Hanoi's Hoan Kiem lake

We're staying near Hoan Kiem lake, which has the much photographed Turtle tower out in the middle.  Legend has it that the Emperor, in the 15th Century, was send a sword, which he used to drive the Chinese from Vietnam.

Later, a giant turtle grabbed the sword, and quickly dove to the bottom of the lake, to restore the sword to its rightful (divine) owners.  That's how the lake came to be named, since Hoan Kiem means Lake of the Restored Sword.  The monument on a tiny islet in the centre has been dubbed Turtle tower.

There's a walking path all around the lake, and it's a very busy place.  On our side, there's a nice open-air coffee place, where you can sit at a table with a Caphe Sua Da (I can order it now, in Vietnamese) - iced coffee with sweetened milk, and watch the passing parade.

People practice Tai Chi beside the lake; my photographer thought he was being stealthy, but it looks like he was busted!