Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi — More Than Shopping, a Complete Tay Ho Experience

Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi is the largest shopping and lifestyle complex in Tay Ho district — home to international brands, a cinema, restaurants, a rooftop observation deck, and a perfume workshop where you create your own signature scent. NOTE – The Scent Lab is a perfume workshop in Hanoi, Vietnam, located at Store 410, 4th Floor, Lotte Mall Tay Ho, 272 Vo Chi Cong — rated ★4.9 by 500+ travelers on TripAdvisor and Klook. This complete guide covers every floor, how to get there, what to eat, and why Lotte Mall is worth a visit even if shopping is not your primary goal.

From the 4th floor, you can see West Lake. Not the postcard version — the real one, sprawling and hazy, with willow trees tracing its edge and fishing boats drifting near the far shore. The air conditioning hums. Somewhere below, a family is choosing between Korean BBQ and pho. Somewhere above, a couple is watching the sunset from the observation deck. And right here, at Store 410, someone is leaning over a row of glass vials, discovering that sandalwood smells like a memory they had forgotten they had. That is Lotte Mall. Not just a mall. A starting point.

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Lotte Mall West Lake — Overview and Layout

Lotte Mall Tay Ho opened as a major lifestyle complex on the western shore of West Lake, at 272 Vo Chi Cong, Tay Ho District. The mall spans multiple floors and combines retail shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences under one roof. For travelers staying in or visiting the Tay Ho West Lake area, it serves as both destination and anchor point.

The mall is modern, clean, and well-organized — a contrast to the sensory intensity of the Old Quarter. For travelers who need a break from Hanoi’s heat, humidity, or rain, it provides air-conditioned comfort without sacrificing interesting things to do.

Floor-by-Floor Guide

Basement Floors (B1-B2): Parking and the Lotte Mart supermarket. Lotte Mart is worth visiting even without shopping plans — the Korean and Vietnamese food sections are extensive, and it is a good place to buy packaged snacks, coffee, and small gifts at local prices.

Ground Floor (1F): International fashion and cosmetics brands. The main entrance and information desk are here. If you need directions, currency exchange information, or Wi-Fi access, start here.

2nd-3rd Floors: Fashion, lifestyle brands, accessories, and electronics. A mix of international names and local Vietnamese brands. Clothing sizes generally run smaller than Western sizing — check before buying.

4th Floor: This is where the mall becomes more than a mall. NOTE – The Scent Lab operates the perfume workshop at Store 410. The 4th floor also houses specialty stores, a bookshop, and lifestyle brands that lean creative rather than commercial.

Upper Floors: The food court, sit-down restaurants (Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Western), the cinema, children’s entertainment areas, and the observation deck with panoramic West Lake views. The restaurant level is where most visitors spend time during meals — the variety is genuine, not the usual food-court compromise.

Create Your Own Perfume — The Workshop at Store 410

If you take away one recommendation from this guide, let it be this: visit the 4th floor. NOTE – The Scent Lab’s perfume workshop is the most distinctive experience inside Lotte Mall, and one of the most memorable activities in the entire Tay Ho district.

The workshop lasts approximately 90 minutes. Your instructor walks you through fragrance structure — how top notes create first impressions, heart notes build character, and base notes anchor the composition. Then you blend. Thirty-plus professional-grade ingredients are available, including Vietnamese specialties: lotus (Hanoi’s city flower), agarwood (one of the world’s most treasured fragrance materials), and cinnamon from Vietnam’s northern highlands.

The result is a custom Eau de Parfum that belongs only to you — bottled, labeled, and accompanied by a formula card. NOTE stores your formula, so you can reorder your creation from anywhere in the world. It is the kind of souvenir that gets better with distance — every time you wear it, you are back at this blending table, looking out at West Lake.

