Hoàn Kiếm Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is a beautiful and peaceful oasis right in the heart of busy Hanoi. Especially in the early morning or in the evening, the atmosphere is truly special, with locals exercising, walking, and enjoying the surroundings. The small Ngoc Son Temple on the lake adds a lot of charm and is perfect for photos. It’s an ideal place to relax, experience local life, and take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle. A must-visit when in Hanoi!

Hoàn Kiếm Lake is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in Hà Nội, where daily life, history, and culture come together. I had heard and read about this lake for years in textbooks and literature, so visiting it for the first time felt especially meaningful. While many people enjoy visiting at night, when the area becomes lively with shows and street activities, my personal favorite time is early in the morning. In the morning, the lake feels closer to its original spirit. The air is cooler, the surroundings are quiet, and everything slows down. Locals gather to walk, exercise, practice tai chi, or simply sit by the water and watch the city wake up. It’s peaceful and gentle, yet still very poetic. You can still feel the rhythm of Hà Nội, but in a much softer way. The city isn’t rushing yet; instead, it breathes calmly alongside the lake. Walking around Hoàn Kiếm in the morning offered me a special moment, a first encounter that felt calm, reflective, and deeply memorable.

A very nice outdoor area especially on Sunday as it was isolated from cars. People can walk and jog around the lake and in very nice weather. So lovely to see locals interacting with their loved ones.

Such a magic place to visit, perfect for a casual walk after a feed or even to get some exercise in. Seeing the locals exercise around the lake gives you a feeling of happiness and calm. It's truely beautiful ✨️❤️

Loved our morning stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake just around the old quarters. Beautiful view, fresh air, and plenty of space to walk as the paths are wider than the streets that most are used to. Came across a few runners, countless walking, and numerous couples, families, and friends opting for photography with this beautiful lake. Can't blame them! There is a bridge that requires some sort of entry fee to receive access but today we simply soaked in the experience. Locals clearly love to gather around this place too. A temple at the centre of the lake is within view. The greenery and garden surrounding the lake is so well taken care of. Saw several locals watering and caring for it during our stroll.

Beautiful lake and park for ppl to walk around! So chill and relaxing! Would be my favourite place if im staying in hanoi

Hoan Kiem Lake is wonderful both in the morning and at night, and each visit gives a different feeling. In the morning it’s peaceful, with locals doing tai chi and soft light on the water — a perfect way to start the day. At night it becomes lively and beautifully lit, with the red bridge glowing and people strolling everywhere. A simple but memorable highlight of Hanoi, worth walking around twice.

Ngoc Son Temple rests on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, offering a quiet escape from Hanoi's busy streets. Crossing the red bridge feels symbolic, leading into a space filled with incense, prayers, and calm. Watching locals stop to pray made the visit feel peaceful and deeply meaningful. And right outside Ngoc Son Temple, we treated ourselves to a Ngoc Son temple-shaped ice cream. Enjoying something cold by Hoan Kiem Lake felt like the perfect, simple ending to a peaceful visit.