Hoan Kiem Lake and the Turtle Tower

Hoan Kiem, the Lake of the Returned Sword, sits at the southern edge of the Old Quarter and works as the city's shared living room: tai chi at dawn, wedding photos at noon, and half of Hanoi strolling the shore after dinner.

The small tower on the southern islet is the Turtle Tower, the lake's emblem since the nineteenth century. At the northern end, the red Huc Bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple on Jade Island. Both shores are public space; walk the full loop slowly at least once, early in the morning if you can.