Three locations in Vietnam are among the ‘best walking cities’ in the world

The capital Hanoi ranked 42nd, while the ancient historic port city of Hoi An ranked 87th and HCMC ranked 99th.

The list was based on booking and search data for 800 cities in 120 countries via the GuruWalk website between April 2023 and April 2024.

To compile the list, the company, which specializes in offering free walking tours worldwide, compared the number of bookings and page visits per destination.

Hanoi is known for its rich history, French colonial architecture and vibrant markets, all of which are within easy walking distance. On foot, visitors can explore the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple or stroll along the French-built Long Bien Bridge.

According to GuruWalk, although many tourists choose to explore the capital by motorcycle, the best way to gain a deep insight into the city’s history and culture is on foot.

“While Hoi An is famous for its old town illuminated by colorful lanterns, unique architecture and customization, HCMC offers a mix of French colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers and historical sites such as the War Remnants Museum that are worth exploring on foot. the site added.

Despite the ranking, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s two largest metropolises, have often received complaints from both locals and tourists about the lack of space for walking given the encroachment of sidewalks by vehicles and vendors.

According to GuruWalk, Rome is the best walking city in the world, followed by Budapest and Barcelona.