In the centre of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, lies a lake which used to be known as Luc Thuy – meaning green water. Events that transpired during the 15th Century changed the course of the lake, its surrounding inhabitants and their beliefs forever.
During this time in history, forces from the Chinese Ming dynasty occupied Vietnam. Le Loi was a resistance leader from Vietnam who legend describes in numerous ways of having received a sword from the depths of the lake. One account has it that he received it whilst fishing and using this sword he was able to defeat the Ming forces and gain freedom for Vietnam. He then became Emperor Le Thai To. When passing by the lake after this, a golden tortoise was said to have risen and commanded the return of the sword. Other accounts have it as the tortoise rising to retrieve the sword when the Emperor rowed out onto the lake to return the sword in gratitude. Since then the lake received the name Hoan Kiem – meaning lake of the returned sword.
The tortoise is a sacred animal venerated in Vietnam and legend has it that the tortoise would return to aid the nation in time of National peril. The tortoise of Hoan Kiem Lake is in reality a rare species of freshwater soft shelled Asian turtles. However in Vietnam, the word for turtle and tortoise are similar. If one is lucky one may be able to glimpse at a turtle’s head sticking out of the water but this is a very rare sight and is considered a good omen. A small islet in the centre of the lake bears a Pagoda dedicated to the Tortoise god.
The lake is literally the centre point for everything and everyone in Hanoi and is the ideal spot at any time of the day for recreation, sightseeing, relaxing and much more. For the travellers in search of a serviced apartment Hanoi, the ideal choice would be Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi. With its close proximity to many attractions in the city, it is one of the best Hanoi apartments.
