Self-Guided Walking Tour of Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Hanoi. On this self-guided tour, you'll explore myths and legends surrounding the lake where a giant turtle god lives. This tour will take you around Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Tour producer Joshua Zukas has woven the mythological and historical together to help you peel back the layers of the city’s millennium-long history. On the tour, Joshua will tell you about the dragon that supposedly swooped overhead in approval when the emperor moved the imperial capital here. You’ll hear the legend of the lake reclaiming a divine sabre that repelled northern invaders and learn about the herd of mythical beasts that have made their home close to its waters. By the end of this tour, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of this layered city. You’ll also have the tools to explore independently after the tour – from identifying which alleyway you want to explore to knowing where to have your next meal or coffee.