Hoan Kiem Lake, situated in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, is surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants. The evenings, especially from Friday to Sunday when the road is closed to cars, create a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with a bustling crowd. The lake features a small temple in its center, which requires an entrance fee for exploration.

Very nice place to visit during both daytime and at night. I recommend walking right around the lake along the tree lined path. There are plenty of flower beds and benches along the route where you can relax and enjoy the view. The place is popular with Vietnamese ladies who come to take photos of themselves wearing traditional costumes. You also have the beautiful Temple on a small island in the lake accessed via a connecting wooden bridge.

Situated right at the center of old quarter. The location is perfect because it provides a breathing space out of the busy streets. The chaotic feels of street life melted away in this lake. Small lake, but you see the historical Chinese influence architecture and culture. Picturesque at night. Creating a perfect night drop for all the sky bar roof top views.

UPDATE: Students may approach you to practice their English with a foreigner. It happened to me in the early evening 3 times over the weekend. The first time it happened to me, a mother said hello, stepped back, and then her 5 year old son started speaking with me. I spoke with the little guy but didn't realize until I was stopped again by some teenagers what was actually happening. I have had 3 of those conversations so far with students. It is one of the best memories I have of Hanoi. Original: Wonderful place to spend the morning or evening just sitting or walking the around the lake. I found it very relaxing.

The area around this lake is definitely the best place to live in Hanoi. It gets very happening in the evening when all the bars and restaurants become active. On the weekend you can see multiple bands performing on the street which give you awesome vibes. If you liked the review, please subscribe and support my YouTube channel: @Jaw_Dropping_Truth (Link also on my Google maps bio) 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Great place for early morning exercise with a slice of local life. Ladies aerobics, Thai Chi, cyclists, joggers, walkers and a few serious runners. Just under 2 km all the way around. Pics taken 6 am

Good place to walk around or have a light exercise. Could be lively in the evening.

This lake occupies the center of Hanoi's Old quarter. The restored sword refers to a legend in which the Emperor was given a sword by the Golden Turtles God (who live in the lake) to defeat Chinese. After he succeeded, he returned the sword into the Lake and built the Turtle tower in the middle of the lake to thank them. The Tower became Hanoi's symbol. Besides this tower, on the northern lake side is a picturesque Confucian Temple Ngoc Son, reached via a red bridge. Whole area around the lake is very nice and popular with locals. It's really pleasant to walk around it contrary to chaotic streets of old quarter

A huge lake in the center of Old Quarter, it's filled with people during the weekends. It's closed during the weekends for cars so locals and tourists can walk around the street safely. There are performers and food stalls scattered. Such a fun experience to see how the locals live and enjoy.

Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, is a must-visit for nearly every tourist exploring the city. Surrounding it is the Old Quarter, with numerous attractions, hotels, and eateries that exude Vietnamese cultural charm. The lake is spacious, adorned with greenery, flowers, and broad, refreshing sidewalks. Many people stroll around, taking in the sights and snapping photos. Some even jog around the lake, creating a lively atmosphere from morning till night. On weekends, the area transforms into a pedestrian street with many food stalls and events, bustling and vibrant. Working nearby, I often take a walk around the lake or through the Old Quarter. The open and cool environment makes exercising enjoyable, and many locals in the vicinity also choose this spot for their workouts.

Regardless of whether it is day or not, this is an excellent place to visit during your trip to Hanoi. You may see the elderly doing their morning walk and stretching. Perhaps, you'll see some youngsters enjoying their evening socialization. If you're lucky, you may see some eccentric individuals practicing their tango to the beat of Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On. This area is the heart of Hanoi and to miss it, would be a shame.

Peaceful, beautiful, iconic symbol of Hanoi. You can enjoy a walk along the bank of the lake and feel the breath of the city and local vibe. The streets around are turned into walking street everyweekend that you can join many activities, street dance, games, etc...Enjoy Bodega ice cream

It's a beautiful lake with even better surroundings. The old town is just across the lake. The area is lively all day, especially at night. You can find local bands playing here and there if you are lucky. You can find all kinds of shops in the area. I also did a few runs in the morning and evening and was glad I did. In the mornings you will find people doing all sorts of activities from Zumba, cycling, yoga and running to name but a few. It's a sight to behold.

Nice lake & walking/running area. Lake is packed with Locals & visitors during sunset time. Great place for an evening walk with friends & family. Entrance to a small island in the lake is 30k dong (adult fee).

