Lotte Mall Hanoi is the largest shopping and entertainment complex near West Lake, offering everything from a panoramic observation deck to a perfume workshop where you create your own signature scent. NOTE – The Scent Lab is a perfume workshop on the 2nd floor of Lotte Mall Tay Ho (Store 410, 272 Vo Chi Cong, Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam), rated 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews on TripAdvisor and Google.
The air changes when you step inside. Ground-floor marble gives way to the warm hum of a cinema lobby, then the clean brightness of a supermarket stacked with dried jackfruit and lotus tea. By the second floor, you catch something unexpected — the faint trail of bergamot and sandalwood drifting from a glass-walled studio. That trail leads to NOTE – The Scent Lab, where tourists sit mixing fragrances while West Lake glitters through the windows beyond.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit to Lotte Mall West Lake in 2026. For the wider neighborhood, see our West Lake Tay Ho guide: how to get there, the best things to do inside, and how to combine it with the neighborhood around Tay Ho.
What Is Lotte Mall Tay Ho?
Lotte Mall Tay Ho opened in late 2023 as Hanoi’s largest integrated commercial complex near West Lake. Developed by South Korea’s Lotte Group, the mall sits at 272 Vo Chi Cong Street in the Tay Ho district — a quieter, greener side of Hanoi that most tourists only discover when they wander beyond the Old Quarter.
The complex spans over 354,000 square meters across multiple buildings, including retail floors, the 5-star Lotte Hotel Hanoi, office towers, and a residential block. For visitors, the relevant part is the retail mall: six floors of shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
Unlike the narrow, bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Lotte Mall feels spacious. Wide corridors, natural light, and curated zones make it easy to spend half a day without feeling rushed. It is especially popular on rainy days — see our rainy day Hanoi indoor activities guide — when Hanoi’s famous drizzle turns outdoor sightseeing into a soggy affair.
How to Get to Lotte Mall West Lake
Lotte Mall Tay Ho is located about 7 kilometers northwest of the Old Quarter (near Hoan Kiem Lake). Here are the most practical ways to reach it:
Grab or Taxi
The easiest option. A Grab ride from Hoan Kiem Lake (Old Quarter) takes roughly 15-20 minutes and costs around 60,000-90,000 VND (approximately $2.50-$3.50 USD). During rush hour (7:30-9:00 AM or 5:00-7:00 PM), allow an extra 10-15 minutes for traffic.
City Bus
Bus routes 31, 55, and 58 serve stops near Lotte Mall. The ride costs just 8,000 VND, though it takes longer and involves a short walk from the bus stop. Best for budget travelers with flexible schedules.
Hotel Shuttle
If you are staying at Lotte Hotel or nearby properties in Tay Ho, some offer complimentary shuttle service. Ask your hotel concierge.
Tip: Tell your Grab driver “Lotte Mall Tay Ho” — locals sometimes confuse it with Lotte Center on Lieu Giai Street, which is a different building in Ba Dinh district.
Top Things to Do at Lotte Mall Hanoi
Here is where Lotte Mall West Lake distinguishes itself from a standard shopping center. The mix of activities makes it a genuine half-day destination, not just a place to buy things.
Create Your Own Perfume at NOTE – The Scent Lab
On the 2nd floor (Store 410), NOTE – The Scent Lab runs a 90-minute perfume workshop where you create a custom Eau de Parfum from scratch. A trained workshop instructor walks you through fragrance families — top notes, heart notes, base notes — and helps you blend 30+ professional-grade ingredients into something that is entirely yours.
Vietnamese specialties like lotus absolute, cinnamon, and Vietnamese agarwood sit alongside French and Japanese ingredients. You leave with a bottled perfume, a formula card (so you can reorder anytime), and a story that most travelers never find in a guidebook.
We are here, on the second floor. From our studio, you can see the Tay Ho skyline through the corridor windows. Below us, families browse Lotte Mart for local snacks. Two floors up, moviegoers queue for the latest releases. And inside our glass-walled space, the only thing that matters is the scent forming under your hands.
