A nation mourns: Vietnam’s beloved sacred turtle dies

A sacred giant turtle venerated as a symbol of Vietnam’s independence struggle has died, state media said, prompting an outpouring of grief and fears the death bodes ill for an upcoming communist leadership handover. The reptile, a critically endangered swinhoe softshell turtle, occupies a key mythological role in Vietnam – in the past the turtle generally surfaced only rarely, with its sightings deemed auspicious. Some scientists believe it was one of only four turtles – better known as Yangtze giant softshells – in existence.

I feel empty. My children, grandchildren will only know the turtle from legend.

Blogger Duong Nguyen

It was found dead in Hoan Kiem lake in central Hanoi late Tuesday, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper said. The turtle, which weighed about 200kg (440lb), was said to be between 80 and 100 years old. Its demise was widely mourned on Vietnamese-language blogs and social media, with many warning it was a bad omen for upcoming changes in the ruling Communist Party, which begins its five-yearly congress on Thursday. The turtle’s body is being kept at a temple on a small island in the lake pending an official decision on how to proceed, state media said, adding that embalming was being considered.

Odd News Vietnam