Gorgeous lane. Take a walk around the lake Lovely to see it from different views. Lovely shade trees. Great places to sit for a cold beer

If you only have a day or two to spend in Hanoi, I recommend you to walk around the Hoan Kiem lake. This way you will be able to see it all: the hustle and bustle of the Old Quarter with milions of crazy motorcycles, beautiful and well maintained parks and gardens, temples and monuments, local people and tourists, old and new buildings... it is really hard to describe it, you need to live it. The walk around the lake takes about 30 minutes, but add at least 30 for photo stops. I can't wait to go back.

Very active place with lots of street activity- food, music and fun. You can walk around the lake, the traffic is barricaded off. Many music bands on the street and on the sides. Sample street foods with vendors all around. Overall, lively and an experience to cherish.

The best day to visit the lake is Friday and Saturday night because the streets around it will be closed to give way for different activities. It is also great to walk around the Lake during early morning and late afternoons.

The lake is quite beautiful and adds a region of nature to the middle of the city. I visited in May and there are tons of beautiful trees and flowers around the pathways leading around the lake. There are also some fish visible in the water. Turtle tower in the middle of the lake is a very unique feature, and the path around the lake give excellent views of thê Húc Bridge and the Temple of the Jade Mountain. Highly recommend visiting if you are in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

DescriptionHoan Kiem Lake, also known as Hồ Gươm or Hồ Tả Vọng, is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. In the past, the lake was variously named "Luc Thuy Lake" or "Thuy Quan Lake". Wikipedia Area: 12 ha Length: 700 m Shore length: 1.75 km Mean depth: 1.2 m

Walking along the lake side is among the best activities every time I visit the Old Quarter. Great view, great atmosphere, lots of trees, lots of shade. Sit on one of the lakeside’s benches and watch people doing exercise or just simply read my favourite book. And if I feel hungry, there are tons of good foods and drinks around the area. People are friendly, just watch for traffic when crossing.

Hoàn Kiếm or Sword lake is an other name of Lục Thủy Lake. In 15th Century, Legend has told that one time King Lê Lợi visited Lục Thủy Lake by boat after Victory. A turtle come to His boat and left after getting King's Sword. Then the lake is called Hoàn Kiếm or Return Sword or Sword Lake for short. I love walking along the Lake to breath some fresh air and feel real life happening around. There have many landscapes near by the Lake you can explore by yourself as you come Hà nội. The best time to visit here from November to April with temperature from 13 to 25 degrees celcius. You also can visit in summer but it is pretty hot, some days it reaches upto 40 degrees celcius.

It’s a nice slice of greenery and relative peace in an otherwise loud and hectic city. The lake is surrounded by shrubs and trees, with stone walkways. Lots of locals and tourists come here for a moment of relaxation, looking out onto the water with beautiful old trees leaning over it and dipping their branches into its placid surface. We had a couple of children approach us eager to practice their English with a few exchanges about where we are from and our names. It’s quite adorable. There are few vendors selling fruit and drinks, but it’s not commercialized. All around the lake are restaurants, cafes and opportunities for shopping. On weekends they close the roads surrounding the lake and it takes on a festival atmosphere. During the day the closed roads are popular with joggers. Apparently early in the mornings it’s common to see people doing Tai Chi around the lake. There is a temple across a charming little bridge, you must pay an admission to visit it, probably to avoid it being over crowded.

Small lake with many activities. Super busy nightly especially around the square and old quarters. There’s tonnes of food and shops within 10 mins walk. Night and day views are very different so try to see both. Evening most residence come out and exercise or dance. I recommend taking an evening walk around the lake.

It's a beautiful lake in the middle of Hanoi city. There's a beautiful temple in between which can be accessed via a pretty red bridge. You can chill out around the lake anytime. On weekends, it's crowded as there are many roadside vendors and people there. It looks surreal. The Hanoi Premium Beer show happens on the weekend next to the lake. There is also two popular water puppet theaters on the circumference of the lake. There are a lot of benches and gardens around the lake. Good place to hangout and meet new people.

