The Ultimate Travel Destination: Vietnam’s Hidden Gem Outshines Dubai and Bangkok

The renowned British newspaper, The Telegraph, has recently released its readers’ choice awards for the best cities in the world in 2025, attracting around 20,000 participants. The list included the top 10 global cities and regional categories: Europe, the Americas, and the “rest of the world.” Notably, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, made it to the Top 10 cities outside of Europe and the Americas, rubbing shoulders with other prominent global tourist destinations.

Nearly 20,000 Telegraph readers voted for Hanoi

The Telegraph Travel Awards 2025 annual survey recorded nearly 20,000 global participants. In the list of the top 100 cities in the world, Hanoi ranked 31st, surpassing well-known Asian cities such as Bangkok (40th), Mumbai (43rd), Kuala Lumpur (68th), and even Dubai (73rd).

But that’s not all. Hanoi also ranked 10th in the category of “best cities outside of Europe and the Americas,” a list that recognizes up-and-coming attractive destinations in other continents. This is a testament to Hanoi’s enduring and growing appeal to the international community.

According to The Telegraph, an ideal city for travelers is one that offers a mix of “historical depth, distinctive beauty, delectable cuisine, rich culture, and a plethora of exciting activities.” For the newspaper’s readers, Hanoi ticks all these boxes. From the ancient 36 streets to the romantic Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, and the vibrant creative spaces, along with restaurants serving northern specialties and lively weekend nights around Ho Guom Lake… all of these make travelers feel like they have stepped back in time while also experiencing a modern, vibrant city.

International media praises Hanoi as a must-visit destination

Numerous international magazines and newspapers have praised Hanoi, asserting that it is one of the most attractive destinations in Southeast Asia and the world.

Travel + Leisure, in its article “15 Dream International Vacations That Are Surprisingly Affordable” (2025), ranked Hanoi 13th globally, emphasizing its blend of ancient culture, refined cuisine, and surprisingly affordable costs. The magazine described Hanoi as a place where one can experience both slow-paced ancient life and dynamic modern living, offering a “memorable yet affordable” travel experience.

The Times (UK) also recently published a list of “12 Most Remarkable Places to Visit in Vietnam,” describing Hanoi as a legendary capital where the past and present intertwine: ancient temples, bustling old quarters, French-style cafes, and fragrant banh mi sandwiches. The newspaper sums up Hanoi as “full of history, charm, museums, shops, markets, and wonderful street food,” a place that travelers must take the time to explore.

An article on Travel & Tour World, an international publication, noted that Hanoi is emerging as a leading global destination with its innovative tourism services: from night tours and unique festivals to a digital platform supporting travelers. Hanoi is “rising as one of the world’s top destinations thanks to its breakthrough tourism growth, novel experiences, and smart tourism technology” in 2025.

Hanoi’s tourism sector surges ahead in the first seven months of the year

According to Hanoi’s Department of Tourism, as of the end of July 2025, the city welcomed approximately 18.36 million visitors, including 4.21 million international arrivals (an increase of over 22% compared to the same period in 2024), and the rest being domestic tourists. Total tourism revenue reached approximately VND 73 trillion, an increase of nearly 14.5% over the previous year.

In July alone, Hanoi welcomed about 2.8 million visitors, with estimated revenue reaching VND 10,680 billion. The stable growth in both visitor numbers and revenue indicates that Hanoi is not only maintaining its position as the country’s leading destination but also gradually asserting its role as an international tourism hub in Vietnam.

According to Hanoi’s Department of Tourism, the city is seeing a diverse range of international visitors from markets such as South Korea, the US, Japan, Germany, and France. These visitors tend to stay longer and have a strong interest in cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences, as well as unique services such as night tourism, MICE tourism, and wellness tourism.

The perfect time to explore Hanoi

According to Vietnam Airlines and the international community, autumn (August to November) and spring (March to April) are the best seasons to explore Hanoi. During these months, the capital’s weather is pleasant and comfortable, with a soft golden hue, making it ideal for strolling through the ancient streets, visiting historical sites, and soaking in the vibrant street culture.

Hanoi’s autumn is also the season for village green rice flakes, milk flower blossoms, and leisurely afternoons by the West Lake or at an egg coffee café. Meanwhile, spring brings a festive atmosphere, from the Quang Ba flower market to traditional festivals in the outskirts of the city.

Ready to welcome guests during the grand celebration

According to Hanoi Online, Hanoi will soon enter a series of significant events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd. In addition to the military parade, a range of cultural, artistic, exhibition, and street performance activities will be held in the city center, expected to attract tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors to the capital.

The Government Portal reported that Hanoi’s Department of Tourism has planned to coordinate with other departments, districts, and businesses to upgrade service quality, ensuring safety, friendliness, and attractiveness for tourists. Several special tour programs are also being introduced, focusing on themes such as “Hanoi – A Thousand Years of Culture,” “Hanoi by Night,” “Old Quarter Cuisine,” and “Experiencing Suburban Crafts.”

With its dynamic atmosphere, international recognition, and spirit of innovation and professionalism in organization, Hanoi is steadily establishing itself as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map in 2025.

(According to Hanoi Department of Tourism, Hanoi Online, and The Telegraph)