Hello everyone! It’s Nga Hoang (@ngahoang0812). I am from Hanoi, Vietnam. Bitten by the storytelling bug at an early age, I have evolved from an avid listener of my tailor-grandfather’s exotic tales to a passionate travel writer and a hobbyist photographer. When not on assignment, I enjoy wandering aimlessly around the streets with my camera and capturing the odds and quirks of everyday life. I am very delighted to share my photo essay about the West Lake lifestyle in Hanoi with the Grryo community.
In a city that is built on lowlands between rivers, there is no shortage of waterfront retreats, and West Lake is up there with the best of them. It serves as a rare green lung amid the ever-growing concrete jungle, an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle. Once a sleepy north Hanoi suburb thronged with fishing villages, the West Lake, or Tay Ho neighbourhood, has been transformed into an area of urban cool. It offers all the elements of the cosmopolitan lifestyle that modern city dwellers hunger after, with the added benefit of a lakefront setting. It is not for nothing that royal families built summer retreats near its shores as long as 400 years ago. With its fresh air, scenic views and tranquil surroundings, it is very clear why. With a camera in hand, I’ve documented a juxtaposition of lifestyles and offer a glimpse into the lives of the people in the West Lake neighbourhood.
A group of kayakers gather around a pier overlooking the West Lake for a training session.
Young Vietnamese kayakers in matching tracksuits from the Hanoi Kayak Club take part in a training session for the national rowing team.
With sampling its waters being free of charge, an intriguing mix of retirees, young families and pets can be found taking a dip in the early morning and late afternoon.
As the oldest temple complex dating back more than 1500 years Tran Quoc Pagoda, which translates as The Guardian of the Nation, draws in large numbers of worshippers and visitors alike. It juts out over a small island near the east bank of Hanoi’s West Lake. The octagonal 6-sided brick tower is made up of 11 levels, with each level housing small white Buddha statues which represent several stages of the life of Buddha.
The ceramic dragon gates at the far end of the West Lake were initially set up to mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.
With water and the cityscape stretching as far as the eye can see, the West Lake acts as something of an urban beach for local residents.
Few places can compete with West Lake for a spot to soak up the sunset in Hanoi. This image depicts a sense of urban isolation in Hanoi.
The odd charm of West Lake is revealed in the almost ghost-like, worn-out ferris wheels at the Tay Ho water park that run intermittently. The ferris wheels were reflected off the water which was dotted with withering lotus flowers during winter times.
Secluded and idyllic, West Lake is as good a spot for fishing as it is for swimming. Fishing is quite well established as a favourite local pastime, but it is a real test of patience. Urban fishermen can be seen balancing themselves on stepping stones as they cast their bamboo poles out into the waters. They might spend a whole day under the baking sun and catch nothing.
A young diving enthusiast takes delight in diving off a high board at the semi-deserted Tay Ho water park.
If you’d like to view more of Nga’s work, you can find her on Instagram
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Thanks for sharing this, Nga! Excellent photos and story.
Great article, marvelous images. Thank you deeply for sharing, Nga!
Wonderful captures of life in West Lake. Thanks for taking us there Nga!