Houses in ancient Hoi An are painted in yellow. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh |
The Dutch company’s 13th annual awards list the 10 most welcoming cities and five most hospitable regions in Vietnam, saying as travelers seek personalized and local experiences, hospitality continues to be a key element in creating memorable journeys.
UNESCO world heritage site Hoi An retains its title for a second consecutive year. With its ancient architecture, lantern-lit streets and cultural fusion, the city continues to make an impression on visitors.
Vietnam’s 10 most hospitable destinations in 2025:
1. Hoi An City
2. Ninh Binh City
3. Ha Giang City
4. Phong Nha Town
5. Con Dao Islands
6. Cao Bang City
7. Phu Quoc City
8. Cat Ba Archipelago
9. In Pa Town
10. Ha Long City
Ninh Binh, the capital city of Ninh Binh Province, ranks second with its limestone landscapes and cultural heritage. Ha Giang of Ha Giang Province, in third place, impresses with its terrain and ethnic traditions, making it ideal for adventure seekers. Phong Nha, famed for its caves, and the beauty of Con Dao also earns them top spots.
The remaining destinations, Cao Bang, Phu Quoc, Cat Ba, Sa Pa, and Ha Long highlight the diversity of Vietnam’s travel experiences, ranging from highland escapes to coastal getaways.
Booking.com also honored Vietnam’s five most welcoming provinces, which are Kien Giang (home to Phu Quoc), Ninh Binh Province, Quang Nam Province, Ha Giang Province and Lao Cai Province (Sa Pa).
Kien Giang, which makes its debut on the global stage, also ranks ninth in the world in the Most Welcoming Destinations category.
Speaking at the awards ceremony held in Phu Quoc on April 17, Varun Grover, country director of Booking.com Vietnam, said the rankings were based on over 360 million reviews from global travelers.
To be eligible, destinations had to maintain an average score of above eight and meet additional criteria such as customer volume, service infrastructure and a high percentages of positive guest reviews.
Only guests who have actually stayed at a property can submit reviews, and only unedited, unaltered comments are considered valid.