Top Tourism Destinations in Vietnam: Discover the Best Villages!

Top Tourism Destinations in Vietnam: Discover the Best Villages!

The rural areas of the central region of Vietnam are increasingly becoming the focus of sustainable tourism. These regions are known for their unique cultural and natural heritage, which differ significantly from urban attractions. Information from Vietnam.vn shows that rural tourism not only contributes to socio-economic development, but is also often small-scale in remote areas. The transport infrastructure is limited and there is a lack of investment funds and well-trained human resources. Information technology is also often not synchronized with current market needs, making it difficult to attract and retain tourists.

Nevertheless, measures were taken to promote rural tourism in the central region through Resolution No. 922/QD-TTg of August 2, 2022. Municipalities in provinces such as Quang Binh, Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Khanh Hoa have developed implementation plans to promote tourism destinations. Of particular note are Tan Hoa Village in Quang Binh and Tra Que Vegetable Village in Quang Nam, both of which were named best tourist villages.

Awards for Outstanding Villages

UNWTO has launched the Best Tourism Villages Award since 2021 to recognize rural villages for their natural beauty, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism practices. Vietnam can be proud of three excellent villages: Thai Hai (2022), Tan Hoa (2023) and Tra Que (2024), like ahavietnam.org reported.

Tan Hoa Village, located in Quang Binh Province, has made a name for itself through its breathtaking cave systems, such as the Tu Lan system. Here the indigenous Nguon people preserve their traditions, including Ho Thuoc Ca (folk singing) and the Ram Thang Ba festival. Adopting a weather-adaptive tourism model has helped the village record a record 8,001 visitors in 2022.

Tra Que Vegetable Village and its sustainable initiatives

Tra Que Vegetable Village, located just 3 km north of Hoi An, has also secured a special place in the tourist landscape. With over 200 vegetable growing households and an area of ​​18 hectares, the village was granted National Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2022. Here tourists can immerse themselves in the world of vegetable cultivation and purchase local products. In addition, 23 accommodation establishments and 16 restaurants offer jobs for the local population.

In Quang Nam, over 128 agritourism sites have attracted over 1,000 households, and community tourism revenues for 2024 are estimated to be over VND150 billion. Of particular note is the Bay Mau Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh, which attracted over 1 million visitors in 2024 and generated revenue of VND 30 billion.

Another bright spot is the development of Tan Hoa into a community tourism village offering homestays, local restaurants and cultural tours, among other things. The Chua Me Dat (Oxalis) company has been initiating adventure tours in the Tu Lan cave system since 2014 and now employs 120 local workers whose monthly income ranges between VND 6 and 8 million.

Given these successes, it is clear that rural tourism in Vietnam can strengthen both the economic situation and the cultural awareness of communities in the long term. With a focus on sustainable practices and the involvement of local communities, these rural areas can continue to grow and develop as attractive tourist destinations.

Commitment to rural tourism will be further discussed at the second annual meeting of UNWTO’s Best Tourism Villages in Hoi An on December 9, 2024, where sustainable and community-oriented tourism practices will be the focus.