Fitness centers
Some of the best fitness centers in Hanoi are at major hotels, for the use of guests and paid members. Memberships run about $1000/year for individuals and double that for families.
The Hanoi Club is an executive club with modern fitness equipment, a golf driving range (the balls go INTO West Lake), swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as English-speaking staff.
76 Yen Phu, Tel: 043 823 8390
http://hanoi-club.com/
The Sheraton has one of the nicest gyms in Hanoi, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts. Most of the hotel staff speak good English. Extremely convenient for anyone living in West Lake.
11 Xuan Dieu, Tel: 043 719 9000
http://sheraton.com/hanoi
Golf
There’s a driving range at the Hanoi Club in West Lake, but to find a golf course you have to get an hour or so outside Hanoi.
Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club is the best golf course in north Vietnam. Sixty-five km northeast of Hanoi, Chi Linh has a 27-hole course, international standard course in a beautiful rolling valley surrounded by forests.
Chi Linh, Hai Duong Province
http://chilinhstargolf.com.vn/
Tam Dao Golf & Resort is a relatively flat 18-hole course surrounded by steep green mountains about two hours north of Hanoi, with simple clubhouse facilities.
Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc province
http://tamdaogolf.com
Tennis
All the major hotels have tennis courts, with varying rates for non-guests.
The Sheraton has one of the nicest sets of courts, on the roof overlooking West Lake.
11 Xuan Dieu, Tel: 043 719 9000
http://sheraton.com/hanoi
The Hanoi Club has tennis courts, in addition to the driving range mentioned above.
76 Yen Phu, Tel: 043 823 8390
http://hanoi-club.com/
The Daewoo Hotel has a nice set of courts, with English-speaking staff.
360 Kim Ma, Tel. 043 831 5000
http://hanoidaewoohotel.com.vn/
Swimming
Pools in Hanoi seldom have lifeguards, so use caution when swimming, especially with children. In addition to the hotels and fitness centers mentioned above, you can try swimming at the following spots:
The Army Hotel has a lovely saltwater pool for VND 60,000 per visit.
33C Pham Ngu Lao street, just a block or two from the Opera and the History Museum.
Tel: 043 8252896
The Four Season Swimming Pool is an all-season, indoor swimming pool. The facilities and pool are extremely clean. It is important to know that baggy swim trunks are not allowed. If men don’t have a speedo-type bathing suit, they’ll be asked to borrow one from the pool!
14 Dang Tien Dong street, Tel: 043 5376250
Yoga
Zenith Yoga is considered Hanoi’s best yoga studio, with classes in a variety of styles and at all levels. Classes in English.
111 Xuan Dieu, on the north side of West Lake.
Tel: 0904 641 171
Email zenithyoga@yahoo.com
Amrut Yoga, a small hatha yoga studio in Ciputra, with individual and group instruction in English.
5 / 14-01 Ciputra, Tel: 0936 472 597
Email: sanianita@yahoo.com
Football (Soccer)
The Van Phuc Sports Complex has a football pitch, and foreigners gather to play Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
73 Van Bao (Go West on Kim Ma and take a right on Van Bao. It’s on the right after about 100 meters.)
Other sports
The Van Phuc Sports Complex has basketball courts in addition to a football pitch—mostly Vietnamese play here but foreigners are welcome.
The Hanoi Dragons are a rugby club established in 1994 by a group of expat rugby players. All are welcome to their Thursday practises—for details write to: vietnamrugby@gmail.com.
