In the center of Hanoi, there lies a lake – Hoan Kiem Lake – whose name curiously translates as “Lake of the Restored Sword”. Located within minutes from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the lake is a city-center sanctuary of tranquility, where residents and tourists come to exercise in the morning and stroll around the 12-hectare body of water surrounding the 18th century Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake. As legend has it, Emperor Le Thai To was given a magical sword by the Dragon King for his revolt against Ming China. After he fought off the Chinese, a golden turtle collected this sword and disappeared back into the lake to return it to its dragon master, never to be seen again. The small Turtle Tower in the middle of the lake is a nod to this very story. When you are at the lake, keep your eyes out for a glimmer of the sword at the bottom of the lake.
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