About 24 million tourists have visited Hanoi this year, representing a remarkable annual increase of 27%, statistics by the Hanoi Department of Tourism showed. 

The number includes four million foreign visitors, an impressive growth of 266.7% year-on-year, and 20 million domestic tourists, an increase of 16.3% year-on-year and equal to 91% of the 2019 figure.

Foreign travelers in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi Tourism Department

The city's 2023 tourism revenue is estimated at VND87.65 trillion (US$3.65 billion), up 45.5% over the previous year.

Meanwhile, the average room occupancy rate of the hotel sector is estimated to reach 58.7% this year, up 20.1% year-on-year.

The year 2023 can be considered a successful year for Hanoi's tourism industry since the Covid-19 pandemic as it was honored with three awards, including Asia's Leading City Destination 2023, Asia's Leading City Break Destination 2023, and Asia's Leading City Tourist Board in September. This is the first time that Hanoi received Asia's Leading City Tourist Board award.

The Temple of Literature in Hanoi by night. Photo: Bui Cuong

In October, Hanoi won the title of World's Best Golf City Destination 2023, beating Paris, New York, and many other famous cities for golf tourism at the 10th World Golf Awards.

In addition, Hanoi ranked 17th out of 25 renowned travel destinations and third among the top 20 culinary destinations for food enthusiasts as voted by travelers on TripAdvisor.

Dang Huong Giang, Director of the city's Department of Tourism, said this success is attributable to the common efforts of the entire system regardless of authorities, businesses, and locals.

The highlight of Hanoi's tourism achievements in the year is the successful application of digital transformation and technology in tourism management, and the creation of new tourism products. Typically, Hanoi has set up a database software for the entire tourism industry at www.dulich.myhanoi.vn, digitized the data system of agricultural and rural tourism, built a multilingual digital tourism map of Hanoi, and others.

Hanoi's iconic Hoan Kiem Lake at night. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi

In particular, to promote its night economy, Hanoi recently announced 15 night tours, which would help improve tourists' travel experience, making them stay longer and spend more.

In the coming period, Hanoi will continue promoting various types of tourism based on the strengths of each locality, including wellness and trekking tourism in Soc Son district, community tourism related to healthcare in Ba Vi and Soc Son districts, adventure tourism with hot air balloons in Tay Ho, Long Bien, and Son Tay districts, and others.

By 2024, the city targets to welcome about 26.5 million tourists, including five million foreign arrivals.