West Lake
Hanoi’s largest lake: a 17 km shoreline of pagodas, temples, lotus ponds, lakeside cafés and the city’s best sunsets.
- Hanoi
- Included in 7 tours
- Tours from $45
- Updated October 2026
About West Lake Hanoi
West Lake (Ho Tay) is the largest lake in Hanoi, a wide sheet of water of a little over 5 square kilometres just north-west of the Old Quarter. A road and path run almost all the way around its roughly 17 km shoreline, and that loop is where Hanoians come to breathe: to jog at dawn, to drink coffee by the water, to watch the sun go down and, in early summer, to photograph the lotus.
The lake is an old meander of the Red River, and it has collected legends to match. One story says it was formed when the dragon king Lac Long Quan fought a nine-tailed fox; another tells of a golden buffalo searching for her lost calf. In the 11th century it was called Foggy Lake, because mist so often lay on the water. Royal palaces, pagodas and temples were built on its banks over the following centuries, and several of them still stand.
Thanh Nien Road and the southern shore
The most famous stretch is Thanh Nien Road, a narrow causeway that separates West Lake from the smaller Truc Bach Lake. It is lined with old trees and benches, and at its western end sits Tran Quoc Pagoda on a tiny island, the oldest pagoda in the city. A few steps away, at the corner of Quan Thanh street, is Quan Thanh Temple with its great bronze statue of the guardian of the north.
Tay Ho, Quang An and the northern shore
Further round, the Quang An peninsula is home to Tay Ho Temple (Phu Tay Ho), dedicated to the Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, and to the lanes where expats, boutique cafés and lotus ponds share space with old villages. This is also where Hanoi’s famous lotus tea is traditionally scented. Along Au Co street, on the dike behind the lake, Quang Ba flower market trades through the night.
Because the loop is long and the sights are spread out, most people see West Lake by bicycle, scooter or car rather than on foot. Several of our tours stop here: the jeep city tour visits Tran Quoc Pagoda and the lake shore, the sunrise scooter tour watches the dawn from Thanh Nien Road, and our e-bike tour rides the lakeside path.
How to see West Lake
The shoreline loop is about 17 km, so most people see West Lake by bicycle, scooter or car rather than entirely on foot. A good short visit takes in the southern end: Thanh Nien Road at sunset, Tran Quoc Pagoda on its island, and Quan Thanh Temple on the corner. With more time, ride round to the Quang An peninsula for Tay Ho Temple and the lotus ponds. Early summer (late May to July) is lotus season, and late afternoon is best for the sunset over the water.
Worth it?
Why visit West Lake?
- Sunset over the waterWest Lake faces west across open water, so the sunsets are the best in Hanoi — from Thanh Nien Road, Tran Quoc Pagoda or a rooftop bar.
- Tran Quoc PagodaHanoi’s oldest pagoda, with its red 11-storey stupa, on a small island linked to Thanh Nien Road.
- Quan Thanh TempleA temple dating back to the Ly dynasty, home to a nearly 4-metre bronze statue cast in 1677.
- Tay Ho TempleA busy, colourful temple to the Mother Goddess on the Quang An peninsula, loved by locals on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month.
- Lotus seasonFrom late May to July lotus ponds around the lake bloom, and Quang An families scent green tea with the flowers.
- Banh tom and lakeside snacksCrispy West Lake shrimp fritters, snails and iced tea at simple stalls by the water.
Make the most of it
10 best things to do in West Lake
Walk or ride Thanh Nien Road
The 1 km tree-lined road between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake is the classic West Lake walk. Come at sunset, when the lake turns gold and couples line the railings.
Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
Cross the short causeway to the island pagoda, founded in the 6th century and moved here in 1615. Free (donations welcome); usually open from early morning to late afternoon. Cover shoulders and knees.
See the bronze guardian at Quan Thanh Temple
At 190 Quan Thanh street, the temple is one of the four guardian temples of old Thang Long. The bronze statue of Tran Vu, cast in 1677, is nearly 4 metres tall. Entry about 10,000 VND; roughly 8:00–17:00.
Light incense at Tay Ho Temple
On the Quang An peninsula, Phu Tay Ho is one of Hanoi’s most visited temples, especially on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. The lane in front is lined with stalls selling offerings, snails and banh tom. Free.
