January
17.4°C ~ 63°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
West Lake (Ho Tay)
Hanoi's largest lake, ringed by cafes, temples and a long road for evening rides.
- Location
- Hanoi
- Time needed
- 2 – 3 hours
- Entry fee
- Free
- Best months
- Oct – Dec
Overview
West Lake is the largest lake in Hanoi, about 500 hectares, with a shoreline of around 17 km. The road around it is lined with cafes, restaurants and small temples, and locals come to cycle, jog and watch the sunset. It is calmer than the Old Quarter and a good place to slow down.
Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest in the city, stands on a small peninsula in the lake. The north and east sides have the most cafes, and the sunset view from the east shore is the most popular. A full loop by bicycle takes about two hours, but most visitors only do a section.
Highlights
- Watch the sunset over the lake
- Cycle or walk along the shore
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on the peninsula
- Drink coffee at a lakeside cafe
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Open all day |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Free |
| Time needed | 2 – 3 hours |
| Best time of day | Late afternoon for sunset |
| Good for | Couples, cyclists, sunset watchers |
| Accessibility | Flat roads and paths around the lake |
| Facilities | Cafes, restaurants, bike rental, temples |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Hanoi by month.
February
18.3°C ~ 65°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
21.8°C ~ 71°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
25°C ~ 77°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
27.7°C ~ 82°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
29.6°C ~ 85°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
29.3°C ~ 85°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
28.5°C ~ 83°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27.5°C ~ 82°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
24.8°C ~ 77°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
22°C ~ 72°F
8 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
18°C ~ 64°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
- From Hanoi centre
About 5 – 6 km north of the Old Quarter. Taxi or ride-hailing takes about 15 – 20 minutes.
- West Lake (Ho Tay)
Tips before you go
- Go in the late afternoon for sunset
- Rent a bicycle if you want to do a long section
- Avoid the weekend evening traffic
- Try the snacks at the stalls on the shore
Location
Tay Ho, Hanoi
More attractions in Hanoi
FAQs
How big is West Lake?
About 500 hectares, with a shoreline of around 17 km.
Can I cycle around it?
Yes. A full loop takes about two hours.
What else is nearby?
Tran Quoc Pagoda and many lakeside cafes.
Destination guideHanoi travel guideNorth Vietnam · 24 attractions