The place gives life to Hanoi......An amazing place with great historical importance...Brings a new life to that area during the evening and is a great place to hangout in the evening you can just walk around and spend some time in one of those benches and seating areas, enjoy the view and observe the rush of people coming & leaving the lake. One can find sketch artist around the lake I met one of them named Mr. cong a great artist and a great human being .. appreciate his work..... I used to go regularly for a walk when I was in Hanoi as it was close to my hotel 👍😍

It’s a tourist place so expect crowds. Everyone is trying to take photo or selling toys or food. Overall a great spot to take great photo and even better excercise cause you can walk the whole lake in under an hour

A really beautiful place in the middle of Hanoi. Peaceful and green. Lots of hustle and bustle and a great place for families with children, especially at weekends. The sightseeing tours offered here are not cheap but still worth it. I recommend bargaining, if not with the ticket seller then with the driver who will take you on small detours for a small tip.

This small lake is a gathering point for many. The surrounding blocks are closed off for this pedestrian only space. You'll see many photo shoots and runners and dancers here. The lake is a great, urban escape from the city.

Great park with a walking loop around and beautiful views. Early in the morning there is a definite direction to the path (we happened to be going the wrong way). No one seemed to be upset with us. Pre-6am lots of people exercising and doing in the park dancing workouts. Evenings on the weekends they close the street so everyone can walk in it.

Best tourist attraction in hanoi city. Must visit place during weekend. It’s beautiful after 7pm evening due to light effects.

The Lake is one major attraction in Hanoi. With alot of key visit places in and around this lake it makes a major hub for tourists. There are alot of restaurants around. The jogging track with bench to relax makes this venue a relaxing point to rest after a busy day. With the Water Puppet Theatre in one end and the Temple of Literature around makes this please even more better. Thê Húc Bridge and the Turtle Tower is just beautiful to watch at night with the lights. The locals practice dance and zumba in the evening. Most of folks come here for the view and relax. Must visit for the tourists to click some good pictures and relax after a busy day at the Old Quarter.

Cool place at night Nice moisture in the air Air is fresh Atmosphere is good

Wonderful lake a best place to spend a nice time in the evening. Such a cool breeze with lots of restaurants and folks of people around Must to visit ❤️❤️❤️

DO NOT MISS THE WEEKEND WALKING STREET CARNIVAL AROUND THIS LAKE. One of the must visit places in Hanoi especially on weekends, they close the roads and its filled with street shopping options, eateries and what not. You can also witness live performances of traditional and modern music and some art forms, lot of interesting activities for kids around each corner of this huge lake and above all the atmosphere is full of positivity.

Hoan Kiem Lake Park in Hanoi is a vibrant and lively destination that offers a mix of attractions and activities. During the week, it serves as a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle, providing a tranquil atmosphere for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and its surroundings. However, weekends can bring in large crowds, which might make the park feel a bit overwhelming. Despite the crowds, the park manages to maintain its fun and engaging atmosphere. The night market, with its variety of stalls and products, adds a unique charm to the area. Exploring the stalls, shopping for local crafts, and sampling street food create an enjoyable experience that reflects Hanoi's vibrant culture. The nearby streets lined with fancy restaurants contribute to the overall allure of the park. This combination of natural beauty, urban attractions, and culinary delights creates a captivating environment that appeals to both locals and tourists. The presence of the lake adds a sense of calmness, and the overall vibes around Hoan Kiem Lake Park are undeniably positive. Despite the weekend crowds, the lively atmosphere, rich cultural offerings, and picturesque setting make it a must-visit spot in Hanoi.

Can relax here after the city walk

Staying around Trang Tien & Old Quarters area Nice walking street with perfect weather to walk around and beautiful lake. Warning - to tourist please beware of pick pocket, this happen to me where I notice someone open my backpack and trying to pick thing from my bags but luckily I notice this and both ladies just walk pass me. Beside, overall is great experience

Very pretty lake to walk around. For a small fee you can pay to visit the temple on the island in the lake, and learn about some of the early Vietnamese mythology, and how it relates to the lake.

Good place to visit at sunset time as there are a lot of places to click photos. N you can book you river tour to n fro your from the Saigon river terminal there it self it's only 15000 VND one side person..it's a 15 mins ferry ride from point a to point B n they will give you 25 mins holt on point B n pick up from point B n ride will end at Point A. Attaching a few photos for reference to what it looks like at night. Ferry is after every 30 mins till mid night. Do visit on weekdays as the weekend will be very very crowded.. lots of restaurants around here to eat n drink.

Renowned as a tranquil oasis in Hanoi's old quarter, the Hoan Kiem Lake offers a delightful space to unwind. The picturesque lake is adorned with a pleasant jogging path, perfect for leisurely strolls. While the scenery is captivating, an area of concern arises from the prevalence of individuals smoking along the path. Implementing a complete smoking ban throughout the area would undoubtedly enhance the overall experience.

