Hoan Kiem Lake — the Lake of the Returned Sword — is the city’s centre in every sense. Legend tells that the 15th-century king Le Loi was given a magic sword to drive out Chinese invaders and later returned it to a golden turtle in the lake. The little Turtle Tower (Thap Rua) on its islet is the city’s emblem.
At the northern end, the red-painted The Huc bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of the Jade Mountain, dedicated to a national hero, a scholar and a deity, with an embalmed giant turtle on display. In the early morning the lakeside is full of people doing tai chi, dancing and jogging; on weekend evenings the surrounding streets become a walking street closed to traffic.
What to see and do: Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
Walk the lake at dawn
A full loop is under 2 km. Before 7 am the shore fills with exercise groups, badminton and tai chi — the best free show in Hanoi.
Cross The Huc bridge to Ngoc Son Temple
A small ticket gets you onto the islet temple. Go early or late in the day to avoid the tour groups crowding the bridge.
The weekend walking street
From Friday evening to Sunday night (times are set by the city and can change) the roads around the lake close to vehicles. Families, street performers and games take over.
See a water puppet show
The Thang Long theatre is on the north-east corner of the lake. See our water puppet guide and book seats ahead.
How to get to Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
- On foot from anywhere in the Old Quarter or French Quarter.
- From the airport: bus 86 stops near the lake; a Grab car takes roughly 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
- Hop-on hop-off buses and most city tours start near the lake.
Insider tips
- Ngoc Son Temple is a place of worship: cover shoulders and keep your voice down.
- Cafés on the upper floors of the buildings on the north shore have the best views of the lake.
- During the walking street hours, Grab cars cannot reach the lakeside — arrange pickups a few streets away.
Best tours & tickets for Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
These GetYourGuide experiences include Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple or pair well with it:
Show ticket from €6 Hanoi: Water Puppet Show Tickets
Tickets for a water puppet performance, the northern Vietnamese art of puppets moving on a pool of water to live traditional music. The most-booked ticket in Hanoi.
- Traditional water puppetry with live music
- About 50 minutes
- Very low price
Walking tour from €25 Hanoi City Highlights Walking Tour — Landmarks & History
A long walking tour through Hanoi’s landmarks with the history explained — a good first-morning orientation.
- Landmarks and history on foot
- Local guide
- Rated 5 stars
Vespa tour from €43 Hanoi Vintage Vespa City Tours
See Hanoi the way Hanoians do — from the back of a classic Vespa, with a driver handling the traffic while you take in the sights.
- Ride pillion on a vintage Vespa
- A driver does the riding
- City sights and backstreets
