By aussiematesvietnam Lenin Park: A Green Oasis in Hanoi
G’day, fellow wanderers! Aussie Mates here, coming to you from the bustling streets of Hanoi where I’ve been lucky enough to call home for nearly two decades now. Tracy and I stumbled upon this gem of a city back in the early 2000s and never quite found the heart to leave. Today, I want to share with you one of our favourite local haunts – Lenin Park – a proper green sanctuary right in the heart of this mad, beautiful city.
[IMAGE:lenin-park-entrance]
After 20 years in Vietnam, you’d think the heat might become more bearable, but crikey, some days it still knocks me for six! That’s why spots like Lenin Park have become such an important part of our Hanoi life – offering a much-needed breather from the chaos and concrete that defines much of this amazing city.
A Bit of History
Let’s wind back the clock a bit. Lenin Park, or Công Viên Lê Nin as the locals call it, was established in the 1980s and named after the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. The centerpiece of the park is a sizeable bronze statue of the bloke himself, looking rather serious as he gazes out across the greenery. It’s a nod to the historical ties between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union.
The park spans about 50,000 square meters, which makes it one of the larger green spaces in Hanoi. Before you scoff at the size (I know, my fellow Aussies, we’re used to sprawling parks), remember that in a densely packed city like Hanoi, this is practically a wilderness!
[IMAGE:lenin-statue]
Location and How to Get There
You’ll find Lenin Park in Hai Ba Trung District, nestled between Dien Bien Phu Street and Tran Nhan Tong Street. For those of you planning a visit, it’s dead easy to reach. Tracy and I usually walk there from the Old Quarter, which takes about 25-30 minutes – a bit of a trek in the heat, I’ll admit, but you get to see plenty of local life along the way.
If walking isn’t your cup of tea (fair dinkum, especially during summer), grab a Grab taxi (Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber) or hop on one of the local buses. Numbers 8, 31, and 36 will get you pretty close to the park. Just show the driver “Công Viên Lê Nin” on your phone, and they’ll know where to drop you.
What’s to See and Do
Now for the good stuff – what exactly can you do at Lenin Park? Heaps, as it turns out!
Early mornings are a ripper time to visit. From about 5:30 AM, the park transforms into an outdoor gym for the locals. You’ll see elderly folks practicing tai chi, middle-aged women doing aerobics to blasting music, and blokes my age stretching their creaky joints. Tracy and I often join in for a morning constitutional – nothing gets you going quite like watching 70-year-old Vietnamese women showing more flexibility than you’ve had since your twenties!
[IMAGE:morning-exercises]
The lake in the center of the park is a serene spot for a stroll. On weekends, you can rent a paddleboat for about 40,000 VND (roughly $2.50 AUD) for half an hour. Fair warning though, steering these things isn’t as easy as it looks – Tracy and I once spent most of our time going in circles and laughing our heads off while local teenagers watched in amusement.
There’s also a small amusement park within Lenin Park that’s a hit with the kids. It’s nothing flash by Australian standards – think basic rides and carnival games – but the joy on the local kiddies’ faces is worth seeing.
The Local Experience
What makes Lenin Park special isn’t the facilities – it’s the people-watching. This is where Hanoians come to live their lives in public, something that’s deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture.
During my time here, I’ve witnessed everything from elaborate wedding photoshoots to intense games of Vietnamese chess (co tuong) played by old blokes who could give Bobby Fischer a run for his money. Tracy’s favorite pastime is watching the dance groups that practice everything from traditional Vietnamese dances to hip-hop routines.
One of our most memorable moments was joining an impromptu dance class led by a group of retirees. Picture this: two middle-aged Aussies trying to follow Vietnamese dance moves while a crowd forms around us, cheering and taking photos. Embarrassing? Absolutely. But these are the moments that make travel worthwhile, aren’t they?
[IMAGE:local-dancers]
Food and Refreshments
If you get peckish during your visit, you’re in luck. Around the park’s perimeter, you’ll find plenty of street food vendors selling Vietnamese snacks. My go-to is the banh mi from a lady who sets up near the southern entrance – for 25,000 VND (about $1.50 AUD), you get a crispy baguette stuffed with pork, pate, and fresh herbs. Beaut!
For something sweet, try the che (sweet soup) stalls. Tracy’s partial to che ba ba, a coconut-based dessert with taro, sweet potato, and tapioca pearls. It sounds odd to the Australian palate, but trust me, it’s a treat.
There are also plenty of cafes around the park if you fancy a proper sit-down. Vietnamese coffee is something else – strong enough to put hairs on your chest and sweet enough to make your dentist wince if you go for the condensed milk version.
[IMAGE:street-food-vendors]
Best Time to Visit
Hanoi’s weather can be a bit of a mongrel – sweltering in summer and surprisingly chilly in winter. The sweet spot for visiting Lenin Park is either spring (February to April) or autumn (September to November) when temperatures are more reasonable.
That said, each season offers something different. Summer evenings bring out families escaping their air-con-less apartments, while winter mornings show a more contemplative side of the park with mist rising off the lake.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, be prepared for crowds. Vietnamese families turn out in force, especially on Sunday afternoons. It can get pretty hectic, but that’s part of the charm – you’re experiencing Hanoi as the locals do.
Practical Tips
- Entrance to the park is free – beauty!
- Public toilets are available but bring your own tissue just in case.
- Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a fair bit of walking.
- The park is generally safe, but keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas (good practice anywhere in the world).
- Bring water, especially in summer. Hanoi’s humidity is no joke.
- Don’t forget your camera – there are some ripper photo opportunities!
Final Thoughts
Lenin Park might not feature on many tourist itineraries for Hanoi, which is precisely why you should visit. While Hoan Kiem Lake gets all the glory (and the crowds), Lenin Park offers a more authentic slice of daily Hanoi life.
Tracy and I have spent countless weekends here, watching the seasons change both in nature and in the activities of the locals. It’s become our barometer for life in Hanoi – a place where we can take the pulse of this ever-changing city.
So if you find yourself in Hanoi and need a break from temple-hopping and Old Quarter haggling, do yourself a favor and spend a few hours at Lenin Park. Grab a coffee, find a bench, and just soak it all in. Sometimes the most memorable travel experiences come from these simple moments of connection with everyday life in a foreign land.
Until next time, mates – Aussie Mates signing off