West Lake, Hanoi

by King_Golo
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Fisherman at the lakeshore

Ho Tay is Hanoi's biggest lake. According to a legend, it was created when a Chinese buffalo mistook the sound of a bell of a pagoda for its mother's voice and ran away, creating the lake by stepping into a small hollow... I'd say, it must have been a giant little buffalo!!!

Ho Tay is a vast area of water, situated in the Northwest of Hanoi. Some of the city's most expensive hotels are located there, the place to get the best coconut icecream (eaten out of a coconut) - located at the top end of the dike road between Truc Bach Lake and Ho Tay, a 3-storey icecream place -, the Highlands Coffee with its chill-out ship and many things more (e.g. pagodas!)... An afternoon is easily spent at Ho Tay, especially if you include a cruise with a tourist boat.
Btw, combining Ho Tay with a visit to the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is useful.

Address: Truc Bach street and around

Directions: Ho Tay area

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	West Lake: Tran Quoc Temple Tip Rating:

By dinhyen

on April 11, 2003

by dinhyen
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Chua Tran Quoc

This temple on West Lake is purportedly the first Buddhist temple in Vietnam. However it was closed when we visited.

Across the street from the temple is a good lakeside restaurant. Of note is the fact that the restaurant overlooks the lake from which former US presidential hopeful John McCain was rescued when he parachuted from his stricken aircraft during the Vietnam War.

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	West Lake: Walking along West Lake Tip Rating:

By munapong

on June 10, 2006

by munapong, 1 more photos
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Pagoda

Walking along West Lake - there are many street vendors selling cocunuts, drinks and offer photography services. The lake is big and u can take a swan ride if in the mood :P

Directions: I walk from Old Qtrs to West Lake - quite a distance but enjoy the walk which passed thru church, old shop houses, temple etc

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	West Lake: West Lake Tip Rating:

Updated By Ewingjr98

on April 27, 2004

by Ewingjr98, 4 more photos
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Having a Hanoi Beer at West
Lake

Massive West Lake is north of the Presidential Palace and west of Truc Bach Lake. Along the southern shore of West Lake there are several restaurant/bars from which you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water. The area around this lake is highly sought after and filled with modern hotels and expensive residences.

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	West Lake: West Lake Tip Rating:

Updated By 34N118W

on July 12, 2003

West Lake isn't as nice as Hoan Kiem Lake, but it's worth a visit. The best way to see it is to rent yourself a bike.

Directions: A short bike ride north of Hoan Kiem Lake.

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	West Lake: Tran Quoc Pagoda

Updated By tanamay

on June 22, 2008

by tanamay
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Tran Quoc Pagoda

Located on an island on the West Lake is Tran Quoc (National Defense) Pagoda. The island can be reached via a short walk on a bridge from Thanh Nien Road. It is also callled the Twelve-Roofed pagoda. After visiting you can cross Thanh Nien Road and have a snack in any restaurant facing Tran Bach Lake.

Address: West Lake

Directions: west side of Thanh Nien Road

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	West Lake: Testing tip on West lake

on April 26, 2007

Lake view

by nguyenkhanhduy
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The west lake is big and it has a nice walking path. You can enjoy the sunset here in the summer, on a boat restaurant or from a cafe nearby.

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	West Lake: Tran Quoc Pagoda

Updated By shrimp56

on January 22, 2004

by shrimp56
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This beautiful pagoda is situated on an island in West Lake connected to the shore with a small bridge. It is a surprisingly big complex --and *almost* possible to get lost there! Don't be afraid to explore though as there is a second row of altars tucked way at the back

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	West Lake: Tran Quoc Pagoda

Updated By sunnywong

on November 15, 2002

by sunnywong
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Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Unlike other ordinary pagodas, the Tran Quoc Pagoda was built behind the worshipping shrine followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry.

Directions: Located beside the dazzling West Lake in Hanoi.

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	West Lake: Ho Tay (West Lake)

Updated By leffe3

on February 22, 2006

by leffe3, 1 more photos
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To the north of the old quarter is the enormous Ho Tay. Pretty it ain't, surrounded as it is by residential quarters of various ages and exclusiveness (it has a shoreline of 13kms). The lake was the setting for various palaces and pavillions, all of which have been destroyed by various feudal wars.

But is has become something of a recreational spot, there are the two pagodas (see previous tips), there are a couple of new (western style) cafes open on the main road and you can take these rather ugly swans out on a pedalo trip if so inspired....