Vietnam is announced as “Asia’s Leading Destination 2021” by The World Travel Awards, bested 8 other strong contenders to earn this top title, including Singapore, China, Indonesia, and Thailand. This year is the third time Vietnam has claimed the prestigious award since 2018.

 

In total, Vietnam emerged as the winner in 32 categories this year. The collection of awards is an official recognition of Vietnam’s outstanding efforts to rebuild its tourism industry after the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the difficulties of the past two years, Vietnam was named not only “Asia’s Leading Destination” overall but also “Asia's Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2021”, a testament to the mountainous and jungle-thick country’s increasing dedication to conservation work, natural resource preservation, and ecotourism activities.

 

“HaLong Bay - the UNESCO World Heritage Sites”, photo by Jason Zullo

 

Vietnam’s Winning Destinations

In addition to “Asia’s Top Destination 2021” and “Asia’s Leading Sustainable Destination,” Vietnam took home titles in a variety of categories for its destinations and its tourism services.

 

The historic town of Hoi An in Quang Nam province was awarded “Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2021”, beating out competitors such as Beijing, Delhi, Kyoto, and Seoul, while HaLong Bay in Quang Ninh was ranked as “Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021”. Both destinations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites whose cultural and natural heritage are globally considered to be of “outstanding value to humanity.”

The historic town of Hoi An is "Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination”, photo by Chris Berg

 

In Ninh Binh, Cuc Phuong National Park was recognized as “Asia’s Leading National Park 2021” for the third consecutive year. Cuc Phuong, stretching across three provinces in the Tam Diep mountain range, is Vietnam’s first national park and provides a protected rainforest habitat for more than 650 species of animals.

 

“Ninh Binh - Cuc Phuong The Nation Park ”, photo by Christian Berg

 

Vietnam’s Winning Industries

A swath of tourism and service businesses, theme parks, and airlines were awarded alongside Vietnam’s most popular destinations. Most noteworthy among these is Vietnam’s National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), which won the title of “Asia’s Leading Tourism Tourist Board 2021.” This is the second time VNAT has been awarded this title since 2017, and this year’s award is a well-deserved recognition of the agency’s comprehensive response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Among the award-winning businesses are a number of resorts and hotels on Phu Quoc Island. Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, and Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay are three such hotels that were recognised by the World Travel Awards for excellence in luxury accommodation.

 

“Phu Quoc resorts and hotels were popular with the World Travel Awards for excellence in luxury accommodation. ”, photo by Christian Berg

 

Van Don International Airport was recognised as "Asia’s Leading Regional Airport 2021" as well as the airport with "Asia’s Leading Airport Lounge 2021".

 

The World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards are considered to be “the Oscars of the travel industry”, acknowledging and celebrating excellence across all sectors of tourism, travel, and hospitality. Each year, travel industry professionals cast votes alongside the public for regional nominees selected over the course of a year.The nominees with the most votes in any category are named the winner.

 

Vietnam was named as the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” in both 2019 and 2020, and is nominated in 2021. The winners of the World edition will be unveiled on November 26th at the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Moscow, Russia.

 

Travel to Vietnam in 2021

The recognition of excellence by the international tourism community comes during a critical time for Vietnam, while the country begins to implement plans to welcome tourists back. Such  awards and titles help tourists to choose the best destinations to travel. This year is more important than ever, as the buds of international tourism begin to blossom again.

 

Vietnam intends to welcome to fully vaccinated international tourists from November 2021 to Phu Quoc Island, Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Halong Bay, and expects to reopen more destinations in 2022.