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According to the annual World's Best Awards announced in July by the American travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Hoi An ranks 4th among the 25 most beautiful cities in the world in 2024, scoring 90.67 out of 100. Hoi An also ranks 3rd among the 25 most beautiful cities in Asia.
This year's awards garnered over 700,000 votes from experts and travelers worldwide.
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A corner of Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Huu Phuong Uyen |
Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, believes that despite its small size and lack of large structures, Hoi An's strength lies in its blend of traditional Vietnamese charm with Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese influences. This character is reflected in the core of the ancient town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Hoi An features not only the sea but also rivers, rice fields, lantern-lit boats, and live-action shows. A particularly popular activity among international tourists, especially those booking tours with Dat's company, is releasing flower lanterns on the river.
Travelers can visit handicraft shops, relax on beaches, and enjoy dishes like the thick noodle soup cao lau and chicken rice. They can also experience local life by farming for a day, taking cooking classes, visiting rice field cafes, or exploring Bay Mau coconut forest by basket boat. The town's small size makes it easy to get around.
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A rice field cafe in Hoi An. Photo by VnExpress/Duy Hau |
As a tourist destination, Hoi An is more expensive than some other places in Vietnam. However, compared to other cities worldwide, prices here are reasonable, just about one-third.
Pham Van Dung, Director of Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa, said that to explore Hoi An's beauty, tourists should stay for at least six days.
Tourists can enjoy beach vacations or explore the countryside on motorcycle sidecars. For high-end tourists who enjoy relaxation, they can indulge in massages and spa treatments.
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Tourists can rent a bike and cycle around Hoi An. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Huu Phuong Uyen |
However, Hoi An also has areas needing improvement.
Nguyen Huu Phuong Uyen, a 35-year-old tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said that the old town lacked cultural activities. Currently, most old houses are used for commercial purposes. The beaches are also facing erosion.
Dat noted that Hoi An faces tourist overcrowding and frequent flooding. Therefore, controlling congestion, implementing flood and erosion measures, and managing urban planning should be top priorities for the local government.
Topping the list this year are San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Udaipur in India, and Kyoto in Japan.
