Hoi An is Top 6 destinations in the World’s Best Awards 2025

In the recently announced World’s Best Awards 2025 by Travel + Leisure magazine, Hoi An (Da Nang City) was honored as the 6th best city in the world and ranked 5th among the top 15 cities in Asia.

A proud Vietnamese gem on the global travel map

In this year’s annual survey, Travel + Leisure readers expressed their admiration for vibrant cities offering wide-open spaces and endless opportunities for exploration. According to respondents, the top-ranked cities worldwide and across Asia share key elements that make travelers fall in love with spectacular attractions, world-class hotels, rich cuisine and lively, captivating atmospheres. Each winning destination boasts its own unique charm and character, reflecting the fact that the world is full of new wonders waiting to be discovered.

This year, readers placed particular emphasis on natural landscapes, historical and cultural heritage, diverse cuisine, hotel quality, nightlife and the friendliness of local people.

The award stands as a testament to the enduring vitality of a living heritage where culture, nature and humanity coexist in perfect harmony. In the context of global tourism’s dynamic transformation post-pandemic, Vietnam’s continued presence in this prestigious ranking further reaffirms Hoi An’s position as a symbol of sustainable tourism and authentic travel experiences.

Hoi An is a city of timeless values

Once a bustling Southeast Asian trading port in the 16th – 17th centuries, Hoi An has remarkably preserved its original beauty and rare authenticity. Walking along its cobblestone streets, visitors are greeted by moss-covered rooftops, sun-dappled yellow walls and the soft echoes of street vendors resonating through peaceful alleys. Every street corner and ancient roof tells stories of Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese merchants who once traded here and of the open-minded spirit that nurtured this multicultural town.

Beyond its architecture, Hoi An is a place where time slows down where people learn to live more mindfully and listen more deeply. UNESCO once described the Ancient Town as “a harmonious fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures” and that harmony remains visible in every small detail: the lanterns swaying overhead, the subtle scent of agarwood or the gentle clatter of wooden clogs on full-moon nights.

Amidst modern life’s constant motion, Hoi An maintains its own tranquil rhythm serene, ancient yet never old, a place that always welcomes returning visitors with the same sense of familiarity and peace as the very first time.

Captivating destination defined by refined experiences

What makes Hoi An beloved by travelers is not only its beauty but the emotions it evokes.

In the morning, visitors can leisurely cycle through narrow alleys, watch sunlight dance on the yellow walls and stop by an old café to savor the town’s gentle rhythm. By evening, as thousands of lanterns illuminate the streets, the entire town transforms shimmering, enchanting and full of magic. Cuisine is another key element that shapes Hoi An’s identity. From cao lầu, mi Quang and com ga (Hoi An chicken rice) to dishes blending Asian and European influences, every meal reflects the town’s refined creativity. Each dish is a cultural mosaic, a fusion of local ingredients, traditional cooking techniques and the heartfelt hospitality of the Hoi An people.

Amidst rapid urbanization, Hoi An has chosen its own path: honoring its past, preserving its identity and pursuing a sustainable future. Local authorities, residents and tourism businesses have worked hand in hand to build a model of green tourism, where every service and resort harmonizes with nature and local culture.

Riverside resorts such as Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort exemplify this approach: gentle, refined and deeply respectful of heritage values. Guests come not only to relax, but to experience the seamless connection between people and nature, between modern comfort and timeless tradition.

Thanks to this enduring spirit, Hoi An continues to achieve high recognition from Travel + Leisure, earning an impressive score of 91.00 and being inducted into the WBA Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for destinations that consistently maintain their place in this prestigious ranking over the years.

This achievement is not only a tribute to one city, but also a celebration of Vietnam’s cultural preservation and development reaffirming that travel is not just a journey of discovery, but also a journey of balance and rediscovering life’s purest beauty.

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