An aerial view of Hoi An in central Vietnam. Photo by Shutterstocks/Anthony Tran. 

Hanoi ranked sixth and ancient town Hoi An 11th on the global list of 25 most popular travel destinations, according to 2021 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. 

"The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside," TripAdvisor said.

"Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi."

The list, released Wednesday by the world's most popular travel guide and review website, takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings published on its website for hotels, restaurants and attractions in global destinations over a 12-month period.

"The awards reveal where travelers ventured in 2020, while travel was open, as well as where they dreamed of going while the pandemic kept them stuck at home," it noted.

The Huc Bridge in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi. Photo by Shutterstock/Tony Duy.

The U.S. travel site also hailed Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage site in the central province of Quang Nam, as "a well-preserved example of the important Southeast Asian trading port it was from the 15th-19th centuries."

"On the 14th day of each lunar month, the town trades its electric lights for traditional colored lanterns. Sights include Japanese Covered Bridge and Quan Cong Temple," TripAdvisor recommended.

Bali, a paradise island in Indonesia, is the most popular destination in the world this year, which rose from fourth last year, dethroning London from the top spot to second place.

In regional rankings, Hanoi came in second after Bali while Hoi An came fourth, Ho Chi Minh City 11th and Da Nang City, 16th.