In the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, one of the most famous landmarks called Hoan Kiem is located in the historic part of the city. Locals also refer to the water area as the Lake of the Returned Sword or Green Water.
Legend
From a historical perspective, the lake symbolises the freedom of the country's people from Chinese rule and is associated with the development of statehood of Vietnam. On the other hand, there are many amazing legends about Hoan Kiem, which Hanoi residents pass on by word of mouth.
The oldest legend tells that Le Loi, the founder of the Vietnamese Le dynasty, possessed a miraculous sword near the lake, which helped him defeat his enemies in a heavy battle.
The fact is that an old friend of Le Loi's lived on the shore of Hoankiem. He came to visit him, and the friend gave the future emperor a metal rod caught in the lake. Le Loi returned home and cast a long sword from the piece of metal he received as a gift.
When Le Loi raised the sword above his head, he saw the inscription "Heavenly Harmony" appear on it. The lord saw this as a sign of heaven and decided to take the sword with him to fight his enemies in a battle that took place in the 15th century and lasted for a long 10 years.
As a result of the gruelling battle, Le Loi drove the invaders out of his land and became emperor, who went down in history as Le Thai Tho. Already being the ruler of Vietnam, he was walking along Hoan Kiem Lake and saw a golden-coloured turtle emerge from the water surface.
She asked the emperor to return the sword to the underwater deity so that people could no longer use it against each other. Le Loi obeyed and returned the sword. The lake has since been named "The Returned Sword" (Hoan Kiemili).
Attractions of the lake
Hoan Kiem is not only an important natural site in Vietnam, but also an interesting attraction. There are several iconic places for Vietnamese people around the lake and on its surface:
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Golden Turtle Tower;
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The Arch of the Rising Sun;
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puppet theatre.
Tower of the Golden Turtle
The turtle has long been considered a magical animal that brings good luck to the people of Vietnam. Many years ago, there were giant turtles in the reservoir.
The oldest turtle living in the lake died in 2017, and its death saddened all Hanoi residents. The mammal, belonging to the rare species Rafetus vietnamensis, weighed 180 kilograms and was more than 80 years old. After the demise of the lake symbol, she was stuffed and placed in the Jade Mountain Temple.
The turtle on the lake is symbolised by two miniature islands. The smaller island is occupied by the Golden Turtle Tower, erected in the late 19th century. The structure is a four-storey structure with arched windows.
On the roof of the tower is a sculpture of a golden turtle. In the evening, the structure is lit up with colourful illuminations, turning the islet into a glittering space reflected in the waters of the lake.
Arch of the Rising Sun
The arch is actually a bridge (Kau Thechuk) that connects two neighbouring islands in the lake and leads to the legendary Jade Mountain Temple. The craftsmen of the past used precious wood as the material for construction.
The bridge is not distinguished by its height and is built in the classical Asian style. The main structure is supported by double lags going into the water. The red colour of the bridge is associated by the Vietnamese with joy and victory over evil spirits.
Photo: Tho-Ge. Source: Pixabay
Puppet theatre
The unique puppet theatre is located in the northeastern part of the lake. It is interesting because it is one of the few theatres on water in the world. The tradition of such theatres dates back thousands of years in Vietnam and is deeply revered by the locals.
The performances are held in the evening after sunset, when the water surface turns black. The puppeteers stand waist-deep in the water and cover themselves with a curtain of bamboo.
They control the puppets with special long sticks and ropes. At night dusk, the effect of "living puppets" moving smoothly on the water is created.
The performance is accompanied by national music performed by folk ensembles. The performances last about 40 minutes and mainly focus on historical themes and mythical characters from Vietnamese folklore.
Jade Mountain Temple
The temple is considered an important cultural heritage site in the country and is carefully protected by the state. The shrine was erected in honour of the great Vietnamese warlord Tran Hung Dao, who once delivered his people from Mongol rule and achieved Vietnam's independence.
The temple honours not only the warlord, but also the patrons of the integral spheres of human life:
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La Toh (doctoring);
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Kaun Wu (art);
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Wang Suonggu (literature).
All those involved in the arts, literature or medicine come to the shrine to ask for good luck professionally.
The tour of the shrine begins at the gate, which reads "Prosper and be happy" in the old version of Vietnamese. Next are the different areas where the main building of the shrine, pavilions and Tap Bat Tower are located. Outside the gate, a monument dedicated to the writing brush can be seen.
The style of the shrine is fully in line with the traditions of oriental architecture. This is evidenced by the red-gold colour scheme, architectural elements, and the surrounding landscape. The inner space is filled with sculptures of mythical deities, as well as animals.
In the centre of the main hall is an altar where people come to pray and place candles. Large, gold-coloured sacred bowls are placed near the altar. They are for the notes that the faithful put inside. In the notes, they write wishes for their relatives.
The jewel of the temple is the effigy of the last turtle that lived in the lake. According to legend, it was to her that the conqueror Le Loi gave his sword after he defeated his enemies.
In order to visit the Jade Mountain Temple, you must purchase tickets, which cost 25,000 dong. Children under 15 years old can see the temple complex absolutely free of charge. The temple operates daily between eight and five o'clock in the evening.
How to get there
Since the attraction is located in the central part of Hanoi, it is not difficult to reach it. The most popular way is to travel by bus, which run regularly in the city and are characterised by a decent level of comfort. At the same time, the cost of such a trip is quite cheap.
Another option to see the lake is to rent an electric car, which in a matter of minutes will take you to the main gate of the temple complex, located next to the lake. Alternatively, you can also book a taxi. In Vietnam, the cost of such a service is not high.
Often tourists get to Hoan Kiem from the old part of the city. This can be done on foot by walking through the picturesque neighbourhood of Hanoi. The way to the lake will take about twenty minutes, and on the way will meet other no less interesting places of the capital of Vietnam.
