While Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport was recently named among the best 100 in the world, the capital itself took home a bit of an honor this week, making the top 10 in Trip Advisor’s “Best Destinations of 2016” awards.
Of the 469 destinations included, Hanoi came in at number eight, slipping four spots from last year.
The list was determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions in destinations worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period. However, if this is the same algorithm that local travel blog Rusty Compass has previously referred to as "a tad shabby," the results may be questionable.
Trip Advisor used the same description as in the 2015 awards:
“The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Once called Thang Long, or "ascending dragon," this centuries-old city hasn't forgotten its past, as attested by sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards, and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.”
The top 10 in order: London, United Kingdom; Istanbul, Turkey; Marrakech, Morocco; Paris, France; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Prague, Czech Republic; Rome, Italy; Hanoi, Vietnam; New York City, New York and Ubud, Indonesia.
[Photo via Andrew Hux]
