Hoi An was recently honored in the "Leading Cultural City Destination in Asia" category at the World Travel Awards 2025, held on the evening of October 13th in Hong Kong (China).
Hoi An impressively surpassed six other nominated cities in the Asian region to be honored in this category for the fifth consecutive year.
The award recognizes the efforts of the local government and people of Hoi An in preserving and promoting the value of its heritage and building the image of a unique and creative cultural city.
Prior to this, Hoi An had also been honored with a series of international accolades.
The French online travel site Tourlane has honored Hoi An Ancient Town as the most charming historical center in Asia, based on four evaluation criteria: pedestrian space, age of establishment, cost of entry, and popularity on Instagram.
At the Travelers' Choice Awards, Tripadvisor – the world's largest online travel platform – selected Hoi An as one of the top destinations in Asia, a prestigious award for outstanding travel destinations.
Agoda, a travel platform, has listed Hoi An (Vietnam) as one of the top 5 cycling destinations in Asia.
International tourists experience riding in basket boats at Cam Thanh tourist village, Hoi An Dong ward, Da Nang city. (Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA)
Cam Thanh village in Hoi An Dong ward has also just been honored by Forbes magazine (USA) in the "50 most beautiful villages in the world 2025," becoming the only representative from Vietnam to be included in the ranking.
Previously, Tra Que vegetable village in Hoi An Tay ward was honored by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) as the "Best Tourist Village of 2024".
Located on the banks of the picturesque Hoai River, 30km from Da Nang city, the ancient town of Hoi An has been a popular and attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists for many years.
Having weathered the ups and downs of history, the passage of time has bestowed upon Hoi An a serene and tranquil beauty.
In contrast to modern cities, Hoi An impresses visitors with its moss-covered roofs, ancient yellow-painted walls, and lanterns that have become its signature feature.
Established and developed since the 16th century, Hoi An was once one of the busiest international trading ports in the region.
From the 16th century onwards, this was a hub for goods from merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Spain, and other countries.
Therefore, the architectural works and cultural values of Hoi An ancient town are a convergence of many Eastern and Western cultures.
The ancient town of Hoi An is famous for its architecture, typical of a traditional Southeast Asian trading port, and it remains almost completely preserved to this day.
The architectural structures, religious sites, beliefs, and cultural values of Hoi An ancient town are the most vivid evidence of the formation, development, and even decline of this ancient city.
This area boasts a system of 1,360 historical sites, including 1,068 ancient houses, 11 ancient wells, 38 ancestral temples, 19 pagodas, 43 shrines, 23 communal houses, 44 special ancient tombs, and one ancient bridge.
Stepping into this beautiful old town, one can deeply feel the diverse, artistic, and ancient blend of buildings, each bearing the distinctive architectural features of different cultures.
International tourists taking photos in Hoi An ancient town. (Source: VNA)
While strolling through Hoi An, visitors will have the opportunity to visit centuries-old temples such as the Japanese Bridge, Phuoc Lam Pagoda, and Van Duc Pagoda, and admire the elaborate and colorful architecture of the Chinese assembly halls and temples.
Alongside them are houses with roofs reflecting traditional Vietnamese architecture and houses with a distinctly old-fashioned French style.
Beyond being a living museum of architectural structures, the cultural value of Hoi An ancient town lies in its rich and diverse intangible cultural heritage.
Despite enduring many upheavals throughout history, the daily life of the people of Hoi An has retained its original charm and remains free from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The streets are laid out in a grid pattern, winding along the riverbank and embracing the houses.
In each of these peaceful little corners, visitors can easily find street vendors selling famous local dishes such as cao lầu, Quang noodles, bread, chicken rice, etc., or shops selling handicrafts. All of this reflects the simple, unhurried, and warm-hearted lifestyle of the people here.
Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and has been repeatedly voted by prestigious organizations and magazines around the world as a leading urban cultural destination in Asia, one of the top 15 best cities in Asia, and one of the most popular destinations in the world.
(Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hoi-an-duoc-vinh-danh-diem-den-thanh-pho-van-hoa-hang-dau-chau-a-nam-2025-post1070380.vnp
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