Top 10 Beautiful and Famous Lakes in Hanoi

1. Ho Guom (Hoan Kiem Lake)

When it comes to beautiful and famous lakes in Hanoi, first and foremost, we must mention Ho Guom or Hoan Kiem Lake. It holds not only historical significance with the legend of Le Loi returning the sword but also an integral part of the city's life and spirit, symbolizing the millennium of Hanoi's cultural heritage. Its gentle and poetic beauty has inspired numerous writers, poets, and photographers, both locally and globally. Hoan Kiem Lake spans approximately 12 hectares and is considered the heart of Trang An land. Within the lake, there is Ngoc Son Temple and Turtle Tower, unique features that deeply resonate with the people of the capital, even when far away.

Hoan Kiem Lake is situated in the city center, surrounded by three streets: Hang Khay - Le Thai To - Dinh Tien Hoang. Formerly known by various names such as Luc Thuy Lake (Green Water Lake) or Thuy Quan Lake (Military Water Lake, as it used to be a training ground for water soldiers), the lake was later renamed Hoan Kiem (Returning Sword) in the 15th century, closely tied to the legend of returning the precious sword to the Golden Turtle of King Le Thai To. Hoan Kiem Lake serves as a gathering place, an ideal meeting point in all seasons: vibrant with cherry blossoms and traditional festivals in spring; refreshing with cool breezes during the summer; enchanting with willow branches in the misty autumn; and adorned with golden leaves and drizzling raindrops in winter.

2. Truc Bach Lake

Truc Bach Lake in Ba Dinh district was originally part of West Lake but is located in the southeast of the city. According to the book 'West Lake Records,' Truc Bach Lake dates back to the 17th century. During the Trinh Lords' era, a palace was built on the southern part of the lake as a retreat, called Truc Lam Monastery. A few years later, the palace became a prison for concubines with offenses. The concubines had to weave silk to earn a living, and their famous silk was called 'Truc Village Silk.' In Chinese characters, 'Bach' means silk, so the lake was named Truc Bach. Truc Bach Lake is also a tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors. Around the lake, you can not only see modern Hanoi with skyscrapers embracing the lake but also witness historical landmarks. There, you will experience an ancient Hanoi with its heroic history, ancient temples, pagodas, and tombs still intact with traditional cultural value.

Most tourists visiting Hanoi often explore Truc Bach Lake because of the many historical relics and unique architectural structures around the lake. In the southwest corner, there is Quan Thanh Temple (Thanh Nien Street), one of the Four Sacred Temples; in the east, there are Thien Quang Pagoda (Ngu Xa Street) and Chau Long Pagoda (Chau Long Street) built since the Tran dynasty, where Princess Khiet Co - the daughter of King Tran Nhan Tong (1279 - 1293) practiced Buddhism. In the northeast, there is An Tri Temple (Pho Duc Chinh Street), dedicated to Uy Do - a hero who led the people to resist the Nguyen invaders. On a small island in the north of the lake, there is a stone stele telling the story of the Cau Nhi Temple. When touring Truc Bach Lake, visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee at the lakeside cafes, row a boat, pedal a swan boat to admire the lake, or stroll along Thanh Nien Street shaded by flamboyant trees and purple phoenix flowers to immerse themselves in the tranquility of the lake and the sky.

West Lake, formerly known by various names such as Corpse Reservoir, Golden Buffalo Lake, Lang Bac, Dam Dam, and Doai Lake, is the largest natural lake within Hanoi's city limits. Each name is associated with different legends. West Lake is enchanting not only for its vast water surface, the purple color of phoenix flowers, and the red flamboyant blossoms in summer, but also for the melancholy atmosphere, the rows of willow trees swaying in the winter breeze. West Lake is like a compassionate friend, listening to the joys and sorrows of countless people. It can be said that West Lake is the most romantic corner in the colorful painting of Hanoi, a world of purity, freedom, and dreams. Therefore, it has always been an endless source of inspiration for poets, writers, and artists, with numerous songs and poems touching the hearts of many.

West Lake has long been a famous scenic spot in Hanoi. It is rumored to be a part of the Red River in the past that remains when the river changed its course. The lake has a width of up to 500 hectares, a perimeter of 18 km, making it the largest lake within Hanoi's inner city. Moreover, around the lake, there are 61 pagodas, temples, shrines, and palaces that are famous spiritual and tourist destinations, especially places like Tran Quoc Pagoda, Tay Ho Palace, and entertainment areas such as West Lake Water Park, Flower Valley, and the palaces of ancient kings used as resorts and entertainment venues. This has made West Lake a popular sightseeing destination not only for Hanoi residents but also for domestic and international tourists.

