Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the centre of Hanoi – within walking distance from the Old Quarter and is one of the major scenic spots in the city. A nice place for a walk and you can walk around it in 30-45 minutes.
There are a few restaurants with a great view of the lake. If you visit the lake in the morning or late afternoon you can watch many people exercising Tai Chi. On an island at the northern end of the Lake, is the Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to Van Xuong, the God of Literature. It is reached by crossing a red arched wooden bridge, the Huc Bridge. You can cross the bridge and see the temple. Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the nicest places to go to in Hanoi.