In TripAdvisor's top choice for travel in 2024, Vietnam is one of the most interesting destinations in Asia.
Winning the hearts of American tourists, the country promises to attract more travelers this year. Let's discover its five tourist attractions loved by TripAdvisor's community of travelers!
| Hoan Kiem Lake on a warm winter day. Photo: BM Travel Vietnam |
The world's leading travel website recently announced its Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2024 awards, celebrating five Vietnam destinations including Hanoi, ancient town Hoi An, former imperial capital Hue, world wonder Ha Long Bay, and hill town Sapa.
The 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations are selected based on the quality and quantity of reviews, specific to each award subcategory, for accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in the destinations written by travelers worldwide on the website over the past 12 months.
Hanoi: Foodie's paradise
The Vietnamese capital was crowned the winner of two categories in the TripAdvisor Awards 2024. Hanoi was ranked first in the top 20 food destinations and fourth in the top 25 destinations.
There's no denying that Hanoi is a food lover's paradise in Vietnam. The capital offers a diverse range of dining options, from street food to regional cuisine to exquisite specialty dishes.
| Egg coffee and sticky rice are Hanoi specialties. Photo: BM Travel Vietnam |
From the soul-soothing pho or traditional Vietnamese noodle soup with beef or chicken to the fusion wonder of banh mi or Vietnamese-style baguette, to the vibrant flavors of bun cha or grilled pork with vermicelli, to the refreshing delights of goi cuon or fresh spring roll, diners can enjoy the richness and diversity of Vietnam's street food scene.
Without having to travel far, international travelers can sample a myriad of regional specialties right in the capital, with flavors close to the original. Some must-try dishes include banh cuon Cao Bang or steamed rice rolls from the mountainous province of Cao Bang; vit quay Lang Son or roast duck from the border province of Lang Son; bun bo Hue or beef noodle soup from the central former royal city of Hue; and others.
Hanoi is also home to three Michelin-starred restaurants, including contemporary Vietnamese restaurant Gia, Japanese restaurant Hibana by Koki, and home-style Vietnamese restaurant Tam Vi.
The laid-back ambiance of Hoi An Ancient Town
| A corner of ancient town Hoi An. Photo: Nguoi Hoi An |
Meanwhile, the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, secured second place in the Honeymoon Destinations category and 10th place in the Top Destinations category on TripAdvisor's 2024 list.
Founded in the mid-16th century in central Vietnam, the ancient city has captured the hearts of travelers worldwide with the charm of an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, authentic village life, nearby sandy beaches and the Chinese and French influences that blend seamlessly into a diverse local food scene.
A small town with a laid-back atmosphere, Hoi An boasts over century-old houses and assembly halls, and beautiful beaches that would make any honeymoon trip unforgettable.
Hoi An is also one of the perfect destinations for people who like to work on the go with a very reasonable cost of living. In Hoi An, a cup of coffee costs about US$1, a bottle of local beer about US$2, and a bottle of mineral water about US$0.3. A delicious three-course dinner for two at the weekend, including a bottle of house wine, costs no more than US$30.
The breathtaking Halong Bay
| Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Photo: The Pinoy Traveler |
Ha Long Bay, in the north-western province of Quang Ninh, came third in the Trending Destinations category. The beautiful bay is characterized by stunning limestone islands covered in lush vegetation and surrounded by enchanting emerald waters.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay now welcomes visitors from all over the world to enjoy its magnificent scenery of thousands of giant limestone pillars rising from the clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin in the East Sea of Vietnam.
Hue: Mythological former imperial city
Hue, in central Vietnam, is ranked eighth 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 historical sites, especially those listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sights include the ornate Imperial Citadel, the colorful Thanh Toan Bridge, royal tombs, and forbidden Purple City.
| The Former Imperial City of Hue in central Vietnam. Photo: Visit Hue |
From moss-covered towers hidden in the hills to faded stone warriors proudly guarding the dead, Hue Citadel and Imperial Tombs evoke the feeling of a forgotten, almost mythological world. The Hue Citadel complex was the place where nine Nguyen lords and 13 Nguyen Dynasty emperors chose to live and rule the country. The construction of the citadel took 31 years, from 1802 to 1833. Under the rule of these Nguyen kings, the tombs were designed to reflect their different temperaments, philosophies, and priorities.
Sapa: Town in the fog
Sapa Town in the northern province of Lao Cai was ranked fifth in the Trending Destinations category of the 2014 TripAdvisor Awards.
| Sapa Town, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam - a romantic setting. Photo: Hoa LyLy |
The stunning scenery of the mountainous areas of northern Vietnam seems to win the hearts of many foreign travelers. The plum blossom season in February and March is amazing for both sightseeing and trekking, with beautiful white flower-blanketed valleys and mountain slopes.
Tourists can also visit the Saturday night "Love Market", the Gothic stone church in the city center that is a reminder of the French missionary influence, and try various ethnic specialties at the many Vietnamese and European restaurants in the city center.
