West Lake
About
The largest lake n Hanoi is a popular spot for gathering, surrounded by many shops, restaurants, gardens, and hotels. It features the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Vietnamese for "Stabilizing the Nation."
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Soko37
    Budapest, Hungary4,537 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Famous place
    Dominant of Hanoi, neighbouring with Truc Back smaller lake, pagoda or governmental attraction very close near by. Nice to walk around almost in any weather. We walked around a bit and being lucky to have low temperature slightly above twenty degrees. We did walk only part close to another small lake as this is very big one
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 8, 2023
  • Shelley M
    Albany, New Zealand792 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    disappointed
    Nice to escape the crowds in old quarter. A much larger lake with a lot of housing and shops around. The day was so smoggy that you really couldnt see very far and what you could see had so much rubbish floating in it was rather sad to be fair.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 1, 2023
  • campfamily50
    Irvine, California385 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Twin Dragons of West Lake
    Twin Dragons of West Lake. This was an impressive sight and if you visit West Lake its a “must-see”. These twin dragons are colorful, cool and large. With the back drop of the lake, it almost looks like they are the Guardians of the Lake and welcoming you to this beautiful area. We loved it.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 2, 2023
  • Heidi Watkins
    London, United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tranquil Delight at West Lake: A Must-Visit in Hanoi
    Just had an amazing time at West Lake in Hanoi. The peaceful vibes by the water and the beautiful pagodas were a treat.Loved how I could take a relaxing stroll, watch Tai Chi, and enjoy the sunset. And the local food around the lake?Delish! If you're in Hanoi, don't miss this gem.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 7, 2023
  • Loretta M
    20 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth riding a bicycle around West Lake👍
    Enjoyed our bike ride around West Lake. It was a good challenge and best done clockwise around the lake to be on the lakeside side of the road. Rented bikes from Bike Plus 150,000d for two hours which included helmets. A nice change in activity from walking Old Quarter.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 15, 2023
  • Monika K
    32 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Could be beautiful if cleaned
    Unfortunately, slightly disappointed with the lake. There is a nice coffee shop and nice pagoda but other than that- lake is very dirty and crowded. As previous comments mentioned a lot of dead fish and plastic trash floating.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written December 7, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,799 reviews
Excellent
559
Very good
734
Average
390
Poor
89
Terrible
27

Mozzie93
London, UK30 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We rented bikes and cycled round lake. It was a long way (2 or 3 hours) and mixed. Some parts were nice and relaxed, but other parts were on roads and felt a bit dangerous. Lots of cafes to stop for refreshments luckily. Pagoda and interesting buildings. After cycling round, we were too exhausted to go to the botanical gardens.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand792 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Nice to escape the crowds in old quarter. A much larger lake with a lot of housing and shops around. The day was so smoggy that you really couldnt see very far and what you could see had so much rubbish floating in it was rather sad to be fair.
Written May 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heng How N
Singapore, Singapore7,464 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Friends
It is the biggest fteshwater lake in Hanoi situated in Tay Ho District and Ba Dinh District. It is a place for many recreation, restaurants, cafes, hotels and villas. One of the oldest temple is located there - Quan Thanh Temple or stabilise nation temple.
Besides it is Truc Bach Lake and divided by Thanh Nien Road.
Written November 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

emillisecond
Tokyo, Japan55 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Couples
Expecting a casual walk around a sludge-ridden lake, I was exceptionally excited to arrive with my poor defenseless boyfriend to a Swan boat-packed water's edge. I had managed to hide my romantic giddiness towards the clunky cliches for a year, but the jig was up. The lake is the kind of beautiful that is almost dreamlike. It might be the city lights leaking through the pollution, but there is a purple haze that seems to reflect on the water. And it's a true treat to watch Vietnamese families play bumper cars on the swam boats. Is this a life changing experience? No. But it was an amazing way to experience the sunset in Hanoi off the busy streets and with my favorite person. My last bit of advice? Head to one of the rooftop bars after for a iced beer.
Written December 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

howlermonkey415
San Francisco, CA15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Couples
Worth seeing if you want to get away from the usual hustle and bustle of Old Quarter (which is where we were staying).

Suggested itinerary: You can plan 1 day starting promptly at 8am at the Temple of Literature, then Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex (we skipped the actual viewing of Ho Chi Minh due to the hugely long lines), botanical gardens, then explore West Lake by walking along Thanh Nien bridge. You will pass by 2 beautiful pagodas (great photo spots). There are swan paddle-boat rentals also for 80K VND per hour.

There are a spreckling of restaurants (with lots of seafood options) and ice cream shops on the bridge. We ordered a "sundae" with 3 ice cream flavors topped with a chocolate wafer roll from a small shop that only carried Vietnamese menus. (We pointed at what other people were ordering instead of trying to decipher the menu). It cost 25K VND for each ice cream trio. We sat along the waterfront which was charming and peaceful.

From there we took a taxi to the Sheraton Hotel area (38K VND) It's lakeside location makes for a quiet and beautiful stroll. You can check out the Xuan Dieu Roan for Western and French foods, even a shopping plaza (where we enjoyed coffee and Banh Mi at Highland Coffee) Finish up in that area with a massage at Yakushi Center (but make an appointment, especially on weekends!). We caught a cab back to Old Quarter for 70K VND ($3.50 USD).

Refreshing waterfront without the crowds. Highly recommend!
Written May 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jamie B
Aberdeenshire, UK10 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
Highlights include numerous dead fish, a terrible smell, a needle, and some lonely giant swan boats.

However, should you wish to film an amateur horror film in anticipation of Halloween you're in luck.

Hanoi is an excellent city bar this aquatic dump so I'd recommend swerving it.
Written October 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

waldixon-number9
Old Bar, Australia22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Solo
I had an excellent meal one night on WEST LAKE with friends. The meal was delicious and the view was great. I cannot remember the name of the boat but there were a number to chose from and all seemed to have a lot of people on board.
Written December 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pip S
Melbourne, Australia119 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2012 • Friends
A large lake located in central Hanoi, the years have taken their toll, the temples / pagodas are slowly curcoming to age and the pollution from the traffic and there is a strong sewage smell on warmer days.
This however should not stop you from having a walk around and seeing some traditional aspects.
Written November 14, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hoang Do
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
West Lake is pretty big that if you ride a motorbike around the lake it will take 40 minutes. The place is very good for people going on a date. You can ride around the lake and stop at one of myriad coffee shops and restaurants. The lake is truly full of possibility if you stay creative.
Written October 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Epic-Traveller
Rushden, UK4,477 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Friends
This is a large and beautiful lake in a busy part of the City of Hanoi. There is a nice temple at one end and a pagoda with various other things half a mile further.

We had a nice stroll along the lake under the shade of trees and visited the pagoda in the middle.
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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West Lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)