Army Hotel Hanoi Swimming Pool

The summer weather in Hanoi can be brutally hot and it is not uncommon for it to reach into the 90’s or surpass 100F (30C-40C). When I first arrived to Hanoi in May, 2015 I was searching for an outdoor pool  and a pool that I could lap swim.

I called various hotels and recreational facilities but they were either too far away, expensive or offered limited opening hours.

Fortunately, I read about Army Hotel Hanoi on an online forum and decided to check out the facilities to see if it would be suitable. After checking it out, I have returned many times to enjoy a nice swim. I would highly recommend it for anyone that is looking for a suitable outdoor swimming pool in Hanoi.

It is important to note that it can get really busy on the weekends starting around 3-6pm because a lot of locals come to the pool with their family. While there is nothing wrong with this, it makes swimming laps more challenging as you have to avoid splashing kids.

The weekdays are generally really quiet and it is not uncommon to have the pool to yourself. Locals usually avoid the pool during mid-day because they don’t like to be in direct sunlight. It is also a great place to go if you just want to lounge in the sun and soak up the sun.

Opening Hours

The pool is open from 6am-9:00pm, 7 days per week. This was the schedule as of May 2016 and may change without notice.

Cost

June 7th Update:

 

Cost: 90,000 VND per person

When you first enter the hotel property, there is a ticket booth on your left, with an attendant. You will need to pay for a ticket there, once you enter the pool area, you will need to hand the ticket to another attendant working at the pool.

I think that the cost is a reasonable price compared to what other pool facilities in Hanoi charge. If you are looking for a pool with a view, then check out the Apricot hotel which charges 400,000 VND or $20 USD for a day pass. But, it has much nicer facilities and has a pool with a view of Hoan Kiem lake and the surrounding area.

Parking

If you drive a motorbike, there is plenty of parking right next to the pool, on the hotel premise. There is no additional charge for parking and it is safe and secure. I do not own a car, therefore I am not knowledgable about the availability of car parking.

Facilities

The Army Hotel Swimming Pool features several accompanying facilities which include bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, lockers and lounge chairs. There are no additional costs for any of the accompanying facilities as the entrance fee is all inclusive.

Lockers

There are plenty of lockers available for use but many of the lockers have a missing key so those lockers are not as ideal for keeping your belongs “secure.” But, there are still plenty of lockers that have a key.

Each key has a wrist band so you can swim with it attached to your arm in case you are worried that someone may try and take-it. The locker space is not huge but sufficient to store your personal belongs for the day.

Showers

There are showers available for use but some of them have a missing handle used to adjust water pressure and temperature which does not make them as ideal. There is at least one shower that is fully functional and has great water pressure. There is also no shower curtain if you are concerned about your privacy while showering.

Location

It is in the tourist area of Hoan Kiem Lake and is a 10-15 min walk or short taxi ride if you are staying in the old quarter. It is located in the Hoan Kiem district and is west of the south end of the lake. The exact address is:

 33C Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phan Chu Trinh, Hanoi, Vietnam