Hanoi old quarter tour private tour hanoi travel agency. Hanoi held a 10daylong celebration in october 2010 marking the 1,000th birthday of the hoan kiem lake turtle. There are altars dedicated to tran hung dao, some ancient artefacts including ceramics and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake weighing 250kg. The life and legacy of vietnams sacred giant turtle atlas. Guom sword lake, is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of hanoi, the capital city of vietnam. One can also easily spot some soft shell turtles which swim in the lake and has been seen since years, they make a beautiful sight. Historical sites include the co loa citadel, dating from the 3rd century bce. The sword, as you may have guessed, came from hoan kiem lake. The temple of literature is a short stroll from ba dinh square and is also close to the presidential palace and vietnam fine arts museum. A mythic symbol of vietnamese independence and longevity who had quietly paddled around hanois central lake for decades, wrote mike ives for. Hoan kiem lake a couple of blocks west of the sofitel legend metropole hanoi, hoan kiem lake meaning lake of the restored swordis one of hanois anchors.
Despite eyewitness sightings of two or more turtles, d. Hoan kiem lake turtle, which he named rafetus leloii after king le loi, has become an integral part of the culture and history of ha noi. It has a huge historical context and is one of the oldest places in the city. The carcass of the legendary giant softshell turtle found in hanois hoan kiem lake sword lake tuesday will be preserved at the vietnam national museum of nature, vietnam news agency has reported. Rescuers try to capture hanois sacred turtle world news. Among the latter is lake hoan kiem lake of the restored sword. The legendary sword lake turtle of hoan kiem lake it was five years ago that i first read about the rarest freshwater turtle in the world the swinhoes softshell turtle rafetus swinhoei known from hoan ki. But the sacred chelonian, today known as the hoan ki. Kiem lake, 5min from shopping centre and ice exhibition centre. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditionalstyle vietnamese architecture. History and evolution of the boy scouts of america reptile study merit badge pamphlet.
Hoan kiem lake must visit destination when in ha noi. Jan 10, 2019 the life and legacy of vietnams sacred giant turtle hanois hoan ki. Hoan kiem lake is a dynamic daily tableau, from morning walks amid locals doing exercises on the. The legendary sword lake turtle of hoan kiem lake, an article in the journal bibliotheca. An art sculpture in the form of a book celebrates the th anniversary of the founding of hanoi. According to the legend, there was a fisherman named le than. The lake is full of tortoise, which is second to none to be found among vietnamese lakes. Hoan kiem lake sword lake hanoi, vietnam have camera will. Turtle tower, also called tortoise tower is a small tower in the middle of sword lake, hanoi, vietnam, which housed the shell of the sacred turtle. This is the best place to stay, shop and eat when in hanoi. Greatgrandfather turtle was between 80 and 100 a giant softshell turtle rafetus swinhoei which is considered a sacred symbol of vietnamese independence is guided into a cage for a health check by handlers at hoan kiem lake in the heart of hanoi.
Hundreds work to save hanois legendary giant turtle world. Hoan kiem until now has been still a pride of not only hanoians but also vietnamese and the center for any distance measurement in hanoi. Hoan kiem lake the legendary tale and symbol of hanoi. Hoan kiem lake now has the water area of around 120,000 m 2. May 12, 20 lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake. Ho lake hoan kiem means lake of the returned sword. This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the well of heavenly. Discover hanoi on a fullday city tour that introduces you to major attractions such as the old quarter and lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake. Its a lovely place to stroll around during the day. The lake is a vestige of a nhi ha river hong river, it used to be called ho luc thuy because the water is green all year round. It contains a number of sites worth visiting, like ngoc soc temple and the picturesque, redlacquered huc bridge. The hoan kiem turtle is rooted in vietnamese folklore, and some believe the creature that lives in the lake today is the same mythical turtle that helped a vietnamese king fend off the chinese.
The 10 best lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake tours. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to confucius, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditionalstyle vietnamese architecture. About hoan kiem lake the english translation of the lake name means lake of the returning sword. According to legend, hoan kiem lake is where le loi returned his magic sword to the golden turtle. Hanoi has a lot of lakes, but hoan kiem lake is in its cultural and historic heart. With a guide, learn about the citys history as you visit one pillar pagoda, the ho chi minh mausoleum, the ho chi minh presidential palace historical site, and the temple of literature. Hoan kiem lake is part of the city and the country it. A sacred giant turtle that died in hanois storied hoan kiem lake has been given a new lease on life by city authorities who have embalmed the beloved creature for posterity and tourist visits. Hanoi, vietnamcu rua, probably the most famous turtle in the world and perhaps the oldest, was found dead in hoan kiem lake in central hanoi during the third week of january 2016.
