Hoan Kiem Lake - The pearl of Hanoi

Hoan Kiem lake is also known as Guom Lake (Sword Lake), a natural freshwater lake of Hanoi that foreign tourists are still known as "bouquet in the heart of the city" because it is located in the center of Hanoi.


In the past, the lake had many names such as: Luc Thuy lake because the water is green all year round, Thuy Quan lake was used to training Navy, Ta Vong Lake and Huu Vong Lake.
The name "Hoan Kiem" appeared in the early 15th century, was associated with the legend of Le Thai To King repays the precious sword to turtle god


There are two islands on the lake: Ngoc island(pearl island) and Rua island( turtle island). By the early 19 century, they was built a pagoda on Ngoc island, called Ngoc Son pagoda. Shortly after, this pagoda did n't worship Buddha anymore, it had worshiped Van Xuong hallow and Tran Hung Dao, so they changed pagoda into temple, known as Ngoc Son temple. In 1864, Nguyen Van Sieu - a Confucianist refurbished the temple. On the Ngoc Boi hummock, he built a pen-shaped tower, known as But tower(Pen tower). Next, a rolling door, called Nghien pedestal, a ink-slab is on the door with the peach half vertically and three frogs.

There are two walls on two sides from outside port, one side is dragon table, another is a tiger table, they represents for two noble tables give the names of those who passed. Underwent a lot of time, many people have come and gone Hoan Kiem Lake, landscape around the lake is also changed, many high-rise buildings springing up, but not to lose own beauty of Guom Lake.


This is the place to relax every summer afternoon, to take souvenir photos of couples on wedding day, to welcome important holidays of the country,etc.

In early summer, standing from on high, looking down Guom Lake, it looks like a colorful and romantic paintings with the colors of many flowers around the lake, the trees are incline as hug of the water

In Autumn, Hoan Kiem Lake is not only a beautiful landscape with
sparkling sun on the water but also where people come to see the fireworks on the occasion of the nation's great holidays as 8/19 and 9/2.

All that things have created a Guom Lake - a bouquet in the heart of the city, the pride of Hanoi people