VietNamNet Bridge - 2013 was a successful year for Vietnam tourism as a continuous presence in the world rankings and the region, but also the year's tearful young backpacker favorite.

1. Searching the new Tourism Ambassador

Five candidates for Vietnam tourism ambassador title named

From the beginning of the year, the search of a new Tourism Ambassador was a hot topic on the local media, with a lot of debate about the candidates. Many people expressed regret for the withdrawal of former tourism ambassador Ly Nha Ky.

It is the public interest but the selection attracted a small number of candidates. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism prolonged the deadline until October 31, but it received applications of only five candidates: beauty queen Huynh Thi Ngoc Han, English teacher Do Thi Hong Thuan, actress Lan Phuong, Miss Southeast Asia Dieu Han and the runner-up of Miss Asia USA Chau Mong Nhu.

Mr. Phan Dinh Tan, the Ministry’s spokesman said that if candidates do not meet criterion, the Ministry would not appoint a Tourism Ambassador.

2. 110 years of Sapa tourism and the construction of a cable car to Fansipan

$210 million cable car project to Fansipan launched

The cable to Fansipan will be 6.2km long.

2013 was the year with many events highlighting tourism in Sapa town, Lao Cai province. First of all were the activities to celebrate the 110th year of Sapa tourism (October 15 to November 3), attracting about 40,000 tourists to Lao Cai, bringing the total number of visitors to the town by early November to 1 million.

On this occasion, the project to build a cable car system to serve visitors from Sapa to Muong Hoa valley and the Fansipan peak was launched. The highlight of the project is a 3-wire cable system, the first of its kind in Asia. This system will also be the longest 3-wire, the highest and the most complex cable system in the world.

At the 110th anniversary of Sapa tourism, the Vietnam Record Book Center presented the record certificates to the O Quy Ho Pass (Lai Chau - Lao Cai) as the longest pass in Vietnam and the terraced field in Sapa as the terraced fields with the biggest number of stairs in Vietnam - 121.

3. Vietnam named in the world and regional rankings

The Sword Lake, Hanoi.

This year Hanoi was in the top 10 rising destinations of the world, selected by renowned travel site TripAdvisor.

Hanoi also ranked 14th out of 25 most popular destinations in Asia selected by the readers of TripAdvisor. Photo: dulichvietnam

Three museums in Vietnam were on the list of the 25 most fascinating museums in Asia by TripAdvisor, including the War Remnants Museum in HCM City, the Vietnam Women's Museum and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi.

The Cu Chi Tunnel was among the top 12 underground works in the world, selected by CNN.

Vietnam had 12 cuisines in the top Asian dishes recognized by the Asian record organization, including pho (Vietnamese noodle), bun cha (vermicelli and grilled chopped meat), bun thang (vermicelli and chicken soup), Hai Phong noodle with crab soup, Ninh Binh rice crust, Nghe An eel vermicelli, Hue beef noodle, Quang noodles, Gia Lai dry noodles, Vung Tau khot cake, Saigon spring rolls and Saigon broken rice.

Hanoi’s bun cha was selected by CNN as one of the 25 most attractive dishes for summer in the world.

Vietnam’s monkey bridges were twice on top of the most dangerous bridges in the world, voted by Toptensthings and Travel & Leisure.

And there are many other tourist destinations in Vietnam honored by the world tourists.

4. Don ca tai tu recognized as world intangible cultural heritage

UNESCO lists Vietnamese folk music as world cultural heritage

The art of Don Ca Tai Tu's music and songs in southern Vietnam was recognized by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December.

The recognition will help attract international tourists to Vietnam.

5. A bad year for backpackers

Around the world on a shoestring

Vietnamese girl travels to 25 countries with US$700

The cover of Khanh Huyen's "Take a Backpack and Go", episode 2.

The first episode of “Take a Backpack and Go" by Nguyen Thi Khanh Huyen, published on January 21, 2013, attracted a lot of attention from readers. But many readers suspected a lot of details in episode 2 of the book. Finally, the author – a backpacker who traveled 25 countries alone had to admit two mistakes: illegally crossing the border and overstated many details.

In July 2013, during a climb to the Fansipan, a young man named Ngoc Anh got separated from his group while moving at the altitude of 2,800m and went missing.

In August 2013, Mr. Chu Hong Dang (Cheetah), "the guardian" of Vietnamese backpackers died after a traffic accident in Hanoi during a tour.

In December 12, a motorcycle in a group of 60 members was in distress, a young girl named Thu Hien died of brain injury on her first backpacking tour.

Pha Le