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Tinh Tam Lake (also known as Tinh Ho) was once the royal garden of the Nguyen Dynasty, and is included in the collection of poems "Twenty Scenic Views of the Imperial Capital" - the 20 most beautiful scenic views of the Imperial Capital during the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri.
Hong Cu Bridge spans Bong Lai Island on Tinh Tam Lake.
Beneath the lake grow the Bách Diệp lotus, the rarest lotus variety in our country.
Tinh Tam Lake was built during the Nguyen Dynasty. Originally, the lake was a section of the Kim Long River that was renovated, initially named Ky Te Pond. In the 3rd year of Minh Mang's reign (1822), the Nguyen Dynasty mobilized soldiers to participate in the renovation of the lake, transforming it into a royal garden and naming it Tinh Tam. From here, one can see three small islands: Bong Lai, Phuong Truong, and Doanh Chau, with their beautiful natural scenery.
However, for many years, Tinh Tam Lake was in a state of disrepair. In mid-2020, the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center began restoring the site. To date, the restoration and landscaping of a part of the Tinh Tam Lake scenic area has been completed. Many species of flowers, grasses, and ancient trees with bizarre shapes have been pruned and replanted on the islands in the lake. Along with that, strangely shaped artificial mountains and unique ornamental plants have been brought here with the hope of creating a "paradise" like the ancient capital once was.
The bamboo bridge connecting the Kim Oanh dike to Phuong Truong island in Tinh Tam lake was rebuilt using leftover bamboo from restoration projects of historical sites.
Tinh Tam Lake is considered a typical architectural and landscape achievement of Vietnam in the 19th century. Today, Tinh Tam Lake also holds value as an architectural relic and is a famous scenic spot of the ancient capital city. From this September, Tinh Tam Lake in Hue will begin welcoming visitors free of charge.