Cycle the 17 km loop
A lakeside path and quiet roads make West Lake the best place in Hanoi to cycle. Allow 1.5–2 hours with stops; hotel and street rentals are easy to find in the Tay Ho area.
Photograph the lotus ponds
From late May to about July, lotus ponds near Quang Ba and Quang An bloom. Many ponds charge a small fee (often 20,000–50,000 VND) to enter and take photos; go early, before the heat.
Watch the sunset from a café or rooftop
Lakeside cafés along Thanh Nien Road, Tay Ho road and Xuan Dieu fill up from about 17:00. For a higher view, hotel rooftop bars on the southern shore look straight across the water.
Eat banh tom by the lake
Try West Lake’s famous shrimp fritters at Banh Tom Ho Tay, 1 Thanh Nien, a landmark since the stalls on the road were brought together into one restaurant.
Take a swan boat out
Pedal boats wait at several points around West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Agree the price per hour before you set off.
Ride West Lake with a local
Our jeep city tour, e-bike tour and sunrise scooter tour all include West Lake; the Co Loa tours finish with egg coffee in a café overlooking the lake.
Good to know
Key sights: what is where around West Lake
| Thanh Nien Road | South shore, the causeway between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake |
|---|---|
| Tran Quoc Pagoda | West end of Thanh Nien Road, on a small island |
| Quan Thanh Temple | East end of Thanh Nien Road, 190 Quan Thanh street |
| Truc Bach Lake and McCain memorial | Just east of Thanh Nien Road |
| Tay Ho Temple (Phu Tay Ho) | Tip of the Quang An peninsula, north-east shore |
| Quang Ba flower market | Au Co street on the dike, north-east of the lake (night only) |
| Lotus ponds | Quang Ba and Quang An area, late May to July |
| Xuan Dieu and Tay Ho road | Cafés, restaurants and the expat quarter, east shore |
The lake is big: from Tran Quoc Pagoda to Tay Ho Temple is about 4 km by road, so plan to ride rather than walk between the two sides.
Timing
Best time to visit West Lake
Joggers, swimmers and tai chi groups along the shore; calm, misty water and soft light.
The classic time. Sunset is roughly 17:15 in winter and around 18:40 in early summer — arrive half an hour before.
Cafés and bars along Thanh Nien Road and Xuan Dieu stay lively; the Tay Ho area is the centre of Hanoi’s international dining scene.
Lotus season: the ponds bloom and the lotus tea makers are busy. Hot and humid, so go early.
Clear skies, cooler air and often the best sunsets of the year.
Plan your visit
Sunset route: the southern shore of West Lake
Quan Thanh Temple
Start around 15:30 with the bronze guardian, before the temple closes.
Truc Bach Lake
Walk to the McCain memorial on the Truc Bach side of Thanh Nien Road.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Visit the island pagoda in the late-afternoon light.
Banh Tom Ho Tay
Shrimp fritters and a cold drink by the water at 1 Thanh Nien.
Thanh Nien Road at sunset
Find a spot on the railings and watch the sky change over the lake.
Map & directions
How to get to West Lake
- From the Old QuarterAbout 3 km; 10–15 minutes by Grab or taxi (roughly 30,000–70,000 VND by car) or 30–40 minutes on foot to Thanh Nien Road.
- By bicycle or scooterThe easiest way to explore the full loop. Park in marked parking areas near the temples.
- By busSeveral city bus routes pass Thanh Nien Road and Au Co street; journeys are slow but cost only a few thousand dong.
- With usOur city tours include free pickup from Old Quarter hotels and ride the lake by jeep, scooter or e-bike.
Eat like a local
Where to eat near West Lake
- Banh Tom Ho Tay, 1 Thanh NienThe best-known place for West Lake shrimp fritters, with a view of the water.
- Pho cuon on Ngu Xa islandRolls of fresh pho noodle sheet with beef and herbs, invented in the Truc Bach area. Try Hung Ben at 33 Ngu Xa or Chinh Thang at 7 Mac Dinh Chi.
