What do a mythical turtle, the Statue of Liberty, and the military strategist that bested Kublai Khan (twice!) have in common? You’ll soon find out on this walking tour of the area around Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm Lake. I’ve stitched together a series of vignettes – some mythological and some historical – to help you peel back the layers of the city’s millennium-long history. Our tour starts at Emperor Lý Thái Tổ Monument Statue, where I’ll tell you about the dragon that supposedly swooped overhead in approval when the emperor moved the imperial capital here. You’ll go on to hear the legend of the lake reclaiming a divine saber that repelled northern invaders and learn about the herd of mythical beasts, including dragons, unicorns, and phoenixes, that have made their home close to its waters. You’ll pass the ruins of Hoà Phong Tower, a sad and lonely remnant of the expansive Báo Ân Pagoda, which was obliterated by the French to make way for a post office. You’ll also gaze at St Joseph Cathedral’s neo-gothic spires and, towards the end of the tour, traverse the gates of Ngọc Sơn Temple, a popular site that’s located on an islet in the northern part of the lake. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to: • Wander streets in central Hanoi’s most important neighborhoods, including the French Quarter, the Old Quarter, and Hoàn Kiếm district • Learn about Vietnam’s most important mythical beasts and decode artwork at temples and pagodas • Understand the difference between Vietnam’s major religious buildings, including temples, pagodas, churches, and community houses • Discover a few of Hanoi’s quirks, including the spot where communist revolutionary Hồ Chí Minh overlooks a McDonald’s, a gigantic pen that writes on the sky, and a totally inappropriate Statue of Liberty • Get your head around Vietnam’s complicated history, from Chinese threats and French colonialism, to legendary kings and strategic geniuses By the end of this 60-minute tour, you’ll have a deeper appreciation of this layered city. You’ll also have the tools to explore on your own after the tour – from identifying which alleyway you want to explore, to knowing where to have your next meal or coffee.