A fine place for light work out by walking or just sitting around and watch the lake view.. There is a shade, a lot of seat by the lake (bench or concrete barrier). Crowded but not that noisy.. Quite dim at night but not dark.. I think there are some ice cream stall and snack vendor in the north side..

A nice and peaceful spot to escape the busy city. Great views and shaded green spaces to sit. The surrounding cafes are overpriced but there is nothing stopping you from bringing your own food/drink. As you walk around you do get hit by the smell of bins every couple of minutes. Other than that, a very nice spot.

A great place to relax in the evening, and feel the real Vietnamese city feeling. You can also go around the nearby streets for some shopping and food.

Very romantic place in the night time with various local activities, and street food as well. One of the highlights in Hanoi.So good!

Place that is great to sit down and relax and drink an iced coffee from the hustle of the city while watching the locals do dancing, tai chi, fishing, neighborhood games and sign up in case you enjoy. Not many restaurants and cafes overlooking the lake but costlier then place across the road out of the lake really simply spending for the perspective. Few early parts continue to exist as well as the temple may be worth a glance for comprehending the story of the lake

he lake is best experienced at night. Lights illuminate the lake attractions and it definitely sets the mood for walk and food trip. Fortunate that our hotel, New Vision Palace Hotel, is just a few blocks away from here and to the old quarters. This is my favorite place in Hanoi.

during weekend, this place is close for car and motor. so the people who live here will come and jogging, walking around this lake. it is a beautiful lake within a busy capitol.

One of the best park in Hanoi which I had visited. THe old trees are so artistic in their form. I had snap a good many of them and each time I am awed.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hán tự: 湖還劍, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword"), also known as Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a fresh lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Its area is about 12 ha. In the past, the lake also had the name "Luc Thuy Lake"(Vietnamese: Hồ Lục Thủy, meaning "Green Water Lake" - because the water is always green) or "Thuy Quan Lake"(Vietnamese: Hồ Thủy Quân, meaning "Lake for marine army to practice"). The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.

The place is serene, it had some good breeze blowing making it worthwhile to sit at the banks. The water is quiet dirty and green, despite being a lake it has it's own flow of current creating mild ripples in the water. Its embodied by high rise buildings a mixture of calm and tranquility admist urban development.

the park around the lake is very beautiful. i never get tired of it. too bad the air is not very healthy in the city. i get sore throat after only 2 days in Hanoi.

This river has lots of things to do walking around to see lotta very good cafés good restaurant boutique hotels street foods and everything that you need must visit if you visit Hanoi.

famous place - leisure and walking complex. lake of the returned sword. around beautiful paths, trees, benches and flower beds. there are street cafes. people from all over the world relax and walk here. there are public toilets. very light at night, many lamps.

It’s good to stay inside the Old Quarters and near to Hoan Kien lake. It’s easy to visit the lake in the morning and evening. In the morning many people exercise at the park around the lake. The #1 stop of Hanoi City Tour is at this lake. And St. Joseph Cathedral is also nearby. At night, the streets around the lake will be filled with people eating street food, drinking and shopping. The streets are rowdy and noisy but interesting. Vietnamese celebrate Tet Lunar New Year like the Chinese. Most of the shops are closed for the first 2 days of lunar new year. Majority open by the 3rd day. Still it’s good to visit during TET because it’s a chance to see Vietnamese dressed in their best and enjoying their new year at the lake and others places. Vietnamese also like to visit the temples during TET. We choose to walk around the Old Quarters but otherwise there is the ECO bus which will drive you around the lake and the streets of the Old Quarters. It’s good for children and seniors who may tired easily.

A nice and famous lake in Hanoi. I like the atmosphere in the morning when everyone walk around and do some exercise. When I see the lake, I feel peace in mind

Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. According to the legend, in early 1428, Emperor Lê Lợi was boating on the lake when a Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) surfaced and asked for his magic sword, which was given back after War. The Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa) standing on a small island near the centre of lake is linked to the legend.

beautiful lake to walk, nice atmosphere, almost usually clean. Beautiful pagoda into the lake connected by a colorful red amazing bridge Beautiful also the Small tower in the center of the lake where the legend tell an ancient magic sword lay underwater protected by a legendary turtle

So nice. I went there on a Sunday afternoon. Many people around the lake, kids dancing in the street, some artist drawing people, fruit ladies (beware of the scam!) Selling their products....overall great time spent around the lake.