In the middle of the lake on a small island, there is a turtle tower with double storeys and a peaking roof, paying tribute to the hoan kiem lake turtle. Vietnam embalms a sacred turtle, leninstyle the new. Hoan kiem lake is the one and only freshwater in the surrounding of hanoi old quarter. The legend of the hoan kiem turtle in northern vietnam. Hoan kiem lake is considered one of the first things to see in hanoi when one arrives in this bustling capital city. Hoan kiem lake a couple of blocks west of the sofitel legend metropole hanoi, hoan kiem lakemeaning lake of the restored swordis one of hanois anchors. The lake is a favorite destination of tourists as well because of the harmony among nature, architecture, and people. Mar 08, 2011 hanoi held a 10daylong celebration in october 2010 marking the 1,000th birthday of the hoan kiem lake turtle. This video will help you answer the questions about the history of the lake as well as highlight activites around the lake. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. To many people, the turtle in the lake is not just a normal turtle he is a sacred being. The life and legacy of vietnams sacred giant turtle. It is believed that the structure was erected to commemorate one of the greatest heroes of vietnam, le loi, who founded the le dynasty. The last known turtle resident in the lake died in 2016.
Hoan kiem lake is located very center of hanoi and considered a symbol of hanoi capital. In the center of hanoi, there lies a lake hoan kiem lake whose name. Lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake hanoi 2020. Lying in the centre of hanois historic district, hoan kiem lake is a lovely, peaceful place with a fascinating history. Book your tickets online for lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake, hanoi. In the past, hoan kiem lake was also called as luc thuy lake, which means green lake because the water here has the green color all year round. Anecdotes about hanoi the golden turtle and a sword. Memorable experiences in hanoibook on culture trip. Do you enjoy learning about the local history and culture. It may not be bigits much smaller than west lake but the old quarter wraps around it, making for a scenic and relaxing escape from the chaos and bustle of the old quarters streets. Stay in hanoi for longer than a night and hoan kiem lake is unavoidable. The last known hoan kiem turtle was found dead on 19 january 2016. Travelers and locals alike head to hoan kiem lake when seeking a place to get away from the noise of the city.
Vietnamese mourn revered turtle at hoan kiem lake in hanoi, many gathered on thursday to pay their last respects to a revered turtle that died this week. It may not be bigits much smaller than west lakebut the old quarter wraps around it, making for a scenic and relaxing escape from the chaos and bustle of the old quarters streets. In the middle of the lake is the smaller turtle island, above is the hundredyearold ancient turtle tower taciturn among the four glittering waves. Apr 08, 2014 lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake. Sep 16, 20 five years ago, i took it upon myself to learn more about this unique species and the colorful arthurian legendlike story it embodied, a project that has culminated this year in the publication of swinhoes softshell turtle rafetus swinhoei. Hundreds work to save hanois legendary giant turtle. The water color of hoan kiem lake is not commonly found in other lakes elsewhere in the country. Le loi then acknowledged that the sword had gone back to the dragon king with the golden turtle kim quy, and he renamed the lake the lake of the returned sword hoan kiem lake.
The extremely rare giant turtle has been plastinated and lodged in a temple at hoan kiem lake in hanoi, the capital, where it once lived, the news site vnexpress reported on. Hoan kiem lake the lake and the temple offer plenty of trees and shaded spots in which to escape the busy city streets. Jan 20, 2016 the carcass of the legendary giant softshell turtle found in hanois hoan kiem lake sword lake tuesday will be preserved at the vietnam national museum of nature, vietnam news agency has reported. Hoan kiem lake is located right by the old quarter in hanoi. Hoan kiem lake in hanoi hoan kiem lake hanoi vietnam. In 1428, legend has it that emperor le loi obtained a magical sword from the dragon king to fight against chinese oppressors. Legend describes how an emperor was once given a magical sword which helped him defeat the chinese ming dynasty and in doing so saw the return of the golden turtle god to the lake. If you guys dont already know, hoan kiem is one of my most favorite spots in.
Theres a lot to be said for having a body of water in the middle of a city. Nov 05, 20 the lake is full of turtle the sacred animal closely associated with the hoan kiem lake. The life and legacy of vietnams sacred giant turtle atlas obscura. The majestic lake is widely regarded as the heart of the city, with much of public life centring around the lake and its public promenade.
Legendary turtle in hanoi lake dead society thanh nien daily. International society for the history and bibliography of herpetology. Legends as to how it acquired its current name vary in detail, but all relate to nationalist hero emperor le loi, who borrowed a magic sword and used it to defeat aggressive chinese forces before returning it to a turtle that surfaced in the lake. A closer look at hanois hoan kiem lake leylander a. I know i have already made an entry about hanois hoan kiem lake in the past. The story goes that the emperor had been given a magical sword by the golden turtle god. The story of le loi le loi was born in about 84 and is one of vietnams greatest heroes. However, i decided to make another one to further talk about this particular area in hanoi.
