Hoi An shines as Asia’s top historic gem: France’s online travel platform
Tourlane described Hoi An as one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Southeast Asia, distinguished by its vibrant streets illuminated by thousands of colourful lanterns.
Hoi An ancient town has been named the most beautiful historic centre in Asia. (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) – Vietnam’s ancient town of Hoi An has been named the most beautiful historic centre in Asia by French online travel platform Tourlane, placing it alongside globally acclaimed destinations such as Krakow in Poland, Avignon in France, and Cartagena in Colombia.
In its early September announcement, Tourlane evaluated old quarters across four criteria of pedestrian space, age, entrance fees, and popularity on Instagram. Hoi An tops the list for Asia due to its well-preserved 16th-century architecture, affordable entrance fees of 2 EUR (2.36 USD), and a pedestrian-friendly layout.
Tourlane described Hoi An as one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Southeast Asia, distinguished by its vibrant streets illuminated by thousands of colourful lanterns.
🎉 Rounding out the top five are Bhaktapur (Nepal), Kyoto (Japan), Luang Prabang (Laos), and Galle (Sri Lanka).
The Cau Pagoda is a tourism symbol of the ancient town. (Photo: VNA)
In Europe, Krakow leads the rankings with its UNESCO-listed historic centre dating back to the seventh century, followed by Naples (Italy), Regensburg (Germany), Riga (Latvia), and San Marino. France’s Avignon, known as the city of the Popes, ranks sixth thanks to its Gothic architecture from the 14th to 16th centuries and tranquil sites such as the Urbain V gardens and the Carmelite Monastery.
The North Africa and Middle East region showcases Tunisia's Sousse at the forefront, praised for its pristine white Medina stretching toward the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco's imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech followed, alongside Qatar's modern capital Doha and Egypt's historic Cairo. This region notably boasts the world’s most ancient historic centres.
🐠 In the Americas, Saint Augustine in the US’ Florida state earns the recognition as the standout ancient quarter, bearing Spanish colonial influences dating back to 1565. Meanwhile, in Latin America, Cartagena of Colombia claims the top spot with its 16th-century fortifications and colourful old quarter, followed by Oaxaca (Mexico), Salvador de Bahia (Brazil), and Panama and Buenos Aires (Argentina)./.
Hoi An claimed the fifth spot on this year’s list, impressing international travellers with its distinctive blend of local and foreign architectural styles, a charming canal network, and the warming residents.
With a score of 91.00, Hoi An has been ranked sixth among the world’s best destinations for 2025, as voted by readers of the prestigious Travel + Leisure magazine.
Gulf News, one of two English-language daily publications in the Persian Gulf region, listed the main reasons for its destination picks as being a mix of iconic cities, cultural treasures, tropical escapes, and foodie havens.
From September 16, visitors are allowed to access three designated routes including Tien Sa – Suoi Om – Ban Co Peak; Ban Co Peak – Bai Bac; and Bai Bac – Heritage Banyan Tree, during certain time frames.
Forbes Italia recently spotlighted Phu Quoc in an article named “Southern Vietnam in 10 Luxury Experiences: From Skyscrapers to Beaches and Legends”, praising it as a destination that blends unspoiled nature, upscale hospitality, and a tranquil seaside lifestyle.
A highlight of the event will be the B2B networking session “Buyers Meet Sellers”, held throughout the two days to connect travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and service providers.
Renowned for its unspoiled beauty — from pristine white-sand beaches to a refreshing climate and dozens of picturesque islets — much of the island’s potential had remained untapped.
Since 2011, the title “Vietnam Tourism Ambassador” has been conferred on several distinguished figures, each of whom has played a part in carrying the country’s image onto the global stage.
The operation of the cultural train, Metro Line 2A, and bus routes not only eases traffic congestion but also opens new opportunities to explore Hanoi in a modern, eco-friendly way.
The initiative seeks to foster linkages between tourism products across different regions while preserving and showcasing ethnic cultural identities. It also aims to enhance Lam Dong’s tourism brand in both domestic and international markets, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.
As part of the programme, around 250 international guests enjoyed destination and culinary experiences across the city from September 4 to 8, creating memorable impressions of the southern hub.
The event offers visitors a vivid “miniature journey” through Vietnam’s diverse regions. Inside halls H5, H6, and H7, every booth is a dazzling deep dive into a locality’s culture, history, and economic potential.
The National Day holiday highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal as a safe and adaptable destination, laying a positive foundation for the year’s final months.
The four-day holiday, which began from August 30, not only brought huge revenues to the tourism sector but also boosted domestic consumption, with strong demand for dining, shopping, and travel.
A series of major trade and tourism connectivity events opened on September 4 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring Vietnam International Sourcing (VIS) 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Forum, and the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2025.
As the host of the grand parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day and the Exhibition on national achievements, Hanoi welcomed more than 2.08 million visitors during the holiday, triple the figure from the same period in 2024.
The 12th Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO) General Assembly, which is taking place in HCM City, encourages environmentally friendly solutions, climate-conscious practices, and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Hanoi received around 2.08 million visitors during the four-day National Day holidays from August 30 to September 2, three times higher than the figure in the same period last year, the municipal Department of Tourism reported.
Vietnam’s national tourism strategy to 2030 identifies golf tourism as a priority to enhance competitiveness. With natural advantages, growing infrastructure, and cross-sector cooperation, Vietnam is poised for a breakthrough. Long-term success, however, depends on diversified products and top-tier experiences that secure Vietnam’s place on the global golf map.
This year, demand for historical, heritage, and experiential tourism in Tuyen Quang province is expected to rise among both domestic and international travellers. Travel companies have responded by developing new tours and routes to serve visitors.
Phu Quoc special zone in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang is cementing its position as a prime destination for visitors in Vietnam and the world, expecting to welcome more than 7 million tourist arrivals this year.
