Vietnam shines at ASEAN Tourism Awards 2026

Vietnam’s tourism sector has earned broad regional recognition at the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2026, underscoring both its strong recovery and record-breaking growth over the past year.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the country welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors for the first time in its history, a milestone achieved in the industry’s 65-year development journey.

The awards highlighted Vietnam’s growing commitment to sustainability and quality. In the ASEAN Green Hotel category, five Vietnamese properties were honored: Topas Ecolodge (Lao Cai), Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery (Quang Ninh), Ana Mandara Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Pilgrimage Village Resort & Spa (Hue), and Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An (Da Nang).

Their recognition reflects the sector’s shift toward environmentally responsible operations while maintaining high-end guest experiences.

Vietnam also made a notable impression in the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Awards. Three destinations - Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh), Cua Lo (Nghe An), and Quy Nhon - were named ASEAN Clean Tourist Cities, demonstrating improvements in public services, environmental hygiene, and visitor-friendly infrastructure.

The country’s expanding role in business travel was evident in the ASEAN MICE Venue Awards, where 15 Vietnamese facilities were recognized across exhibition venues, meeting rooms, and event spaces.

Among them were major centers such as the Vietnam Exhibition Center (Ha Noi), SECC (Ho Chi Minh City), WTC Expo (Binh Duong New City), Corona Convention Center (Phu Quoc), and Ariyana Convention Centre (Da Nang).

The breadth of honorees signals Vietnam’s readiness to host regional conferences, exhibitions, and international events.

Sustainability remained a central theme at the awards. In the fifth ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards, two Vietnamese initiatives were honored: Co To - The Green Island Imprint in the rural sustainable tourism category and Hon May Rut Trong - Hon Dugong Bay in the urban sustainable tourism category. Both projects illustrate how local communities are integrating conservation with tourism development.

The recognitions affirm the consistent efforts of local authorities and businesses to upgrade products and services while strengthening destination branding.

Vietnam continues to pursue a development model centered on distinctive experiences, professional services, convenient procedures, competitive pricing, and safe, friendly environments.

Taken together, the awards reflect more than short-term recovery, they indicate a structural shift toward professionalism and sustainability, positioning Vietnam as an increasingly influential tourism hub in Southeast Asia.