According to the legend, emperor Le Loi handed a magic sword called Heaven's Will which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty back to the Golden Turtle God ( Kim Qui ) in the lake and hence gave it its present name (the lake was formerly known as "Luc Thuy" meaning "Green Water"). The Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) standing on a small island near the center of lake is linked to the legend.

This small lake between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter is central to Hanoian folklore. A ghostly shrine (the Turtle Pagoda) standing on an islet at its center pays homage to a golden turtle. In the 15th century, this heroic reptile is said to have returned a magic sword to its home in the lake after it had been taken. These days, the sculptured park along the banks plays host to postcard sellers, hawkers, old men playing chess, freelance money changers, lone photographers looking for a lucrative snap and, at about 5am every day, locals practicing tai chi.

This is a quiet and peaceful place. Very romantic and an excellant place for deep thinking and meditation. On the mornings, you will find locals practicing their regular exercise, cyclists going by and the religious walking across the bridge into the temple. At night, it is lovely to dine at a local restaurant and watch the lake as the moon drifts quietly over.

Ha Noi is full of small likes inside the city. One of them is the Lake of the Restored Sword. It is very soothing walking around the lake or to go to the small temple over a red bridge.

We had a small hotel in one of the narrow houses of the Old Town in the Road of Silver. Most streets are named after a profession or a good.

Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the attractions of Hanoi, there is an island - Jade island - in the middle, which you can enter through a nice wooden bridge. There is a temple on the island called Ngoc Son temple. The area is a popular public place amongst locals to walk, talk, meet, do some tai chi in the mornings.