In 2024, TripAdvisor has ranked Vietnam’s Sa Pa and Ha Long Bay among the top five trending destinations globally. These two stunning locations, known for their unique landscapes and cultural richness, are highly praised for offering travelers breathtaking natural wonders and immersive cultural experiences. Let’s explore what makes these two sites stand out and why they deserve to be at the top of your travel bucket list this year.

Top 5 Trending Destinations by Tripadvisor

Recently, TripAdvisor announced the world's top trending travel destinations, with Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa being named among the prestigious Top 5. TripAdvisor, the largest travel platform in the world, connects travelers with service providers globally. With over 1 billion reviews and contributions from its community, TripAdvisor offers a comprehensive reflection of the global tourism landscape.

Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa stood out in a list of over 8 million destinations and secured their spots in the Top 5 Trending Destinations in the "Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best Destinations". The "Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best of the Best Destinations" honor destinations that achieve the highest levels of excellence in tourism, as determined by superior ratings from TripAdvisor’s global community over a 12-month period. Out of 8 million profiles, less than 1% of destinations reach this elite status.

According to assessments, the commonality between Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa lies in their unique natural beauty and cultural diversity. Spring and autumn are considered the ideal travel season for these two destinations, with Ha Long Bay enjoying the sea breeze from the heritage bay, while Sa Pa benefits from the cool climate of the majestic Hoang Lien Son range and the highest peak in Indochina, Fansipan. Many unique cultural festivals and recreational activities are also added advantages that endear Ha Long and Sa Pa to millions of tourists worldwide.

Other Prestigious Global Travel Awards

This is not the first time Sa Pa and Ha Long Bay have been recognized as international travel destinations.

Recently, India's Times Travel magazine honored 50 of the world's most beautiful destinations for 2024, including three Vietnamese locations: Sa Pa (Lao Cai Province), Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh Province), and Hoi An (Quang Nam Province).

According to Times Travel, Ha Long Bay is a small bay in Quang Ninh Province and is one of the world-recognized Natural Heritage sites. This heritage site consistently receives high praise from leading travel magazines and international media.

Ranked 23rd in the top 50 beautiful destinations of 2024, Ha Long Bay, with 2.6 million visitors annually, is the 4th most-visited natural wonder in the world.

Sa Pa, located in Lao Cai Province in northern Vietnam, is listed 45th among the 50 most beautiful destinations for 2024. The town, shrouded in floating clouds, appears like a mystical city in the mist, giving visitors the feeling of being in a magical realm.

Sa Pa attracts numerous international travelers who are keen to explore its majestic natural landscapes. This tranquil land is home to many highland ethnic groups, offering visitors unique insights into Vietnam’s diverse cultures.

Ha Long - More Than Just A Heritage Bay

According to TripAdvisor, Ha Long Bay is "breathtakingly" beautiful. Ranking third in the Best of the Best Destinations list, its majestic natural beauty is key to attracting over 1 million visitors since the beginning of 2024, with international tourists making up the majority.

The refreshing sea breeze, the uniqueness of the thousands of large and small islands and caves alleviate the summer heat and provide a refreshing and relaxing experience for all visitors. But tourism in Ha Long offers even more experiences than that.

In recent years, cruising has become a popular trend due to its diverse experiences, exciting itineraries, and countless surprises. If you’re tired of conventional travel methods, checking into a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay for a maritime adventure would be a fantastic choice to "change things up" and enjoy some truly relaxing moments.

Cruising is not just about sightseeing and stopping for photos. When on a cruise in Ha Long, you can take part in many engaging and novel activities. These include Tai Chi classes every morning and cooking classes in the afternoon. This combination of local cultural experiences offers a unique inspiration for visitors.

Additionally, kayaking in the bay is another highly enjoyable activity for those participating in cruise tours around Ha Long Bay. You’ll immerse yourself in the beautiful natural scenery, glide across the emerald waters, pass by majestic limestone islands, and explore dazzling and extraordinary caves.

In the evenings on a cruise in Ha Long Bay, you can enjoy the exciting activity of fishing for squid. You'll get to experience life as a true fisherman and try your hand at catching squid under the sparkling night sky.

>> See more at: Halong Bay Cruise: The Perfect Autumn Getaway

Sa Pa – The Unique Beauty of The Highlands

Ranked 5th in TripAdvisor's list of the world’s most popular destinations, Sa Pa offers a unique charm, encapsulating a miniature version of the Northwest with its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and the distinct character of its highland people.

In 2020, as the global tourism industry faced a crisis due to COVID-19, the small town of Sa Pa emerged as one of Asia's up-and-coming destinations. The Sun World Fansipan Legend resort there received two awards at the World Travel Awards 2020: "World's Leading Cultural Tourist Attraction 2020" and "World's Leading Natural Scenery Tourist Attraction 2020."

Experiencing the sensation of touching the "meeting point of heaven and earth," standing on solid ground yet beneath a blanket of fluffy white clouds, is a unique experience found only at the rooftop of Indochina.

Not only does Sa Pa attract visitors with its majestic landscapes, but it also impresses with the grand spiritual and cultural complex on the summit of Fansipan, which includes 12 structures situated at an altitude of over 3,000 meters above sea level.

No matter the season, visitors to Sa Pa are always immersed in its majestic, poetic beauty, and rich highland culture. However, Sa Pa is particularly breathtaking in autumn, when the golden terrace fields transform the landscape into a stunning mosaic of colors. The crisp, cool air and the sight of the terraces bathed in golden hues offer a unique and enchanting experience.

The Gothic-style stone church in the town center stands out among the bustling market area, which features various stalls and shops. TripAdvisor recommends enjoying Vietnamese or Western cuisine in the town center and suggests not missing the lively "love market" every Saturday evening, “one of the most potent- and strictest-single’s nights imaginable”, it said.

>> See more at: Things to do in Sapa

Planning Your Trip

When planning a visit to these two destinations, you can start with Sa Pa, either by bus or train from Hanoi, where a two to three-day stay is ideal to explore the vast trekking routes and cultural villages. After immersing yourself in the highland beauty of Sa Pa, head to Ha Long Bay, easily accessible from Hanoi. A two-day-one-night boat tour of Ha Long Bay is highly recommended for a memorable experience before concluding your trip.

Whether you're drawn to the mystical allure of Ha Long Bay or the rugged beauty of Sa Pa, Vietnam has something to offer for every traveler. These carefully curated itineraries will bring to you immersive experiences in Sa Pa, Ha Long and other Northern Vietnam's treasures, combining both adventure and relaxation:

• 8D7N - North Vietnam In-Depth Journey: Perfect for those who want to dive deep into the culture and landscapes of Northern Vietnam.
• 6D5N - Northern Vietnam’s Hidden Charms: Ideal for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Both trips provide unique travel experiences through the diverse landscapes of Northern Vietnam. Whether you’re trekking through rice terraces or cruising on a luxury boat, these tours ensure a memorable adventure. Book now to embark on a journey that combines the best of Vietnam’s natural beauty and cultural richness!

Asia Mystika Travel is a Vietnamese local travel agency dedicated to bringing first-hand experience of lovely scenery, and distinctive indigenous cultures to every customer. With professional local tour guides and prestiged airline partners (4 domestic airlines and over 300 international airlines), we offer unique local experience at an extremely reasonable price. All tours are 100% customizable, no shopping and no extra fee.

Contact us for a personalized travel itinerary according to your preferences:

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