Yes you absolutely can cycle around West Lake in Hanoi and it’s a fantastic few hours of exercise and magnificent scenery and to prove it, here is my story…
We rented bicycles so that we could travel around Hanoi at our own pace. Bicyclists in Hanoi love this 17-kilometer (11-mile) loop around West Lake because it’s flat and scenic.
While strolling around the lakeside, taking in the beautiful view of Hanoi from the water, we’ll see numerous famous temples, including the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam’s oldest, and opulent villas.
If you’re planning a bike ride in Westlake, you should definitely stop and watch the spectacular sunset over the horizon while the residents go fishing and swimming. Additionally, families with young children or those with less stamina will find this route to be a great option.
This easy and flat route is perfect for recreational cyclists looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s busy streets.
Hanoi’s largest lake is West Lake, which can be found in the city’s northwestern section and boasts a shoreline of approximately 18 kilometers and a water area of 500 hectares.
Nice landscapes and various historical and cultural sites of Hanoi and Vietnam can be found right by the water, including the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, Quan Thanh Temple (one of Hanoi’s four sacred temples), Nghi Tam Village (famous for its silkworm, bonsai, and ornamental fish trade), and Nhat Tan Village (famous for its flower-planting trade).
The increasing popularity of cycling around the lake has resulted in a proliferation of bicycle rental shops in the neighborhood, with weekday rates starting at VND40,000 ($1.75) and weekend rates starting at VND50,000 ($2.2).
Westlake Village Bike Rentals
All customers, regardless of age or stature, will be able to choose a suitable bicycle among the rental fleet’s many options. Lighter than standard bicycles, they enable riders to swiftly cover great distances and a wide variety of terrain.
It’s not necessary for many individuals to purchase a bike, say the proprietors of local bike rental businesses, because they can just borrow one on an as-needed basis.
Weekly, each shop leases out anything from sixty to eighty bicycles. The number of available bicycles increases to one hundred on weekends, but that’s still not enough to meet demand.
As the Covid-19 outbreak spreads through Hanoi, locals of all ages are getting some exercise by riding their bikes around the West Lake in a relatively risk-free environment. A picture of Quang Tim
Many people, from kids to grandparents, office professionals to CEOs and retirees all enjoy cycling as a recreational activity.
One of them, Hoang Anh, is an IT officer who frequently visits West Lake on weekends for coffee and sunsets with pals. He and his pals recently learned about the bike rental service and have been taking use of it to see more of the lake’s hidden beauty than they would have been able to on foot.
Another Academy of Journalism and Communication student, Thu Phuong, mentioned that she used to jog around West Lake for fitness purposes. She has switched to bicycling since it is more convenient for her to get around West Lake and because the rental charge is low.
The benefits of cycling for fat loss, muscular building (particularly in the legs), and stress relief (especially after a long day) are well-documented, and many people agree with Phuong. That its popularity quickly spread, especially among people who spend their days in an office.
The use of rental bicycles has become a popular activity among young people.
To pursue a common passion, some people join together to form bicycle clubs. They even wear cycling clothes like the Coureur de l’Air club.
One more way people can help the planet by riding is by commuting short distances instead of driving. There are groups of cyclists who don’t just ride around West Lake, but travel to other locations, to spread the word about the importance of lowering motorcycle use and increasing bicycle transportation.