Unique photo of Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake from above

On an occasion when he was granted permission to fly a flycam in the "red zone" areas of Hanoi in early October, photographer Vu Minh Quan captured many unique photos of historical sites and scenic spots around Hoan Kiem Lake and West Lake. He shared them with VietNamNet readers.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake located in the center of Hanoi. The lake has an area of ​​about 12 hectares, with a circumference of 1.7 km. Previously, the lake was also called Luc Thuy (because the water is green all year round), Thuy Quan Lake (used to review the navy), Ta Vong and Huu Vong Lakes, etc. The name Hoan Kiem appeared in the early 15th century associated with the legend of King Le Loi returning the precious sword to the Divine Turtle.

Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake, a historical structure in the heart of Hanoi, was built with a unique architectural style, a blend of local and French architecture. This image has long become a familiar tourist symbol for locals and visitors.

Ngoc Son Temple is part of the Hoan Kiem Lake relic complex, a temple to worship the national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong - Tran Quoc Tuan and the god in charge of the achievements of Van Xuong De Quan. Besides, this is also a place to worship Buddha, the Council,...

The Huc Bridge with its distinctive red color stands out in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake leading to Ngoc Son Temple. Thanks to its unique design, tourists love to come here to check-in. This place has long become one of the symbols of the Capital.

The statue of King Ly Thai To is located in Ly Thai To flower garden, Dinh Tien Hoang street. This is a beautiful cultural architectural work, honoring King Ly Thai To (974 - 1028), who founded Thang Long citadel.

The Pen Tower of Hoan Kiem Lake (left) was built on the foundation of a mountain called Doc Ton. The tower is square in shape with five floors. The top of the tower is an upside-down brush pen pointing to the sky, the handle and the pen tip are 0.9m high. The total height of the pen tower is 28m, the middle three floors of the tower are engraved with three Chinese characters "Ta Thanh Thien" - meaning "Writing to the blue sky", expressing the great spirit of the ancient scholars.

The Hanoi Post Office clock tower was built together with the building at 75 Dinh Tien Hoang (now the headquarters of VNPT Hanoi) in 1976, but it was not officially put into operation until 1978. Standing on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake for more than 40 years, the post office clock tower has also become a symbol of the capital.

Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, visitors will come across Thuy Ta - an architectural work shaped like a boat anchored by the lake right at the beginning of Le Thai To Street. The building curves along the edge of the lake, more than 50m long with an area of ​​about 600m2. This work was built nearly 100 years ago.

The Toad Garden is a unique structure located about 300m from Hoan Kiem Lake. This area is a French architectural complex, including the State Bank, the Government Guesthouse, the Sofitel Metropole Hotel... With an area of ​​4,488m2, this structure was built by the French to commemorate Léon Jean Laurent Chavassieux (1848-1895) - Deputy Governor General of Indochina at that time.

Hanoi Cathedral, whose full official name is St. Joseph's Cathedral, is located right at the intersection of Nha Chung, Nha Tho Street and Ly Quoc Su Street (Hoan Kiem District). This is not only a place for religious activities of parishioners of the Hanoi Archdiocese but also a tourist destination for visitors to the capital. The photo on the right is Trang Tien Street. Previously, this street was a long road, bordering Tay Long Gate (now the Opera House) to the East, Trinh Lord's Palace to the West, leading to the Red River wharf and the Thuy Don base. This road passes through the territory of 3 villages including Cuu Lau, Thach Tran, Tay Long of Phuc Lam commune (Huu Tuc), old Tho Xuong district. In 1908, King Gia Long ordered the construction of a mint here with the Chinese name Bao Tuyen Cuc, which people used to call Trang Tien.

Thanh Nien Street is located between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, about 3km from Hoan Kiem Lake. This place is known as the most romantic “love street” in Hanoi.

West Lake is the largest natural lake in Hanoi with an area of ​​500 hectares and a circumference of about 20km. Around West Lake are cool green roads. Previously, this place was part of the Red River, but after changing its course, it stagnated and became a large freshwater lake. Right next to it is Truc Bach Lake with a quiet beauty. Initially, Truc Bach Lake was part of West Lake. In 1620, the ancients built a dike across this large lake in the form of a small embankment to promote fishing activities and it was divided into two lakes. Accordingly, the western part became West Lake, and the eastern part became Truc Bach Lake.

Located on the east side of West Lake is Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is over 1,500 years old, with a total area of ​​over 3,000m2, including a tower garden, ancestral house and the upper hall. This is the oldest and most sacred pagoda in Hanoi. Once the Buddhist center of Thang Long under the Ly - Tran dynasties, Tran Quoc Pagoda has become an attractive spiritual destination in the capital, attracting a large number of tourists every year. Notably, in 2016, Tran Quoc Pagoda was listed in the list of 16 most beautiful pagodas in the world by the British Daily Mail.

Located opposite Tran Quoc Pagoda, on Truc Bach Lake is West Lake Shrimp Cake Restaurant, one of the famous culinary places in Hanoi, typical of Thang Long culinary culture.

Near West Lake, there is also Chu Van An High School (Thuy Khue Ward, Tay Ho), formerly known as Collège du Protectorat (Protectorate High School), built by the French government in 1908. Because the school was built on the land of Thuy Khue village (during the Later Le Dynasty, it was the location of Thuy Chuong Palace) in the Ke Buoi area, on the shore of West Lake, people still call it Buoi School. This is one of the oldest and most traditional high schools in Vietnam.

At the end of Thanh Nien Street, near Chu Van An High School, there is also Quan Thanh Temple, worshiping Huyen Thien Tran Vu, nearly 4m high, weighing 4 tons - one of the 4 gods whose temples were built to guard the 4 gates of Thang Long citadel in the past. According to records found on steles and historical documents, Quan Thanh Temple was built at the beginning of the Ly Dynasty and then restored and renovated many times. Not only that, this place also contains many rare historical treasures from more than 3 centuries ago.

Tay Ho Palace is located at 52 Dang Thai Mai Street, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District. It worships Lord Lieu Hanh - who was named "mother of the world" by the Nguyen Dynasty, one of the "Four Immortals" of Vietnam.

West Lake Water Park is located right on the shore of the poetic West Lake, where many exciting games gather. This amusement park attracts a large number of tourists not only because of its exciting experiences but also because it is close to many famous places, historical and cultural relics, sacred temples and pagodas such as: West Lake Flower Valley, Tay Ho Palace, Quan Thanh Temple, Van Nien Pagoda...

PHOTO: VU MINH QUAN

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