A view of Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Despite the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has been honoured as "Asia’s Leading Destination" at the 2021 World Travel Awards (WTA).
This was the third time Vietnam won this prestigious award after the 2018 and 2019 awards.
Vietnam outperformed other nominees such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka to secure the title.
In its announcement, the WTA said Vietnam has emerged from a tough field to become ‘Asia’s Leading Destination.’
The WTA also honoured Vietnam as Asia’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism as Asia’s Leading Tourist Board 2021.
This is a very good opportunity for Vietnam to become an attractive destination for international tourists after the epidemic is under control. According to the proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam will reopen international tourism activities from November.
Viet Nam is one of the fastest growing tourism countries in the world. In 2018, Viet Nam received 15.5 million international arrivals, which was almost double of that figure for 2015.
Besides the national title, three famous tourist destinations in Vietnam also received prestigious awards of Asia.
UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam is one of 12 nominees for Asia's leading tourist attraction category at 2021 World Travel Awards.
Since its recognition as a UNESCO natural world heritage in 1994, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, around two hours of travelling by car from Hanoi, has found a spot on the global tourism map, with travel bloggers and filmmakers hailing its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone pillars topped by rainforests.
The bay helped Quang Ninh welcome 14 million tourists, including 5.7 million foreigners, in 2019, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year.
Hoi An Ancient Town in the south central province of Quang Nam. (Photo: VNA) Meanwhile, Hoi An surpassed competitors Beijing, Delhi, Kyoto, Seoul and Hue to claim the title Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2021.
The result was based on votes cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
Hoi An served as a busy international port from the 16th to 19th centuries, as merchant ships from many countries passed by here.
Hoi An was recognized as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 1998.
To attend the list, Cuc Phuong National Park surpassed other competitors such as Komodo National Park in Indonesia and Minneriya National Park in Sri Lanka to claim the title Asia’s Leading National Park.
The park belongs to Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh province and is bounded by three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa. It is about 100 kilometers from Hanoi to the southwest.
The park is mainly covered by tropical rainforests. It provides habitats for 117 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 110 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 65 species of fish.
Sun World Ba Na Hills in Da Nang, Avana Retreat in Hoa Binh, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay in Phu Quoc, Muong Thanh Luxury Hotel in Nha Trang, and Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery in Lao Cai all won awards in the hotel and resort category.
World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
These awards are both a source of encouragement for tourism workers in a year full of difficulties and challenges, as well as a very good opportunity for Vietnam to become a centre of attraction for international tourists once the disease is under control./.
