Thap Rua Tower Hanoi, also known as Turtle Tower, commemorates local folk hero, Le Loi, who had freed the Vietnamese from Chinese forces back in 1425. One of Hanoi’s most iconic attractions, it was constructed on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in 1886, symbolising the patriotic pride of the local population.
According to legend, a Dragon King helped Le Loi achieve his victory by secretly gifting a mystical sword, which gave him the strength and power to rally his troops against the Ming army. The blade of the sword was found by a fisherman in his net while its handle was discovered in a banyan tree by Le Loi himself.
- Small-Group Evening Street Food Tour
- Night Walking Tour with Water Puppet Show
- Private Van Phuc Silk Village Half-Day Tour
- Vietnamese Culture Tour
- Ionah Show Admission with Dinner & Transfer
- Historic Art of Calligraphy Class
- Back Seat Motorbike City Tour
- Local Flavors Food Walking Tour
- 10-Day Northern Vietnam Excursion
- Morning City Tour with Vietnamese Meal
Shortly after the battle, the folk hero travelled through a lake by boat, where the Dragon King reclaimed the sword in the form of a turtle. As a result, Le Loi named the lake Hoan Kiem, which translates to Lake of The Returned Sword.
Thap Rua Tower Hanoi is located in Old Quarter, Hanoi City Centre. While the tower cannot be accessed to the public, it’s visible from the lake’s edge so if you’re looking to photograph the tower, you may need to have a decent zoom function for your camera.
Thap Rua Tower Hanoi
- Opening Hours: Daily
- Location: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
