Sights · Our pick in Hanoi
Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple
The heart of Hanoi
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Khoitran1957 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Khoitran1957 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
About Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple
Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the Lake of the Returned Sword, is the heart of Hanoi. On its north side the red Thê Húc bridge leads to the Ngọc Sơn Temple on Jade Island; the small Turtle Tower stands on an islet to the south. At weekends the streets around the lake close to traffic and fill with families.
Why it's on our list
- Early morning
- Weekend walking streets
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple, as the crow flies.
- La Passion Premium Cầu Gỗ200 m2 min walk
- Apricot Hotel350 m4 min walk
- Fairmont Hanoi400 m5 min walk
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi650 m8 min walk
- Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel700 m9 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- St Joseph’s Cathedral450 mWalk 5 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 10 min
- The Imperial Citadel1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Long Biên Bridge1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 14 min
- The Temple of Literature1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 15 min
- Trấn Quốc Pagoda2.5 kmWalk 31 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 18 min
- Nội Bài airport22 kmCar or taxi 94 min
Railway station
- Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Hà Nội)1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 14 min