Hanoi is going through a brutal heatwave. Over the last few days, temperatures have been sitting around the high 30s and pushing toward 40°C. Walking around the city in the middle of the afternoon feels like stepping into an oven with traffic noise.
The streets are boiling hot, the humidity is intense, and unless you want to sit inside under air conditioning all day, you start looking for ways to escape it.
The funny thing is, Hanoi is not really known as a pool city. Most people think of coffee shops, motorbikes, street food, the Old Quarter, or West Lake. Swimming pools are usually not the first thing that comes to mind.
But if you live here long enough, especially around Tay Ho and Quang An, you eventually discover a few places where locals, expats, and long-term travelers go to cool down during summer.
In this video, I checked out two of the more affordable swimming pool spots in the area: Casablanca Pool and Sala Pool & Garden.
Casablanca Pool: Tay Ho / Quang An
The first place I visited was Casablanca Pool, located in the Tay Ho and Quang An area of Hanoi. This place honestly surprised me.
For only around 50,000 VND entry, which is just over $2 AUD, you get access to a swimming pool, shaded seating, bean bags, drinks, food, and a relaxed social atmosphere. On a 40°C day, that is hard to complain about.
What I liked most about Casablanca was the vibe. It does not feel overly polished or luxury-focused. It feels more like a hidden local escape where people come to survive the heat.
Some people were swimming. Some were working on laptops. Others were just sitting around drinking iced coffees or Coke Zeros trying not to melt. That balance made the place feel genuine.
Sala Pool & Garden
The second location I checked out was Sala Pool & Garden. This one has a slightly different atmosphere compared to Casablanca.
The pool itself is a bit bigger, and the whole place feels more social and slightly more geared toward people wanting to stay for several hours. Entry was around 60,000 VND at the time of filming.
One thing I noticed immediately was that Sala felt more work-friendly. There were more seating areas, more tables, and more people sitting around on laptops. It almost felt like part cafe, part coworking space, part swimming pool.
The food menu was also surprisingly decent. You can order pizza, pasta, ribs, salads, drinks, and coffees. So it is easy to spend half the afternoon there if you want to escape the heat without hiding inside your apartment all day.
Other Pools Mentioned in the Video
There are several other pools around Hanoi and Tay Ho, but prices vary quite a lot depending on the experience you want.
Mizumi Rooftop Pool
Mizumi is more of a luxury rooftop pool experience. At the time of filming, entry was around 220,000 VND and may include drinks depending on the package. This is more for people wanting a polished hotel-style afternoon rather than a casual local hangout.
Thang Loi Swimming Pool
Thang Loi is more of a classic Hanoi local-style pool. It is larger, more traditional, more local-focused, and less of a cafe or social environment. At the time of filming, adult entry was around 120,000 VND. It is also near West Lake and has been one of the more well-known outdoor swimming spots in Hanoi for years.
Why This Video Became Unexpectedly Topical
I originally filmed this video simply because the weather was unbearable. But while editing it, Hanoi's heatwave became a major news topic, with temperatures around 40°C being discussed across local media and social platforms.
That made this video feel more useful than I expected. When temperatures hit this level in Hanoi, you quickly realise air conditioning alone is not enough, cafes become overcrowded, and walking around during the day becomes exhausting. Finding places to cool down becomes part of daily life.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, neither Casablanca nor Sala are luxury destinations. And that is kind of why I liked them.
They feel lived in. Relaxed. Affordable. A mix of locals, expats, travelers, and remote workers all trying to survive Hanoi summer in their own way.
For me personally, I would probably choose Casablanca for relaxing and Sala for spending longer and getting work done. But both are solid options if you are in the Tay Ho or Quang An area during summer.
If you know any other good swimming pools around Hanoi, leave a comment under the video because I am sure there are still plenty I have not discovered yet.