6 Southeast Asian countries among world's 40 most beautiful

The rankings, compiled by U.S. News & World Report, were based on a global survey of over 17,000 respondents. The evaluation covered 89 economies across 10 main criteria: adventure, flexibility, cultural influence, entrepreneurial spirit, heritage, openness to business, quality of life, social purpose, and national capacity.

Thailand, renowned for its Buddhist temples and vibrant nightlife, ranked sixth on the list. The country has welcomed nearly 33 million international tourists so far this year and is on track to meet its 36-million target.

Indonesia secured the 27th spot. As the region's largest economy, it has hosted over 10 million foreign visitors in 2024.

Malaysia came in at 32nd, followed by Singapore at 33rd and the Philippines at 34th.

Malaysia, celebrated for its rich cultural diversity, had received over 20 million visitors as of October.

Singapore recorded nearly 14 million international arrivals by October, while the Philippines attracted 5 million foreign visitors this year.

Vietnam, praised for its delectable cuisine, breathtaking natural landscapes, captivating cultural attractions, rich history, and warm hospitality, ranked 36th.

By November, Vietnam had welcomed nearly 16 million foreign tourists and is on track to achieve its target of 18 million visitors for the year.

Greece topped the list as the most beautiful country in the world in 2024, followed by New Zealand in second place and Italy in third.