History And Legend Of Hoan Kiem Lake
History Of The Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake is an important historical witness to Vietnam’s struggle against invaders. The Ming army invaded Northern Vietnam in 1407, beginning 20 years of tyranny. Following that, Le Loi battled to topple the Ming Dynasty, restoring people’s freedom and putting an end to injustice and exploitation.
In 1417, Le Loi began gathering a following and mustered enough soldiers to begin the revolt against the Chinese. It took 10 years of fighting, but they were finally able to oust the Chinese and declare the sovereignty of Vietnam in 1427.
Vietnam and China have a history of fighting for centuries. Although this invasion of Vietnam was shorter than the previous three invasions, it was a very atrocious and demeaning attempt to spread Chinese culture in Vietnam. For this reason, Le Loi is one of Vietnam’s most celebrated heroes for having led the country to freedom in such a short time.
According to legend, a Thanh Hoa fisherman named Le Than unintentionally picked up half of a knife blade while fishing. One day, the fisherman handed Le Loi the sword he discovered. The two realized that the sword had the phrase “Thuan Thien” etched on it.
After losing to the invaders, Le Loi found the other part of the sword on a treetop. When he got home, he put the two pieces together and found they fit perfectly.
Le Loi was seen wielding this sword in the subsequent battle; he appeared taller and more powerful. With the help of the sword, Le Loi was able to lead Vietnam to victory.
Legend Of The Name Hoan Kiem In Hanoi
After successfully repelling the invaders, Le Loi declared himself king. One day, while riding around Luc Thuy Lake (now Hoan Kiem Lake) on a little boat, a Golden Turtle appeared and requested the king return the sword to his lord, the Dragon King.
It is thought that the Golden Turtle that now resides in the lake is the same turtle that took the king’s sword over 500 years ago. In rare instances, individuals catch sight of the Golden Turtle popping its head above the ocean’s surface before vanishing back into the blue water of the lake.
Hoan Kiem Lake Nowadays
Nowadays, Hoan Kiem Lake is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Even as early as 5 am, individuals may be seen dancing, strolling, and conducting workout exercises around the lake.
For generations, the lake has been romanticized, and it is a favorite place for couples to wander together and enjoy each other’s company. Sometimes you’ll find couples taking wedding photographs on the lake or simply taking photos in general.
Depending on the season, the trees that surround the pond vary from green to yellow, leafless to orange-red. There’s something about the lake’s waters that makes it the ideal spot to relax and ponder.
In short, Hoan Kiem Lake is a fascinating location that you should see once. This is not only a lake that serves to control the air, but it is also a historical site in Vietnam. We are confident that you will love it during your vacation in Hanoi, Vietnam.