Travel Guide of West Lake in Vietnam by Influencers and Travelers

Q: How to get to West Lake?

To get to West Lake , you have to go to Hanoi , as this is the city that borders the lake. To do this, land at Nội Bài airport which serves Hanoi city.

Q: What is the Tran Quoc pagoda, which we can see in West Lake?

Tran Quoc Pagoda , dating from the 6th century, is one of the four oldest and most sacred pagodas in Hanoi, in West Lake . It is renowned as the spiritual centre of the capital, but also as a cultural and architectural relic of rare beauty. It is well worth a visit. Nestled in a green islet in the middle of the lake and spanned by a beautiful bridge, the Tran Quoc pagoda is accessible by Thanh Nien Street.

West Lake is the biggest freshwater lake of Hanoi, Vietnam, located northwest of the city center. With a shore length of 17 km and 500 hectare in area, this is the largest lake of the capital and a popular place for recreation with many surrounding gardens, hotels and villas.

Pictures and Stories of West Lake from Influencers

3 pictures of West Lake from Manh Nghiem, Đức Mạnh, Hieu Tran and other travelers

Test film camera Olympus 35RC ...click to read more

Experienced by @Manh Nghiem | ©Unsplash

man fishing on body of water in West Lake Vietnam

Experienced by @Đức Mạnh | ©Unsplash

city skyline near body of water during daytime in West Lake Vietnam

hanoi, lake, vietnam, lakeview, water, building ...click to read more

Experienced by @Hieu Tran | ©Unsplash

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Map of West Lake

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More Travel spots to explore around West Lake

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Learn More about West Lake

An imposing natural lake in the heart of the city like the Western Lake is nowhere else in the country. The green lung of the city, Ho Tay (West Lake) also seduces with its pleasant surroundings where it is good to walk or cycle, early in the morning or at the end of the day, every moment is worth it.

Bordering the residential area in the northwestern part of the capital, the West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi with a surface area of 500h and a perimeter of over 20km. It derived from the Red River thousands of years ago and was known by many names such as Mu Suong (Misty) Lake, Trau Vang (Golden Buffalo) Lake and Xac Cao (Duck Body) Bay. There is no shortage of legends linked to these names, each of which has been engraved in the memory of generations of Hanoians.

This place is a rendezvous for many inhabitants of the lake as well as for visitors who come to stroll along its small parks or take a cruise for a breath of fresh air and a magnificent view, especially at dusk. Its shady and pleasant setting is punctuated by flowered paths, old villages, temples, pagodas and communal houses.

Rich in ancient vestiges, the West Lake is home to a total of 64, 21 of which have been classified as national heritage sites, such as the Tran Quoc pagoda, the Quan Thanh temple, the Phu Tay Ho temple, the Yen Phu temple, the Kim Lien pagoda, Tao Sach and Van Nien. Moreover, the traces of the centuries are clearly visible through the ancient villages, each of which has preserved more or less relics of the past. Nghi Tam village is known for its Kim Lien pagoda, Xuan Tao village for its Soc temple dedicated to the genie Giong, Trich Sai village for its Thien Nien pagoda dedicated to the founder of the Linh silk weaving loom, Thuy Khue village for its Ba Danh pagoda and Nhat Tan village for its famous peach trees.

In the relaxing atmosphere offered by the huge water surface at the end of the day, you can meet relaxed walkers, leisurely fishermen, lovers hand in hand, and also amateurs trying to capture their best shots at sunset.

With centuries-old relics to discover, flowery paths to stroll along, benches to rest on and nice restaurants and cafes to refresh yourself, the West Lake is a very pleasant place to stop during your stay in Hanoi.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to West Lake

How to get to West Lake?

To get to West Lake, you have to go to Hanoi, as this is the city that borders the lake.
To do this, land at Nội Bài airport which serves Hanoi city.

What is the Tran Quoc pagoda, which we can see in West Lake?

Tran Quoc Pagoda, dating from the 6th century, is one of the four oldest and most sacred pagodas in Hanoi, in West Lake. It is renowned as the spiritual centre of the capital, but also as a cultural and architectural relic of rare beauty. It is well worth a visit.

Nestled in a green islet in the middle of the lake and spanned by a beautiful bridge, the Tran Quoc pagoda is accessible by Thanh Nien Street.