HN named as cheapest Asian city for backpackers

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“Small corner” of broad picture 

In the Asia Backpacker Index for 2019, the website said “the food is also top-notch, especially when you are sitting amongst locals at one of the thousands of plastic-chair cafes throughout the city.”

“Keep costs even lower by sticking with Bia Hoi, the world's cheapest beer. Hostel beds are cheap, but private rooms are too, so don't automatically book a bunk.”

Cheap price is an advantage that helps attract holiday-makers to the capital city.

However, this is only a small corner in a broad picture of Ha Noi’s tourism sector. 

Not only factor

However, experts said, sustainable tourism development requires more than that.  What is more important is diverse and quality products and services to keep tourists staying longer, spending more money and coming back to the city. 

Given this, the city’s tourism sector is consistently pursuing long-term and sustainable strategies. 

Apart from cultural and historical values, rich cuisine and hospitable people, Ha Noi has focused on developing high-quality tourism products and upgrading local infrastructure. Particularly, the city has developed high-ranking tourism products including hosting Formula One in 2020, building Kim Quy Park (a Disneyland-like amusement park) at Dong Anh Street, and a horse race project in Soc Son. 

In addition, the city has shaken hands with CNN to advertize values of culture, heritages, gastronomy, and people. In the 2019-2023, the cooperation will focus on high-quality products in Ha Noi.  

Ha Noi received more than 2.4 million tourists in January, a year-on-year increase of 10.4%, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

Of the figure, international arrivals to the capital city reached nearly 634,000, up 16% compared to the same period last year. Those who stayed overnight in the city numbered 445,000, mainly from the Republic of Korea, China and Japan, according to local accommodation service providers.

Meanwhile, domestic holidaymakers amounted to 1.7 million, an increase of 8.5%.

Total tourism revenue was estimated to surge 34.2% year on year to VND 8.89 trillion (US$ 383.3 million).

Ha Noi welcomed 5.74 million foreign visitors in 2018, up 16 percent against 2017, among 26 million tourists spending time in the city./.

By Khanh Phuong