Step aside, big-name capitals—because a little riverside town in Vietnam is stealing the global spotlight. The charming ancient city of Hoi An has clinched the 6th spot in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious “Top 25 Most Beautiful Cities in the World” for 2025. That’s right! The world is finally catching on to what locals and seasoned travelers have known forever: Hoi An is pure magic.
Welcome to Hoi An, Where History Dances with the Present
Let’s get this straight—Hoi An isn’t just “pretty”. It’s an experience, a whisper from the past stitched beautifully into modern-day stories, told through lantern-lit alleys, moss-covered roofs, and riverside cafés that seem to press pause on time.
This accolade isn’t just based on Instagram-worthy aesthetics. It’s the result of an annual international survey by Travel + Leisure where seasoned globe-trotters—people who’ve explored everywhere from Florence to Kyoto—rated their favorite cities based on culture, cuisine, charm, and those hard-to-describe “feels”. Hoi An scored an impressive 91 out of 100. Not too shabby, right?
From Slow-Strolling Streets to the Global Spotlight
Once a bustling international trading port more than 400 years ago, today Hoi An is a lovable mash-up of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cultures—and that blend is what makes it sing.
As Travel + Leisure puts it, Hoi An boasts a “fusion between local and foreign cultures”, and that’s visible everywhere: the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the vibrant night market, traditional wooden homes with graceful tiled roofs, and of course, the soft glow of colorful lanterns twinkling in the night. The entire city feels like a living, breathing painting.
It’s Venice of the East with a Vietnamese twist.
Living the Hoi An Dream
Unlike other rankings that focus solely on money, development, or big-brand appeal, this list leans into a city’s soul—the lifestyle, the vibe, the people.
And this is where Hoi An blows everyone away.
Want a lazy afternoon coffee tucked in a quiet alley? Done. A walk along the lantern-lit Hoai River? Got you. Handmade custom-tailored clothes in 24 hours? Absolutely. A night of romance in a riverside bar or a deep dive into local culinary arts? Yes, yes, yes.
Hoi An’s charm lives in its details. In the smile of a local vendor. In the subtle scent of incense from ancestral altars. In the soft footsteps on cobbled laneways.
And perhaps most importantly, it thrives in sustainability. While “overtourism” is a global concern, Hoi An is carving a different path—embracing green tourism and preserving its heritage without selling out.
Asia’s Big Debut on the World’s Most Beautiful Stage
Here’s something cool: this year’s Top 10 cities list is largely dominated by Asian destinations. Hoi An is in stellar company alongside Chiang Mai (Thailand), Tokyo and Kyoto (Japan), Jaipur (India), Bangkok (Thailand), and Ubud (Indonesia).
What does this mean? Tourists are shifting away from the hustle and bling of giant Western cities in favor of soulful escapades—places where time slows down and culture wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.
Hoi An doesn’t compete with megacities like Tokyo or the sparkly vibes of Bangkok. Its strength lies in stillness, reflection, and stories layered over centuries. Where other cities impress, Hoi An connects.
A Singular Voice in Southeast Asia
Chiang Mai may be Thailand’s art and food haven, and Ubud may draw in the wellness crowd, but Hoi An offers something unique: a walk-through museum of daily life, still breathing, still beating.
- It’s quieter than Chiang Mai but just as rich in tradition.
- Less flashy than Bangkok but wrapped in layers of cultural texture.
- More grounded than Ubud, deeply rooted in authentic Vietnamese crafts and community life.
Hoi An is poetry while others are prose.
A Living Heritage, Not Just a Memory
What sets Hoi An apart? It isn’t frozen in time. This is a city that’s actively evolving while still embracing its past. It’s a laboratory of sustainable tourism, community-powered development, and educational programs that bring heritage into future-forward living.
Locals aren’t just preserving culture—they’re inviting the world to learn, share, and grow from it.
This isn’t nostalgia. This is resilience.
So, Who Took the Gold?
Topping the list is Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende with a score of 93.33—loved for its thriving art scene, welcoming lifestyle, and picturesque colonial architecture. It’s the perfect reminder that beauty comes in many flavors… and sometimes, the best spots are those that take their time instead of chasing trends.
The Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities in the World (2025)
- 🥇 San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – 93.33 points
- Chiang Mai, Thailand – 91.94
- Tokyo, Japan – 91.39
- Bangkok, Thailand – 91.34
- Jaipur, India – 91.33
- Hoi An, Vietnam – 91.00
- Mexico City, Mexico – 90.86
- Kyoto, Japan – 90.61
- Ubud, Bali, Indonesia – 90.48
- Cusco, Peru – 90.33
Takeaways for the Road (or River)
Hoi An’s rise in global rankings isn’t just a win for Vietnam—it’s a moment for all of us who believe in the power of culture, community, and connection. It’s proof that you don’t need skyscrapers to inspire awe or high-tech marvels to move hearts.
You just need a city with a soul.
So next time you’re planning a trip that feeds more than your camera roll—someplace that nourishes your spirit and stays with you long after you’ve left—remember Hoi An is waiting. Lanterns lit. Doors open. Story unfolding.
🔗 Original Source: baomoi.com