- Snails at Phu Tay HoBoiled snails (oc luoc) with lemongrass and ginger dip, sold along the lane to Tay Ho Temple.
- Lotus tea from Quang AnWest Lake’s most refined product: green tea scented overnight inside lotus flowers. Expensive, but a cup is worth trying.
- Coconut coffee and egg coffeeLakeside cafés along Thanh Nien Road and Tay Ho road serve both; go for a seat facing west.
- Xuan Dieu and Tay Ho roadBakeries, international restaurants and craft beer if you need a break from noodles.
For your camera
Best photo spots at West Lake
- Tran Quoc Pagoda from Thanh Nien RoadThe red stupa against the water, best in late-afternoon light.
- Sunset from the Thanh Nien railingsSilhouettes of fishermen and swan boats against a gold sky.
- Lotus ponds in the morningPink flowers and big green leaves; many ponds have wooden walkways for photos.
- Tay Ho Temple gateColourful offerings, incense smoke and the lake behind.
- A rooftop view across the lakeShows how big West Lake really is, with the city skyline around it.
Local advice
Tips for visiting West Lake
Do
- Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to get a good spot
- Cover shoulders and knees for Tran Quoc Pagoda and the temples
- Rent a bike or join a ride — the loop is too long to walk
- Bring insect repellent for evenings by the water
- Agree on prices for swan boats and lotus pond photos first
Don’t
- Swim in the lake outside places where locals swim
- Stop your bike suddenly on Thanh Nien Road at rush hour
- Visit Tay Ho Temple on the 1st or 15th lunar day if you dislike crowds
- Pick lotus flowers or walk into private ponds
- Leave bags hanging on a bike or scooter at the kerb
Visit with a local
Tours that visit West Lake
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Electric Scooter Tour to Co Loa Citadel & Countryside
475+ booked
From $70
$60
per adult
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Hanoi Sunrise & Sunset Electric Scooter Tour
678+ booked
From $60
$51
per adult
Hanoi · Electric Scooter
Co Loa Citadel & Countryside Tour with Female Riders
567+ booked
From $72
$62
per adult
Hanoi · E-Bike
Hanoi Self-Ride E-Bike City Tour: Lakes, Riverside & Hidden Gems
576+ booked
From $60
$45
per adult
Good to know
West Lake: questions & answers
Is West Lake Hanoi worth visiting?
Yes. It is the calmest, greenest part of central Hanoi, with the city’s oldest pagoda, important temples, lotus ponds and the best sunsets. A few hours here are a nice contrast to the busy Old Quarter.
How big is West Lake Hanoi?
West Lake covers a little over 5 square kilometres and has a shoreline of about 17 km. It is the largest lake in central Hanoi.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset at West Lake?
Thanh Nien Road and the area around Tran Quoc Pagoda are the classics. Lakeside cafés and hotel rooftop bars on the southern shore give a higher view.
How far is West Lake from the Old Quarter?
About 3 km — 10–15 minutes by car or scooter, or a 30–40 minute walk to Thanh Nien Road.
When is lotus season at West Lake?
Usually from late May to July, with the best flowers in June. Go early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Can you cycle around West Lake?
Yes. The full loop is about 17 km on mostly flat lakeside roads and paths. Allow 1.5–2 hours with stops, or join our e-bike tour.
Is there an entrance fee for West Lake?
No, the lake shore is free. Quan Thanh Temple charges about 10,000 VND, and Tran Quoc Pagoda and Tay Ho Temple welcome donations.
What should I eat at West Lake?
Banh tom (shrimp fritters), pho cuon rolls on nearby Ngu Xa island, snails by Tay Ho Temple and a cup of lotus tea.
What is the best way to see West Lake?
Because the shoreline loop is about 17 km, bike, scooter or car work better than walking the whole way. A short visit covers the southern end on foot – Thanh Nien Road, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple – while the full loop by bike or scooter reaches Tay Ho Temple and the lotus ponds on the Quang An side.
What temples are there around West Lake?
Three stand out: Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, on a tiny island off Thanh Nien Road; Quan Thanh Temple, with its great bronze guardian statue, at the south-east corner; and Tay Ho Temple (Phu Tay Ho) on the Quang An peninsula, dedicated to the Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh.
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