An aerial view of Tan Hoa tourism village in Quang Binh province (Photo: Oxalis Adventure)
Quang Binh (VNA) – Tan Hoa in the centralprovince of Quang Binh has been named among the Best Tourism Villages 2023 bythe World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The UNWTO announced the list of Best Tourism Villages 2023 ata meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on October 19.
Tan Hoa is the only from Vietnam among the 260 applicants from60 countries seeking the title, said Vice Chairman of the Quang Binh People’sCommittee Ho An Phong at a press conference held in Dong Hoi city the same day.
He noted that winning the title is just the first step oftourism development in Tan Hoa. It is a chance for this locality to graduallybecome a bright spot of Vietnam’s tourism.
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministryof Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tan Hoa was recognised for its diverse andoutstanding cultural and natural resources, as well as its commitments andactions to comply with the sustainable tourism principles.
A leader of the Tan Hoa communal People's Committee receives the Best Tourism Village 2023 title from the World Tourism Organisation. (Photo: baoquangbinh.vn)
Tan Hoa,a mountainous commune in Minh Hoa district, is blessed with breathtakingnatural landscapes and special cultural identities. In the past, it used to be frequently hit by floods due to itslocation.
Over thepast years, local residents have engaged in tourism activities to helpsustainably reduce poverty. With support from businesses, Tan Hoa has become aweather-adaptive tourism village with many unique and typical tourism products.
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages byUNWTO initiative is part of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme.The programme works to foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combatdepopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism,and encourage sustainable practices.
Thevillages are evaluated under nine key areas, namely cultural and natural resources;promotion and conservation of cultural resources; economic sustainability; socialsustainability; environmental sustainability; tourism development and value chainintegration; governance and prioritisation of tourism; infrastructure and connectivity;and health, safety, and security./.
With a 116km-long coastline and forest coverage rate of 68%, Quang Binh boasts full conditions to become a major tourist destination of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, said Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.
For those who love to experience caves, Son Doong is the most famous place in Vietnam that many people wish to explore once in their lifetime. However, there is another cave system in the central province of Quang Binh that is also attractive to tourists, which is the Thien Duong (Paradise) cave.
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province has twice been honored as a World Natural Heritage site. This is a testament to its unique geomorphology and global tourism value, as well as countless efforts of Vietnam to increase awareness in the process of international integration.
Untouched Da Nhay (dancing rock) Beach, bestowed with striking rocks on white sands, has become a fascinating must-see destination for visitors to the central province of Quang Binh.
The central province of Quang Binh, dubbed the “kingdom of caves”, welcomed over 3.6 million tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2023, soaring 2.32-fold year on year, reported the provincial Department of Tourism.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
An aerial view of Tan Hoa tourism village in Quang Binh province (Photo: Oxalis Adventure) 
A leader of the Tan Hoa communal People's Committee receives the Best Tourism Village 2023 title from the World Tourism Organisation. (Photo: baoquangbinh.vn) 
