Hidden amidst Hanoi’s chaotic streets, Banana Island serves as a serene, green sanctuary for locals and travelers.
In the heart of Hanoi, Banana Island is an unexpected quiet haven from the bustle of Vietnam’s capital city. With regular ‘unhealthy’ air quality index ratings of around 200 AQI, this main island on the Red River also offers a natural lung to counter the pollution that sits as a veil of smog across the city sky. Just to the east of the Old Quarter of Hanoi and traversed by the Churong Durong Bridge and the iconic Long Bien ‘French’ Bridge, Banana Island includes vegetable gardens that locals from the city maintain, banana plantations of course, as well as shrines for the earth gods, and a vibrant floating village community featuring in Hanoi TV.
On 17 January 2026, the floating village received donations from local companies providing sacks of rice and other supplies. The floating villagers live in metal huts on pontoons. When the rainy seasons arrive in the late spring and early autumn, large parts of Banana Island are usually submerged with the rising river, forcing the villagers and other fishermen living on the island to move temporarily to the city. During the Vietnam-American War (1955-1975), the French Bridge was bombarded by the US forces in 1967 cutting supplies lines between east and west Hanoi; now the bridge acts as a main artery connecting the shores and endless stream of scooters navigating the city. As the Red River continues to flow in muddy shades of grey towards the sea, Banana Island is a must visit by bicycle to discover hanging jackfruit, local nature, and perchance for a swim on sunnier days.
