Truc Bach Lake

Truc Bach Lake is one of the many lakes in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi. It is recognized outside of Vietnam as the location where future U.S. politician John McCain landed after being shot down during the Vietnam War.

Truc Bch Lake is situated northwest of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, right adjacent to the eastern coast of the city’s largest lake, the West Lake (Ho Tay), a former tributary of the nearby Red River. The Trc Bch Lake was divided from the West Lake in the 17th century by the construction of a thin dike (Co Ng, “reinforcement”) to allow fish farming. The inhabitants of the Truc Yen Village, located on the south coast of the freshly formed lake, cultivated a little type of bamboo because they made bamboo blinds. Between the lakes in 1957 and 1958, the Thanh Nien Road was constructed. In the 1730s, the Trinh Lord Trinh Giang commissioned the lakeside construction of Truc Lam Palace. Originally a pleasure palace, the structure was eventually repurposed into a jail for royal concubines convicted of crimes. Their silk, known as “Bamboo Village Silk,” became renowned for its exquisiteness.

Only along Thanh Nien Road is the lakefront accessible; the other sides are occupied by houses and residential areas. This lake is one of the most polluted in Hanoi. Nearby historical sites include the Quán Thánh Temple to the southwest of the lake, the Chau Long Pagoda to the east, the An Tr Temple (dedicated to the worship of a hero from the war against the Chinese Yuan Dynasty) on Pho Duc Chinh Street, and the Cau Nhi temple on a small hill near the lake’s northern corner.

Truc Bach Lake, located in the Ba Dinh neighborhood of Hanoi, is one of the city’s several lakes and unquestionably a popular tourist attraction. Thanh Nien Street divides Truc Bach Lake from the city’s largest lake, West Lake. Due to its proximity to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Truc Bach Lake is a popular relaxation destination for many shoppers in search of calming sunset strolls.

Truc Bach Lake has a significant connection to the Vietnam War, which is symbolized by the John McCain Memorial beside the lake. During the Vietnam War, US Navy aviator John Sidney McCain was on a mission targeting a Hanoi power facility. His jet was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile on October 26, 1967. He managed to parachute into Truc Bach Lake, nearly causing him to drown. However, city residents dragged him out of the water and violently attacked him. Ultimately, he became a prisoner of war. The John McCain Memorial commemorates the capture of ‘Tchn Sney Ma Can’ and is located on Thanh Nien Road on the western edge of the lake. Interestingly, John McCain did not see the monument until his first trip back to Vietnam in 1985.

Truc Bach Lake attracts guests not just with its tranquil waters but also with a variety of nearby restaurants. In these restaurants and pubs, tourists can relax while admiring the breathtaking lake views.

Truc Bach Lake’s excellent topographical qualities make it such a popular tourist destination. The centre of the lake is distinguished by a whirlpool, a gem-illusion monster, and Chau Long, a pearl-shaped knoll. The sides of Truc Bach Lake are constructed of stone, while the surrounding walkways are tiled with pea gravel. Miniature grass, rose, and daisy flower gardens encircling the lake enhance its natural beauty. The rows of bamboo and willow trees along the path provide the strollers a cool feeling. Recently, in the year 2000, Truc Bach Lake was enhanced with the addition of Tran Vu and Truc Bach streets, both of which connect the two ends of Thanh Nien road.

The majority of visitors to Truc Bach lake are interested in the local historic artifacts and distinctive architecture. The statue of Amida and an ancient pagoda at Ngu Xa peninsula, Quan Thanh temple, Chau Long pagoda, Ly Tu Trong Park, and the four-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue at Than Quang all contribute to the harmonious and beautiful landscape that surrounds Truc Bach lake, making it an ideal destination for both domestic and international tourists in Hanoi.