Day Trip in Hanoi: Strolling Around Ho Tay Lake...

Ho Tay Lake (also known as West Lake) is the biggest freshwater lake in Hanoi. This time, we decided to do a leisurely stroll around Ho Tay Lake, completing it in one day while stopping enroute at cafes and breweries around the lake…

9:30am – Highlands Coffee Floating Boat Cafe Truc Bach Lake

Highlands Coffee Floating Boat Cafe Truc Bach Lake Review

Views of Truc Bach Lake from Highlands Coffee Floating Cafe

We started our day with a breakfast at an unique Highlands Coffee – a floating boat cafe off Truc Bach Lake! Here, we were able to enjoy views at level 2 of Highlands Coffee Boat Cafe and also nibble on a chicken banh mi as well as a coffee with condensed milk – all for just 88k VND (or $5 SGD!)

You may also like: Highlands Coffee Review: Floating Boat Cafe at Truc Bach Lake

After leaving Highlands Coffee, we saw an old lady selling a bunch of balloons by the road side. As there was “Lotso” (commonly known as “Strawberry Bear”), we decided to get a Lotso balloon for 50k VND ($3 SGD). It was relatively affordable compared to SG standards. Hence, we did not haggle on the price…

Lotso Balloon bought from Aunty Ho Tay Lake Hanoi at 50k VND or $3 SGD

We also took some photos of the pathways around Ho Tay Lake (West Lake). Most of them were relatively walkable with paths. There could be areas outside shops where there are motorbikes parked or simply because the pathway becomes too narrow. Otherwise, there were actually paths and even parks built right next to Ho Tay Lake as we walked…

Paths and Parks around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Paths that suddenly become very narrow around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Paths that force you to walk on roads due to motor bikes parked on pavement around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

12:15pm – Tree Bee Coffee Hanoi

Entrance of Tree Bee Coffee Hanoi Review

Hexagonal Beehive-like seats at roof top of Tree Bee Coffee Hanoi!

Roof top of Tree Bee Coffee overlooking Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Around 12:15pm, we arrived at Tree Bee Coffee Hanoi. The unique part about this cafe is that at its roof top, there are actually hexagonal beehive-like structures as seats! There are also seats that over looks Ho Tay Lake, unblocked. Probably one of the best views from a roof top cafe around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi. From here, you can also see, what the locals call, a “monstrosity” – a large skyscraper built right on the edge of Ho Tay Lake. It will be obvious when you see it.

You may also like: Tree Bee Coffee Hanoi Review: Didn’t know Cafes could be THIS elaborate…

Along the way to our next destination, we also saw several interesting sights including the West Lake Water Dragons and even a goat roaming around the city…

West Lake Water Dragons Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Abandoned Floating Restaurant Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Short cut across the Ho Tay Lake Hanoi which we should have taken

Same short cut with people fishing at Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Goat roaming through the streets around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi

Enroute, we walked past a short cut that we should have taken, an abandoned floating restaurant on Ho Tay Lake as well as a couple of beautiful cafes (Windmill Coffee / Santorini Vibes). We even saw a goat roaming the streets, garnering attention as it rummaged through a garbage area – inspiring our most viewed TikTok video yet!

@2bearbeartravel Saw a goat strolling as we visited #tayholake in #hanoi For more details, visit 2bearbear.com for more travel ideas today! #2bearbear #travel #hanoi #vietnam #animal #animals #goat #goats #goatsoftiktok #tiktokholidays ♬ motorcycle dududu – FUNNY

We were originally wondering why the language app, Duolingo would teach sentences such as “The goat is at the ferris wheel”. Both the goat and the ferris wheel can be found in Hanoi – perhaps that’s why 🤔

3:00pm Turtle Lake Brewing Company

Turtle Lake Brewing Company Hanoi Review

First Leap Lager (60k VND) and Trans Pale Ale (70k VND) from Turtle Lake Brewing Company Hanoi

Table shuffleboard and pool table at Turtle Lake Brewing Company Hanoi

At about 3pm, we headed to Turtle Lake Brewing Company for our afternoon tea. We enjoyed the Trans Pale Ale as well as the Home Made Chips along with its cheesy dip. Even the onion ring that came along with the Brewer’s Burger was fresh and crisp. Before we left, we also got to play a couple of games on the indoor shuffleboard. It was a draw.

You may also like: Turtle Lake Brewing Company Hanoi Review: Great food and Table ShuffleBoard next to Ho Tay Lake

4:30pm – 7 Bridges Brewing Company

Beers on tap at 7 Bridges Brewing Company Hanoi

Hai Van Haze (Hazy IPA) and the Sunset Tangerine (Wheat Beer) at 7 Bridges Brewing Company with complimentary popcorn

Although 7 Bridges Brewing Company seems to be a relatively small premise as compared to Pasteur Street Brewing Company in Hanoi, it has some of the best craft beers we’ve had in Hanoi. We’ve already tried the Imperial IPA as well as the Dragon IPA at Standing Bar and were looking to try out the other beers on tap. This time, our favourite was the Hazy IPA with its hoppy aromatic goodness. Sunset Tangerine reminded us of 1664 Blanc. You’ll also be able to get good views of the Ho Tu Lien Lake on the other side of 7 Bridges Brewing Company. Check out the daily deals – Standard Mondays and Stein Sundays are probably are favourite!

You may also like: 7 Bridges Brewing Company Review: One of the Top Craft Beer Tap Rooms in Hanoi!

5:30pm – Maison Marou Tay Ho

Maison Marou Hanoi Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Merchandise

Check out the pastries, especially the Mug Mousse from Maison Marou Hanoi

While heading towards our next stop at Hanoi Cider House, we chanced upon Maison Marou Tay Ho, the chocolatier’s second outlet in Hanoi. Truth be told, we were enticed to enter by not only its “chocolate factory” within but because of the pastries! Can you see how intricate the Mug Mousse pastry is?

You may also like: Maison Marou Tay Ho Pictorial Review: Artisanal Chocolates in Hanoi

6:30pm – Hanoi Cider House

Mulled Wine and Mango Cider from Hanoi Cider House

Hanoi Cider House - Hanoi Cider House Chargrilled Chicken (1/4 Chicken Thigh) with mash & chicken gravy and coriander sauce (180k VND) — Hanoi Cider House – Hanoi Cider House Chargrilled Chicken (1/4 Chicken Thigh) with mash & chicken gravy and coriander sauce (180k VND)

Hanoi Cider House - 24 hr Slow Cooked Ribs (1/2 Rack) with gold mustard BBQ , flatbread and corn (340k VND) — Hanoi Cider House – 24 hr Slow Cooked Ribs (1/2 Rack) with gold mustard BBQ , flatbread and corn (340k VND)

For our last stop around Ho Tay Lake Hanoi, we had our dinner at Hanoi Cider House. Hanoi Cider House is not only well known for its craft ciders but its grills are also legendary! This time, we had the 24 hr Slow Cooked Ribs (with its fall-off-the-bone chunk tender meat) and the Hanoi Cider House Chargrilled Chicken (with its tender and juicy grilled tastes) and were thoroughly satisfied. If we were craving for BBQ in Hanoi, Hanoi Cider House would definitely be our top choice!

You may also like: Hanoi Cider House Review: Good Craft Ciders and Even Better Grills!

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We hope that this itinerary will inspire you to also take a trip round Ho Tay Lake – Hanoi’s biggest freshwater lake. You can plan many stops along the way, so don’t be too hampered by the distance to be covered. If you visit 7 Bridges Brewing Company along the way, do have a pint of Imperial IPA for us!

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