The Historical and Scenic Site of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple is located in the heart of Hanoi. The complex is closely associated with the capital’s history, legends, religious beliefs, traditional architecture, and urban landscape.
Hoan Kiem Lake, commonly known as Sword Lake, is one of Hanoi’s best-known landmarks. Together with Ngoc Son Temple and the King Le Memorial Area, the lake forms a distinctive cultural space that has been closely connected with the lives of Hanoi residents for generations.
Recognized for its outstanding historical, cultural, architectural, artistic, and scenic values, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple was officially recognized as a Special National Relic under Decision No. 2383/QD-TTg dated December 9, 2013.
Hoan Kiem Lake and the Legend of the Returned Sword
Hoan Kiem Lake is believed to be a remnant of an old section of the Nhị Hà River. Throughout history, it was known by several names, including Luc Thuy Lake and Ta Vong Lake. Its present name is associated with the legend of King Le Thai To and the sacred sword.
According to the legend, after leading the Lam Son uprising to victory against the Ming forces, King Le Thai To was once traveling by boat on the lake. As the boat moved across the water, a large turtle suddenly emerged and approached the king. The sacred turtle asked him to return the precious sword that had helped the Lam Son forces defeat the Ming army.
The king drew the sword and handed it back. The turtle took the sword in its mouth and disappeared beneath the surface of the lake. From this story, the lake became known as Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword”, or Sword Lake, a name that has become familiar to generations of Hanoi residents and visitors.
The lake covers approximately 115,511 square meters and lies between Hanoi’s Old Quarter and its historic central area. Streets, gardens, and mature trees surround the lake, creating a distinctive landscape within the densely built urban center.
On a small island in the middle of the lake stands Turtle Tower, also known as Quy Son Tower. Built of brick, the tower has a rectangular plan and consists of four levels with five arched doorways. The top level resembles a small pavilion with four roofs. The image of Turtle Tower rising from the lake has become one of the familiar symbols of Hanoi.
Ngoc Son Temple
Ngoc Son Temple is located on Ngoc Island, in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake. Its architectural complex developed over several periods and includes a series of structures such as the outer gate, Pen Tower, inner gate, Inkstone Stand, The Huc Bridge, Dac Nguyet Gate, Tran Ba Pavilion, the front worship hall, central hall, rear sanctuary, eastern and western side halls, Kinh Thu House, and the rear house.
The temple is not only a place of worship but also served as a cultural and educational space for Hanoi’s scholars.
During the 19th century, the Huong Thien Association operated here and brought together Confucian scholars such as Nguyen Van Sieu (1799–1870) and Vu Tong Phan (1800–1851). The association promoted moral education and good conduct within the community while also compiling and printing various books.
After the French colonial forces occupied Hanoi, organizations such as Lac Thien, Tap Thien, and An Lac also used the Ngoc Son Temple area to promote patriotic ideas and opposition to French colonial rule. In the early 20th century, patriotic intellectuals such as Nguyen Thuong Hien and Luong Van Can organized activities related to teaching and the dissemination of ideas in this area. Ngoc Son Temple therefore represents not only religious values but also an important part of Hanoi’s cultural and intellectual life during a period of major historical change.
The Outer Gate
The outer gate of Ngoc Son Temple is built of brick and takes the form of a ceremonial pillar gate, with two low wall sections connecting the main pillars and side pillars. It marks the beginning of the architectural axis leading into the temple complex.
Pen Tower
Beyond the outer gate stands Pen Tower, built on a rocky mound approximately 4 meters high known as Doc Ton Mountain.
The tower has a square plan and consists of five levels. Its upper section is shaped like a traditional writing brush and is approximately 90 centimeters high. Three Chinese characters, “Ta thanh thien”, meaning roughly “Writing upon the blue sky”, are carved on the northern side of the lower three levels.
Together with the Inkstone Stand, Pen Tower forms an architectural composition rich in symbolism, reflecting the traditional importance attached to literature, scholarship, and learning in Vietnamese culture.
The Inner Gate
The inner gate stands behind Pen Tower. Its main entrance is formed by two large pillars topped with mythical lion-like nghe figures. On either side are two false gates with two levels and eight roofs, their roof corners curving upward.
The front of the two false gates is decorated with the motifs of the Dragon Gate and Tiger Roll, symbols associated with learning, civil examinations, and academic achievement in traditional Vietnamese society.
Inkstone Stand
The Inkstone Stand is located behind the gate and is carved from a block of green stone resembling a peach. It measures 97 centimeters long, 80 centimeters wide, and 30 centimeters high, with a circumference of approximately 2 meters.
The Inkstone Stand dates from the same period as the restoration of Ngoc Son Temple in 1865. A 64-character Chinese inscription composed by scholar Nguyen Van Sieu is carved on the body of the inkstone.
Together with Pen Tower, the Inkstone Stand forms a distinctive symbol of literature and scholarship at Ngoc Son Temple.
The Huc Bridge
The Huc Bridge connects Dinh Tien Hoang Street with Ngoc Island and provides access to Ngoc Son Temple.
The original bridge did not have railings. Following several renovations, it was completed in an arched form with railings and painted red. The bridge is approximately 45 meters long and 2.6 meters wide, with 15 spans, each about 3 meters long.
