Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
A rare breed of turtle enjoys this popular lake almost as much as countless locals and tourists. Hoan Kiem Lake is a dynamic daily tableau, from morning walks amid locals doing exercises on the shore, to young couples water-gazing on park benches, to the multiple shopping and sight-seeing opportunities in the vicinity. Centrally located in the city, Hoan Kiem Lake serves as a massive home base, and provides endless people-watching and recreational opportunities on the edge of the Old Quarter.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake)
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See what travellers are saying
- Daniel G53 contributionsKids will ask for your help with EnglishVietnamese children who want to practice their English will often come up to foreigners at this lake and ask for help. It would be nice if you could chat with them for awhile. People use this lake a lot. On Sundays lots of yoga enthusiasts hang out here. In the mornings many people show up at the lake to exercise or jog.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 9 September 2023
- loonylou78West Sussex, United Kingdom322 contributionsLovely place to wander.This is such a lovely place to wander around. There are locals and tourists alike enjoying the surroundings. We walked the perimeter, stopped and had banh mi whilst watching the world go by, it was just great! It's a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the old town and there are some great coffee shops nearby.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 October 2023
- André KHefei, China279 contributionsBeautiful area in HanoiBeautiful lake which is surrounded by trees . We had a relaxing walk around the lake and enjoyed our afternoon by just hanging out at the lake. Only annoying thing is the street vendors who want to sell you all sorts of junk. This lake is a better option to visit instead of West Lake.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 October 2023
- kuldip K8 contributionsGreat Hangout space in the cityLake is in the centre of heart but has greenish water. However walk around the lake and Pagoda in the centre make it a great hangout. Famous Water puppet theatre is also round the corner.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 October 2023
- Willy G25 contributionsThe place to start visiting Hanoi and see what the locals do on their weekendNice spot for tourists and locals alike. Lots of people sitting by the lake and enjoy the lake view. You buy a ticket to visit this temple of the lake and some giant turtle exhibit. We visited on a weekend so the area is pedestrian only with shops set up in the street. Kind of a must do while visiting HanoiVisited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 November 2023
- Khánh Nguyên Sơ... N4 contributionsGreat lake for sightseeing!It is a peaceful stunning lake located in the central Hanoi. We walked around and enjoyed it so much. By night this lake reflexes colorful shade of red bridge outside the green island.Visited December 2022Travelled with friendsWritten 27 November 2023
- WikumjBromley, United Kingdom395 contributionsLovely area of the city for a strollA lovely area of the city used by lots of locals. I recommend coming here in the evenings on weekends when the roads around the lake are closed, making it much nicer to walk around as a pedestrian, and lots of the city seem to come out and enjoy the space. A great area for a peaceful, romantic walk, with the city lights reflected in the water. During the day, I recommend going to the small shrine at the middle of the lake; it's a nice, peaceful spot, tickets are cheap and you get nice views out over the lake.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 December 2023
- Therese FBrisbane, Australia50 contributionsSite of a legendTook a walk around the lake, starting about 5pm. Very pretty before & after lights come on. Lots of photo opportunities. Quite a few locals were exercising in among groups of tourists. Many restaurants in the area too.Visited January 2018Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 December 2023
- PhyuHamilton, New Zealand87 contributionsReally Nice Walking around and visiting nearby shopsA nice place to walk around, a lot of food stalls and shops exist around the lake. We like to walk and se things hence we like the experience. The paid attraction place is okay to go and see.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 December 2023
- Michael TSingapore, Singapore2,948 contributionsHeart of the Old QuarterHoan Kiem Lake provides a good contrast to the tight and narrow streets of Old Quarter. After navigating the alleyways and clearing the motorbike brigade to reach the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake, I felt a great sense of achievement that I’d survived walking in Hanoi! The Hanoi locals appeared to adore this small, beautiful lake: I observed during our walk there that a number of young people were dressed for that Instagram or TikTok moment videos, groups of ladies chatting, dancing, people jogging, exercising or just simply walking to soak in the atmosphere. Highly recommended.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
