B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
A small neighbourhood pond in Ngoc Ha where the twisted wreck of a B-52 bomber has lain since December 1972.
- Hanoi
- Included in 8 tours
- Tours from $25
- Updated October 2026
About B52 Lake Hanoi
Hidden in the lanes of the old Ngoc Ha flower village, a few minutes from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, is one of the strangest war relics in the world. In a small pond called Huu Tiep Lake, surrounded by houses, cafés and potted plants, a twisted mass of rusted metal rises out of the water: part of an American B-52 Stratofortress bomber that fell here in December 1972. Locals simply call it B52 Lake, and Hanoi has left the wreck exactly where it landed.
Dien Bien Phu in the air
In December 1972, peace talks in Paris had stalled. On 18 December the United States launched Operation Linebacker II, the heaviest bombing campaign of the war, sending waves of B-52 bombers over Hanoi and Hai Phong, mostly at night, for twelve days until 29 December (with a pause at Christmas). Parts of Hanoi were badly hit — Kham Thien street and Bach Mai Hospital among them — and many civilians were killed.
Hanoi’s air defences fought back with surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns and fighters. Vietnam counts 34 B-52s shot down in those twelve days; US records list 15 lost. Whatever the figures, it was the heaviest loss of B-52s in the aircraft’s history, and in Vietnam the battle is remembered as “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air”, after the 1954 victory over the French. A month later, in January 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed.
The wreck today
According to the plaque beside the lake, the bomber was brought down on the night of 27 December 1972; some historians dispute which aircraft the wreckage came from. What you see is a section of undercarriage and fuselage, mossy and broken, sitting in the water a few metres from the bank. The site was recognised as a national historical relic in the 1990s, and the lake and its banks were cleaned and renovated in 2021–2022 for the 50th anniversary.
It is a quick stop, but a powerful one, especially combined with the B-52 Victory Museum nearby. Many of our city tours stop here, from the 2-hour jeep and scooter highlights tours to the Instagram tour, and your guide will tell the story of those twelve days.
Is B52 Lake worth visiting?
It is a quick stop – 15 to 30 minutes – but a powerful one. The wreckage of an American B-52 bomber shot down in December 1972 still sits in the small Huu Tiep Lake, surrounded by homes in the old Ngoc Ha flower village. It is free and visible from the lakeside at any time, and it means much more paired with the nearby B-52 Victory Museum, which tells the story of the twelve days Hanoi calls “Dien Bien Phu in the air”.
Worth it?
Why visit B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)?
- A bomber in a pondThe rusted wreck of a B-52 left where it fell in 1972, in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
- Twelve days in DecemberThe story of Linebacker II, the biggest air battle over Hanoi, told on a plaque and by local memory.
- B-52 Victory Museum nearbyA free museum with a B-52 wreck, a MiG-21, missiles and radar, about 10 minutes’ walk away.
- Real local lifeChildren playing, neighbours chatting and cafés around a wartime relic — very Hanoi.
- Close to Ba DinhCombine it with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Tran Quoc Pagoda in one morning.
Make the most of it
7 best things to do in B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
See the wreck from the lakeside
Walk round the railings of Huu Tiep Lake and read the plaque. The wreck is fenced and must not be touched or climbed. 10–15 minutes.
Visit the B-52 Victory Museum
At 157 Doi Can, about 10 minutes’ walk away. Indoor galleries cover the air defence of Hanoi; outside are wreckage of a B-52, a MiG-21 fighter, SAM missiles and anti-aircraft guns. Free; usually around 8:00–11:30 and 13:00–16:30, closed on some weekdays — check before you go.
Have a drink in a lakeside café
Small cafés around the lake let you sit with an iced coffee and look at the wreck — a surreal view.
Walk the Ngoc Ha lanes
Ngoc Ha was once Hanoi’s flower village. A few old houses and plant sellers remain among the newer buildings.
See the Kham Thien memorial
A memorial on Kham Thien street, about 3 km south, remembers the residents killed when the street was bombed on 26 December 1972.
Continue to Hoa Lo Prison
The French-built prison known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton” tells the other side of the story. Entry about 50,000 VND.
Hear the story with a guide
Our jeep, electric scooter, Green Sisters, e-bike and Instagram tours stop at B52 Lake; the guide explains the battle and what it means to Hanoians.
Good to know
Timeline: Linebacker II over Hanoi, December 1972
| Oct 1972 | Peace talks in Paris close to agreement, then stall |
|---|---|
| 18 Dec 1972 | Operation Linebacker II begins: B-52s bomb Hanoi and Hai Phong |
| 22 Dec 1972 | Bach Mai Hospital is hit |
| 25 Dec 1972 | A one-day pause for Christmas |
| 26 Dec 1972 | Kham Thien street is devastated |
| 27 Dec 1972 | The bomber in Huu Tiep Lake is shot down, according to the plaque |
| 29 Dec 1972 | The bombing ends |
| 27 Jan 1973 | The Paris Peace Accords are signed |
Vietnamese and American sources differ on the number of aircraft lost and on some details; the dates above are widely agreed.