The bridge beams are made of ironwood, while the supporting structures are concrete foundations set deep into the lakebed. Its red color and graceful curve create a distinctive visual feature within the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Dac Nguyet Gate
Dac Nguyet Gate is built of brick and features a two-story, eight-roof structure with curved roof corners. False gates on both sides are decorated with reliefs depicting the Dragon Horse carrying the Hetu diagram and the Sacred Turtle carrying the Luoshu diagram.
Beyond Dac Nguyet Gate lies the main architectural area of Ngoc Son Temple.
Tran Ba Pavilion
Tran Ba Pavilion, also known as the Wave-Blocking Pavilion, faces south. The structure stands on eight concrete columns designed to resemble wooden pillars, with its floor approximately 45 centimeters above ground level.
The roof follows a two-story, eight-roof design, with gracefully curved roof corners. The pavilion serves both an architectural function and as a transitional element within the approach to the main temple.
The Front Worship Hall, Central Hall and Rear Sanctuary
The front worship hall consists of three bays, with enclosed gable walls and traditional Vietnamese tiled roofing arranged in a two-level, four-roof configuration. Its wooden structural framework follows traditional construction techniques. The floor stands approximately 30 centimeters above the surrounding ground, while the front features traditional wooden panel doors.
The central hall also consists of three bays, with its floor approximately 40 centimeters higher than that of the front worship hall. The wooden framework follows the chong ruong structural system. The wooden panel doors are decorated with traditional motifs, including longevity characters, bats, dragons, phoenixes, the Dragon Horse carrying the Hetu diagram, and the turtle carrying the Luoshu diagram.
Between the central hall and rear sanctuary is a connecting structure with a two-tiered roof. The rear sanctuary consists of three bays, with enclosed gable walls and traditional tiled roofing. Its wooden framework follows the chong ruong system, while the doors use traditional wooden panel construction with upper lattice sections and lower solid panels.
Eastern and Western Side Halls
The eastern and western side halls each consist of five bays and are located alongside the central hall and rear sanctuary.
The eastern side hall faces Dac Nguyet Gate, with traditional tiled roofing and a wooden framework following the chong ruong system. The western side hall faces the lake and features a roof framework using a traditional beam-and-rafter construction adapted to a single-sloped roof.
Kinh Thu House and the Rear House
Kinh Thu House consists of three bays and connects to the front worship hall on the eastern side. It has enclosed gable walls, traditional tiled roofing, and a wooden framework using a traditional beam structure supported by concealed columns.
The Rear House, also known as the Turtle Room, consists of three bays and connects to the front worship hall on the western side. It has enclosed gable walls, traditional tiled roofing, and a floor approximately 15 centimeters above the surrounding ground. Its roof-supporting framework also follows the traditional beam-and-concealed-column construction.
King Le Memorial Area
The King Le Memorial Area is located in the Hang Trong area and consists of a ceremonial gate, a pavilion, and a statue of King Le.
The ceremonial gate is built of brick with two large pillar structures. Decorative details include ornamental brackets, ho phu motifs, lanterns, and raised borders that create a balanced architectural composition.
The pavilion features a two-story, eight-roof structure. A wine-vessel-shaped ornament sits on the top of the roof, while decorative ridges extend toward the four roof corners. Dragons decorate the roof corners and ridges. The upper decorative section features motifs such as deer beneath pine trees, bamboo growing from rocks, birds among plum blossoms, and other traditional patterns.
The centerpiece of the memorial area is the statue of King Le. The statue stands on elevated ground approximately 1 meter above the surrounding road and garden. Its stone pedestal and supporting base are divided into three sections. Cast in bronze, the statue is approximately 1.2 meters high, depicting King Le standing with a Binh Thien ceremonial crown, holding a sword in his right hand while resting his left hand on his hip.
The statue’s clothing is decorated with dragon, cloud, and other traditional motifs. Behind the statue is a decorative screen, with cloud patterns carved on its supporting pillars.
The Historical and Cultural Value of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple form a distinctive heritage complex where natural landscape, historical legends, religious beliefs, traditional architecture, and Hanoi’s cultural life come together.
While Hoan Kiem Lake is associated with the legend of King Le returning the sacred sword, Ngoc Son Temple preserves a distinctive religious and architectural space on an island in the middle of the lake. Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower, the Inkstone Stand, Tran Ba Pavilion, and Ngoc Son Temple form a cohesive landscape of exceptional cultural value and have become familiar images representing Hanoi.
The site also reflects important aspects of Hanoi’s intellectual and cultural history, from folk beliefs and the Confucian examination tradition to the activities of scholars and patriotic intellectuals during different periods of the city’s history.
Today, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple remain familiar destinations for Hanoi residents and domestic and international visitors. The area serves both as a community gathering space and as a place to explore the history and culture of Vietnam’s capital.
With its outstanding historical, cultural, architectural, artistic, and scenic values, the Historical and Scenic Site of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple was recognized as a Special National Relic under Decision No. 2383/QD-TTg dated December 9, 2013. The heritage site continues to be preserved, restored, and promoted as a cultural symbol deeply connected with Hanoi across generations.
