The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
Hoàn Kiếm Lake: the heart of the city
The lake of the returned sword, the red bridge to the Ngọc Sơn Temple, the water puppets and the weekend walking streets.
Neighbourhood guide · Hanoi
Hoàn Kiếm Lake, morning and night
The lake of the returned sword, the red bridge to the Ngọc Sơn Temple, the water puppets and the weekend walking streets.
What's onThis week in Hanoi
What to see and do
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The heart of Hanoi
Hoàn Kiếm Lake and the Ngọc Sơn Temple
The lake at the centre of the city, the red Thê Húc bridge to the Ngọc Sơn Temple on its island, and the Turtle Tower in the water.
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An art born in the paddy fields
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre
Water puppetry, the art of the Red River delta’s villages, with live traditional music, by the lake.
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The city’s heart
Hoàn Kiếm Lake
The lake at the heart of the city, ringed by trees and a promenade where Hanoi exercises at dawn.
Where to eat
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In the MICHELIN Guide
Cầu Gỗ
Vietnamese cooking above the lake. In the MICHELIN Guide.
6–7F, 9 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoàn Kiếm Ward, HanoiExplore View on map
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Notes on every wall
The Note Coffee
A café by the lake whose walls are papered with sticky notes left by visitors from around the world.
Where to stay
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The newest of the grand hotels
Fairmont Hanoi
A Fairmont on Trần Nguyên Hãn, a short walk east of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, new to the MICHELIN hotel selection.
10 Trần Nguyên Hãn, Hoàn Kiếm, HanoiExplore View on map
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Art on every floor
Apricot Hotel
A five-star art hotel on Hàng Trống, looking onto Hoàn Kiếm Lake, its walls hung with Vietnamese painting.
136 Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, HanoiExplore View on map
Share your Hoàn Kiếm Lake tips
Walked the lake at dawn or at the weekend? Share your favourite moment by the water.
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