Halais Lake, also known as Thiền Quang Lake, is located in Hai Ba Trung District, surrounded by Tran Binh Trong, Tran Nhan Tong, Quang Trung, and Nguyen Du streets. Three sacred temples face Halais Lake, which is situated in front of the main gate of Thong Nhat Park. Thiền Quang Lake is surrounded by Tran Binh Trong, Tran Nhan Tong, Quang Trung, and Nguyen Du streets, covering an area of approximately 5.6 hectares. This area is famous for rows of milkwood flowers in the autumn. Thiền Quang translates to 'enlightened meditation,' referring to the light of meditation, named after the Thiền Quang village. With rows of ancient trees providing shade along the lake, Halais Lake is an ideal spot for Hanoians on hot summer afternoons. The lake is particularly famous for the fragrant milkwood flowers that bloom in abundance during autumn.

In the 1831 map of Hanoi, the lake was called Lien Thuy and was larger than it is today. It bordered the current Yết Kiêu Street to the west, encroached on the position of Nguyen Binh Khiem Street to the east, reached Trần Quốc Toản Street to the north, and connected to Bẩy Mẫu Lake to the south. Around the lake, there were villages like Lien Thuy to the north and west, Thiền Quang to the southeast (at the beginning of Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street), Quang Hoa to the southwest, and Phap Hoa to the south. Flower gardens and small hygiene areas were built around the lake with stone benches for people to sit and relax while enjoying the scenery. Along Tran Binh Trong Street, there are three temples: Thiền Quang, Quang Hoa, and Phap Hoa, located side by side.

Seven Maidens Lake is situated within Thong Nhat Park, surrounded by the streets Dai Co Viet and Le Duan. With a lake area of about 28 hectares, it features two islands in the middle. The Thong Nhat Island is like a vibrant flower garden with lively colors, contrasting with the other island, Hoa Binh, which is a tranquil place suitable for relaxation. Each island has an area of about 600m2. Similar to other lakes in the city center, Seven Maidens Lake serves as a green lung amidst the urban landscape, surrounded by a spacious and refreshing park. Here, you can not only admire the pure beauty of the lake but also participate in recreational activities within the park, lying on the green sunlit grass while enjoying the bustling city view, capturing beautiful moments blending with nature.

The lake has two islands; Thong Nhat Island is a flower garden connected by a bridge to the gate near Le Duan Street. On the other hand, Hoa Binh Island, located near the eastern shore, offers a cool and peaceful atmosphere for those seeking rest. To reach the island, you need to use a boat. The lake is slightly south of the central area of Hanoi, within the Hai Ba Trung District. To the south, it is adjacent to Dai Co Viet Street; to the southeast and east, it is bordered by Van Ho III Street leading to Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. To the north, it borders Thong Nhat Park, and to the west, it is limited by Le Duan Street. Across the street is Ba Mau Lake. According to ancient maps from the Hong Duc period, at the southern end of Seven Maidens Lake, there was an outlet to the Kim Nguu River, called Lam Khang sluice, now referred to as Nam Khang. The lake is always lively, especially during the mornings and evenings when many people come for a walk.

Linh Dam Lake, established in Hoang Mai district east of Thanh Tri Bridge in 1810. Originally named after Dong Anh and Soc Son districts, on May 12, 1820, during the reign of Gia Long, it was renamed Linh Dam Lake and became part of Hai Ba Trung district before the Dinh dynasty. Linh Dam Lake is situated amidst the modern Linh Dam urban area and the Linh Dam peninsula. Serving as an air regulator for the urban area, along with well-planned luxurious villas, it creates a charming landscape that captivates hearts. The modern Linh Dam urban area was once considered one of the most desirable places to live in Hanoi.

Linh Dam Lake covers an approximate water surface area of over 73 hectares, forming a U-shaped lake around the Linh Dam peninsula, with numerous amusement parks and dense greenery, creating a remarkably fresh atmosphere. Linh Dam Lake features an island, Phu Linh Dam, a historical site dedicated to worshiping the Nguyen kings and Tôn Quyền. Ancient tomb inscriptions in Han script, dating back to the 18th century, are present. Phu Linh Dam is a pagoda located on Linh Dam Island, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi. It serves as a memorial site for Tran Hung Dao, including the worship of King Tôn Quyền. The Han-script poem inscriptions at the memorial site of Tôn Quyền were initiated in the 18th century.

