CategoriesDiscover Viet Nam By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Hoi An named among top 5 ideal cycling destinations in Asia

Hoi An was recently included by the digital travel platform Agoda in a list of the top 5 cycling destinations in Asia that offer unique experiences for travelers.

International visitors cycle through the ripe rice fields in the suburbs of Hoi An City.

The list was introduced by Agoda in celebration of World Bicycle Day (June 3). According to Agoda, cycling tourism has been booming globally, with the Asia-Pacific region emerging as the fastest-growing market for this trend.

Hoi An was featured on the list by Agoda and described as a place where visitors can ride their bikes through rice fields, along coastal roads, and through villages rich in local character.

Tourists cycling in Hoi An ancient town

In addition, the unique blend of culture and natural beauty has made Hoi An an appealing destination for travelers looking to explore Vietnam by bicycle.

Besides Hoi An, the other four destinations included in Agoda’s list are: Hokkaido (Japan), Luang Prabang (Laos), Sun Moon Lake (Taiwan), and Sukhothai (Thailand).

Source: QNO – en.baoquangnam.vn – Jun 2, 2025

CategoriesDiscover Viet Nam By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Two Vietnamese destinations ranked among world’s Top 44 most beautiful places by Time Out

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang and the ancient city of Hoi An in central Quang Nam province have been ranked among the Top 44 most beautiful places in the world by renowned UK-based travel magazine Time Out.

Nho Que River in Ha Giang Province

The magazine ranked Ha Giang in 10th place, saying the winding mountain passes, terraced rice paddies and 43 different ethnic groups that call this place home, all combine to give Ha Giang its otherworldly air.

According to Time Out, Tham Ma Pass winds its way through six successive hairpin bends, while the Mi Pa Leng Pass carves a mountain edge, overlooking the Nho Que River 3000 feet below.

“However, my personal favourite vista in Ha Giang affords a different kind of beauty, the kind to confront you with your own teeny-tiny mortality. In La Si and its surrounding region you’ll glimpse mountain after mountain, as far as the eye can see, of terraced rice paddies. It’s taken thousands (yes thousands) of years of hard toil to tame these mountains into the rice producing expanse that it is today”, told the magazine.

Latern in Hoi An

Meanwhile, Time Out describes that life in Hoi An moves like molasses – slow and sweet.

“When I lived in this dreamy little community, I spent mornings sipping coconut coffee in cafes and afternoons biking through swaying rice paddies past grazing buffalo. Now, I spend a few months a year here, watching lantern-lit boats glode along the Thu Bon river, cycling through Old Town before the evening crowds gather, and lounging on one of Viet Nam’s most beautiful beaches”, writer of the magazine wrote.

Over 50 years since its foundation in London, Time Out has become a global media and hospitality brand influencing how tens of millions of people go out around the world, with content covering 333 cities in 59 countries.

Time Out’s high-quality content, curated by expert journalists, now spans a global network of websites, social media channels, videos, live events and Time Out Markets.

Nearly 7.7 million foreign arrivals travelled to Viet Nam in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 23 percent, the National Statistics Office reported.

The surge in international arrivals affirms the effectiveness of Viet Nam’s tourism stimulus initiatives, laying a strong foundation for the country to meet its 2025 targets of welcoming 22 to 23 million foreign visitors.

Source: VGP – en.baochinhphu.vn – May 11, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Hoi An, a hospitable city in Vietnam

The esteemed online travel platform Booking.com recently published its ranking of the top ten most hospitable cities in Vietnam as part of the Traveller Review Awards 2025.

International tourists are excited to experience Tra Que vegetable village in Hoi An city.

Hoi An, a city rich in history and culture, has been ranked first on this prestigious list. Notably, this marks the second consecutive year that Hoi An has received the distinction of being the most hospitable city in the country.

Other destinations featured in the ranking include Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, Phong Nha, Con Dao, Cao Bang, Phu Quoc, Cat Ba, Sapa, and Ha Long.

Furthermore, as part of the 13th edition of the Traveller Review Awards, Quang Nam Province has earned recognition as one of the top five most hospitable regions in Vietnam, securing the third position. The other provinces included in the top five are Kien Giang, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, and Lao Cai.

This ranking is based on verified reviews from millions of travelers worldwide. The organizers of the Traveller Review Awards utilize these reviews to recognize and celebrate partners that consistently provide exemplary service and contribute to enhancing the overall travel experience.

