Hanoi (VNA) – The United Nations World Tourism ﷽Organisation (UN Tourism) has extended an invitation to its member states, including Vietnam, to nominate up to eight villages for the “Best Tourism Village” awards 2025 through their respective national tourism administrations (NTAs).
Applications will close on May 19, with the selected villages announced in the third quarter of this year during a UN Tourism event.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said the “Best Tourism Village” awards celebrate rural destinations where tourism serves as a catalyst for opportunities, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth.
By harnessing their unique assets, he noted, these villages would create opportunities for economic growth, safeguard local traditions, and promote a better quality of life for their communities.
“We are eager to welcome those villages that represent the role of rural tourism as a transformative force for good”, Pololikashvili stressed.
This year, an external Advisory Board composed of global experts will evaluate applications based on nine key areas. These include Cultural and Natural Resources; the Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources; Economic Sustainability; Social Sustainability; Environmental Sustainability; Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration; Governance and Prioritisation of Tourism; Infrastructure and Connectivity; and Health, Safety and Security.
So far, UN Tourism has granted awards to 130 villages globally, including three from Vietnam, namely Thai Hai village in the northern province of Thai Nguyen in 2022, Tan Hoa village in the central province of Quang Binh in 2023, and Tra Que vegetable village in the central province of Quang Nam in 2024./.
During the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday (January 25 – February 2, 2025), Vietnam’s tourism welcomed an estimated 12.5 million domestic tourists, up 19% year-on-year. International arrivals also saw an average growth of 30%. Notably, eight cities and provinces recorded tourism revenue exceeding 1 trillion VND (approximately 39.5 million USD).
Vietnam ranked first in tourism recovery in Southeast Asia in 2024, reaching 98% of the pre-COVID level, surpassing Malaysia (94%), Thailand (88%), Singapore (86%), Indonesia (86%), and the Philippines (72%).
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
