Hanoi, Old World Confucian Charm With A Touch Of Paris

The Tortoise Tower on tiny Island in Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of Restored Sword in Vietnamese and Cantonese). The tower and the lake refer to a legend of a Vietnamese general Le Loi who led an uprising against the Chinese in the 15th century. He became King Le Thai To and after 10 years of the epic battle he returned to thank the spirit of the lake. His sword flew out of the scabbard into the mouth of a golden tortoise an omen that the gods of the lake had reclaimed the sword.
Den Ngoic Son (Temple of the Jade Mould). On another island stands a small temple founded in the 14th century and is dedicated to another hero General Tran Hung Dao who defeated the invading Mongols in 1288. This deity sits on the principal altar. The temple is also dedicated to the other dieties, Van Xuong the God of Literature, physician La To and martial arts expert Quan Vu. The temple buildings date from the 1800s.
The statue of Emperor Ly Thai To. This statue stands in a square facing Hoan Kiem Lake. Ly Thai To was the first ruler of the Ly dynasty (1009 to 1225 AD) of Vietnam who chose the site of Hanoi for his capital.
Water Puppet Theatre. Located at the north east bank of Hoan Kiem Lake. Water puppetry is a traditional art form with a distinctive cultural identy with Vietnam.