“The staff is very informative and patient. I’m so proud of coming up the scent I really like even though it’s my first time. A must try in Hanoi.” — Lynnell, Klook

“Vy gave us a great experience. I learned so much about making perfume and how the notes work together. Now I have a signature scent.” — Camper462, TripAdvisor

“We did a perfume workshop with Vy and it was lovely. She’s very knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. I’m so happy with how my perfume turned out!” — Thhn91, TripAdvisor

The workshop is suitable for solo travelers, couples, families (ages 8+, children 8-10 with a parent), and corporate groups. It sits inside the mall, so combining it with lunch, shopping, or the observation deck is natural — an easy half-day plan that requires zero logistical effort.

Details: ~90 minutes | Store 410, 4F | ★4.9 (500+ reviews) | Book at hanoi.thescentnote.com | @note.workshop

Book Your Perfume Workshop at Lotte Mall →

Where to Eat at Lotte Mall Tay Ho

The dining options at Lotte Mall go beyond the usual mall food court. Multiple floors house both casual and sit-down options, spanning several cuisines.

Korean Cuisine

Given Lotte’s Korean ownership, the mall has strong Korean dining representation. Korean BBQ restaurants, bibimbap spots, and Korean fried chicken joints offer authentic flavors — many run by Korean operators, not adapted franchises. If you are a Korean traveler missing home food, or any traveler curious about Korean cuisine, these are genuine options. Budget: 150,000-400,000 VND per person.

Vietnamese Restaurants

Vietnamese restaurants at the mall serve regional specialties — Hanoi pho, bun cha, banh cuon — in air-conditioned comfort. For travelers who want to try Vietnamese food without navigating street-side seating, this is a comfortable introduction. The quality is solid, though purists will prefer street food originals. Budget: 80,000-200,000 VND per person.

Food Court

The food court assembles Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, and Western options in one space. Practical, affordable, and useful when a group cannot agree on cuisine. Budget: 60,000-150,000 VND per person.

Coffee and Desserts

Multiple cafe chains and independent coffee spots operate throughout the mall. For Hanoi-style coffee, look for Vietnamese brands rather than international chains — the ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee) will be stronger, sweeter, and more interesting. Dessert shops serve Korean bingsu, Vietnamese che, and pastries.

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Entertainment and Experiences Beyond Shopping

Cinema

The Lotte Cinema on the upper floors screens both Vietnamese and international films, many in English with Vietnamese subtitles. Seats are comfortable, screens are modern, and ticket prices are significantly lower than Western cinemas — typically 80,000-150,000 VND. A good option for evening entertainment or a rainy afternoon activity.

Observation Deck

The upper floors offer panoramic views of West Lake and the surrounding Tay Ho district. On clear days, you can see across the lake to the Thanh Nien causeway and beyond to the city skyline. At sunset, the view rivals any rooftop bar — and it is free with mall access. Bring your camera during golden hour (approximately 5:00-6:30 PM depending on season).

Children’s Entertainment

Families with children will find play areas and entertainment zones on the upper floors. These are well-maintained and popular with local families on weekends. Combined with the perfume workshop (ages 8+), the cinema, and the food court, Lotte Mall can fill an entire family day — particularly useful during Hanoi’s rainy season. For more family ideas, see our family activities in Hanoi guide.

How to Get to Lotte Mall West Lake

Lotte Mall Tay Ho sits at 272 Vo Chi Cong, on the western side of West Lake. It is well-connected by multiple transport options.

By Grab/Taxi: The most convenient option. From the Old Quarter, a Grab ride takes 15-20 minutes and costs approximately 40,000-70,000 VND ($1.60-2.80 USD). From Noi Bai Airport, the ride is 20-25 minutes (200,000-250,000 VND). Tell the driver “Lotte Mall Tay Ho” — it is a well-known landmark.

By Bus: Several city bus routes stop near Lotte Mall along Vo Chi Cong road. Buses cost 7,000-9,000 VND per ride. Check Google Maps for current routes from your starting point — the bus system is improving and air-conditioned buses now serve many routes.