13,698 reviews
Excellent
6,111
Very good
5,494
Average
1,862
Poor
179
Terrible
52
Jeri F
Tulsa, OK325 contributions
Dec 2019
The lake area is a busy park with people doing tai chi in the mornings. On Friday afternoons, the streets is closed for pedestrians. There is a shrine with a large preserved turtle that lived in the lake for decades. We had a guide who explained the story and why it was so important to Vietnamese culture.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,064 contributions
Dec 2019
The lake makes a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Old Quarter. The Ngoc Son Temple and the Huc Bridge is located on the lake as well. Many vendors selling their products at a high cost, I witnessed a few tourists paying twice as much as I did for the same product.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anonymous A
Greater Sydney, Australia193 contributions
Jan 2020
Best time to walk around the lake would be the evening when it is cooler and when you can see the night lights The local people also come out at that time to do their dancing /exercise with live music. The footpaths are wide and there are no motorbikes. It was one of the only places we were able to walk around without worrying about a motorbike coming up behind you. It is even better when the roads next to the lake are closed for the night markets.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dekalbill
DeKalb, IL560 contributions
Dec 2019
My first experience at the lake was on a Sunday night in late December. It was alive with families enjoying activities, music and food in the closed to traffic streets around the lake. The lights and festive attitude was wonderful. It's an easy walk around the lake to absorb the flavors of Hanoi. Experiencing the lake area in the day is equally a good time with so much history and atmosphere.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hartplatt
Lowestoft, UK229 contributions
Feb 2020
Over the course of our week in Hanoi, we managed to repeatedly find our way to this lake and we must have walked all the way round it at least a dozen times.
The Temple and Bridge were interesting and the small pagoda monument was very photogenic when surrounded by wispy mist.
We saw early morning Badminton being played, all generations of people exercising around the lake at all times of the day and evening and spent some time watching a group of men playing a 'keepie-upsie' style game with a weighted and feathered shuttlecock type of implement. Some were extremely good and they were all ages from young too old. We bought a couple of the shuttles to take home for family to learn the game. The men were very friendly and invited bystanders to join in and give it a try. It is much harder than they make it look, I can tell you!
We visited the Lotus water puppet theatre at the side of the lake too.
The Temple and Bridge were interesting and the small pagoda monument was very photogenic when surrounded by wispy mist.
We saw early morning Badminton being played, all generations of people exercising around the lake at all times of the day and evening and spent some time watching a group of men playing a 'keepie-upsie' style game with a weighted and feathered shuttlecock type of implement. Some were extremely good and they were all ages from young too old. We bought a couple of the shuttles to take home for family to learn the game. The men were very friendly and invited bystanders to join in and give it a try. It is much harder than they make it look, I can tell you!
We visited the Lotus water puppet theatre at the side of the lake too.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jason_seet
Singapore, Singapore104 contributions
Dec 2019
An old lake with a temple across a bridge. Touristy and was crowded when we went. Place was quite small and could be finished in less than 20 mins. Tickets needed (free for children) to enter the temple where the 2 tortoises are.
Around the lake are many trishaws and vendors selling souvenirs. Generally a touristy place. The water puppet theatre is also nearby.
Around the lake are many trishaws and vendors selling souvenirs. Generally a touristy place. The water puppet theatre is also nearby.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GRLUK
Plymouth, UK323 contributions
Nov 2019
While staying at the Apricot hotel the small lake just across the road drew us like a magnet as soon as we felt like a stroll, you really need to take your time, stop for a coffee half way around and people watch the whole time.
The options for taking photos are plentiful, you are just far enough away from the scooters and mopeds to forget them for a while.
Well worth the effort!
We walked to another smaller lake about ten minutes away on another day but it did not have the same charm.
The options for taking photos are plentiful, you are just far enough away from the scooters and mopeds to forget them for a while.
Well worth the effort!
