The top 10 'Most Welcoming Cities' in Vietnam have just been revealed by Booking.com according to its 12th annual Traveler Review Awards. The ancient city of Hoi An tops the ranking, followed by Phong Nha Cave and Ninh Binh Province.

Ninh Binh province landscape. Photo: Hoang Duyen

Meanwhile, Hanoi leads the way in becoming the city with the most beloved properties in Vietnam, followed by Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat.

This list of ‘Most Welcoming Cities’ in Vietnam is quite diverse, from beautiful beaches to tranquil mountains, all worthy of being added to the list of places worth experiencing in 2024. From enchanting coastal towns to alpine retreats and even rustic desert gems, all of these locations are sure to inspire a sense of wanderlust for the year ahead.

According to Booking.com, Vietnam has 11,362 accommodation partners this year that have been recognized for their excellent service and hospitality with the Traveler Review Award 2024.

They have received over 1,244,000 reviews, with an average review score of 8.9. The ancient city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named the most welcoming city in Vietnam. Phong Nha, known as an adventurer's paradise, and Ninh Binh, with its majestic natural wonders, took the 2nd and 3rd places.

The Phong Nha Cave. Photo: Phong Nha- Ke Bang Page

Destinations are ranked based on a variety of criteria, including visitors' memorable travel experiences, beautiful scenery, hospitality, and the number of accommodations certified by Booking as "friendly.

Other friendly destinations on the list include the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, Phu Quoc Island (in the southern province of Kien Giang), Ha Giang Province, Ha Long Bay, the central highland city of Da Lat, Tuy Hoa City in Phu Yen Province, and the central coastal city of Nha Trang.

In addition, this accommodation booking platform also ranks "The Most Welcoming Accommodation Types" in 2024. Hanoi is the city with the most accommodation establishments recognized as the friendliest in Vietnam, followed by Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat.

The hotel is the leading accommodation type in terms of tourist friendliness in Vietnam, with the apartment and homestay models coming in second and third.

In recent years, travelers have increasingly sought out properties that offer an alternative to the traditional hotel experience.

A corner of Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Nguoi Hoi An  Page

In Vietnam, four of the top five most awarded accommodation types for 2024 are unique places to stay. While hotels (5270) remained the most awarded accommodation type for 2024, with 4671 partners recognized for their efforts, apartments (2199) came in second, followed by homestays (1468), aparthotels (510) and guesthouses (429).

Alternative accommodations in Vietnam have seen a remarkable surge in popularity in recent years, demonstrating travelers' continued appreciation for a wide range of different types of stays and the unique hospitality they can offer.

According to Varun Grover, Vietnam Country Head of Booking.com, the Traveler Review Awards 2024 aims to celebrate tourism providers who have created exceptional experiences for travelers.

Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi

To be eligible for an award, accommodation partners had an average review score of 8.0 (out of 10) or higher based on at least three reviews as of 11:59 p.m. CET on November 30, 2023. Only customers who have actually stayed in an accommodation rented a car, or taken a taxi can leave a review of their experience on the accommodation booking platform's website.

"Whether it's adding customized touches to a guest's room, offering tips on places only the locals would know, or recommending where to eat, tourism providers are going the extra mile to make travelers' vacations more enjoyable," he said.