Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake
3.5
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3.5
68 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
19
Average
21
Poor
5
Terrible
6
Tercoltrip
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK92 contributions
Feb 2020
We walked past Turtle lake during the day on or way from the Novotel to the "Post Office" It looked a bit neglected and no one was around, however it is transformed at night, hundreds of people (assumed local Vietnamese) gather around, the atmosphere is buzzing, there are loads of street food vendors selling all kinds of food, cooked while you wait. We were not brave enough to try the food, but ever one else seem to be enjoying what was on offer. Worth visiting even if just to walk through and take in the sights, sounds and smells.
Written 13 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.
Anon K
1 contribution
May 2024 • Friends
Thank god we didn't take a taxi here, because the driver would have laughed at us.
Dirty swampy lake, waiting for Shrek to pop up. We found one (1) turtle at least... but it was suffocating in algae and lake trash.
Dirty swampy lake, waiting for Shrek to pop up. We found one (1) turtle at least... but it was suffocating in algae and lake trash.
Written 25 June 2024
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.
Lina S
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
no turtles. no water either. i see. at least there were benches i guess. im just trying to reach the word limit.
Written 20 December 2019
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.
colin1201
Singapore, Singapore116 contributions
Oct 2019
come here for dinner.
after 7pm.
too early and the food vendors would not have set up their stalls.
most of the stalls sell similar food.
so just pick a nice spot and order from the vendor in front of you
after 7pm.
too early and the food vendors would not have set up their stalls.
most of the stalls sell similar food.
so just pick a nice spot and order from the vendor in front of you
Written 23 October 2019
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.
LPN
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam91 contributions
July 2019 • Friends
I lived next to the “lake” for a year. It is a concrete pond without any turtles, and if there were turtles, the locals would probably capture and eat them, so I get it.
The lake is lively with lots of young people hanging out eating street food (lots of ban trang tron) and is surrounded by karaoke bars and cafes. However, because there are so many people hanging out and eating, the area around it is filthy. I’ve seen people urinate publicly on the side streets, trash littered all over, and seen rats the size of cats scurry across my path countless times. Also the pond is a major breeding ground for mosquitoes so be prepared to get eaten alive. You eat the food, the rats eat your waste, and the mosquitoes eat you. It’s a sub ecosystem.
On the bright side, the cafes are always packed and are good places to people watch, especially from the second floor. The area is in close proximity to some fantastic bars and restaurants as well.
Overall, good place to visit for the experience but as a visitor you should only do it once or twice. The pond also smells.
The lake is lively with lots of young people hanging out eating street food (lots of ban trang tron) and is surrounded by karaoke bars and cafes. However, because there are so many people hanging out and eating, the area around it is filthy. I’ve seen people urinate publicly on the side streets, trash littered all over, and seen rats the size of cats scurry across my path countless times. Also the pond is a major breeding ground for mosquitoes so be prepared to get eaten alive. You eat the food, the rats eat your waste, and the mosquitoes eat you. It’s a sub ecosystem.
On the bright side, the cafes are always packed and are good places to people watch, especially from the second floor. The area is in close proximity to some fantastic bars and restaurants as well.
Overall, good place to visit for the experience but as a visitor you should only do it once or twice. The pond also smells.
Written 17 July 2019
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.
Michael R
Lincoln, UK35 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
This large water feature and the large concrete monument that rises above it are a great opportunity to get away from the tourists and get closer to local Saigonese. It’s in the centre of a roundabout just a short walk from central district 1. Disclaimer: if there are turtles I didn’t see any.
The modern concrete monument is fairly impressive and I like how it is interactive; it’s paths cross the pond and allow you to walk from the edge of the roundabout to the very base of the monument. You’ll find groups of young locals coming here to hang out and get something to eat, sitting on the walls and paths. There’s a great atmosphere to the area.
Surrounding the lake are a great number of local food vendors selling traditional food, cooked the traditional, curb side way. There are four or five dishes that seem to be cooked by each of the vendors. Your options will probably be more limited by your palette, the food includes fish sauce, snails and some very pungent flavours that I can’t name. We had a Banh Xao (crispy pancake with various toppings including, I think, spring onions and fish sauce) which was really tasty.
A great stop off for those who are doing an unaccompanied walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City.
The modern concrete monument is fairly impressive and I like how it is interactive; it’s paths cross the pond and allow you to walk from the edge of the roundabout to the very base of the monument. You’ll find groups of young locals coming here to hang out and get something to eat, sitting on the walls and paths. There’s a great atmosphere to the area.
Surrounding the lake are a great number of local food vendors selling traditional food, cooked the traditional, curb side way. There are four or five dishes that seem to be cooked by each of the vendors. Your options will probably be more limited by your palette, the food includes fish sauce, snails and some very pungent flavours that I can’t name. We had a Banh Xao (crispy pancake with various toppings including, I think, spring onions and fish sauce) which was really tasty.
A great stop off for those who are doing an unaccompanied walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City.
Written 12 January 2019
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.
DrBillHCMC
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam88 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
Not a lake and no turtles to be seen. It is a small little city park with a big fountain in the middle. Nice to just hang out with the locals sitting around at night eating and drinking. Nothing too special, so I wouldn't waste time if you are here for a short visit. So many other better things to visit.
Written 21 September 2018
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.
Bramsimon
Hardenberg, The Netherlands31 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I went here during the day, so I can't tell what it is like at night.
Perhaps i'm a typical foreigner that doesn't understand where the name is coming from, but this literally made no sense. It is not a lake, there are no turtles, so why call if like this?
There isn't much to see. Perhaps just a place for locals to hang out during lunch break. But still, I think it could be used a lot more to its potential.
Perhaps i'm a typical foreigner that doesn't understand where the name is coming from, but this literally made no sense. It is not a lake, there are no turtles, so why call if like this?
There isn't much to see. Perhaps just a place for locals to hang out during lunch break. But still, I think it could be used a lot more to its potential.
Written 5 April 2017
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.
Peter G
Sydney, Australia2,125 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
It’s in the middle of a roundabout, dirty smelly water, ageing concrete structure. But nice park benches to rest on in the shade.
Written 15 April 2019
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.
lirvaengival
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam9 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
It's a gathering place for local youngster at night. Architecture wise - nothing impressive, but it's a so-so place to cool off outdoor. Lots of young people, many lovers, street food aplenty (though not the most hygienic). Here you can have a look of how young Vietnamese socialize and interact. Not much else to do but sit around, watch people and have some snacks.
Written 11 September 2018
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.
sarahjw02
Derbyshire, United Kingdom
What time does the food market open on an evening?
Written 20 April 2019
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