That's nice lake and one of the iconic of Hanoi, whenever you visit Hanoi should visit there that you can walk around the lake, enjoy cool air, as well as you can see the turtle species that preserved in small pagoda near by. And in the weekend the government will block all the roads and people can enjoy walking.

Really nice to see where a lot of history took place, I believe that a original copy of the Statue of Liberty say at the pagoda, John McCain crashed his plane here and spent many years in prison here .

This lake is located near Old Quarters in Hanoi. A beautiful view with lights in the evening . It’s huge and has all the famous temples around it . Best time to visit is during sunset and evening . The lights are mesmerising. You see many people sitting along the lake in low lying stools sipping into their juices and coffee.

Very nice lake in the center of Old Quarter and French Quarter Hanoi. Very clean, well maintained, pathways around the lake ,perfect for jogging and sightseeing. Very crowded during weekend because it's a car free day. There is a famous temple in the center of the lake connected by also very famous red Bridge.

We stumbled upon the lake at night without doing much prior research and we can see why it’s a favourite of locals and tourists alike. It’s definitely a main attraction for anyone visiting Hanoi. There were virtually no cars or motorbike on the very wide roads surrounding the lake, which is an almost miraculous sight in this part of Hanoi and made it perfect for safe and relaxed strolls (a hard ask in any other part of the city). Be warned though that there are severe traffic jams in the immediate vicinity when you venture back out to the Old Quarter. The lake is beautiful and we paid a fee of around 30000 VTD to get onto the bridge and into the temple. Very tranquil view of the lights on the lake.

Beautiful lake with lots of seating to stop and enjoy the view. Cafes and cafes surround the lake and many have a lovely view. Saturdays & Sundays this turns into a walking street so you can easily walk around the lake and take in the sights & sounds. Enjoyable during the day & the evening!

Beautiful lake in the centre of Hanoi old district. Very peaceful to walk around. The bridge to the small island is fabulous. Lots of snack bars around for refreshments.

Very good place to relax. A lot of people in the morning, they come here for walking your pet, jogging, riding bicycles, chatting, and exercising. Must visit place for taking pictures and walking around. There are stores, restaurants, cafes, hotels, etc.

A symbiotic lake of Hanoi. We always have a nice walk around here when we visit Hanoi. In the weekend night, they often have events, and turned into walking street. We enjoyed the busy atmosphere, but calming at the same time in here. Really nice to have a walk in the early morning or late night.

Hoan Kiem Lake is perhaps one of the signature that makes up Hanoi. This lake holds a historical significance where it is believed that the Vietnamese King Lê Lợi returns a sword after borrowing it to fight off invaders. And now it is still very important as there are a lot of street events.

Nice place to walk. Shady throughout with big trees giving shade. Many locals, young and old, were there when I visited on 24 Oct 222 4pm. Some were walking their dogs too. Saw two couples taking their wedding photographs around the lake.

This place is amazing! We got here on a Friday night and they close the streets for cars and mopeds for the weekend so everyone could walk freely on the streets around the lake. During the day the place was realy nice but it seems like Hanoi cames alive at night. It is my first time in Hanoi and I am impressed with the good vibes and how friendly these people are!

Very beautiful scenery with the lake in the city. The nice park and walking path along the lake. You will enjoy with the scenery, nice weather as well as the local people dancing, jogging, talking to each other. Quite a relax experience here!

Was full of happy family groups and music and children chasing bubbles. Small eateries to stop by and an aerobic class in action to watch. There are tiny low plastic stools to sit on and watch the water. Pretty place.

Amazing place - my favourite place to spend time in Hanoi. Went for runs around it in the morning and there were so many local people also exercising (who smiled at me and waved). In the day time, students come and practise speaking English (by playing games or having conversations) with you which was adorable and a great way to learn more about Vietnam! In the evenings it’s packed with locals having ice cream and chatting. Recommend taking a stroll around at different times to take it all in

One of my favorite spots in Hanoi. Water, trees, coffee shops, ice cream - what else do you need on a hot summer day?? And the idea that the roads nearby get closed from traffic in the weekends should be more widespread in the city.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake- Hồ Gươm - Tả Vọng Lake ( Sword Lake ) is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 ha in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. More beautiful by night

After visiting this place for the first time, the scenery and restaurants were so good for me. I think I'll go there often in the future. I think it's such an attractive place.

Come here during the weekends. Roads are blocked off during weekends for food traffic. Area is clean and quiet in the early morning to bustling and exiting at night with tons of performers street vendors.