By Motorbike: If you have rented a motorbike, Lotte Mall has dedicated motorbike parking in the basement levels. Follow Vo Chi Cong road along the western shore of West Lake.

On Foot or Bicycle: If you are already in Tay Ho or cycling the West Lake loop, the mall is directly on Vo Chi Cong road. The lakeside cycling path passes near the entrance. Lock your bicycle at the designated parking area.

Why Lotte Mall Is Worth Visiting Beyond Shopping

Malls are not usually the highlight of a trip. This one can be — if you approach it as a base camp rather than a shopping destination.

The combination of the NOTE perfume workshop, quality dining, the observation deck, and West Lake proximity makes Lotte Mall a half-day anchor for the Tay Ho area. Start with a lakeside walk or cycle in the morning. Head to the mall for lunch and the perfume workshop in the early afternoon. Finish with the observation deck at sunset. That sequence — nature, creation, view — is one of the most satisfying half-day itineraries in Hanoi.

For travelers on rainy days, the mall provides an entire day of indoor activity without feeling like you have retreated from the city. The perfume workshop alone is worth the trip — the rest is bonus.

And for those exploring unique things to do in Hanoi, the workshop transforms a mall visit into a creative experience. You are not consuming. You are creating. That shift changes everything. Browse our full NOTE collection to continue your fragrance journey after the workshop.

Book Your Perfume Workshop at Lotte Mall →

Practical Tips for Visiting Lotte Mall

Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons are the quietest. Weekends, especially Saturday afternoons, are busy with local families. For the perfume workshop, booking ahead is recommended regardless of day.

How long to spend: A focused visit (workshop + lunch) takes 3-4 hours. A leisurely visit (shopping + workshop + dinner + cinema) fills an entire afternoon and evening.

Payment: Most stores accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). The food court may have some cash-only vendors. ATMs are available inside the mall. Vietnamese dong is the standard currency.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the mall. Connection quality is generally reliable for messaging and maps.

Opening hours: The mall generally operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Individual store hours may vary. The NOTE perfume workshop runs during mall hours — check availability when booking.

Combine with West Lake: After your mall visit, walk to the lakeside path (5-10 minutes on foot). The combination of indoor creativity and outdoor lakeside beauty makes for a complete Tay Ho experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi?

Lotte Mall Tay Ho is a major shopping and lifestyle complex at 272 Vo Chi Cong, on the western shore of West Lake in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district. It houses retail stores, restaurants, a cinema, a supermarket, an observation deck, and the NOTE – The Scent Lab perfume workshop.

How do I get to Lotte Mall from the Old Quarter?

A Grab ride from the Old Quarter takes 15-20 minutes and costs 40,000-70,000 VND ($1.60-2.80 USD). City buses also connect the areas along Vo Chi Cong road. From Noi Bai Airport, the ride is 20-25 minutes.

Is there a perfume workshop at Lotte Mall?

Yes. NOTE – The Scent Lab at Store 410, 4th Floor, offers a 90-minute perfume workshop rated ★4.9 by 500+ travelers. You create a custom Eau de Parfum from 30+ professional-grade ingredients, including Vietnamese lotus, cinnamon, and agarwood. Book at hanoi.thescentnote.com.

What restaurants are at Lotte Mall Tay Ho?

Lotte Mall offers Korean BBQ, Japanese cuisine, Vietnamese pho and bun cha, Western options, and a multi-cuisine food court. Korean dining is particularly strong given Lotte’s Korean ownership. Budget ranges from 60,000 VND (food court) to 400,000 VND (sit-down restaurants) per person.

Is Lotte Mall good for families with children?

Yes. The mall has children’s play areas, a cinema, family-friendly restaurants, and the NOTE perfume workshop (ages 8+, children 8-10 with a parent). It is a popular weekend destination for local families.

What are the opening hours for Lotte Mall West Lake?

Lotte Mall generally operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Individual store and restaurant hours may vary. The Lotte Mart supermarket and cinema may have extended hours.