Van Lake, also known as Giam Lake, is situated on Quoc Tu Giam Street in Dong Da district, covering a relatively small area of about 12,000 m2. It is located in front of the Van Mieu historical site, serving as a miniature Ming dynasty avenue for the architectural complex. In the middle of the lake stands Kim Chau mound, where literary and poetic sessions of ancient scholars took place. Van Lake is an integral part of the shared architectural structure of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, symbolizing the nation's historical devotion to learning and serving as a famous cultural and tourist destination in the capital city of Hanoi for a thousand scholarly years. Despite being an inseparable part of the special national historical site of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, in recent years, activities at Van Lake have been scarce. It is typically vibrant only during the Lunar New Year and spring when activities such as calligraphy, poetry competitions, etc., take place. On regular days and during the summer, the area seems to lack prominent activities and attracts very few visitors.

Recently, to promote the value of the historical site, Van Mieu has collaborated with relevant units to organize various activities after a period of inactivity. During the summer months, Van Lake - Van Mieu organized the 'Young Scholars' program, featuring fun activities and drawing competitions for children. As a result, in addition to families with young children, the place has begun to attract international tourists who come to visit and experience traditional folk games. Moreover, many kindergartens and primary schools in Hanoi and neighboring provinces have brought student groups here for collective recreational activities. Additionally, the area hosts experiential activities for children as part of the 'Young Scholars' summer program. This is beneficial, providing a playground for children to engage in traditional folk games instead of spending too much time on electronic devices.

Thu Le Lake (formerly known as Linh Lang Lake, named after the deity worshiped at the Elephant Temple, one of the four guardian temples of Thang Long), with a spacious area of 8.7 hectares, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi. The lake is surrounded by many hotels and high-rise buildings. In the middle of the lake is a large strip of land shaped like a teardrop, hence the name Thu Le, implying holding tears inside. The lake is located in Thu Le Park, a favorite sightseeing spot for children as it houses many wild animals that are nurtured and preserved. The lake was once famous for its hundreds of years old ancient trees surrounding the area, but later, when the elevated railway was built, these trees were relocated to another location.

Thu Le Lake is one of the beautiful lakes in Hanoi, adjacent to Kim Ma and Nguyen Van Ngoc streets, near the Deawoo Hotel, within the premises of Thu Le Park. Inside the park, there is a large lake, and in the middle of the lake is an oval-shaped strip of land. This lake originally belonged to the ancient Thu Le village, also known as Linh Lang Lake, named after the deity worshiped at the Elephant Temple. Legend has it that the deity Linh Lang played a role in resisting foreign invaders during the Ly dynasty, so the villagers here worshiped and revered him. Nowadays, Thu Le Lake is one of the tourist attractions in the capital city of Hanoi, especially during the summer for young visitors.

Ngoc Khanh Lake is one of Hanoi's public recreational spots, attracting a considerable number of people daily for sightseeing and relaxation. Ngoc Khanh Lake (Ba Dinh district) is one of the wide and airy lakes in the capital. In recent times, it has undergone renovations with the lakebed dredged, Pham Huy Thong Street around the lake upgraded, and the sidewalks paved with bricks, ensuring sturdy retaining walls. Numerous green trees planted around the lake create a picturesque landscape, making it an ideal place for citizens, especially the elderly, to take leisurely strolls.

Located in Ngoc Khanh ward, Ba Dinh district, surrounded by Nguyen Chi Thanh and Pham Huy Thong streets, Ngoc Khanh Lake serves as a green lung, reducing the heat during hot summer days. When visiting Ngoc Khanh Lake, you have a variety of cafes and entertainment spots to choose from, attracting young people for decades. The environmental landscape around Ngoc Khanh Lake is truly one of the city's gems, a destination for both local and distant travelers...

Thanh Cong Lake, covering nearly 6 hectares, is situated in Indira Gandhi Park, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi. The lake boasts clear water and serves as an ideal exercise spot for residents living around the area. Recently, Thanh Cong Lake has become the focus of public attention due to a proposal by a business to fill a part of the lake for resettlement construction. Viewed from above, the lake appears picturesque with its clear water and attractive surrounding landscape. Thanh Cong Lake is not only a place for walking and sightseeing but also contributes to the fresh air in the capital.

Thanh Cong Lake is close to O Cho Dua ward and to the west of Kim Ma ward. Established on August 21, 1990, within Indira Gandhi Park in Thanh Cong ward, the lake was later incorporated into O Cho Dua ward on September 4, 1990. Thanh Cong Lake is located to the west of Tay Ho district since 1998. Many Hanoi residents used to visit Indira Gandhi Park to admire Thanh Cong Lake, especially during the spring season. Thanh Cong Lake borders on the lake in Dong Da district, near the entrance to Dong Da alley close to the lake.