Thanh Nhàn Lake

Gazing across Thanh Nhàn Lake, can you imagine a time when it wasn’t here at all? Thanh Nien Road, this vibrant green artery dividing West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, holds a secret. These two lakes were once one. Thanh Nhàn Lake, as we know it today, didn’t exist. Fishermen in the 17th century built a narrow dyke for a shortcut. They called it “Co Ngu,” meaning “steady maintenance,” because they constantly repaired it against the waves. The French, during their rule, mispronounced “Co Ngu” as “Ancient Fish.” Then, in the 1960s, Uncle Ho renamed the expanded road “Thanh Nien,” or “Youth Road.” West Lake, once known by many names like “Dam Dam” (lagoon with mist), or “Xac Cao” (fox corpse) from a local legend, tells stories of Hanoi’s past. Imagine a single, vast lake stretching before you. Picture Lord Trinh Doanh’s palace on the shore, later a refuge for disgraced imperial maidens. They cultivated silkworms, producing the exquisite “Truc Village Silk,” giving Truc Bach Lake its name – “Bamboo White Lake.” From Thanh Nien Road, the views are breathtaking. To the west lies the misty expanse of West Lake, while to the east, the fresh breeze of Truc Bach Lake graces your face. This road has seen countless seasons of blooming purple orchids and phoenix flowers. It’s a romantic spot, especially under the moonlight. Stand here and imagine the scent of lotuses planted by the Trinh lords, mingling with the smoke from Ngu Xa village’s bronze-casting furnaces. This “Five Communes” village housed artisans from five different locales, their craft echoing in Nguyen Huy Luong’s rhythmic prose, “Tung Tay Ho Phu.” Thanh Nhàn Lake, a testament to Hanoi’s ever-evolving landscape, invites you to reflect on its rich history and embrace the vibrant energy of today.