Referring to the historic works of Saigon, people often think of the Independence Palace, but few people know that there is a building with such significance is Saigon Con Rua Lake.
Introduction to the Saigon Turtle Lake
Ho Con Rua Saigon is an artificial fountain located at the intersection of 3 roads, Pham Ngoc Thach, Vo Van Tan and Tran Cao Van in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, forming a traffic circle. .
The cool green view of the lake (Photo @applegendary)
The official name of this area is the International Square , but people often call it Con Rua lake to evoke the kindness and closeness of the Saigonese and the excitement of the tourists.
History of the Saigon Turtle Lake
Initially, in 1790, this lake was ordered by King Gia Long to be built at the gate of Kham Khuyen citadel of Bat Fuck citadel (also known as Quy citadel). Then, when the Le Van Khoi rebellion (from 1833-1835) was crushed, King Minh Mang ordered the destruction of Bat Gua citadel and built a smaller castle named Phung, making the location of the Kham gate. Disability becomes a point outside the ring, connecting the outer road of the West side to the river wharf.
When the French captured Saigon in 1859, they destroyed the entire Gia Dinh citadel and built a water tower at this Con Rua lake location to provide drinking water for the people in the area. In 1921, due to the lack of water supply demand, this water tower was demolished and the surrounding road extended to Mayer Street (now Vo Thi Sau street) and then became the intersection of the route to this day.
(Photo @trang_maxx)
Also at this site, a monument to three French soldiers with small water clocks was built to represent the symbol of the French master of Indochina and was referred to by the locals as Three Pictures Square . These monuments existed until 1956, when the Government of the Republic of Vietnam demolished, leaving only a small lake and renamed to Soldier’s Square .
Saigon Turtle Lake was built between 1965 and 1967 under the design of architect Nguyen Ky and restored from 1970 to 1974 with an alloy turtle statue supported on the back of a large inscription the names of countries that recognize the Republic of Vietnam should have this dear name.
Although in early 1976 (or 1978), the stele and turtle were destroyed in an explosion, but people are still used to calling Con Rua lake instead of its official name.
Outstanding design that attracts attention (Photo @iqbalhimawan_)
Unique design of Saigon Con Rua lake
If Sword Lake and West Lake in Hanoi are extremely large in size, Con Rua lake in Saigon is only about 100 meters in diameter, designed in an octagonal shape, imitating a bowl of monsters with 4 The walkway forms a spiral. All the way towards the center is the monument in the middle. 
There are many paths on the lake (Photo @willynonla)
The radio in the center is made up of 5 concrete columns 34 meters high, shaped like five hands spread out to support like petals to support a pistil. However, there are some people who think that the tower’s architecture is like a nail nailed to the tail of a dragon, pinning it, not letting it swing its tail, for the development and stability of the career.
Soaring tower (Photo @ wuynh245)
It is the strange architecture that makes this lake associated with many anecdotes. The most famous anecdote is about the President of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Van Thieu. It was in 1967 when he became President of the Republic of Vietnam, he invited a famous Chinese feng shui teacher to come see the land at the Independence Palace.
This feng-shui teacher praised the palace built on a dragon with the dragon’s head located at the Independence Palace (so the Independence Palace was also known as the Dragon’s Palace) and the tail was located at the Warrior Square. Although prosperous, but due to the dragon’s tail or struggling, the career is not durable, it is necessary to offer amulets by casting a large turtle to keep the dragon’s tail from struggling, to keep the presidency for a long time. Therefore, Mr. Nguyen Van Thieu has listened to and built the Saigon Con Rua lake with a unique shape as today.
The architecture is extremely unique compared to other lakes (Photo @littlefatbee)
Interesting experiences at Saigon Con Rua Lake
This is the area where people and tourists often come to gather, talk and watch the streets because there are lakes and trees around, so the air is extremely cool.
The rows of cool green trees by the lake make the air more fresh (Photo @gaohonglxq)
Just a cup of cool iced tea and a few boxes of pickled toad, pickled and spicy mango or a box of rice paper mixed with fragrant gold, you can sit “gossip” together all day.
A few cups of tea and some snacks is a conversation that can last forever (Photo @uttitnguyen)
You can also go up the stairs on the lake to sit and drink water, while being able to enjoy the wind while also admiring the bustling and dynamic scenery of the streets, so much coffee.
A great view at the lake (Photo @ callmecamly.lyly)
Let’s go “deep” (Photo @ hani.meimei)
Also definitely not forget to save the “so deep” photos here somewhere, make sure to make a very sparkling picture. No wonder how many classes of students or couples choose this place to save the best memories of their lives.
(Photo @haihaxu)
Just posing and making sure to make sure it looks beautiful and sparkling (Photo @ huyentrang_98)
And if you have the opportunity to come to Saigon Con Rua Lake in the evening, you will be sure to enjoy the joyful and crowded scene here: from the old people sitting and enjoying the wind, the young people are laughing. talking, singing until the children are running and playing. All of them bring a strange feeling of peace and happiness.
A crowded, bustling evening scene (Photo @ 1989alive)
How to move to Saigon Con Rua Lake
Located in a beautiful location, quite close to the city center, you can reach the lake by private means such as motorbike or car.
For those who do not have their own car, the use of public transport is also very convenient. You can take a taxi or bus routes such as: 05, 06, 30, 31, 36 to get here.
Traffic is extremely convenient (Photo @ tramtran1112)
Another very interesting option is cyclo ride, this is the means that tourists coming to Saigon , especially foreign tourists, love it because they can both watch the streets and protect the environment. good too.
Not only historical, Saigon Con Rua Lake is also an indispensable place to play for many people, so traveling to Saigon without coming here once is extremely flawed.