As the 31st World Travel Awards - Asia and Oceania region officially opens its voting portal, Vietnam is calling on its people and international friends to vote for the country's tourism awards at www.worldtravelawards.com.

Hanoi shortlisted for two prestigious awards

Hanoi's iconic Long Bien Bridge at sundown. Photo: Pham An

Following the success of the World Travel Awards 2023, Hanoi has been nominated in two categories in this year's prestigious competition: Asia's Leading City Break Destination 2024 and Asia's Leading City Destination 2024. 

Vietnam's capital city makes the shortlist because it has an active lifestyle while maintaining its cultural identity. The people are friendly and helpful, and the cuisine is rich with delicious dishes, both traditional and innovative.

According to Deborah Brown, an Aussie expat in Hanoi, the sublime beauty of the city’s natural settings is very impressive.

Trang Tien Street in Hanoi after rain. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi Group

“The sights, the sounds and the tastes of Hanoi leave a lasting memory for many foreign visitors. Its key destination of the Old Quarter Area offers great tourism value,” she told The Hanoi Times.

“Hanoi is turning into a sophisticated Asian destination. It is Asian at heart, but at the same time also totally at ease with a Western perspective,” she added.

Combined with the friendly nature of the people of Hanoi and the current political stability, the city is poised for solid growth in the coming years. It is no surprise, then, that the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has increased steadily in recent years.

The Hanoi Department of Tourism reported that in the first five months of 2024, there were 496.5 thousand foreign arrivals out of 11.55 million tourists in Hanoi, an increase of 46.7% over the same period last year.

Yen or Canary Stream, Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi in the water lily season. Photo: Tran Thanh Viet

The city now aims to develop in a sustainable and efficient way, to be the gateway that welcomes tourists and serves as a transfer point for travelers to the north and the whole country, and to be a 'Safe - Friendly - Quality - Attractive' destination.

In addition to Hanoi, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City has been nominated for Asia's Leading Business Travel Destination 2024. In the central region, Hoi An Ancient Town and Hue - Vietnam's former imperial city - are nominated for Asia's Leading Culture City Destination 2024.

The famous tourist attraction of Phu Quoc - the Emerald Island - has been nominated for Asia's Leading Luxury Island Destination 2024.

Two provinces in northern Vietnam, Ha Giang and Ha Nam, are finalists in the category of Asia's Leading Regional Cultural Destination 2024. The charming Moc Chau Plateau in the mountainous province of Son La is nominated as Asia's Leading Regional Natural Destination in 2024.

Moc Chau Plateau, Son La Province in the Spring. Photo: Bong House

Multiple national awards

At the World Travel Awards 2024 national level, Vietnam is shortlisted in many important categories, including Asia's Leading Beach Destination 2024; Asia's Leading Cultural Destination 2024; Asia's Leading Destination 2024; Asia's Leading Heritage Destination 2024; Asia's Leading Natural Destination 2024; Asia's Leading Youth Travel Destination 2024.

The Vietnam National Tourism Authority is nominated in the category of Asia's Leading Tourism Board 2024; the Hanoi Tourism Department and Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department are both up for the title of Asia's Leading City Tourism Board 2024; while the Quang Nam Tourism Department is in the race for the title of Asia's Leading Regional City Tourism Board 2024.

There are also many other nominations for Vietnam's aviation, hotels, resorts and natural destinations.

The ancient palace in Hue City. Photo: Hue Monuments Conservation Center

Vote for Vietnam 

To vote for Vietnam Tourism in the above categories, locals, international travelers and foreign expats are invited to visit the website www.worldtravelawards.com and follow the steps as follows:

Select "Vote", then "Register" to create a voter account; fill in the form with the required information; select "Submit" to complete registration.

Voters will also need to confirm their account via the registered email.

Select "Login" to sign in with the account you have been given.

Select nominations from Vietnam Tourism and vote.

Important Note: Each account can only vote once for each award category. Voting will close on July 23, 2024.