West Lake is bordered by many significant places in the history of Hanoi and Vietnam.
Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, was built in the 6th century and is located on a small island in the middle of the lake. West Lake is also the biggest freshwater lake northwest of the center of Hanoi.
This is the largest lake of the capital, and a popular place for recreation due to the many surrounding gardens, hotels and villas.