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| Hanoi named in the top 100 best cities in the world in 2024 (Source: vnexpress.net) |
Experts say although Hanoi is not as expansive or bustling as Ho Chi Minh City, the city offers a plethora of activities and attractions, ranging from urban landmarks, chaotic markets for bargain hunters, awe-inspiring heritage structures like the Imperial Citadel — a UNESCO World Heritage site — and a vibrant nightlife that possesses its own charm.
Most notably, Vietnam is highly rated in the "Livability" category at 61st and in the “Prosperity” category at 184th.
Furthermore, the Vietnamese economy has proven its resilience amid challenges in the global economy with its economic growth projected at 4.7% in the second half of the year.
Moreover, the Hanoi hospitality sector is expected to boom, with an additional 60 new projects anticipated to generate more than 11,000 hotel rooms. Out of these, 61% are five-star hotels, thereby making the city ready to host the world and attract more business travel.
London ranked first on the list as the UK city topped both the overall “Livability” and “Lovability” categories.
A total of 20 Asian cities featured in the top 100, of which Japan and China had the most representatives with such popular destinations as Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya; along with Saporro, Beijing, Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China), and Shanghai
The Republic of Korea has two cities on the list - Seoul and Busan. Some of the remaining Asian cities are located in the UAE, Israel, Oman, Kuwait, and Thailand.
The World's Best Cities is an annual ranking since 2015 released by the global real estate and tourism consulting company Resonance.
The study comprehensively evaluated more than 270 large cities with a population of more than one million. The ranking criteria is based on three major factors - livability, lovability, and prosperity.
Son Doong and Va caves introduced in Planet Earth documentary series
According to VOV, Son Doong and Va cave have been magnificently introduced in the BBC's famous Planet Earth documentary series, one of the world's most popular wild nature documentary television programmes.
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| Son Doong cave (Photo by DANIEL KORDAN) |
Nguyen Chau, general director of Oxalis Adventure Tours, made the statement before the Planet Earth III episode “Extremes”, which officially premiered across the United States, Canada, and around the world in early December.
Previously, the episode was shown on the evening of November 26 on the British TV channel BBC One. Oxalis Adventure travel firm is the unit which was placed in charge of all logistics activities for the BBC film crew as they carried out the Planet Earth III project at Son Doong cave.
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| Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to fully admire Son Doong through a foreigner's perspective on BBC One (Photo by DANIEL KORDAN) |
The Planet Earth’s film crew brought a ton of equipment to Son Doong in order to take excellent footage of the country’s natural beauty site.
The Oxalis representative said the production of the show at the location will further contribute to elevating the image of Vietnamese tourism to the world.
With regard to Planet Earth III, David Attenborough, a renowned English broadcaster, writer, and naturalist, emphasised that in a rapidly changing world, these could be the Earth's greatest natural wonders that people never see again. He went on to reveal the extraordinary survival methods that animals use to fight for survive in this harsh world.
He also shared that in the deepest part of Son Doong cave, which is the largest cave in the world and also one of the world's greatest natural wonders, white blind fish are found in puddles and miraculously survive thanks to food sources from the forest above.
Foreign media outlines Vietnam’s surge in popularity among digital nomads
According to VOV, convenient tourist visa, an array of destinations to explore, low cost of living, and a friendly atmosphere are among the four reasons that Vietnam is surging in popularity with digital nomads, according to United States-based travel website Travel Off Path.
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| Tourists to Hoi An ancient town, the central province of Quang Nam. (Source: vov.vn) |
Vietnam’s 90-day tourist visa, which was recently introduced in August, can be viewed as a game changer for both visitors and digital nomads alike.
Not only is the document obtainable online, but it also allows for multiple entries in and out of Vietnam, enabling remote workers to explore hotspots and attractions located outside the country’s borders with ease, noted Travel Off Path.
Similar visas in comparable Southeast Asian destinations are nowhere near as easily obtainable or long-lasting. In contrast, Thailand’s only lasts for 30 to 45 days. Elsewhere, Indonesia offers a digital nomad visa but requires applicants have proof of funds of at least IDR2 billion, equal to US$130,000, in their bank account, whilst Malaysia is more reasonably priced at US$24,000.
The second reason is that Vietnam boasts so much attractions to explore. In Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital is home to the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Temple of Literature, all of which provide the visual and intellectual stimuli that many explorers chase.
Furthermore, along with the serene waters of Ha Long Bay to the terraced fields of Sa Pa, digital nomads can find some much-needed tranquility and inspiration through natural beauty that can only be found in Southeast Asia.
While the gorgeous sights are undoubtedly a major selling point for Vietnam, what’s drawing in digital nomads at such remarkable rates is the area’s low cost of living, the foreign website recommended.
Anecdotal evidence highlights that the average living expenses of a digital nomad living in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City range from between US$700 and US$950, which is notably cheaper than what one would have to pay in regional countries such as Thailand or Malaysia.
Friendliness and hospitality are two values that are deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture, something that becomes apparent as soon as a visitor comes into contact with a local or ask them for help. Travel Off Path suggests this as the final reason for the Southeast Asian country to surge in popularity with digital nomads.
The willingness of Vietnamese people to share their culture and traditions not only enhances the overall experience on offer for guests, but also allows visitors to make new connections and actually feel part of a wider community.
Moreover, the country’s popularity among digital nomads has seen its biggest cities host thriving expat communities, with plenty of co-working spaces and meet-up events on offer, the article concluded.
RoK’s Chungcheong region enhances tourism cooperation with Ha Long
Authorities and the tourism sector of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Chungcheong region are seeking ways to boost tourism cooperation with Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage in the northern province of Quang Ninh, reported VNA.
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| Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA) |
According to the tourism council of the region which comprises Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong, recently representatives from the RoK discussed with those from Vietnamese localities on the opening of a direct air route between Cheongju and Van Don airports, and other measures to promote exchanges between the two countries.
Earlier, representatives from the tourism council of the region visited Ha Long city where they signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the Vietnamese tourism sector.
A Ha Long K-Street imbued with the Korean style is expected to be put into operation next April, with an aim to promote the country’s culture in the city.
Ha Long Bay attracts around 14 million tourists each year./.