Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Lake Vietnam, Vietnam

Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Hồ Gươm (Lake of the Sword), is a lake in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The lake is one of the city's main scenic spots and serves as a focal point for public life.

According to legend, in early 1428, Emperor Lê Lợi was sailing on the lake when a golden turtle god (Kim Qui), emerged and asked for his magic sword. Lợi concluded that the Kim Qui had come to reclaim the sword that his master, a local god, had given to Lợ during his revolt against Ming China. Later, Emperor Lợi returned the sword to the tortoise after he was done fighting the Chinese.