Visit Hoan Kiem lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (also known as Sword Lake) is the heart of Hanoi. This is not only a place for people to go for a walk and relax, but also associated with the people of the capital in many aspects of cultural history as well as into poetry.

If you have visited Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a place that you definitely cannot miss. The following article will give you the most detailed information about Hoan Kiem Lake as well as places to eat and drink near the lake.

I. Introduction to Hoan Kiem/Sword Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the center of the capital, surrounded by 3 streets Hang Khay – Le Thai To – Dinh Tien Hoang. Previously, the lake also had some other names such as Luc Thuy lake (blue water lake) or Thuy Quan lake (because the lake used to be a place to train combat sailors). In the 15th century, the lake was renamed Hoan Kiem lake (returning the sword), associated with the legend of returning the treasure sword to the golden turtle of King Le Thai To.

Hoan Kiem Lake is an ideal meeting place for four seasons: Brilliant in peach colors and traditional festivals in spring; windy winds dispel the sweltering heat of summer; infatuated with the willow branches in the fanciful mist of autumn; splendid in the rain of golden leaves and the fluttering drizzle of winter.

II. How to move to Hoan Kiem / Sword Lake?

There are many ways to move to Hoan Kiem Lake, you can choose to travel by private vehicle or public transport.

Public bus

There are many bus routes that go through Hoan Kiem Lake, this is also a suitable and economical means of transport for those who live far from the center of the old town.

• Lakeside parking lot: there are cars 09, 14
• Hanoi Post Office Stop: There are buses 08, 09, 31, 36
• Stop at Le Thai To, Hang Trong intersection: there are cars 09, 31, 36
• Stop at 15 Dinh Tien Hoang: bus 36
• State bank of Vietnam stop: there are cars 04, 11, 18, 23, 34, 40
• Stop at Hanoi Children’s Culture Palace: there are buses 04, 08, 11, 18, 23, 40

Taxi

If you take a taxi, you can choose reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, Taxi group, or if you want to be cheaper, you can go to Thanh Nga, Ba Sao, Thanh Cong…

III. Sightseeing facilities around Hoan Kiem Lake/Sword Lake

To experience the trip around Hoan Kiem Lake to the fullest, you can use some of the following means of transport:

• Motorbike: A compact vehicle, very suitable for those traveling individually or in groups who want to explore the Hoan Kiem lake area by themselves. There are many motorbike rental locations in Hanoi for you to choose from.
• Cyclo: Walking around the city by cyclo is a great suggestion to help visitors relax and admire the surrounding landscape. However, to avoid being hacked, you should choose reputable and reputable companies as well as negotiate with the driver in advance about the price.

• Electric car: This is a new type of vehicle, but it is preferred by many people. The car runs through many old streets as well as scenic spots and monuments around the area of ​​Sword Lake and the old town. The operating time of the tram during the day is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and at night from 19:00 to 23:00. Each electric car can carry 8 people, running in an average time of 35-60 minutes/trip.

IV. Places to visit in Hoan Kiem Lake/Sword Lake

Here are some outstanding places around the lake that you should visit:

• Hoan Kiem Lake :

Not only is it a beautiful landscape that tourists cannot ignore in the list of Hanoi tourist attractions, but it is also a place associated with the historical and spiritual tradition of the capital. Hoan Kiem Lake has two floating islands: Pearl Island is located in the north of the lake, with the curved The Huc Bridge connecting to the island. In the middle of the lake is a smaller Turtle Island, above it is a hundred-year-old ancient Turtle tower that is quiet among the four glittering waves.

On weekends, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake will become a pedestrian city with many attractive activities such as street music, folk games, etc. attracts a lot of tourists.

• Ngoc Son Temple: 

Located on Ngoc Island, Ngoc Son Temple is not only a historical relic, a famous scenic spot of Hanoi, but also a place to worship Van Xuong, the master star of academic literature and Saint Tran Hung Dao. Around the temple is a complex of architectural relics with many historical values ​​and humanistic meanings, including The Huc bridge, Pen tower, Nghien radio, Tran Ba ​​communal house. The combination of Ngoc Son temple complex and Hoan Kiem lake has created a harmonious ancient architecture, contrasting between man and nature.

