Hoi An is on top of the list of the world's most beautiful 'hidden gems' according to Travel+Leisure

Hoi An in on top of the list of the world’s most beautiful ‘hidden gems’ according to Travel+ Leisure

Vietnam continues to make its mark on the global tourism map as Hoi An Ancient Town was ranked the highest on the list of the most beautiful ‘hidden gems’ in the world by the famous travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

Hoi An leads the ranking with an impressive score of 92.96, while Da Nang comes right after in second place, forming a standout destination pair in the region. This result reflects a new travel trend, as international tourists increasingly favor destinations that are rich in experiences, reasonably priced, and not overly crowded.

The core of Hoi An is the old town – a World Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. Travel+ Leisure describes Hoi An with its narrow streets, ancient architecture, and the poetic Hoai River, which creates a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere. With a not-too-large area, visitors can easily explore the entire town on foot, enjoying the peaceful, slow-paced, and friendly lifestyle.

When night falls, Hoi An becomes more sparkling than ever with lanterns brightly lighting up the streets, reflecting on the water, while light boats drift to create a poetic scene. The night market becomes a lively highlight, attracting visitors with street food, handicrafts, and a distinctive cultural atmosphere.

Not only rich in heritage value, Hoi An is also attractive for its diverse culinary experiences, from banh mi, cao lau…, along with Vietnam’s distinctive coffee culture. In addition, activities such as going on a basket boat through the water coconut forest or relaxing on An Bang Beach further diversify the exploration journey.

Other attractive destinations also featured in Travel+ Leisure’s ranking include Bruges (Belgium); Essaouira and Chefchaouen (Morocco); Calabria (Italy); Paros Island (Greece); Cambridge (United Kingdom); Belgrade (Serbia); Cascais (Portugal).

(Collected photos and news)