Hoan Kiem Lake, a Freshwater Lake in Hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Returned Sword, is a famous freshwater lake with a large public park located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam, in the area of the old city quarter. The legend associated with this place is a part of the national creation myth of Vietnam. It is said that in the 15th century, Emperor Le Loi of the Le Dynasty used a sacred sword to expel the invading Ming Dynasty Chinese from Vietnam. While he was on a boat on this lake, a giant turtle emerged from the water and told him to return the sword to the Dragon King. The sword then flew from its scabbard into the turtle's mouth before disappearing back into the depths of the water, which is the origin of the name Hoan Kiem Lake. This giant turtle is the Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), one of the largest and most critically endangered turtle species in the world, which lived in this lake. Today, in the Ngoc Son Temple, also known as the Jade Mountain Temple, located at the northern part of the lake, there is a stuffed specimen of this turtle on display. To reach Ngoc Son Temple, one must cross the wooden The Huc Bridge, also known as the Sunbeam Bridge, which is painted a bright red color and is one of Hanoi's distinctive features. Open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. Entrance fee for Ngoc Son Temple is 30,000 VND per person.