Turtle Tower at Hoan Kiem Lake: Discovering a historical symbol in the heart of Hanoi

With more than 150 years of history, Turtle Tower is not only a unique architectural work but also a cultural symbol, associated with the memories of many generations of people in the capital.

Timeless symbol of Hanoi

Located on a small mound in the heart of Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower is one of the most iconic images of Hanoi. This structure is not only a tourist attraction but also a cultural and historical heritage, associated with stories and memories of the thousand-year-old city.

Turtle Tower is a familiar image, deeply engraved in the memories of the people of the capital.

A turbulent history

The history of the Turtle Tower is closely linked to many ups and downs of Vietnamese history. The location of the tower, Turtle Hill, was once the place where King Le Thanh Tong built the Dieu Dai to fish. During the Le Trung Hung period (17th-18th century), Lord Trinh built Ta Vong on this hill.

However, the Turtle Tower as it is today was built in 1886 by Nguyen Ngoc Kim, a local landlord at that time. Initially, the tower was named "Kim Ba Ho Tower". During the French colonial period, on top of the tower there was a version of the Statue of Liberty (also known as the Dam Xoe statue) but it was later removed. Up to now, the building is more than a century old, becoming an important historical witness of Hanoi.

Unique East-West fusion architecture

Turtle Tower is a harmonious combination of Vietnamese indigenous architectural style and French Gothic architecture, creating an unmistakable, unique beauty.

Turtle Tower's architecture is a blend of European style and ancient Vietnamese features.

Tower floors

The building has a rectangular structure with 3 main floors and a top floor, with a total height of about 8.8 meters. The lower floors have Gothic-style arches, while the curved roofs on the upper floors still retain traditional Vietnamese architecture.

• First and second floors: Built symmetrically, each floor has doors opening to four sides. This structure creates a feeling of solidity yet still lightness.
• Third floor: Smaller in scale, with only one round door opening on the East side.
• Top floor: Designed like a watchtower with four sides, above the East door are three words "Quy Son Thap" (Turtle Mountain Tower).

Highlights in the space of Hoan Kiem Lake

Turtle Tower is not only of historical and architectural value but also a wonderful highlight, creating a poetic beauty for Hoan Kiem Lake. Although visitors can only admire it from afar, the image of the ancient tower reflecting on the calm lake always leaves a deep impression.

The magical beauty of Turtle Tower when the city lights up.

At night, when illuminated, the Turtle Tower becomes sparkling and magical, creating a beautiful scene in the city center. This is an endless source of inspiration for photographers and a familiar setting in souvenir photos of tourists when coming to Hanoi.

Nearby attractions

The journey to explore Turtle Tower is often combined with a visit to other relics in the Hoan Kiem Lake complex, creating a unique cultural walking tour.

• Ngoc Son Temple: Located on Ngoc Island, connected to the shore by the distinctive vermillion The Huc Bridge. This is an important spiritual site worshiping Van Xuong De Quan and Tran Hung Dao.
• Pen Tower and Inkstone Platform: A group of architectural works that promote the nation's spirit of learning, located right at the entrance to Ngoc Son Temple.
• Ba Kieu Temple: An ancient temple located opposite Ngoc Son Temple across Dinh Tien Hoang Street, worshiping Mother Lieu Hanh.

The ideal time to visit

Tourists can visit Hoan Kiem Lake and admire the Turtle Tower at any time of the year. However, Hanoi autumn (from August to October) is considered the most beautiful moment. The cool, pleasant weather, romantic space with rows of trees changing leaves and the strong scent of milk flowers will bring unforgettable experiences.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/thap-rua-ho-guom-kham-pha-bieu-tuong-lich-su-giua-long-ha-noi-401457.html