• Hanoi Opera House :

Located on Cach Mang Thang 8 square, it was designed and built by the French in 1901 according to the model of the Opera Ganier theater in Paris. This is also a familiar and typical place that you cannot ignore when traveling to Hanoi.

• Thang Long Water Puppet Theater :

As one of the most famous places to perform water puppetry in Vietnam, attracting a lot of domestic and foreign tourists. The theater is open every day of the week, ticket prices range from 60,000-100,000 VND/ticket.

• Ancient city of Hanoi

Next to Sword Lake are old streets such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Duong, etc., where visitors can visit and explore the life, culture and people as well as the unique cuisine of Hanoi.

• Ba Kieu Temple

Also known as Thien Tien Palace, is located at house number 59 Dinh Tien Hoang. This is one of the earliest model temples built in our country. In the temple there are 3 goddesses: Princess Lieu Hanh, Quynh Hoa and Que Nuong.

• Trang Tien Plaza

Located at the corner of Trang Tien – Hang Bai intersection, this is the most luxurious and high-class shopping center in Hanoi. This is also one of the favorite wedding photography locations for many young people.

• Dinh Le Street 

Dubbed the “paradise” of books in Hanoi, the street sells a variety of books from specialized books, history, literature, philosophy, economics… The prices here are often very cheap as well as quality. The book is pretty good too.

• Ly Thai To monument

Ly Thai To monument is located at Chi Linh flower garden on Dinh Tien Hoang street. This is a typical cultural and architectural work in Hoan Kiem Lake to honor the king who openly founded Thang Long citadel.

• The Monument of Deciding to Die for the Fatherland to decide to live

The monument was started construction in 2004 with the image of a National Guard soldier and Ha Thanh girl in traditional costumes in a fighting position – showing the brave and indomitable spirit of the army and people of the capital. in the early days of the war against the French.

• Monument area of ​​King Le

The monument of King Le Thai To is located at 18 Le Thai To, built in the late 19th century on the old temple area. The 12m high statue is cast in bronze, placed on a high stone pillar overlooking the lake. In front of the statue is a communal house built of bricks with two roofs.

• Hoa Phong Tower

Located on the lakeside, Hoa Phong tower is an ancient relic left of Bao An pagoda after it was destroyed by the French to get land to build a post office.

V. What to eat around Hoan Kiem/Sword Lake?

Besides the tourist attractions above, around Hoan Kiem Lake, especially the Old Quarter, is known as a culinary paradise, a great place for foodies.

Dong Xuan market alley

This is a familiar as well as attractive address for many tourists. Coming here, visitors will enjoy famous delicious dishes such as vermicelli, vermicelli, vermicelli, pho tiu, all kinds of tea… with affordable prices ranging from 15,000-30,000 VND.

Bun Cha Hang Buom

• Address: 43 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hang Khay bean vermicelli

• Address: Lane 31, Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Boiled snails on Dinh Liet street

• Address: No. 1 Dinh Liet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Wooden Bridge Noodles

• Address: 48 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake Mannequin

• Address: 23 Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hang Can 4 seasons tea

• Address: No. 4 Hang Can, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Cafe Dinh

• Address: 13 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Trang Tien ice cream

• Address: 35 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Thuy Ta Ice Cream

• Address: No. 2 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Kem Bodega

• Address: 57 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

BECAUSE. What to shop around in Hoan Kiem/Sword Lake area?

Around the lake, there are countless items that you can buy as gifts for friends and family such as crafts, cute little gifts, clothes, shoes, special items. products in Hanoi such as rice cake, o mai…

Hang Ngang Street, Hang Dao Street, Hang Bac Street, Hang Duong Street, Dong Xuan Market … are some reputable and quality addresses for you to shop freely. According to many people’s experience, you should go shopping in the afternoon because the stores here are very abstain from customers coming in the morning to ask for things but do not buy anything.

If you have the opportunity to go to Hanoi, do not forget to explore the old town and do a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, many new and interesting things are waiting for you. Especially if you need to find a hotel, you can look at the hotels in the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem area to easily move here.

 

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