoan Kiem: the lake of the returned sword.
Have an egg coffee at Cafe Dinh
A few steps from Hoan Kiem lake, hidden inside an old building with no flashy sign or polished facade, you’ll find Cafe Dinh — one of the best places to try egg coffee, founded by the daughter of Nguyễn Văn Giảng, the original creator of egg coffee and founder of the famous Café Giảng.
Here’s also a post with some of the best cafés in Hanoi.
How to get to Hoan Kiem lake
It sits right in the center of the old city, and the best way to get there is on foot if you’re staying in the old quarter, or by Grab or taxi from other parts of Hanoi.
If you have time, walk the full loop and stop for a coffee at any of the many cafés around it.
No ticket is required, except to enter the temple.
✔️ Information reviewed and last updated on January 7, 2026
