Since the start of May, as the clock approaches 4 p.m., visitors flock to the lake's shores to catch the sunset. Popular spots include Quang Ba Street, Thanh Nien Street, and Ngoc Lam Ferry Landing.
Thanh Nien Street draws the biggest crowds. From around 4:30 p.m., people line the waterfront and sit along the edge to secure a good spot.
Around 6 p.m., the sun sinks behind the buildings. The sunset lasts 10-15 minutes before darkness sets in.
On days when Hanoi's temperature tops 35 degrees Celsius, locals also come to swim in the lake in the afternoon to cool down.
Ba Toan, 23, came with his girlfriend to watch the sunset, and hired a photographer to capture the moment after missing it twice before. He advises arriving at West Lake around 5 p.m. for the best chance of catching it.
Thu Quyen and Thu Duyen, both 18, stopped by West Lake after their exams.
"The sky was beautiful, and there weren't as many people as we expected, and so it was easier to take photos," Quyen said.
Many people set up equipment to photograph the sunset from the direction of Long Bien Bridge. The sunset-chasing trend took off in early May after photos were shared on social media.
The path down to Ngoc Lam Ferry Landing is also a spot to wait for the sunset, drawing many visitors.
