West lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hanoi and an iconic place of the capital city.

With a serene and tranquil beauty, West lake would definitely be an escape for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Being there, tourists (or even locals) looking for a respite can totally be satisfied standing in front of West lake which offers a harmonious combination of poetic lake, solemn historic temples, amazing activities, and unforgettable food.

West lake is Hanoi’s largest freshwater body to the northwest of Hanoi downtown with an area of about 500 hectares and a shoreline of 17 kilometers.

There are plenty of historic places of interest, five-star hotels, stylish restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues that are worth exploring along the shoreline.

West lake was originally a tributary of the Red river. Repeated flooding and erosion separated it from the main stream and converted it into an inland lake.

West lake is also known as Dâm Đàm lake (Foggy), Kim Ngưu lake (Golden Buffalo), or Đầm Xác Cáo (Fox Corpse Swamp). Each name originated from a legend of the lake.

West lake is home to several significant pagodas. Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, was built in the 6th century and is located on an islet in the middle of the West lake.

West lake is also a hub for local leisure activities, especially lively on the weekends when families come for rowing boats and enjoying fresh air.

Every morning at sunrise, hundreds of people, both young and old, flock to West Lake for fresh air and exercise.

Thanh Nien road along the lake is the gateway for flower and vegetable vendors on the outskirts of Hanoi to enter the city

West lake is a great place to unwind, sip a cup of coffee in a street side cafe, enjoy the famous shrimp cake, eat a glass of ice cream, enjoy authentic gastronomy at the luxury and affordable restaurants by the lake

West lake is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, swim in the lake and watch sunset, then eating at a floating restaurant on the lake is a novel dining option

When it comes to dining options, the southern part of West lake is the place to go for seafood bites, with a whole street dedicated to local seafood restaurants while the northern side is where you can find the affluent residential neighborhood and five-star hotels in Tay Ho district