Making "Hanoi Autumn" an attractive tourist destination

Prepared by: Bao Trung | September 21, 2024

(To Quoc) - The unique charm of Hanoi in autumn captivates not only the capital's residents but also tourists from near and far. Destinations, traditional craft villages, tourism companies, and management and promotion agencies in Hanoi are working together to leverage their strengths to develop products and attract tourists.

The 2nd Hanoi Autumn Festival, themed "Hanoi Autumn - A Historical Autumn," featured many rich and unique cultural and tourism events, attracting a large number of locals and tourists to visit and experience the festival over the weekend.

In 2022, CNN's recommendation of Hanoi as one of the 12 most ideal autumn destinations in the world attracted significant attention. In recent years, autumn has also been the time when many cultural and tourism events are held in Hanoi, often associated with the commemoration of the Liberation Day of the Capital (October 10th). Notable examples include: the Ao Dai Tourism Festival, the Tourism Gift Festival, and the Hanoi Autumn Festival...

This year, the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2024, taking place from September 20-22 in the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake and several tourist destinations in the city, continues to be an opportunity for destinations, craft villages, and tourism companies to promote their strengths to a large number of tourists and people in the capital.

The festival showcases Hanoi's traditional craft villages such as My Duc weaving, Quang Phu Cau incense making, and many characteristic culinary delights like Uoc Le pork sausage, Vong village sticky rice flakes, Hang Than sticky rice cakes, and Tay Ho lotus tea.

Each craft village possesses impressive beauty and unique characteristics that contribute to the cultural value of Thang Long (Hanoi). In addition, there are spaces for promoting and introducing tourist destinations; showcasing the flavors of Hanoi; and providing experiential spaces and activities for locals and domestic and international tourists.

According to culinary expert Le Thi Thiet (Vietnam Culinary Culture Association), Hanoi's characteristic dishes create a unique appeal whenever autumn arrives. "There are dishes that aren't necessarily only available in autumn, but they taste best when eaten in autumn, such as fragrant green rice flakes, mudskippers, rice cakes, pho... In Hanoi's autumn, the aroma and flavor of these dishes seem to become even more special and memorable. Many Hanoi dishes have been recognized and widely celebrated both domestically and internationally, so promoting and attracting tourists through the culinary channel is a very effective method."

In addition to the 17 districts and towns within the capital city, the Hanoi Autumn Festival also features the participation and support of 12 provinces and cities nationwide, along with various associations, clubs, and tourism and travel businesses. During this event, many booths offer a space imbued with the essence of Hanoi's autumn to inspire visitors, such as enjoying Hanoi tea and coffee, and listening to beloved melodies about the capital's autumn from the sounds of guitar, cajon drums, and saxophone.

Visitors can experience instant photo taking upon check-in with the "Journey of Love" or unique ice cream shaped like Hanoi landmarks; or write letters to send wishes and encouraging messages to underprivileged children in mountainous areas, and Vietravel and the tourists in the charity group will help deliver them directly to each child.

The exhibition booths, modeled after houses in the old quarter, gave the Festival space a distinctly Hanoi feel.

The display booth showcasing traditional Vietnamese clay figurines (Tò he) attracted considerable attention from visitors.

Foreign tourists are particularly fascinated by this unique Vietnamese toy.

According to Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, nearly 10 tourism products focusing on Hanoi's autumn have been developed. These include: a Hanoi autumn experience tour through the five senses (tourists stroll along flower-lined streets, listen to songs about Hanoi, eat sticky rice cakes, drink egg coffee, and shop for souvenirs); a Hanoi autumn photo tour; a Hanoi food tour; a Hanoi city tour by elevated urban railway and electric bus; an Ao Dai tour (tourists wear Ao Dai and depart from the Old Quarter to Van Phuc silk village for sightseeing and shopping); a tour of Ha Thai lacquer village (Thuong Tin) - bell-shaped conical hat village (Thanh Oai) - Quang Phu Cau incense village (Ung Hoa); a Duong Lam - Mia Pagoda - Son Tay ancient citadel - Khai Nguyen Pagoda tour; a tour to see the "Quintessence of Northern Vietnam" live performance; and a Duong Lam - Mia Pagoda - Son Tay ancient citadel - Khai Nguyen Pagoda - Thay Pagoda - "Quintessence of Northern Vietnam" show tour.

According to Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association: "To truly experience Hanoi in autumn, tourists need time to explore and learn. Therefore, when introducing autumn tourism products, tourism businesses need to provide clear suggestions and create tours with reasonable itineraries so that tourists can enjoy the experience for longer."

Children had the opportunity to experience making kites right on the pedestrian street.

This year, due to the complex situation with storms and floods, the 2nd Hanoi Autumn Festival has been adjusted to a smaller scale to ensure safety. The festival will take place as scheduled with 150 booths and many spaces promoting Hanoi's culture and tourist destinations.

Although it will not include a street art parade like in previous years, the festival will still feature many activities promoting unique cultural and tourism aspects. Tourism businesses are also invited to participate in developing new tours and introducing unique products to tourists.

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said that the tourism industry has identified the development of autumn tourism as a brand for Hanoi. This year, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital city, the Department of Tourism is organizing cultural performances and promotional activities, helping to make the event an annual activity of the tourism industry every autumn."

Source: https://toquoc.vn/dua-mua-thu-ha-noi-thanh-diem-den-thu-hut-khach-du-lich-20240921161537415.htm