Source: QNO – en.baoquangnam.vn – Apr 20, 2025

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Huynh Kim and the Art of Macrame in Hoi An

In a small, cosy workshop in the heart of Hoi An, Huynh Kim – a slender, soft-spoken young man – has been meticulously reviving an ancient craft that captivates visitors: Macrame.

Within just a few square metres, Kim Macrame breathes life into strands of rope, creating vibrant pieces rich in Vietnamese cultural identity.

Huynh Kim in his workshop at 11 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An

From keychains, decorative rugs, and coasters to plant hangers, lampshades, wall frames, clothing, and handbags, his intricate knotting technique has gained recognition from restaurants, hotels, resorts, and especially foreign tourists.

An art work of Macrame by Huynh Kim

Kim discovered his passion for macrame in high school after a friend’s introduction. Although he studied logistics at university, he continued to pursue Macrame, mastering knotting techniques and selling his work online by his second year, receiving positive feedback.

Foreigners love Macrame.

Macrame, dating back to the 13th century, is a distinct knotting art that requires no machinery. Kim’s designs, inspired by Vietnamese heritages, showcase his love for his homeland while introducing its culture to global visitors. His workshop allows visitors to craft their own Macrame pieces, often sparking an appreciation for sustainability and nature.

Macrame souvenirs at Kim workshop

In his tranquil workspace, Kim patiently knots a dress adorned with lotus and cloud patterns for a foreign client. Under his skilled hands and vivid imagination, lifeless cords transform into artistic expressions of both practical value and profound cultural essence.

Source: QNO – en.baoquangnam.vn – Apr 2, 2025

CategoriesDiscover Viet Nam By Ánh Ngọc Trương

My Son named a top religious destination by Wanderlust

My Son Sanctuary (Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province) has been selected among the top 11 most impressive religious destinations in Vietnam, according to recommendations by the British travel magazine Wanderlust for tourists exploring Vietnam.

A bird’s eye view of My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary, recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999, exemplifies how a local society has adapted to external influences, particularly the Hindu architectural art of the Indian subcontinent.

This heritage site serves as a religious tourism destination, offering visitors the opportunity to explore unique historical, cultural, and artistic architecture. It is also part of a broader landscape of forests, streams, and the distinctive ecological environment of Vietnam’s central mountainous region.

Other destinations listed by Wanderlust include Thien Mu Pagoda (Hue), One Pillar Pagoda (Hanoi), Temple of Literature (Hanoi), Huong Pagoda (Hanoi), Jade Emperor Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City), Thich Quang Duc Memorial (Ho Chi Minh City), Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh), Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam), Van Thuy Tu Temple (Binh Thuan), and the Cao Dai Holy See (Tay Ninh).

According to Wanderlust, the sites on the list reflect the religious and cultural life of Vietnam, showcasing the fusion of local Vietnamese traditions with Indian and Chinese influences. Some of these destinations are also recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Source: QNO – en.baoquangnam.vn – Apr 2, 2025 

CategoriesNews By Ánh Ngọc Trương

Quang Nam launches Hoi An – My Son – Dong Giang Heaven Gate tourism route

On March 8, the Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee officially launched a new tourism corridor: Hoi An – My Son – Dong Giang Heaven Gate at the Quang Nam International Travel Conference 2025.

Quang Nam’s officials and an representative from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism chair the conference.

According to Vice Chairman of Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee, Phan Thai Binh, this 100km three-destination journey integrates three unique cultural and natural landmarks: Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary – two UNESCO world heritage sites, and Dong Giang Heaven Gate Ecotourism Site featuring Vietnam’s highest concentration of natural waterfalls.

So, the new tourism route as a blend of architecture, history, and culture.

The Ngoc Rong glass bridge at Dong Giang Heaven Gate Ecotourism Site.

To support this initiative, the Quang Nam Department of Construction has approved a new interprovincial bus route connecting Hoi An, My Son, and Dong Giang Heaven Gate.

Delegates perform the ceremony to announce the Hoi An – My Son – Dong Giang Heaven Gate tourism corridor.

Speaking at the conference, the Quang Nam provincial Party Secretary, Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, highlighted the Hoi An – My Son – Dong Giang Heaven Gate heritage route as the province’s first official intra-provincial tourism route, linking key destinations and expanding regional connections.

Source: QNO – en.baoquangnam.vn – Mar 10, 2025