Long ago, during a brutal period when the Ming Dynasty invaded Vietnam, the Vietnamese people suffered deeply under foreign oppression. They were treated like expendable tools, enduring extreme exploitation and cruelty. Amidst this hardship, a brave leader named Lê Lợi rose to lead the Lam Sơn Uprising against the invaders. However, at first, Lê Lợi’s forces were weak and suffered repeated defeats against the powerful Ming army. Witnessing the struggles and unwavering spirit of the Vietnamese people, the Dragon King, Long Quân, decided to intervene by granting them a powerful weapon, a magical sword capable of turning the tide of war.
During this time, Lê Lợi formed a strong bond with a fisherman named Lê Thận, who lived in the village of Mục Sơn. One night, while fishing, Lê Thận noticed a strange light shining beneath the water. Curious, he cast his net and pulled up not a fish but a long piece of iron roughly the size of a sword blade. Unsure of its significance, he brought it home and placed it in the corner of his kitchen.
Later, during a family gathering to honor their ancestors, Lê Lợi visited Lê Thận’s home. As he entered, he noticed the piece of iron glowing brightly in the dim light. Intrigued, he asked about it. Lê Thận replied, “I caught it while fishing a few nights ago.” Sensing it was no ordinary object, Lê Lợi asked to take it with him. After carefully cleaning away the rust, he discovered two words engraved on the blade: “Thuận Thiên,” meaning “According to Heaven’s Will.”
Some time afterward, while walking near the village gates, Lê Lợi found a finely crafted sword hilt lying abandoned on the ground. Instinctively, he tried fitting it with the blade he had found earlier and to his amazement, the two pieces fit perfectly, forming a complete and magnificent sword. It was then that Lê Lợi realized he had been chosen to wield this sacred weapon.
With the divine sword in hand, Lê Lợi’s strength and confidence grew. He rallied his troops, leading them into battle after battle. Wherever the sword flashed, enemy forces were defeated and hope was restored among the Vietnamese people. The blade seemed to possess an otherworldly power, cutting through the might of the Ming forces with ease. Inspired by Lê Lợi and the sword’s magic, the Lam Sơn army gained momentum, winning decisive victories and ultimately driving the invaders out of Vietnam, restoring peace and independence to the nation.
After the war, Vietnam entered a time of peace, and Lê Lợi ascended the throne as the new king. One day, while sailing on a royal barge across the calm waters of Lake Tả Vọng, something extraordinary happened. A giant golden turtle rose from the depths of the lake and approached the boat. The turtle spoke in a clear voice, “Your Majesty, it is time to return the sword to Long Quân.”
At that moment, the sword that had accompanied Lê Lợi throughout the war began to vibrate and glow. Understanding that the sword’s divine purpose had been fulfilled, Lê Lợi held it out. The golden turtle opened its mouth, took the sword, and disappeared into the depths of the lake, never to be seen again.
To commemorate this sacred event, Lake Tả Vọng was renamed Hồ Gươm, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword,” a name that has endured for generations. To this day, when visiting Hà Nội, many people look across the serene waters of Hồ Gươm and remember the legendary heroism and heavenly favor that once changed the fate of an entire nation.