Hoi An among top beach city destinations

The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam has been named on a list of world's nine best city destinations with beaches by the South China Morning Post.

Flights connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Danang (both one and a half hours). From there, Hoi An is a 45-minute taxi ride away.

"Criss-crossed by canals, Hoi An is a photogenic city on Vietnam’s central coast. An architectural medley of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, ornate temples and the Japanese Covered Bridge helped the Old Town gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999," it wrote.

According to the SCMP, "formerly one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia, today Hoi An bustles with tourists who sightsee and have clothing tailored for a fraction of the price they would pay at home. At night, lanterns illuminate the Old Town, creating a fairy-tale feel (lantern-making workshops are a hit with visitors)."

"Rather than staying in the centre of the city, many travellers opt for a beachside base. An Bang’s white sands and sparkling blue waters have featured in CNN’s list of 100 Best Beaches in the World and are only 3 km from the Old Town. Hire a bike and pedal between the two," the Hong Kong-based newspaper commented.

The other destinationes on the list in order are: Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Mumbai (India), Brighton (UK), Barcelona (Spain), Sydney (Australia), Miami (U.S.), Sanya (China), and Athens (Greece).

In early July, Hoi An was named on a list of the 16 most favourite UNESCO world heritage wonders in Southeast Asia by leading UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust.

"Far removed from the fogs of exhaust that envelop many a visit to Southeast Asia, UNESCO-listed Hoi An is a quiet, sculpted riposte to the pace of modern Vietnamese life," Wanderlust described.

"It wasn’t always the case, though. The city was once a thriving port town and home to merchants from across Asia until the Thu Bon River silted up some 200 years ago and the traders moved on elsewhere," it added.

In March, Hoi An was named one of the 10 most scenic towns in Vietnam by The Travel.

"The ancient town of Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites, praised by UNESCO for being an “exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port," the Canadian travel site wrote.

It suggested "Walking along this picturesque town is like literally stepping back in time. The city is one big playground for Instagram savvies as its colorful structures, and charming architecture offer endless snap opportunities. One of the top attractions is the Japanese Bridge, and museums await history buffs."

"Tourists can also rent bikes to get the most out of Hoi An, a place straight out of a picture book," it added.

In January, Hoi An ranked second on TripAdvisor's list of the world's 25 most trending destinations in 2023.