Just as Hanoi has Hoan Kiem Lake as one of its prominent symbols, Hai Phong is home to Tam Bac Lake, located right in the city center and witness to numerous historical events of the city.
Tam Bac Lake – The Poetic Symbol of the “City of Red Flamboyant Flowers”
Tam Bac Lake was originally the Liem Khe creek, belonging to the former An Bien village. In 1885, the French straightened and widened the creek into Bonnal Canal, separating the European and Vietnamese quarters.
Red flamboyant flowers blooming brilliantly by Tam Bac Lake. Photo: thanhphohaiphong.gov.vn.
Vibrant scenery along both sides of the lake. Photo: @b_baochay.
By 1925, the French filled in a section from Hai Phong Port to today's exhibition hall, leaving the remaining section known as the Tam Bac River. In 1985, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tam Bac River, the city built the Tam Ky Dam connecting Tran Nguyen Han Street with Quang Trung Street; this river section became a lake and was named Tam Bac Lake.
Swans in the lake. Photo: thanhphohaiphong.gov.vn.
Photo: @huyennail.12071989.
Tam Bac Lake covers an area of nearly 5ha and is about 3m deep. The entire promenade and sidewalks around the lake are paved with granite and lined with lush trees offering refreshing shade over rows of stone benches for visitors to rest and take in the views.
Photo: @bayenle.
Tam Bac Lake at night. Photo: Pinterest.
The railings around the lake are crafted from natural stone carved with motifs of flamboyant blossoms and anchors, with a 1.25m-high stone pillar set roughly every 3m. Surrounding the lake are also rows of ancient banyan trees interspersed with vibrant royal poincianas.
Photo: @davenguyen1989.
Park around the lake. Photo: @eleven_11_thapnhat.
Surrounding the lake are quintessential architectural landmarks of Hai Phong, such as Tam Ky Temple, the statue of Female General Le Chan, Cho Sat (Iron Market), the pedestrian street, Ngo Quyen High School, Trang Trinh Street, and more.
Photo: @pham_thanhloan.
The city center around Tam Bac Lake is modernizing day by day, continuously serving as a popular tourist destination in Hai Phong and becoming an emblem of the port city. Come late afternoon and evening, the lake becomes bustling with sports, fishing, dating, and recreational activities.
Photo: @ntma_ss.
Photo: @callme.chit.
When coming to Tam Bac Lake for fun, do not forget to savor the local specialties. Situated right along the lakeside is the pedestrian street boasting hundreds of snack and beverage stalls. There are many must-try dishes such as grilled chicken feet, nem lui (lemongrass pork skewers), iced dracontomelon juice, spicy baguettes, chrysanthemum tea, coconut dessert with jelly, and more.
Tam Bac Lake chicken feet. Photo: @nhinhifoodie_.
Tam Bac sunset. Photo: @nguyenvan0128.
