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Last week, a client and I got into a friendly debate about Vietnam's best city: Is it Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi?  My answer was unequivocally HCMC.

True, it is (just barely) controlled chaos on the streets of Saigon.  But it has a pulse, an energy that is infectious. Besides, having lived in HCMC in the late-1990s, it clearly holds a special place in my heart.

My client disagreed with me, bestowing the virtues of Hanoi: the climate, the greenery, the slower pace of life in Vietnam's capital city.

Personally, I think it's like comparing Canberra to Sydney, Ottawa to Toronto, Washington D.C. to New York City. Although all these capital cities are undoubtedly nice, to me there's just no comparing them to the economic and cultural hubs of their respective nations.

We agreed to disagree on Vietnam's best city.  But the conversation got me thinking about Hanoi.

Indeed, there are many great things about Hanoi; one of the best is Hoan Kiem Lake.

The heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is steeped in legend. The name Hoan Kiem, literally translated as "returned sword", is derived from a 15th century myth in which the gods bestowed upon the emperor a magical sword, which he used to defeat the invading Chinese.  Vietnamese folklore says that one day, while boating on Hoan Kiem Lake, a giant turtle appeared and snatched the sword from the king's hands, returning it to the gods, and giving the lake it's monicker.  Giant tortoises are said to still inhabit Hoan Kiem Lake.

A popular spot for lovers to cuddle, a fashionable backdrop for wedding photos, a favoured location for people of all ages to stroll and, each morning at sunrise, a wonderful place to watch local Vietnamese practice the ancient art of Tai Chi, Hoan Kiem Lake lures both residents of, and visitors to, Hanoi with it's history, beauty and charm.

See more imagery from my recent shoot in Vietnam here: Take It To The Streets, Cyclo and Saigon Baby Gone.