The New Year holiday is fast approaching and is also the time for busy tourist activities.

Due to the impact of economic conditions, many people choose destinations near Hanoi with short travel times and not too expensive for the three-day holiday.

Selected destinations in Hanoi

In addition to well-known destinations such as heritage sites, handicraft villages, resorts, tourist attractions, eco-tourism destinations, and entertainment areas, there are also options for capital residents and tourists for sightseeing.

Nguyen Ha Thanh (Bac Tu Liem District) plans to take her children to places on the outskirts of Hanoi. For a day trip, she will not be too tired, save money and still enjoy the vacation.

Foreign tourists visit Quang Phu Cau, an incense-making village in Ung Hoa District. Photo: Le Giang/The Hanoi Times

"As usual, tourist sites are often too crowded on holidays, and our income is not good, so we decide to spend less on traveling," she said.

On this occasion, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage is decorated with flowers and ornamental plants in the front yard of Doan Mon, the area of Kinh Thien Palace and the Hau Lau area... The relic space wears a new look for tourists to experience and find the culture of Thang Long-Hanoi, spanning 13 centuries.

During the New Year holidays, night tours to explore Thang Long Imperial Citadel are fully booked. The Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center is increasing the number of staff on duty during these days.

In Duong Lam Ancient Village, the Ancient Village Relics Management Board organizes the tourist night market in Mong Phu communal house yard for tourists staying overnight, with Duong Lam specialties made and sold by the people themselves.

The Ancient Village Relics Management Board organizes a regular night market every Saturday night, creating a highlight for ancient village tourism. On this occasion, the authorities will organize an art exhibition of Duong Lam Ancient Village at the Mong Phu Community House.

Nguyen Dang Thao, head of the Ancient Village Relics Management Board, said Duong Lam has always been a destination chosen by many tourists, especially during holidays. Therefore, enriching activities in the direction of utilizing the cultural value of the ancient village will enhance the experience for tourists and at the same time contribute to promoting the value of the ancient village.

In addition, many other destinations such as Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Relics, Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Space, Son Tay Citadel Walking Space, Thu Le Zoo, Bao Son Paradise Theme Park, shopping malls, resorts on the outskirts of Hanoi... are preparing for the large influx of visitors.

Short trips attract visitors

With a few days off, short trips are preferred for people in the capital to destinations near Hanoi, such as Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, Sa Pa, Moc Chau, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang.

Tourists at Dong Mo Lake in Son Tay Town, Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Pham Van Bay, deputy director of Vietravel Tourism Company in Hanoi, said the company has many incentives in the spring promotion program for customers who buy tours in advance.

As for foreign tours, the tendency is to choose destinations with reasonable prices, convenient routes and new destinations. According to Nguyen Cong Hoan, general director of Flamingo Redtours Joint Stock Company, destinations in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia will be chosen by many tourists this New Year because they are not only convenient to travel to but also because tour prices are reasonable and the climate there is warm.

Besides, places with a festive Lunar New Year atmosphere, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong (China), also attract tourists as they will have a new experience of Tet.

Admission fees to capital's tourist sites to rise

The Hanoi People's Council has decided to increase the fees for visiting scenic spots and tourist attractions starting January 1, 2024.

With the decision of the Hanoi People's Council, most of Hanoi's scenic spots, historical relics and cultural spaces have become more expensive.

The decision allows the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison and relics under the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Conservation Center (including relics of Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Co Loa Citadel) to keep 90% of the fee income and pay 10% to the State budget.

Meanwhile, Perfume Pagoda pays 85% of the fee to the State budget (to beautify and renovate the relics and organize festivals).

Quan Thanh Temple, Thay Pagoda, and Tay Phuong Pagoda will have to pay 100% of the entrance fee revenue to the State budget, while Duong Lam Ancient Village will be allowed to keep 100%.

The resolution also provides for free admission on Heritage Day (November 23), the 20th day of the 8th lunar month and the first days of every lunar month in the year at Ngoc Son Temple; on Lunar New Year and Buddha's Birthday (April 15 in the lunar calendar) at Perfume Pagoda; on Lunar New Year at Quan Thanh Temple, Tay Phuong Pagoda, Thay Pagoda and Duong Lam Ancient Village.