2 Vietnam tourism villages named world's best in 2025

By Tam Anh October 17, 2025 | 06:03 pm PT

Lo Lo Chai and Quynh Son in northern Vietnam were awarded "Best Tourism Village in the World 2025" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Friday.

After evaluating more than 270 applications from 65 countries, UN Tourism recognized the rich and outstanding cultural and natural resources and commitments to sustainable tourism development of Lo Lo Chai in Tuyen Quang Province and Quynh Son in Lang Son Province.

The "Best Tourism Village" award by UNWTO recognizes tourism's role in preserving rural villages, including their landscapes, traditions, biodiversity, culture, and local activities like farming, forestry, fishing, and cuisine.

Villages chosen for the award must have strong natural and cultural resources, use innovative practices, and be committed to developing tourism aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Một homestay ở Lô Lô Chải. Ảnh: Tuấn Đào

A homestay in Lo Lo Chai in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by Tuan Dao

Lo Lo Chai is developing community-based tourism with a green, sustainable focus.

The village is upgrading infrastructure while protecting the environment—organizing waste collection and treatment, reducing single-use plastics, expanding green spaces, and improving access to clean water and standard sanitation.

It also prioritizes preserving the landscape and traditional architecture, and manages visitor numbers to maintain ecological balance.

Quynh Son is renowned for its natural scenery and rich cultural identity—especially Tay culture, which is preserved in daily life.

Quynh Son Village in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by Giang Ngoc

Visitors can explore indigenous traditions, stay in traditional stilt houses, join farming activities, try their hand at weaving, and sample local cuisine.

To date, five Vietnamese villages have been recognized by UN Tourism in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The three others are Thai Hai in Thai Nguyen Province, Tan Hoa in Quang Tri, and Tra Que in Da Nang.