Charming Vietnamese girl in her ao dai, or Vietnamese traditional dress, on a street in Ha Noi. Photo: Nguyen Van Huu

According to the latest report from Booking.com, the travel website's insights into where Vietnamese travelers are looking for the upcoming national holidays from August 31 to  September 3, 2024, show that Ha Noi is among the top ten most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Ha Noi, where the ancient and the modern intertwine

According to Varun Grover, Country Head for Vietnam of Booking.com, Vietnam’s cosmopolitan capital in the north, Ha Noi, is home to buzzing night markets, narrow trade streets, and Buddhist temples, with a fusion of historical and 21st-century sights creating its lively atmosphere.

“The city is also considered one of the most dynamic cities in the Asian region, with a chic and unique charm. The Vietnamese capital city, which has a great history and distinctive culture, is the ideal fusion of new and old, modern and ancient,” he stated.

Ha Noi has always been a great destination for Buddhists, with many ancient pagodas and temples. Some famous pagodas that can be named are Tran Quoc- the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi, dating back to the 6th century; Quan Su Pagoda - the headquarters of the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam; and One Pillar Pagoda - the spiritual destination representing the thousand-year-old culture of Thang Long Citadel or modern-day Ha Noi.

Ha Noi's dazzling Old Quarter in the days before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo: Dinh Xuan Tien

Adjacent to Hoan Kiem Lake, Ha Noi's Old Quarter consists of 79 streets and is bounded by Hang Dau Street in the north, Phung Hung Street in the west, Tran Quang Khai and Tran Nhat Duat streets in the east, and Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go and Hang Thung streets in the south. Some 121 temples, pagodas, and shrines can be found in the district, as well as many historic houses, including more than 200 of special value.

In particular, many of the monuments and spaces in the old town, after being restored, have become venues for cultural activities, artistic exchanges, exhibitions, seminars, and conferences on traditional crafts linked to the artisan streets and villages, thus promoting the tangible and intangible cultural values of the area.

Typical locations include the old house at 87 Ma May Street, the Kim Ngan Community House on Hang Bac Street, the Ha Noi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center at 50 Dao Duy Tu, the Arts and Culture Center on Hang Buom Street, and many others.

The iconic Tran Quoc Pagoda at nightfall. Photo: Thanh Hai

Foreign travelers to Ha Noi are thrilled to discover that in just about a decade, Ha Noi's restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, coffee shops, museums, and art galleries have grown to rival the best in Southeast Asia.

In addition, Hanoi's cuisine also leaves an excellent impression on travelers. The city is considered a culinary paradise with famous delicacies. In addition to a variety of delicious street foods such as beef noodle soup, banh mi, and various vermicelli dishes - including those with bamboo shoots and duck, grilled pork, snails, chicken, and beef - Ha Noi is also recognized in the world-renowned Michelin Guide.

For the year 2024, Michelin is honoring three Ha Noi restaurants on its "Selected Restaurants" list, including Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh, a street eatery serving delicious steamed rice rolls; Ha Noi Garden, a restaurant serving a mix of classic and contemporary Vietnamese cuisine; and Le Beaulieu, a restaurant known for its fine French cuisine and extensive wine list.

“Relaxation and exploration” vacation remains the top choice

Dalat - the 'flower city' in the central highlands province of Lam Dong, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Huu Loc

For this year's Independence Day holiday, Vietnamese travelers tend to choose experiences that satisfy relaxation and exploration for their four-day holiday.

On Booking.com's list, the "City of a Thousand Flowers" of Dalat in Vietnam's Central Highlands is the top choice for local travelers. Known for its picturesque landscapes and charming French colonial architecture, Dalat retains its top spot for the second year in a row.

This tranquil getaway offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The highland town of Sapa, in the northwest mountainous region of Vietnam, is renowned for its refreshing mountain air and picturesque scenery and is ranked 9th on the list.

In addition, the beach destinations of Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Nha Trang continue to be popular with Vietnamese travelers looking to soak up the summer sun. Notably, Phan Thiet has entered the top ten this year thanks to the new Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway, which has significantly reduced travel time from Ho Chi Minh City.

Tourist hotspots such as Ho Chi Minh City (5th), Hoi An (6th), Hanoi (7th), and Hue (10th) also make the list, offering travelers a mix of historical and cultural attractions.

Jenna Duong