Terraced rice fields in Sa Pa, a tourist magnet in the northern mountianous province of Lao Cai (Photo: VNA) Channel NewsAsia, a Singapore-basedmultinational news channel, has listed Sa Pa (Lao Cai province), Ba Na (Da Nangcity), and Da Lat (Lam Dong province) among the 10 cooling getaways in Asia toescape the intense heat.
“With cool temperatures year-round, Sa Pa offers respite evenduring the "hottest" months of June to August. But the destination'sallure extends beyond its climate, from villages and homestays teeming withculture to rice terraces and waterfalls littered along guided treks andmotorbike tours. You can conquer Southeast Asia’s lofty peak, Fansipan, on ahike, or hop onboard a fancy funicular ride for the smug satisfaction ofbasking in the panoramic vistas without breaking a single bead of perspiration,”it said.
Meanwhile,the illusion of a French holiday continues in Da Lat, dubbed the “Paris ofVietnam”. Thrill-seekers will not be disappointed in Da Lat, as waterfallcanyoning, high rope courses, and mountain bike trails await in its backyard.
Ba Na Hills, perched at analtitude of 1,489 metres on Nui Chua Mountain, offers a slightly more curatedexperience. The site owes its fame to the iconic Golden Bridge, suspendedin the clouds by two colossal stone hands, and an instant social mediasensation since its launch in 2018. It also boasts an exhilarating alpinecoaster and an indoor amusement park. Withits gothic-inspired architecture and colonial-themed rooms, this self-containedhaven is packed with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, providing a respitefrom the bustling crowds, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Golden Bridge in Da Nang has alsobeen named among the world’s 100 greatest places by the renowned Time magazineof the US. The Guardian daily of the UK also listed this bridge among the world’smost striking pedestrian bridges.
HoiAn and Ho Chi Minh City are the two destinations standing in the winner list of World’s Best Awards 2023 asthe favourite cities in Asia, voted by readers of by US travel magazineTravel + Leisure. Hoi An ranked 13th, followed by Ho Chi Minh City.
The cities in this list were specifically rated on the criteria ofsights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value.
Three hotels in the country are alsopresent in Travel + Leisure’s list of 100 favourite hotels in the world of 2023, namely Capella Hanoi (18th),Regent Phu Quoc (19th) and The Reverie Saigon (35th).
In addition, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, andPhong Nha - Ke Bang of Vietnam are among the best UNESCO world heritage sitesin Southeast Asia as selected by British travel magazine Wanderlust.
The VNAT said September is the startof the peak season of international arrivals in Vietnam each year.
Given this, the authority will step up developing cultural tourism, ecotourism,urban tourism, and marine tourism with more special products and professionalservices in order to enrich international visitors’ experience of the country’scultural and natural values and people’s hospitality.
Recently, the National Assemblyapproved the extension of e-visas’ validity from 30 days to 90 days withmultiple entries. It also increased the temporary residence at border gates forthose entitled to unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, and thispolicy will take effect on August 15.
Experts held that these changes willfuel tourism more strongly, attract more international visitors to Vietnam, andcreate attractive business opportunities for investors./.
VNA