West Lake is visible from the mall’s upper floors. On clear mornings, the lotus fields across the water release a sweetness that drifts through the ventilation — a reminder of why we chose this location.
“This is a not-to-miss experience! We enjoyed every moment. Vy was so helpful and taught us so much about scent pairing. I will do this again when I’m in Hanoi!”
“Such a fun experience — learned so much about perfume and the staff were so patient and knowledgeable, especially Sophia. Now have a great keepsake from our Hanoi trip!”
“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”
The workshop requires no prior experience. Children aged 8 and up are welcome with a parent. All ingredients are IFRA-certified for safety. Book ahead during peak season (October-March) as sessions fill quickly.
Book Your 90-Minute Perfume Workshop →
Lotte Cinema — VIP Screens and International Films
Lotte Cinema occupies the upper floors with multiple screens, including VIP auditoriums with reclining leather seats and personal service. International blockbusters play with English audio and Vietnamese subtitles. Ticket prices range from 75,000-150,000 VND depending on format and seating class.
For travelers, this is a welcome option on a hot or rainy afternoon. The VIP experience rivals anything you would find in Seoul or Bangkok — at a fraction of the price.
Lotte Mart — Souvenirs and Local Snacks
The basement-level Lotte Mart is a full-scale supermarket where you can find Vietnamese coffee (G7, Trung Nguyen), dried tropical fruits, pho seasoning packets, coconut candy from Ben Tre, and lotus tea. These make practical, affordable souvenirs that are lighter and more giftable than ceramics or lacquerware.
Lotte Mart also stocks Korean products — instant noodles, skincare, seaweed snacks — which appeals to Korean visitors who want familiar comforts during their trip.
Observation Deck — West Lake Panoramic Views
The upper floors of Lotte Mall’s tower complex offer views across West Lake and the Tay Ho district. On clear days, you can see Tran Quoc Pagoda’s silhouette rising from the water and the red rooftop of Quang An flower market in the distance. Best visited during late afternoon when the light turns golden over the lake.
Lotte World Aquarium
A compact but well-designed aquarium with marine exhibits, touch pools, and an underwater tunnel. Families with young children find this a worthwhile stop — it takes about 45-60 minutes and keeps kids entertained while parents recharge in the air-conditioned comfort.
Food Court and Restaurants
The mall’s dining options span several floors. The food court on the lower levels serves Vietnamese staples (pho, bun cha, banh mi) alongside Korean, Japanese, and Thai options. Sit-down restaurants on the upper floors include Korean BBQ and hotpot chains.
For a quick, authentic taste: find the bun cha stall in the food court. Smoky grilled pork, fresh herbs, dipping sauce — the same flavors that made Hanoi famous, served in an air-conditioned seat after a morning of exploring.
Shopping — International and Local Brands
Lotte Mall Tay Ho hosts a mix of international fashion labels, electronics retailers, Korean beauty brands, and local Vietnamese designers. Notable mentions include Uniqlo, Zara, and an extensive Korean cosmetics floor where you can test and buy brands that are harder to find in the Old Quarter.
If you are looking for a curated shopping experience rather than the chaotic charm of Dong Xuan Market, Lotte Mall delivers organized browsing with consistent air conditioning — not a small perk when Hanoi’s humidity hits 90%.
How to Plan Your Lotte Mall Visit: Tips for Tourists
Here is how to get the most from your visit, based on what we see from our workshop studio every day:
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) are quietest. Weekends get busy after lunch. The mall opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 10:00 PM.
- How long to spend: Plan 3-4 hours if you are doing a workshop plus exploring. 1-2 hours for casual shopping and food.
- Rainy day strategy: Lotte Mall is one of Hanoi’s best rainy day indoor activities. You can spend an entire afternoon here without stepping outside.
- Combo plan: Morning at West Lake (cycling or walking the promenade) → lunch at Lotte Mall food court → afternoon perfume workshop → evening stroll to Tran Quoc Pagoda at sunset.
- Payment: Most shops accept Visa, Mastercard, and domestic cards. Cash is useful for the food court. ATMs are available on the ground floor.
