Hanoi: A Tranquil and Welcoming Haven
Since 1999, Hanoi has been bestowed with the title of “City for Peace” by UNESCO, recognizing its fulfillment of criteria such as community equality, urban development, environmental preservation, promotion of cultural and educational advancement, and dedication to civic education and the younger generation.
Hanoi stands as a secure and enticing destination, captivating global travelers.
Year after year, Hanoi is consistently chosen by international tourists as a friendly and appealing locale. In 2022, Trip Advisor ranked Hanoi in Asia’s top 25 most popular travel destinations in Asia and the world’s top 25 most popular travel destinations.
Time magazine (USA) voted Hanoi as one of Vietnam’s three destinations among the world’s top 100 most wonderful places. Deep Knowledge Analytics (DKA), an analytical organization, included Hanoi in the list of the 50 cities best responding to global pandemics.
Most recently, CNN acclaimed Hanoi as one of the 12 ideal destinations in the world for the autumn of 2022. The World Travel Awards 2022 honored Hanoi as the leading short-term travel city destination in Asia.
Moreover, with an unwavering commitment to security, Hanoi has safely hosted nearly 2,000 major political, diplomatic, cultural, and social events, including the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2022. Hanoi has become one of the world’s secure destinations.
In recent days, Tripzilla, the renowned travel magazine based in Singapore, has released an article evaluating the safest destinations for solo travelers, particularly female travelers.
In this list, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, holds the fourth position, with the comment: “Vietnam’s capital is a very safe destination for travelers. Hanoi is a friendly destination where you won’t have to worry much about expenses when traveling alone.”
Hanoi becomes even more approachable through images of world leaders enjoying local delights, such as former U.S. President Barack Obama relishing Hanoi’s culinary delights at a “Bun Cha” eatery on Le Van Huu Street. Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge (United Kingdom), explored the ancient streets of Hanoi and dropped by a café on Thuoc Bac Street to enjoy coffee and chat with the locals during his first visit to Vietnam.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe took moments of relaxation around Hoan Kiem Lake and visited the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam. President of Argentina Mauricio Macri strolled and enjoyed sidewalk coffee in Hanoi during his visit to Vietnam, almost as if he were living in Buenos Aires.
Hanoi is a magnet for international tourists.
Hanoi boasts over 6,000 historical and cultural relics, along with nearly 1,800 intangible cultural heritages. Many of them have earned UNESCO recognition as world heritage, including the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Doctors’ Steles in the Le – Mac dynasties at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, the Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc Temples, traditional rituals, and tug-of-war games.
Every street and corner in Hanoi is alluring to tourists.
According to the travel map, Hanoi boasts more than 130 tourist areas and spots, with 28 recognized by the city as official tourist spots. The city differentiates three tourist zones along three major axes: From the center of Hanoi – Ba Vi – Son Tay; inner Hanoi – Dong Anh – Soc Son; inner-city route – My Duc (Huong Pagoda)…
With this strength, Hanoi has undertaken innovations, enhancing the quality of numerous tours and sightseeing routes for exploring the capital’s destinations.
In the inner-city area, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel stands out as a tourist destination where visitors are impressed by its architecture and history spanning from the 7th to the 19th century, representing Vietnam’s significant feudal dynasties such as Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen, showcasing globally recognized values of world heritage. Here, tourists can unravel some mysteries of the ancient imperial court life.
The historic site of Hoa Lo Prison provides visitors with a poignant and authentic experience of the pain and loss endured by revolutionary female soldiers – mothers, wives, and valiant revolutionaries who steadfastly maintained their dignity, unyielding in the face of captivity, enduring numerous humiliations in the dark, oppressive, and horrifying conditions of the “earthly hell” – Hoa Lo Prison.
The Ancient Town is a focal point of Hanoi tourism. With its 36 ancient streets, preserving the architectural charm of the 19th century, it radiates the inherent tranquility and simplicity of Hanoi.
Hanoi boasts numerous scenic spots interwoven with the rhythm of modern urban life yet bearing the unmistakable imprints of time, such as Ngoc Son Temple, Turtle Tower, Tran Quoc Pagoda, O Quan Chuong, Thang Long Tu Tran, and Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam.
Exploring “French Architecture in the Heart of Hanoi,” French President Francois Hollande, during his visit to Hanoi’s Ancient Town, remarked: “Hanoi currently boasts many shared cultural sites that are quite interesting between the two countries. The streets and alleys of Hanoi also exhibit many resemblances to France, and I felt like I was sitting in a café on a Parisian street.”
Ms. Stella, Vice President of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage, who has led numerous international tourist groups to explore Hanoi, enthusiastically shared: “For me, every street and corner in Hanoi is a heritage because it holds many captivating stories that shape Hanoi’s history.”
Unique and rare products from ancient villages on the outskirts
Tourists arriving in Hanoi are not only impressed by the heritage sites in the city center but are also drawn to the beauty of several ancient villages in the suburbs such as Duong Lam Ancient Village (Son Tay), Bat Trang Ancient Village (Gia Lam), Hong Van Ornamental Plant Village (Thuong Tin), My Duc Weaving Village (My Duc), Phu Vinh Bamboo and Rattan Weaving Village (Chuong My), Quat Dong Embroidery Village (Thuong Tin), Toy Figurine Making Village (Xuan La), Chuon Ngo Pearl Mosaic Village (Phu Xuyen), especially, tourism products related to river tours, MICE tourism, golf tourism, and aviation tourism.
Tourists visiting Hanoi are not only impressed by the heritage sites in the city center but also captivated by the charm of numerous ancient villages on the outskirts, such as Duong Lam Ancient Village (Son Tay), Bat Trang Ancient Village (Gia Lam), etc.
Hanoi boasts over 300 traditional craft villages within a 30km radius, each with its distinctive characteristics that offer visitors an opportunity to explore and experience the cultural and artistic values of the local people. In these villages, tourists can choose to purchase souvenirs imbued with a strong traditional identity.
Alex Qua, a visitor from Singapore, embarked on a two-day exploration of the ancient village of Duong Lam. He expressed that the Vietnamese countryside is genuinely beautiful and peaceful, with centuries-old houses in Duong Lam being particularly unique. The locals there are gentle and hospitable, leaving a lasting impression on him.
He also enjoyed trying the local specialties like “keo doi” and peanut candy. Particularly impressive was the authentically Vietnamese meal, featuring rustic dishes with a countryside essence, lovingly prepared by the people of Duong Lam to treat their guests.
Nguyen Van Tai, the head of the Travel Department at UNESCO Vietnam Tourism Club and the CEO of VietSense Travel Company, remarked, “What delights travel agencies the most is that the accommodation, dining, and sightseeing services in Hanoi have swiftly recovered and kept pace with the deployment speed of travel companies. Tourists coming to Hanoi are highly satisfied and comfortable because they always feel reassured, safe, and content with the quality of services and destinations.”
According to https://kinhtedothi.vn/moi-con-duong-goc-pho-ha-noi-deu-la-di-san.html