West Lake, Hanoi : One way ticket to Paradise

February 2016 in Hanoi, Vietnam

West Lake. Small portion of the lake, approx 400 m x 300 m, “was separated by construction of a narrow dike in the 17th century to allow raising fish” (Wikipedia). That portion of the lake is called today Truc Bach Lake and the dike is today a road or as I call it the bridge. (Btw, this is the lake where John McCain landed after being shot down during Vietnam war.)

No matter where you are in Hanoi you’re never far from a lake, some lake, as Hanoi is the city of lakes (and two rivers). And the largest of them all is West Lake.

The lake is located some 15 – 20 minute walk North West from the Old Quarters and its shore length is approx 17 km (10.6 miles).

The residential area around the lake is popular with expats and therefore was a top priority on my must-see-list (always on a lookout for a new home).

On my third or fourth day, after the morning of sightseeing other parts of town, I found myself by Ho Chi Minh mausoleum – a stone’s throw from the lake. It was as good a time as any for the West Lake exploration. I went to the bridge which I chose as my starting point and began walking.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

But I didn’t get very far though. Not even pass the bridge which is some 500 meters long (pure guess).

Right in the middle of the bridge, on a tiny island, there was the most amazing (and oldest in Hanoi) Buddhist temple. I had to stop and shoot. And a miracle happened … just then and only then the Buddhists gods heard my prayers for better weather .. for the solid gray sky began to crack… only for a few minutes… but it was enough to make my day. For the first time since my arrival, I got a few shots with the sky not entirely solid gray.

There were tons of activities by the temple. Street vendors and fishermen looking for ‘a very special catch’

The bridge appeared to be a popular spot for both visitors and locals, even more so in the evenings. Besides the bumper to bumper traffic (or rather tire to tire) there were plenty of pedestrians and many cafes/restaurants, both stationary and makeshift. There were also two swan-boat rentals should one fancy to cruise the lake.

Once I was done shooting the Buddhist temple, I got back on the bridge and stopped for a while just to take a look, then another one. I could visually grasp the entire lake. From shore to shore. From top to bottom. From left to right. Seventeen kilometers? Hmm. Sure I can make it. Right? Right. I will walk around the entire lake… and I began walking.

There are turtles in the lake. The fishermen (or is it turtlemen?)) and women are fishing for turtles which you can buy alive.

But once again I got stopped. This time by the amazing views Intercontinental hotel. I stopped to shoot. The hotel was located right on the lake. There was another small lake nearby and the two of them together are creating the impression of a floating hotel. Quite a scene, even the gray sky didn’t bother me, on the contrary, it gave more flavor and spirituality to the ambiance. (I am not sponsored by the hotel – the views were truly amazing ;))

By the time I got back on the road it was getting late. There was not enough time to round the lake, and I didn’t want to walk in the dark. I had no other choice but to walk back home …

Bus no 31 took me directly back to the Intercontinental from this stop.

… Only to resume my walk a few days later. Took a bus, local bus, to Intercontinental and continued my walk from there.

The weather was fantastic; the streets were packed with joyful people, kids everywhere, everybody was happy and dressed in their Sunday best. The route was more exciting and with more photo ops than I could ever hope for. For unbeknownst to me there were many ancient temples and pagodas on my route, and above all …

… it was Tet .. and Lunar New Year celebration.

My 10 mile walk around the West Lake

Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi is located in the middle of the bridge

Trấn Quốc Pagoda

The Hanoi Club on the other end of the bridge

Intercontinental Hotel, West Lake

View from Intercontinental Hotel, West Lake

Sunset bar at the Intercontinental

View from Intercontinental Hotel, West Lake

Tet Celebrations, Tay Ho Pagoda, one of the most popular destinations and not only during Tet

Tet Celebrations, Tay Ho Pagoda. Perfect location, right on the lake

Gifts for gods

All gifts, food, flowers, (fake) money, were nicely wrapped by worshipers before they were offered to gods

What’s in the stars for me? I bet this guy knows.

Juicer. Bamboo shoot juice.

Crowds, crowds, crowds. On foot …

.. and on wheels

The Republic, popular bar on the lake

Another lovely looking place. Sumvilla

You may think you’re in Amsterdam or Nyhavn in Copenhagen

There are plenty of coffee shops along the way

Home Sweet Home? Met many fishermen on the way …

… just wondering what they are fishing for. The lake is extremely polluted. The redfish were alive. They cannot, however, be eatable, can they?

So serene

Isn’t this view just sublime?

This was the strangest stretch of the road, in a nice way. It literally went on water and continued for some 2-3 kilometers

At the end of that road, there was a water park, Ferris wheel, and ‘miracle garden’

Hanoian ‘miracle garden’ is not quite in parity with the one in Dubai 😉

More lovely cafes

West Lake Twin Dragons

This beautiful ancient Van Nien Pagoda was packed with worshipers

Van Nien Pagoda

This coffee shop was my favorite

and there of course, on a day like that, was ‘Love in the air’

… and then some more

Back where I started. Hundreds of swan-boats ready for the summer. Already saw few adventurers during my walk. Ride in the Lake can be however hazardous experience as the lake is extremely polluted.