(Image from: https://www.lifeofpix.com/photo/3-hoan-kiem-lake-ngoc-son-temple-hanoi-jpg/)
You stand at the edge of a lake. It is just shy of 6:00am and the air is warm and damp. The sound of bird songs intermingle with the rustle of leaves as a breeze passes by. Tortoises slip into the water of the lake, causing faint splashing sounds. The beautiful scene is pinnacled by the sight of a lone tower which sits on a small bit of land in the lake. The tower is stone and has two sorts of main stories, each dotted with three, large arch-like windows. On top of these stories are two smaller sorts of stories. From where you stand, the sun is rising directly behind the tower, creating a breath-taking glowing effect as it slowly rises to become the backdrop to the tip of the tower.
This is perhaps a taste of what you would experience if you were to visit Hoan Kiem Lake in Vietnam. This legendary lake is a beautiful part of Vietnam, holding great cultural significance for the Vietnamese. This lake has also been named “Sword Lake” and is found in Hanoi, which is the capital of Vietnam.
(Image From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/150446839@N04/39871985450)
Not only does this lake have the beautiful aforementioned tower, Turtle Tower, but it also has a temple, called Ngoc Son Temple. I feel that one of the most iconic features of this temple is the long red bridge which creates a pathway to it. This lake has other stunning visual features, such as its green hue; which can range in shade, to the beautiful church, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, at its west bank.
(Image From: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/saint-joseph-cathedral-hanoi-vietnam.html)
Personally, I find the legend associated with Hoan Kiem Lake its most intriguing feature. The legend centres around a successful ruler named Le Loi who lived in the 15th century. Le Loi, whose dynasty lasted over three centuries, found the blade of a magical sword and later, its hilt. Completed, this sword gave Le Loi incredible strength and size, and aided him in the defeat of the Chinese people who had been attacking Vietnam at the time. Soon after, Le Loi went to Hoan Kiem Lake where a great golden turtle deity named Kim Qui requested the return of the sword. Le Loi gave it to Kim Qui and the turtle disappeared deep into the lake with it. Kim Qui has not been know to ever make a reappearance, but is memorialized by Turtle Tower which resides in the centre of the lake from which this fascinating legend originates.
Hon Kiem Lake is quite important to the people of Vietnam. Its Turtle Tower is a historical and symbolic building, which is over a century old and is representative of sentiments such as unification and patriotism. The legend of the lake itself is very widespread in Vietnam, demonstrating its importance to the society.
The beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake is truly a place for appreciation and imagination. It is a captivating place for both the people of Vietnam and those visiting, providing a place of deep history and story-telling for all.