Hoi An, the lantern-lit ancient town, was chosen for the UK's Time Out "world's 51 most beautiful cities 2026" (No. 51). Ha Giang also made the same list at No. 17. Hoi An was further chosen asVietnam's friendliest cityat Booking.com's 14th Traveller Review Awards. More than the award itself, the value lies in the reason: why this small town keeps drawing travelers from around the world.
A double crown of "beauty" and "friendliness"
Time Out gave high marks to the yellow-walled old quarter, the lantern-colored nighttime space, and the landscape where heritage and modern life connect naturally. On top of that, being chosen Booking.com's friendliest city, based on over 370 million traveler reviews worldwide, shows that not just the scenery but the "people" support travel satisfaction. Mai Chau and Phu Quy followed.
| Rating | Details |
|---|---|
| Time Out world's 51 beautiful cities | Hoi An No. 51 / Ha Giang No. 17 |
| Booking.com friendliest city (Vietnam) | No. 1 Hoi An (based on over 370 million reviews) |
| Other | Top "slow travel" destination in Asia |
Why there are so many repeat visitors
Tailors, lantern making, and the nearby pottery village of Thanh Ha; Hoi An is rich in experiences that not only let you "see" but "use your hands." Traditional cuisine, craft villages, and local cultural events invite travelers into the life of the residents. Its compactness, walkable in full, and the closeness of the residents are reasons to return.
The strength called "slow travel"
Hoi An also ranks high as a "travel slowly" destination in Asia. Rather than rushing around famous sights, you walk the alleys, spend time by the river, and talk with artisans; the quality of that time is what's valued. For those who want to avoid the clamor, this town's slowness is the very appeal.
Impact on readers
The more global acclaim piles up, the more the evening lantern hours get crowded. Working in the quieter morning old quarter and experiences in nearby villages brings you closer to Hoi An's "true face." Staying several nights and "living rather than visiting" is the right way to savor this town.
Summary
Chosen for beauty, chosen for friendliness. Hoi An's double crown shows the underlying strength of a town where scenery and warmth support travel as two wheels of the same cart. It's to unhurried travel that this town responds.
Related reading:
・Pottery wheel and lantern-making at Hoi An's "Thanh Ha pottery village"
・Quy Nhon named among Lonely Planet's world top 25
・Hanoi hits 41.1°C in a heat wave, and tourists head for the highlands and outlying islands
Source:Việt Nam News
