Ha Long Bay, Sa Pa selected as trending destinations in 2024 by TripAdvisor
Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh and Sa Pa township in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai have been listed among the world’s trending destinations by the renowned travel site TripAdvisor.
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage site (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninhand Sa Pa township in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai have beenlisted among the world’s trending destinations by the renowned travel siteTripAdvisor.
Specifically, in the “Trending Destinations”category of the site’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024, Ha Long Bay isranked third, while Sapa comes fifth. Topping the list is Tokyo of Japan,followed by the Republic of Korea’s Seoul.
Regarding Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised WorldNatural Heritage site, the world’s largest travel guidance platform wrote that travelersvisit Ha Long Bay for an up-close look at its amazing limestone islands, rockformations and caves. Whittled away over centuries by wind and water, they’rebreath-taking. It advised visitors to rent a kayak or a junk boat, or take atour to explore.
Terraced rice fields in Sa Pa (Photo: VNA)
Meanwhile, “the northwest market town of SaPa is colourful and charming, providing the perfect oasis in the midst of astrenuous mountain trek or rice-paddy tour. The Gothic stone church at thecentre of town is a bull’s-eye in the centre of shops and stalls, serving as areminder of the town’s French missionary influence. Dine on Vietnamese orEuropean-inspired cuisine downtown, and don’t miss the Saturday night"love market," one of the most potent- and strictest-single’s nightsimaginable,” it said.
Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best is theannual award by Tripadvisor. The award is meant to be given to destinationswhose hotels, restaurants and things-to-do received a high volume ofabove-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the community over a 12-monthperiod.
Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 millionlistings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level ofexcellence in travel./.
The renowned resort town of Sa Pa in Vietnam’s northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has gone through 120 years of tourism development. Since the French placed the first marker on Mt Fansipan in 1903 and built a resort to welcome guests, Sa Pa has become a national tourist area and aims to secure international standing.
Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern Province of Quang Ninh and neighbouring Hai Phong City is the first Vietnamese inter-provincial site listed by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. UNESCO’s recognition has enhanced the value of this vast, majestic, and beautiful area.
The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh served 170,000 visitors during the New Year holiday (December 30, 2023 – January 1, 2024), up 60% year-on-year.
A stone church is one of the ancient structures and iconic symbols of the misty resort town of Sapa in Lao Cai province. The Notre Dame Cathedral has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing a large number of visitors to the town in the northwest of Vietnam.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage site (Photo: VNA) 
Terraced rice fields in Sa Pa (Photo: VNA) 
