Hanoi (VNA) - Hoi An city of central Quang Nam province was recently named by the Travel+Leisure, a prestigious magazine on tourism and leisure, as one of the 25 best tourist cities in the world in 2022, while Phu Quoc island in southern Kien Giang province joined the list of the 25 best islands in the world.

The selection of the winners of the annual World’s Best Awards was announced by the magazine, by surveying thousands of tourists on their travels. Through the assessment and selection by readers, the magazine selected the 25 best tourist cities and the 25 best islands of the world.

The list of the 25 best cities in the world is announced on the basis of the criteria concerning hotels, restaurants, cultural legacy richness, attractive tourist sites, friendliness and hospitality, food, COVID-19 fight, shopping services, among other items.

This year, in the list of the 25 cities most selected by the magazine, Hoi An ancient city was ranked the 20th, scoring 88.9221 out of the 100 points. Located by the banks of the romantic Hoai river, about 30km from central Da Nang city, Hoi An is a longtime famous and attractive destination to both domestic and foreign tourists. Through the ups and downs over the years, time has created an atmosphere of peacefulness over the city.

In contrast to the typical characteristics of modern metropolises, Hoi An impresses visitors with its mossy-roofed houses, ancient yellow painted walls, and the city’s trademark lanterns.

It is also attractive to tourists thanks to the conservation of the more than 1,000 relics, from streets, houses, halls, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, clan worshipping houses, and ancient wells to traditional food.

Enjoying the ancient architecture, time seems to run in reverse as tourists find themselves in the hustle and bustle atmosphere of a busy sea port in the Nguyen feudal dynasty. At that time, trade was conducted between Vietnamese businessmen and their partners from Japan, China, India, and the Netherlands.

Besides, local foods are a great attraction to tourists, helping turn the city into a magnet luring visitors from all the corners of the world.

Meanwhile, for the category of the best islands in the world, recreation activities, scenic beauty, natural famous places, beaches, foods, friendliness, and comprehensive value serve as criteria for the selection, and Phu Quoc was ranked the 14th with 90.25 points.

Travel + Leisure held that tourist number to Phu Quoc helps the island hold a position in the rating, mostly thanks to its white sand beaches and good food. It is also famous as a cradle for the trade of making fish sauce and cultivating pepper, and home to natural coral reefs and thick tropical forests.

The island is now taken as a relaxation paradise for both domestic and foreign tourists. It boasts primeval forests and pristine beaches dotting its 150km coastline.

Phu Quoc beaches top the list rated by foreign news agencies and tourists as one of the five most beautiful beaches in the world.

The island also attracts tourists with the cross-island treks through primeval forests, scuba dives and squid fishing trips at night.

Dubbed as a paradise in the sea, Phu Quoc also leaves unforgettable memories for visitors with its famous seafood dishes./.