Le Cong
Hanoi is a bustling city with millions of motorbikes, and sometimes I just need a place to relax and exercise. When I was a student at HUST (back in 2016), I spent a few months living in the university dormitory. That’s when I discovered Thong Nhat Park, a large green park just across the street from where I lived. Since then, I have been running and relaxing with my friends there for over 7 years. It’s definitely a great place to visit if you’re a nature lover.
Thong Nhat Park (Union Park) is a popular park located just 2 km away from the Hanoi Old Quarter. This park is much bigger than Dien Hong Flower Garden in the French Quarter. It covers an area of 50 hectares and features a large lake, beautiful gardens, and a variety of recreational activities, including cycling, jogging, and running. It is a perfect place to relax and have a picnic.
Admission to the park is free, though a parking spot costs around 8,000 VND for a motorbike and 5,000 VND for a bicycle. If traveling from the Old Quarter or French Quarter, it is recommended to use the Tran Nhan Tong gate as it is the nearest gate to visit. One of the great things about this park is that you can bring your pets here. On weekends, you can often see many cute dogs and cats. Local people also come here to play badminton and exercise. Additionally, there are street food events and book workshops offered on weekends that attract many young people.
The park comes to life at night with many dance clubs and music venues. Although there are some coffee shops around, note that it can be noisy due to the speakers from the dance clubs. Children may still be playing in the park during this time.
Established in 1958, Hanoi Thong Nhat Park is one of the largest parks in the capital, located on Tran Nhan Tong, Le Dai Hanh, and Hai Ba Trung streets. The park is adjacent to four streets, including Dai Co Viet, Tran Nhan Tong, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, and Le Duan, with Bay Mau Lake situated in the center. With its lush natural scenery, it serves as the “green lung of the Capital” and is an ideal place for locals and tourists to stroll and enjoy various activities on weekends.
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