With its heritage beauty preserved through tiled roofs, narrow streets, lantern-lit corners and the gentle rhythm of local life, Hoi An continues to make its mark on the international tourism map as it is honoured by the prestigious travel magazine Travel + Leisure in the World’s Best Awards 2026.
On July 7, 2026, Travel + Leisure announced the results of the World’s Best Awards 2026, in which Hoi An scored 91.81 points and ranked 4th in the Best Cities in the World 2026 category, voted by readers. The top 10 best cities in the world in 2026 are San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Kyoto (Japan), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Hoi An (Vietnam), Oaxaca (Mexico), Bangkok (Thailand), Jerusalem (Israel), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Mexico City (Mexico) and Tokyo (Japan).
In the Best Cities in Asia 2026 category, Hoi An was once again recognised, ranking 3rd in Asia. The top 10 best cities in Asia in 2026 are Kyoto (Japan), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Hoi An (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Tokyo (Japan), Ubud (Indonesia), Udaipur (India), Osaka (Japan) and Jaipur (India).
As the only representative of Vietnam featured in both the Best Cities in the World 2026 and Best Cities in Asia 2026 categories, Hoi An continues to affirm the enduring appeal of a distinctive heritage destination, where culture, cuisine, craft villages, local life and tourism experiences are harmoniously connected in every journey.
This achievement not only enhances Hoi An’s recognition on the regional and global tourism map, but also opens up opportunities for the Da Nang – Hoi An destination to further position itself as a multi-experience tourism hub, connecting a dynamic coastal city with cultural heritage, cuisine, craft villages and authentic local rhythms.
World’s Best Awards – a prestigious award by Travel + Leisure
World’s Best Awards is the annual award by Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s leading travel magazines. The year 2026 marks the 31st edition of the World’s Best Awards, continuing to reflect the trends, impressions and evaluations of global readers toward outstanding travel experiences.
According to Travel + Leisure, this year’s survey recorded participation from more than 207,000 readers, with over 661,000 votes cast across more than 10,000 categories and travel assets worldwide, including cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines and many other types of travel services.
In the city category, destinations are evaluated based on overall appeal, depth of experience, quality of accommodation services, cuisine, culture and their ability to offer memorable journeys for visitors. Hoi An’s presence among the leading cities in both the Best Cities in the World and Best Cities in Asia categories is a testament to the sustainable value of a distinctive heritage destination rich in identity, experiences and strong connections with international travellers.
Hoi An – a distinctive heritage destination
Travel + Leisure recognised Hoi An as a destination with the unique charm of a heritage town, where ancient architectural works, narrow streets, colourful lanterns and a slow-paced way of life create a truly distinctive atmosphere. Beyond its ancient town, Hoi An is also loved for its harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, craft villages, local markets, cafés, beaches and local life.
Visitors to Hoi An can stroll through small alleyways, visit craft workshops, enjoy cao lau, mi Quang and banh mi, explore Tra Que Vegetable Village, Bay Mau Coconut Forest or cycle through the fields on the outskirts of town. These everyday, intimate yet deeply emotional experiences have helped shape Hoi An’s enduring appeal among international visitors.
Previously, Travel + Leisure also mentioned Hoi An among destinations suitable for digital nomads thanks to its reasonable cost of living, distinctive heritage atmosphere and relaxed coastal lifestyle. Notably, Da Nang was also recognised among attractive destinations for remote workers, highlighting the potential of the Da Nang – Hoi An destination cluster in the growing trend of long-stay travel, remote work and local experiences.
An opportunity to position the destination on the international tourism map
Hoi An’s continued recognition by Travel + Leisure presents an important opportunity for Da Nang to strengthen its positioning as a multi-experience destination, where visitors can connect the sea, a modern urban environment, cultural heritage, cuisine, craft villages and local life within a single journey.
This title not only contributes to enhancing Hoi An’s international recognition, but also creates strong communication opportunities for Da Nang tourism, especially in developing cultural and heritage tourism, culinary tourism, green tourism, community-based tourism and long-stay tourism products.
With convenient connectivity, an increasingly complete service ecosystem and the synergy between dynamic Da Nang and distinctive Hoi An, the Da Nang destination has strong potential to continue attracting international visitors while affirming its position as one of the leading tourism hubs in the region.