We walked to another smaller lake about ten minutes away on another day but it did not have the same charm.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madmonk_13
Salisbury175 contributions
Dec 2019
They say that there is a giant, legendary turtle actually living in the lake, which scientists have been able to find using sophisticated sonar equipment but, unfortunately, we didn't see it when we were there. This is a great place for a relaxing stroll in the center of Hanoi at any time of day. There are several cafes along the way where you can stop for some refreshment if you like. It is all very leafy and green -- surprisingly so, because we hadn't expected anything like this. Go and enjoy.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
richard
Milton Keynes, UK11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Very pleasant and popular location for both tourists and locals. Top end of yhe lake abutts the old quarter where you can shop and find lots of restaurants. The small island temple costs a few dong to visit but it is worth the few pennies.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
markllydselby
Cardiff, UK26 contributions
Mar 2020
At any time of day or evening you'll find a lot of citizens relaxing around the lake with impromptu tai chi, games, dancing, and singing. The lakeside cafe bars are both very good and during our stay we ended most of our evenings with a walk around the lake. It's also a useful landmark in terms of orientating yourself when out exploring the city on foot
Written 25 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Những món ăn vặt ngon giá học sinh không nên bỏ qua?
Written 15 April 2024
Những món ăn vặt ngon giá học sinh không nên bỏ qua
Written 15 April 2024
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam with an infant given the current situation of the nCoV??
Written 5 February 2020
Vietnam medical is not perfect but the virus is more dangerous to older people.
The level of people infect is not high in Vietnam. Your issue is flights and airports.
As regards temperature, the virus can remain intact at 4 or 10 degrees for a longer period of time. But at 30 degrees then you get inactivation.
This was from a HK expert;The virus doesn’t like high humidity either. That’s why I think Sars stopped around May and June in 2003. The environment will be unfavourable for growth around May. The evidence is to look at the common cold – it’s always during winter. So the natural environment will not be favourable in Asia in about May.
Hope this helps in the end it is your decision.
Simon
Written 6 February 2020
Mr.David
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi train street, Vietnam
Would you like go inside ?
Interesting place you can visit if you have the opportunity to come to Hanoi. Currently the area is closed and there are a few guards here but don't worry please contact me +84388014896, I will help you to get inside
Written 2 February 2020
There is always the possibility to get in, if you go to a cafe or Restaurant located there.
Written 3 February 2020
Looking to book something for myself and 5year old on 31st of December to bring in western new year can anyone suggest restaurants hotels etc
Thanks in advance
Written 20 November 2019
It all depends on your budget. One hotel to avoid is Apricot. Service is rubbish.
You can have.
For a young child you probably want swimming pool so head for any 5 star except Apricot which is not great for customer service or cleanliness.
Written 23 November 2019
Bonjour, j'aimerai savoir combien de temps comptez vous environs pour profiter de faire le tour du lac ainsi que ces temples?
Merci
Written 9 April 2018
D’entrée de jeu, quels sont vos intérêts (histoire, détente, etc)? combien de temps avez-vous à consacrer? En couple ou avec des enfants?
J’ai séjourné à Hanoi à 4 reprises. Mon plus grand plaisir, ce fut de me promener lentement dans les rues, autour du lac, dans les parcs afin de voir le quotidien des habitants. Au-delà de l’attraction touristique, il y a le vécu d’un peuple. Pendant mes différents séjours, j’ai agrandi mon cercle de visite, toujours à pied soit dit en passant.
Quels sont vos intérêts? Un vulgaire visite d’une heure ou deux ou un PLUS. Bonne visite.
Written 10 April 2018
is it open early in the morning? because our arrival is at 1am in hanoi airport, we would like to visit the lake as early as possible to maximize our time and take a stroll and watch locals do tai chi 🤣
Written 27 August 2017
it's a lake, it's always open...
there's no fence around it or anything
Written 5 October 2017
is it open early in the morning? because our arrival is at 1am in hanoi airport, we would like to visit the lake as early as possible to maximize our time and take a stroll and watch locals do tai chi 🤣
Written 27 August 2017
the locals get up pretty early to do their exercises. If you go there around 4 a.m/5am. you will already see people running and old ladies exercising
Written 29 August 2017
Is it safe for 2 tourists from uk to walk round park in evening?
Written 13 June 2017
I live in Hanoi and, although of course you have to use normal common sense in protecting your valuables, this is probably one of the safest cities in Asia. And the Hoan Kiem Lake at night is beautiful. Would recommend booking a table at Cau Go restaurant on the outside terrace. Great food and an amazing view over the lake.
Written 14 June 2017
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