Timing
Best time to visit B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
Best if you want to visit the museum too, as it closes at lunchtime.
Quiet, with neighbours sitting out by the lake.
Anniversary events and exhibitions are sometimes held at the lake and museum.
Map & directions
How to get to B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
- From the Old QuarterAbout 3.5 km; 15 minutes by Grab or taxi (roughly 40,000–80,000 VND by car). Ask for Ho Huu Tiep or Ho B52, Ngoc Ha.
- From Ho Chi Minh MausoleumAbout 1–1.5 km, a 15–20 minute walk west through the Ngoc Ha lanes.
- Finding itThe lake is down narrow lanes between Hoang Hoa Tham and Doi Can streets. Use the map pin — the last part is easiest on foot.
- With usFree Old Quarter hotel pickup on our city tours that stop here.
Eat like a local
Where to eat near B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
- Lakeside cafésIced coffee or tea with a view of the wreck.
- Doi Can and Hoang Hoa Tham streetsLocal noodle shops serving bun, pho and com (rice plates) at lunchtime.
- Pho cuon on Ngu XaAbout 2 km north-east, on Truc Bach Lake — a good lunch after the museum.
For your camera
Best photo spots at B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
- From the railingsThe wreck with the houses behind it shows how strange the scene is.
- From a caféA higher angle over the pond, coffee in the foreground.
- B-52 Victory Museum yardAircraft wreckage and Soviet-era missiles in the open air.
Local advice
Tips for visiting B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
Do
- Visit the museum in the morning, before it closes for lunch
- Walk the last part — the lanes are narrow
- Treat it as a memorial: many people died in December 1972
- Buy a drink if you sit at a café to look at the wreck
Don’t
- Climb the railings or try to touch the wreck
- Block residents’ doorways or lanes for photos
- Fly a drone near Ba Dinh and the military museum
- Expect a big site — the lake is small and the visit is short
Visit with a local
Tours that visit B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake)
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Electric Scooter City Highlights Tour
234+ booked
From $45
$38
per adult
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Half-Day Electric Scooter City Tour
463+ booked
From $60
$51
per adult
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Female Riders City Highlights Tour
345+ booked
From $47
$40
per adult
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Half-Day City Tour with Female Riders
876+ booked
From $62
$53
per adult
Hanoi · E-Bike
Hanoi Self-Ride E-Bike City Tour: Lakes, Riverside & Hidden Gems
576+ booked
From $60
$45
per adult
Hanoi · Instagram & Photo
Hanoi Instagram Tour: City Highlights by Jeep, Limo or Motorbike
397+ booked
From $72
$60
per adult
Good to know
B-52 Victory Relic (Huu Tiep Lake): questions & answers
Where is B52 Lake in Hanoi?
B52 Lake is Huu Tiep Lake in the Ngoc Ha neighbourhood, about 1–1.5 km west of Ba Dinh Square, in the lanes between Hoang Hoa Tham and Doi Can streets.
Is the B52 in Huu Tiep Lake real?
Yes. It is real wreckage of a B-52 bomber brought down during Operation Linebacker II in December 1972, left in place as a memorial.
Is there an entrance fee for B52 Lake Hanoi?
No. You can view the wreck from the lakeside for free, and the nearby B-52 Victory Museum is also free.
What is Dien Bien Phu in the air?
It is the Vietnamese name for the battle against the US Linebacker II bombing of Hanoi and Hai Phong from 18 to 29 December 1972, compared to the 1954 victory at Dien Bien Phu.
How long do I need at B52 Lake?
15–30 minutes for the lake. Add about an hour for the B-52 Victory Museum at 157 Doi Can.
When is the B-52 Victory Museum open?
Usually in the morning and afternoon (around 8:00–11:30 and 13:00–16:30), with some weekdays closed. Check before you go.
How many B-52s were shot down over Hanoi?
Vietnam counts 34 B-52s shot down over the North during the twelve days; US records list 15 lost. Both agree it was the heaviest B-52 loss of the war.
Is B52 Lake worth visiting?
Yes, as a short but moving stop near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A section of a B-52 bomber shot down in December 1972 still lies in the pond, surrounded by houses. It takes 15 to 30 minutes and is best combined with the nearby B-52 Victory Museum.
Can you see the B-52 wreckage from the street?
Yes. Part of the undercarriage and fuselage sits in the water a few metres from the bank of Huu Tiep Lake and is viewable from the lakeside at any time, free of charge. Please be respectful – this is a residential neighbourhood.
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