Jasper Espejo | May 23, 2018

We had a good time resting under the trees on the island. The place had a very positive energy to it. The bridge was picturesque but a bit crowded.

buddhi wijerathne | Apr 28, 2018

Nice temple in middle of small lake and near old quarter. Chinese tradition all around the temple. Entry fee around one dollar. Bit crowded around noon. Best time to visit this temple in the morning.

christian riethmüller | Jun 11, 2018

lively city, many people and 38 degrees in summer. the tiny house in the middle of the lake was disappointng but the capital of north vietnam is amazing. millions of scooters and friendly vietnamese people. one of the best countries in south east asia

Blue Glove | Apr 4, 2018

Nice temple, currently under construction though and costs 30k to get across the bridge. Very interesting shrine (and tortoise) inside. Beautifully lit up at night.

Jai Chotalia | Apr 3, 2018

Small quaint. They charge to go across but it isn’t maintained as nicely as it should be. But it is beautiful at night when it’s lit up and no people on it...

Gaurang Gardharia | Jul 19, 2018

Beautiful temple in center of lake near Old Quarters in Hanoi, Vietnam. During night lights on the lake and bridge that connects to temple is really good. Temple is in center of lake connect by small bridge. Close after evening hours.

David Hume | Jul 30, 2018

A couple of tourist girls laying under the outdoor gazebo got rudely scolded by an attendant yelling at them. There are listed rules in English outside the temple and they don't mention anything about laying or any other very specific rules of etiquette. They appear to be selling stuff on one side of the temple. It's very poorly maintained despite taking in at least $400 per day. They are rude and unwelcoming, kind of typical for the area and I would skip it.

raquel muñoz hidalgo | Aug 2, 2018

It is priced and really crowded... and at the end it is a just a temple. We visited many around asia and normally the entrance is for free, in case they charge you some tips for maintenance or something like that. It has been transformed in a touristic attraction so it is full of people trying to sell you souvenirs and chasing you. We almost couldn't cross the bridge because the crowd.

Samsi Yadav | Jul 18, 2018

Hoan Kiem Lake attracts tourists and locals looking to get away from the noise and frenetic pace of the Hanoi city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the centre on a small island. The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty. Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi city in which to rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals. Ngoc Son Temple was built in the 18th century on Jade Island in the centre of the ‘Lake of the Returned Sword’ or Hoan Kiem Lake. Legend describes how an emperor was once given a magical sword which helped him defeat the Chinese Ming Dynasty and in doing so saw the return of the Golden Turtle God to the lake. Today ‘Turtle Tower’ stands close to the lake in memory of this legend. There are also endangered large soft-shell turtles swimming in the lake, and to see one of these gentle giants is considered very auspicious. The name of the temple translates to ‘Temple of the Jade Mountain’ and is predominately dedicated to war hero General Tran Hung Dao who defeated an armed force of 300,000 soldiers sent by Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan in the 13th century to invade Vietnam.