- Wi-Fi: Free mall-wide Wi-Fi available. Connect to “Lotte Mall” network.
Nearby West Lake Attractions
Lotte Mall Tay Ho sits at the edge of Hanoi’s most scenic district. Once you are done inside, several of Hanoi’s most memorable spots are within a short walk or ride:
West Lake Cycling and Walking
A 17-kilometer path loops around West Lake (Ho Tay). Rent a bicycle from shops near the lake’s edge and ride through shaded stretches lined with willow trees. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal — the lake surface turns silver, and locals practice tai chi along the banks.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Vietnam’s oldest Buddhist pagoda (built around 541 AD) sits on a small peninsula jutting into West Lake. The 15-meter red tower is one of Hanoi’s most photographed landmarks. It is about 3 kilometers from Lotte Mall — a 10-minute Grab ride or a pleasant 30-minute lakeside walk.
Quang Ba Flower Market
For early risers: Quang Ba night flower market operates from roughly 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM. Hundreds of vendors sell fresh flowers — roses, chrysanthemums, lotus — under fluorescent lights. The jasmine and tuberose create a scent that lingers in your clothes for hours. It is a sensory experience that few tourist guides mention. Located just 2 kilometers from Lotte Mall.
Truc Bach Lake and the French Quarter
Connected to West Lake by a narrow causeway, Truc Bach Lake offers a quieter atmosphere with French colonial architecture nearby. Stroll past pastel-colored villas and stop at one of the lakeside cafes.
Why Lotte Mall Is Worth a Half Day on Your Hanoi Itinerary
Most Hanoi travel guides focus on the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. These are essential — but they are also crowded, outdoor, and exhausting in the heat.
Lotte Mall Tay Ho offers something different: a place to create rather than just observe. Making your own perfume, watching a film in a VIP recliner, tasting local snacks in an organized market — these are unique things to do in Hanoi that most visitors miss because they stay inside the Old Quarter bubble.
The location near West Lake means you can combine indoor comfort with outdoor beauty in the same afternoon. That flexibility is especially valuable for travelers who only have 2-3 days in Hanoi and want variety without long commutes.
Book Your Perfume Workshop at Lotte Mall Hanoi →
How to find us at Lotte Mall West Lake, Hanoi (4th floor):
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lotte Mall in Hanoi?
Lotte Mall Tay Ho is located at 272 Vo Chi Cong Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi. It sits near the northwestern shore of West Lake, about 7 km from Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.
How do I get to Lotte Mall from the Old Quarter?
A Grab or taxi ride takes 15-20 minutes and costs approximately 60,000-90,000 VND ($2.50-$3.50 USD). City buses 31, 55, and 58 also serve stops near the mall.
What are the opening hours of Lotte Mall Hanoi?
The mall opens daily from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Individual stores and restaurants may have slightly different hours. The food court typically opens at 10:00 AM.
Is there a perfume workshop at Lotte Mall Hanoi?
Yes. NOTE – The Scent Lab operates a 90-minute perfume workshop on the 2nd floor (Store 410). You create a custom Eau de Parfum with guidance from a trained workshop instructor. Book at workshop.thescentnote.com/book.
Is Lotte Mall Hanoi good for a rainy day?
Absolutely. With a cinema, aquarium, shopping, dining, and hands-on workshops all under one roof, Lotte Mall is one of the best indoor activities in Hanoi when weather disrupts outdoor plans.
Can I combine a Lotte Mall visit with West Lake sightseeing?
Yes — this is ideal. The mall borders West Lake. A recommended combo: morning cycling around the lake, lunch at the mall food court, afternoon perfume workshop, then a Grab to Tran Quoc Pagoda for sunset photos.
Planning your Hanoi trip? Read our full guide to the perfume workshop at Lotte Mall and explore more unique things to do in Hanoi in 2026. Find our complete range of workshops and services at thescentnote.biz. Follow us on Instagram at @note.workshop for behind-the-scenes moments from our Hanoi studio.
