Are you a lover of the beauty of romance, or are you looking for a peaceful space to relax after busy days? A trip to Truc Bach Lake will be an ideal experience because this place has a poetic, pure, and idyllic beauty like a fairy tale painting that will uplift and soothe your spirit and your soul. 

The history of Truc Bach Lake 

The formation

Truc Bach Lake

Originally, Truc Bach Lake was a component of the larger West Lake, situated in the southeast portion. Fish congregate here frequently because of the gentle waves. Therefore, the residents of the two villages of Yen Hoa and Yen Quang (now known as Yen Phu and Quan Thanh Street) built a short dike to divide the larger lake into two areas, so that it would be simpler to capture fish and fish farming. The dike was called Co Ngu, which is known as Thanh Nien Street currently. The formation of this dike is also the origin of the appearance of Truc Bach Lake later. 

The origin of the name 

When local people built a dike to separate it from West Lake, this lake still did not have its own name. Located nearby is a village called Truc Yen (another name is Truc Lam). This village has a lot of bamboo. In the 18th century, Lord Trinh Giang ordered the construction of a palace next to the lake for relaxation and named it Truc Lam. Later, Truc Lam Palace became a place to detain palace maids who committed crimes. Here, they have to weave their own silk to earn a living. Most of them are skillful people, so the silk woven by these palace maids was very beautiful and became famous throughout the region. Beautiful and shiny silk is called bamboo silk (Truc Bach). From there, a village specializing in silk weaving was born called Truc Village. And the lake is also called Truc Bach Lake, this name means silk of Truc Village.

Truc Bach Lake – the natural beauty likened a poetic painting in the heart of Hanoi 

Truc Bach Lake  ( cre: baotintuc.vn)

Truc Bach Lake is located on Thanh Nien Street, close to West Lake, Ba Dinh District and near many relics such as Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Chau Long Pagoda, and Cau Nhi Temple. The lake is 22 hectares wide, and its surface has a circumference of more than 1.8 kilometers. 

The peaceful scene 

Truc Bach Lake carries with it the beauty of simplicity and gentleness. The lake surface is calm and clear, reflecting the clouds and sky. The lake’s shore is embanked with stone, and the sidewalk is paved with gravel. Surrounded by colorful flower beds and willow rows along the path. The evening is probably the best time for you to admire the beauty of Truc Bach Lake, immerse yourself in the sad romance of the sunset, and watch the day slowly pass by. 

The two small islands of Truc Bach Lake 

Truc Bach Lake ( cre: baotintuc.vn)

There are two small islands located on Truc Bach Lake: Chau Chu Island and Ngu Xa Island. On Chau Chu Island, there is a temple called Cau Nhi, now named Thuy Trung Tien – which is translated to “aquatic fairy”. This temple preserves the custom of worshiping the dog god that has existed since the reign of King Ly Cong Uan, and Vietnamese people’s belief in Mother Goddess worship.

Ngu Xa Island is further away, this is an island located in the middle of the lake. Previously, this place was famous for bronze casting, the founder of which was Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong. 

The poetic feature of Thanh Nien Street

Every year, Co Ngu Dike is widened and then becomes a street called Co Ngu. According to the suggestion of Ho Chi Minh President, the City Administrative Committee changed the street’s name to Thanh Nien. This is a very unique road blocking between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Seen from above, Thanh Nien Street looks like a bridge covered with green trees spanning a large lake. 

Interesting experiences you should try when coming to Truc Bach Lake 

Duck pedal to sightseeing at Truc Bach Lake 

Truc Bach Lake

Truc Bach Lake’s picturesque scenery makes it an ideal destination for tourists seeking to ride duck paddle boat experiences. The duck paddle boat rental service is available from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Small boats for couples cost 100,000 VND each, while large boats for families cost 200,000 VND each. This is a great activity to enjoy with loved ones on weekends or holidays as a way to take in the beauty of Truc Bach Lake. Additionally, you can also rent double bicycles to explore West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. 

