Five Vietnamese destinations honored by TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, the world’s leading travel site, has announced its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024 awards, recognizing five Vietnamese destinations: the capital Hanoi, the ancient town of Hoi An, the former imperial capital of Hue, Ha Long Bay, and the hill town of Sapa.

Hanoi was honored in two categories. The capital was ranked first among the 20 Best Food Destinations and fourth in the 25 Top Destinations. Describing Hanoi, TripAdvisor notes that “the charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or ‘Ascending Dragon’, but it hasn’t forgotten its past, as sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest.” It also highlighted that the capital’s allure is enhanced by lakes, parks, shady boulevards, and over 600 temples and pagodas, creating an easily navigable cityscape by taxi.

Meanwhile, the UNESCO heritage site of Hoi An ancient town secured 10th position in the Top Destinations category and second position in the Honeymoon Destinations category. It emphasized that “this city on the central Vietnamese coast is a well-preserved example of the important Southeast Asian trading port it was from the 15th-19th centuries. Already a common stop for backpackers, it is becoming better known to tourists. On the 14th day of each lunar month, the town trades its electric lights for traditional colored lanterns. Sights include the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Quan Cong Temple. Let the town’s expert tailors make you some bespoke clothing.”

Hue in central Vietnam was recognized in eight position in the Cultural Destinations category. According to TripAdvisor, “Hue is clustered around the Perfume River, which splits the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in two. There are endless must-see historic sites, especially those that are UNESCO World Heritage-designated. Sightseeing can include the ornate Imperial Citadel, colorful Thanh Toan Bridge, royal tombs, and the Forbidden Purple City.”

Two destinations that made it onto the Trending Destinations category are Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, ranking third, and Sapa in Lao Cai province, ranking fifth. While Ha Long Bay is globally renowned for its amazing limestone islands, rock formations, and caves, the vibrant and enchanting town of Sapa in the northwest serves as a delightful oasis amid the challenges of a mountain trek or a rice-paddy tour.