A view of Hoàn Kiếm (Sword) Lake, an iconic landmark of Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI Hà Nội been honoured as the world’s leading city break destination 2023 by the World Travel Awards at a ceremony recently held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This is the second consecutive year that the capital city has been honoured with this title, surpassing many other outstanding candidates such as Sydney (Australia), Tokyo (Japan), Singapore, Hong Kong and Lisbon (Portugal).

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the recognition once again affirms the potential and attractiveness of Hà Nội’s tourism on the world travel map.

Hà Nội boasts rich tourism resources, including 5,922 historical and cultural relic sites, and 1,793 intangible cultural heritage elements such as the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, the Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter – Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Hai Bà Trưng (Trưng Sisters) Temple, Sóc Temple, Thầy Pagoda and Tây Phương Pagoda.

It is also home to the country’s largest number of craft villages, 1,350, including famous ones like Bát Tràng pottery village, Vạn Phúc silk village, Hạ Thái lacquer village and Quất Động embroidery village.

In addition, local tourism infrastructure is being improved in a comprehensive, qualitative and professional manner. The city has also applied information technology to tourism development, including providing free wi-fi at places of interest, the department said.

This year, Hà Nội had 48 restaurants among the 103 across Vietnam selected by Michelin Guide, including three granted one Michelin star.

In October, it obtained the World’s Best Golf City Destination 2023 title of the World Golf Awards 2023, confirming Hà Nội as a unique, attractive, special, safe and quality tourist destination.

The city has successfully hosted many cultural events such as the Hanoi Áo Dài Festival, the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival and the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival, among others.

Visitors seen on Thê Húc Bridge on Sword Lake. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

The latest World’s Leading City Break Destination award is another demonstration of the local tourism sector’s efforts and achievements, as well as Hà Nội’s firm foothold on the global tourism map, the department noted.

Hà Nội welcomed 22.6 million tourists in the first 11 months of 2023, an increase of 32.4 per cent year on year. Among the arrivals, international tourists accounted for 4.1 million, three times higher compared to the same period in 2022. The total tourism revenue reached VNĐ84.25 trillion (US$3.5 billion), a rise of 58.4 per cent year on year. VNS