Legendary hoan kiem turtle hanoi vietnam last footage before he died duration. The average depth of hoan kiem lake is from 1 to 1. And because turtle is considered a sacred animal in vietnams culture along with dragon, phoenix and unicorn, hoan kiem lake then become a holy place that nurtures turtle. Hoan kiem means returned sword, and the name comes from a legend in which king le loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading chinese. The turtle tower at the northern end of hoan kiem lake is an islet on which stands a small tower. The lake s turtles have largely passed into legend, due to pollution and the pavingover of the turtles egglaying grounds on the lakeshore. The life and legacy of vietnams sacred giant turtle hanois hoan ki.
Located in the southernmost part of the old quarter, much of the lake s iconic status stems from its famed arthurlike legend of emperor le loi, who lost his magic sword at the lake to. Turtles of hoan kiem lake because of the importance of the turtle in this legend, turtles have been revered around hoan kiem lake. Book your entrance ticket and skip the line with priority seating. The temple is between ton duc thang street and van mieu street which is about 2km west of hoan kiem lake. Hoan kiem lake lake of restored sword experience elegant. Sacred giant turtle gets embalmed in vietnam world news the. Near the northern shore of hoan kiem lake lies jade island, on which the temple of the jade mountain is located. Peter pritchard, a renowned turtle biologist, believes that there are no more than five specimens left. Upon visiting the lake, one can occasionally find softshell turtles roaming around or resting in the shore, which reminds everyone of this hoan kiem lake legend. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds ngoc son temple, a temple sitting in the center on a small island.
Hoan kiem lake is a good respite from the hustle of the old quarter. The name hoan kiem lake is related to a legend in 15th century when king le thai to returned a sword for a golden turtle god. Since they were small, they all learn about the story in their school about the most revered heroes, a giant turtle, and a magic sword. Apr 20, 2020 a rare breed of turtle enjoys this popular lake almost as much as countless locals and tourists. Hoan kiem lake things to do in hanoi universal traveller. Hoan kiem lake, hanoi, vietnam all you need to know. The turtle was apparently returning the enchanted blade to its original divine owners. Known for its peaceful atmosphere and gigantic turtles, hoan kiem lake is more than. The historic turtle tower, known as thap rua in vietnamese, is a small tower standing on an islet in the middle of hoan kiem lake in hanoi. Legendary turtle in hanoi lake dead society thanh nien.
In the 15th century, the lake was renamed hoan kiem lake, associated with the legend of returning the magic sword to the golden turtle. Guom sword lake, is a fresh wate r lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of hanoi, vietnam. The temple of literature is often cited as one of hanois most picturesque tourist attractions. Cu ruas death was a loss for biological history as well. Today, the number of surviving turtles in hoan kiem lake remains unknown. One night, when le than casted a net in a river, he picked up a sword in his net. So, after resting a bit in hoan kiem lake, go and have a look at the old quarter. Vietnamese turtle myth may prove to be true for years, vietnamese children were told of an ancient turtle that lived in a lake. Mar 04, 2011 the hoan kiem turtle is rooted in vietnamese folklore, and some believe the creature that lives in the lake today is the same mythical turtle that helped a vietnamese king fend off the chinese.
The hoan kiem turtle is rooted in vietnamese folklore, and some even believe the creature that lives in the lake today is the same mythical turtle that helped a vietnamese king fend off the chinese nearly six centuries ago. Lake of the restored sword hoan kiem lake hanoi all you. Cu rua, or greatgrandfather turtle, in hoan kiem lake in hanoi in 2011. One turtle was even believed to be an incarnation of the dragon kings turtle envoy. After he fought off the chinese, a golden turtle collected this sword and disappeared back into the lake to return. Hoan kiem lake ngoc son temple place to visit for a walk. At night, the red colored bridge and monument comes alive with the bright lights and lovers huddled on the benches. Ngoc island is located to the north of the lake, with the huc bridge connecting to the island. Ngoc son temple was built in the 18th century on jade island in the centre of the lake of the returned sword or hoan kiem lake. The vietnamese add a title to his name, cu rua, which means greatgrandfather the turtle. Both the turtle and the lake are important to vietnamese history.
A sacred giant turtle that died in hanois storied hoan kiem lake has been given a new lease on life by city authorities who have embalmed the. In the mid 15th century ad, king le loii was boating in the lake when a giant golden turtle rose from the water and grabbed his magic sword, that he had previously used to repel a chinese invasion. Later, while boating on the lake, he encountered a giant turtle, which grabbed the sword and carried it down to its depths, returning it to the gods from whom it had come. Visit this historical and cultural relic to discover the first university of vietnam as well as reveal the hanoians spirit of study in the past.
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