West Lake (Hanoi)

West Lake is Hanoi's largest freshwater lake, stretching 17 km around and covering 500 hectares northwest of the city center. It is a popular recreation spot with gardens, hotels, and villas lining its shores.

Don't miss

• Trấn Quốc Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist temple built in the 6th century on a small island in the lake
• Quán Thánh Temple, one of the Four Sacred Temples of ancient Hanoi, located near the lake
• Chu Văn An High School, one of Vietnam's oldest high schools, close to the lake
• The 17 km shoreline, ideal for walking or cycling

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit West Lake (Hanoi)

Cheapest way inPrivate Walking Tour of Hanoi City4.9★ · 1,393 travelers3-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →Most bookedHanoi Backstreet Jeep Tour : Hanoi HIGHTLIGHTS and HIDDEN GEMS5★ · 2,033 travelers~5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$57 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Guided Tour of Hanoi4.9★ · 395 travelers3-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• Thanh Niên road divides a small part of the lake to form Trúc Bạch Lake.
• Most of the lake lies within Tây Hồ District, which is named after the lake itself.

A bit of history

Legends say the lake formed from a battle between Lạc Long Quân and a nine-tailed fox, once called 'Fox Corpse Swamp.' Another story claims it was created by a buffalo searching for its calf, giving it the name 'Golden Buffalo Lake.' In the 11th century it was known as 'Foggy Lake' due to mist, and renamed 'West Lake' in 1573 to avoid the emperor's given name. Nearby landmarks include Trấn Quốc Pagoda, a 6th-century Buddhist temple on an island, and Quán Thánh Temple, one of Hanoi's Four Sacred Temples.