West Lake (Hồ Tây)
Hồ Tây
The largest lake in Hanoi, with a shoreline of about 17 km, lakeside temples, cafés and sunsets, a favorite leisure spot for locals.
West Lake covers about 500 hectares and is the largest lake within Hanoi's city limits. The road around it is about 17 km long, ideal for cycling or a taxi ride. Thanh Niên Road runs along the southeastern side and separates West Lake from Trúc Bạch Lake, with Trấn Quốc Pagoda and Quán Thánh Temple along the roadside. Tây Hồ Temple on the north shore is a very popular place of worship. Tây Hồ district, in the northwest of the lake area, is home to many foreign residents, and the lakeshore is lined with cafés, bars and Western restaurants. Drinking coffee by the lake and watching the sunset is a classic experience. You can also try West Lake shrimp cakes (bánh tôm). Entry is free, and it is best to go before sunset.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Trấn Quốc Pagoda
- Quán Thánh Temple
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Lotte Center Hanoi Observation Deck
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
- Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
- Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long