Sofitel Plaza is definitely good, but it comes with a price. If you can wait till next summer, then you can go to the pool at 108 Quan Thanh.

I live on Truc Bach and shelled out for the Hanoi Club which has a great 25m outside (unheated) pool. It also has a great gym, good restaurent (reasonably priced), quite good massage and other facilities. Sofitel is closed to new members, or was when I checked a couple of months ago, and is much more crowded and the gym much smaller. About the same price as I recall. And it's within a 15 mniute walk - close enough?

hey all - sofietel plaza isn't accepting new members and the Hanoi club is waaaay out of my price range... any other thoughts? I guess the pool doesn't have to be THAT close to truc bach. thanks!

I forgot about The Thanh Loi Hotel (I may have spelt that wrong) although I think it may close in the winter and I don't know what exercise facilities it has. A friend of mine uses it and says its fine.

I have just found two good swimming pools that are open to the public and reasonably priced.

Try the Sao Mai pool on Tay Ho Street near West Lake. It is big, quiet and in an attractive setting.

Also, try the Aquatic Palace near the National Stadium. It has two outdoor pools. One is suitable for kids and beginners. The other is seriously deep from one end to the other, so it is only suitable for proficient swimmers. The cost is 20,000VND. There is also a good indoor pool which costs 40,000VND.

Both pools were clean, warm and inviting.

Thang Loi Hotel... Was open all last winter!


Also Sao Mai pool is 50 mts but a bit grubby....

If you don't mind a little drive, try the Army Hotel pool. It's a cheaper saltwater option, and you can purchase monthly memberships for a reasonable price. Usually very quiet in the early mornings or late evenings for lap swimming, but stay away midday- LOTS of boisterous children and adults everywhere, and they tend to not be so polite/accommodating to lap swimmers.

What is the address of Aquatic Palace? At least street name?

"...you can go to the pool at 108 Quan Thanh."

I went to 108 Quan Thanh today and there is a men's clothing store and what looks like some kind of maternity clinic. Didn't see any pools...

For anyone who likes to swim a good distance, then the best option is Sao Mai. It is 50m long and you can swim proper laps without too many people crossing your path. Yes, the pool is not up to the cleaner standards of Thang Loi Hotel (mouldy tiles!) and the showers/toilets aren't particularly nice. But it's not that bad and I much prefer swimming 20 laps of Sao Mai (1km) than 50 laps of Thang Loi. Thang Loi is a great place to hang out and the pool is really nice....but only 20m long.

Sao Mai costs 30,00VND to swim and 3,000VND to store your bag.
Open hours:
Weekdays: 12pm-7pm (last entry at 7pm but pool closes at 8pm)
Weekends: 6am-7pm (last entry 7pm, pool closes 8pm)

Does anyone know when the pools re-open for spring / summer. Particularly Sao Mai swimming pool?

Thanks!

i think most the pools re-open this week
to take advantage of the 4 day weekend crowds. i know the one on Thuy Khue on the 4th floor of the white building where the british council is located is open tommorrow. its indoor, 25m pool. entry is around the back... and up many stairs

update on sao mai, i rode past last night when doing some shopping in the area and its opening on the 14th or 15th of may...