Take a walk on Thanh Nien Street

Thanh Nien Street ( cre: vietnamnet.vn)

Thanh Nien Street extends from Yen Phu Street to Quan Thanh Street. This road was formed and expanded from a small dike separating West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. There are many phoenix trees and linden trees planted along both sides of the road, which are extremely green and cool. From early summer to late winter, that green picture is adorned with flowers that bloom and show off their brilliant colors. 

In the evenings, this street is always bustling with people walking and enjoying the fresh air, eating, drinking, and chatting at the eateries. This is also a romantic date spot for couples as well as a place for you to take photos with beautiful poetic concepts. 

Enjoy coffee on the cruise

Black coffee

The Highlands Coffee Cruise is located very adjacent to Truc Bach Lake. The entire cafe area is built to resemble a two-story yacht floating in the middle of the lake, and it has a lot of windows, which makes it feel very open and spacious. From this vantage point, you may enjoy a broad perspective of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake’s splendor, particularly during the two most romantic hours of the day, sunrise and sunset. 

Experience cuisine at eateries near the Truc Bach Lake area 

Food

There are many restaurants around the West Lake and Truc Bach Lake areas, so you can freely explore and enjoy Hanoi cuisine with attractive dishes such as coconut ice cream, Trang Tien ice cream, pho rolls, bun cha, etc. 

Some restaurants near Truc Bach Lake that you can refer to are: Standing Bar, Ma Xo, Banh Tom Ho Tay, 37 Mau Dich, Pho Cuon 31 Ngu Xa, Bugger House, The Mug, Pho Cuon Huong Mai, West Lake Ice Cream, etc. 

Some cultural attractions near the Truc Bach Lake 

The relief statue at Truc Bach Lake

The relief statue  ( cre: vnexpress.net)

Right on the shore of Truc Bach Lake, you will see a bas-relief commemorating a historical event. On October 26, 1967, John McCain (an American pilot) was on a mission to attack the Hanoi power plant when he was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile and parachuted into Truc Bach Lake. Locals captured him, and John McCain became a prisoner of war for more than five years. After the Paris Agreement was signed, he was released. After returning home, he actively participated in the process of reconciliation, normalizing relations, and promoting cooperation between Vietnam and the US. 

West Lake

West Lake

West Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Hanoi. In addition to the well-known name West Lake, the lake also has other names in history, such as Xac Cao Lagoon, Kim Nguu Lake, Lang Bac, Dam Dam, Doai Ho. When you come here, you can admire the scenery, enjoy local cuisine, walk, or cycle around the lake. Around the lake, there are also famous ancient villages and historical and cultural relics associated with local development. 

Tran Quoc Pagoda 

Tran Quoc Pagoda

With a nearly 1500-year history, the Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda is located on an island east of West Lake. This place has a combination of the majesty and antiquity of the interior architecture and the tranquility and vastness of the outside landscape. With its prime location and historical, cultural, and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda has become an attractive place for tourists as well as believers to worship Buddha, make pilgrimages, and pray for good luck and peace. 

Chau Long Pagoda 

Chau Long Pagoda ( cre: ditichlichsu-vanhoahanoi.com)

Chau Long Pagoda is associated with Princess Khiet Co, the daughter of King Tran Nhan Tong, who once became a monk and practiced here. The pagoda gate looks west towards Truc Bach Lake. Although the area is quite modest, the pagoda has many unique statues, sculptures, and calligraphies. In 1994, Chau Long Pagoda was ranked as a National Historical, Cultural, and Artistic Relic. 

Quan Thanh Temple 

Quan Thanh Temple was built in the 11th century. The temple worships Huyen Thien Tran Vu, one of the four gods guarding the gate of the ancient capital of Thang Long, along with Bach Ma Temple in the east, Voi Phuc Temple in the west, Kim Lien Temple in the south, and Quan Thanh, the temple guarding the north. It has unique architectural features and bronze statues that represent the artistic characteristics of Taoism. In 1962, the temple was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument. Quan Thanh Temple is an important place for cultural and religious activities among the people of the capital. 

Summary 

With its poetic and peaceful scenery, Truc Bach Lake is like a magical silence in the heart of Hanoi, a refuge for romantic souls who wish to shake off worries, seek comfort from nature, and enjoy the simple and beautiful moments in life. 

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