5 Southeast Asian countries vie for 'Asia's Leading Beach Destination' 2026

Five Southeast Asian countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—have been shortlisted for the 'Asia's Leading Beach Destination' category at the 2026 World Travel Awards (WTA). This is one of seven nominees competing for this prestigious title.

The World Travel Awards, often called the 'Oscars of the travel industry,' regularly honors outstanding global destinations and tourism services. The inclusion of Vietnam alongside other regional countries in the nominations once again underscores the strong appeal of Southeast Asia's tropical beaches. With pristine beauty, clear blue waters, and increasingly developed services, famous Vietnamese beaches such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne have always been favorite destinations for both domestic and international travelers.

For travelers planning a summer vacation, this good news further strengthens the reasons to choose Vietnam, especially coastal cities like Da Nang and Hoi An, as their destination. The competition among regional countries promises to drive improvements in service quality and beach tourism experiences. The final results will be announced in due course, and Vietnamese travel enthusiasts can fully take pride in their country's potential.