Hanoi named among best places to spend fall

Cable news channel CNN has selected Hanoi as one of the 12 best places to go for fall, calling the capital a "bright spot".

"Asia tourism in general has been the slowest to bounce back (Japan, for instance). But Vietnam is the real bright spot right now," CNN quoted Scott Keyes, the founder of flight deals and travel advice site Scott's Cheap Flights as saying.

"And autumn in the capital is drier and cooler with monsoon season ending," Forrest Brown, author of the CNN article, added.

"Hanoi has plenty to keep foodies satiated. Cha ca (fish cooked with turmeric and dill) is so popular a street was named after the dish. Hanoi-style banh tom (shrimp cakes) is another must-try.

Be sure to ramble around the city's Old Quarter with its historical streets and shops trading in jewelry, fabrics and flowers. You can tour the quarter and beyond on Soviet-era Ural Sidecar motorcycles. On the outskirts of Hanoi and far from tourists is Dong Ngac, a "village of scholars" that has barely changed in centuries," Brown wrote.

He suggested Hotel de l'Opera near the beautiful Hanoi Opera House as a good choice. "Or for something more contemporary, try Maison d'Orient in the Old Quarter."

Other places in the CNN list are Mexico City, Samoa, Madrid, Greenville (South Carolina), Egypt, Cape Town (South Africa), U.S.-Canada Atlantic cruises, Bavaria (Germany), Buenos Aires, Hawaii and The Azores.

In July, Hanoi was selected as one of the six best destinations to explore by bike by Booking.com, a global online travel website.

"The capital cof Hanoi is one of Asia’s most popular cycling destinations, known for its centuries-old architecture, lakes, parks and over 600 temples and pagodas, the city offers a network of fantastic cycling paths that allow travelers to explore amongst locals on bicycles and scooters," Booking.com wrote.

"Visitors can park up in the city’s colorful Old Quarter and refuel on delicious Vietnamese street food like beef noodle soup and shrimp cakes," it added.