Given The Heat And Pollution, It Is Best To...

Hanoi, Vietnam

Given the heat and pollution, it is best to run in Hanoi in the early morning (between 6:00 and 9:00 am) before the city traffic becomes too intense and before the sun gets too hot during the summer months. While not a "running city", the intrepid runner can find some nice routes in Hanoi and early morning running allows one the unique opportunity to experience Hanoi just as it is coming to life. Hanoians are friendly and running here is safe and enjoyable. Westlake area: leaving the Westlake Meritus Hotel, run (south) across the Truc Bach/West Lake Causeway toward Government House on Hung Vuong Street. The wide French-style boulevards are lined with great old trees and well shaded for runners. In the early mornings, sidewalk traffic is not too heavy and allows for a nice un-interrupted run. One can run to the Ho Chi Min Mausoleum and there are many wide, relatively quiet side streets for some extra mileage. It is possible to do about a 3.5 mile run in this area. On the way back (north) toward the Westlake Meritus Hotel, one can run to the east side of Westlake and follow the path that follows along the edge of the lake back to the hotel.