Hanoi is in Autumn season, featuring cool weather and peaceful, romantic scenery that captivates both domestic and international tourists. This seasonal charm encourages the city to tap into its tourism potential by hosting various events and designing new tours.

Appeal for tourists

Cool weather in Hanoi during the autumn is suitable for many outdoor activies, including a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter. Photo: Tra My

Autumn in Hanoi has appeared in poetry, music, and painting as a typical beauty of a season of the year. Coming to the capital around that time, visitors have the opportunity to stroll around the Old Quarter and admire ancient architectural works such as the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university or Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the cool air and golden sunlight. At the same time, you can enjoy autumn noshes in the Old Quarter such as green rice flakes or persimmons.

According to Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association Le Ba Dung, thanks to its unique, serene charm, Hanoi in autumn has enormous potential for the development of tourism products. Currently, travel agents have designed tours specific to autumn, exploring the Temple of Literature, West Lake, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ly Thai To Flower Garden, or Phan Dinh Phung Street with the historical relic of the North Gate.

A tranquil afternoon in an Autumn day by Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Dong Duc

From a business perspective, Deputy General Director of Hanoitourist Corporation Nguyen Thi Van noted that international visitors to Hanoi normally stay only one to two nights and visit a number of famous relics. However, when coming to Hanoi in the fall, they are entitled to more experiences, such as heading to the North Gate to take photos on the scenic Phan Dinh Phung Street, whose sidewalks are dyed yellow with dragon plum leaves.

Nguyen Tran Quang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Agency (HPA), remarked that autumn is a distinctive product of Hanoi, creating its own appeal for domestic and international tourists.

“Recently, the TV channel CNN has named Hanoi among 12 of the top fall destinations in the world. Hanoi's tourism industry is also gradually exploiting the unique potential and advantages of its autumn beauty, developing attractive, creative tourism products,” Quang gave an example.

 Many new products developed

According to experts, Hanoi’s tourism has great potential for tourists to choose as a destination in the fall. Nevertheless, to better attract visitors, the city must have suitable tours and hold cultural and sports events, facilitating new tourism products.

Autumn is also the best time to try some Hanoi seasonal street foods. Photo: autumnhanoi

For instance, Flamingo Redtours JSC has recently launched 4 Hanoi fall tourism products in the fields of history, culture, and architecture, namely 'Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Era’, ‘A Glimpse of Europe in the Heart of Hanoi’, ‘Hanoi - 36 Streets’, and ‘One Day Exploring West Lake.’

As confirmed by Deputy Head of the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board Tran Thi Thuy Lan, every autumn, the unit organizes multiple activities to pull in visitors, including the Old Quarter Mid-Autumn Festival, exploration of the Old Quarter by electric car, or experiencing the living space of ancient Hanoians at the Heritage House at 87 Ma May Street.

Similarly, Deputy Director of Ba Vi National Park Chu Ngoc Quan revealed that to better unlock the local tourism potential, the unit was working out a plan to launch various experiential travel products, such as a tree marigold flower festival in October, experiential travel combined with sports such as cycling and mountaineering.

Meanwhile, to draw visitors to the capital this season, HPA is promptly preparing for the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2024, held in the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity.

The newly opened Nhan Dan Cafeteria by Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Dinh Xuan Tien

Head of HPA’s Tourism Promotion Department Nguyen Huu Viet said that with the theme ‘Hanoi Autumn - Historic Autumn’, the festival was going to have 150 booths, along with many spaces to promote Hanoi’s culture and destinations, as well as celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation, such as a flag-and-flower space, “Hanoi of 12 Flower Seasons” exhibition, or “Hanoi’s Culinary Delights” area.

During the event, the Hanoi Tourism Association planned to introduce seven tours associated with Hanoi Fall, including a food tour, a photo tour, Duong Lam Ancient Village tour that features the quintessence of the North, and a Hanoi City tour by elevated urban railway.

In addition to activities promoting the capital’s tourism products, during the 2024 Hanoi Autumn Festival, artisans and skilled craftsmen are also going to demonstrate their skills and exhibit products of typical craft villages around Hanoi.

As introduced by Artisan Nguyen Van Su, through the performances, locals and tourists can experience and explore exquisite handicrafts from Hanoian craft villages such as Giang Cao ceramics, Ha Thai lacquerware, Ngu Xa bronze casting, Phu Vinh rattan and bamboo weaving, Chau Khe jewelry, Kieu Ky gold leaf gilding, Quoc Oai wood sculpture, or Van Phuc silk.

No visitor to Hanoi city in autumn should miss the opportunity to sit down and savor rustic flavor in the cool, dry weather with gentle sunshine. Photo: Nguyen Thi Gai

From the perspective of a management agency, Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department Dang Huong Giang said that to help travel businesses attract tourists, the capital's tourism sector has designed a series of annual events every autumn.

This year, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital, the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2024 is set to take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage site, featuring an Ao dai parade, a space for gift products from Hanoian craft villages, and many cultural performances and promotion activities. This event is intended to become an annual activity of the sector every fall.

“The tourism industry has determined to develop fall tourism into a brand of Hanoi. In the coming time, apart from organizing a series of events and activities in autumn, the Department of Tourism will enhance promotion and cooperation with localities and travel businesses to develop new tourism products, bringing more visitors to Hanoi,” Giang affirmed.