A number of popular tourist destinations across Vietnam have been honored as Asia's best at different categories of this year's World Travel Awards.

Hanoi was named "Asia's leading city destination" while the ancient town Hoi An was voted "Asia's leading cultural city destination", the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania organizers announced at a gala ceremony on Monday.

Vung Tau, around a two-hour drive from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, was named "Asia's leading coastal city break destination" for the first time after surpassing rivals such as Thailand's Pattaya ad Malaysia's Penang.

Vung Tau has always been one of the hottest destinations in the south during national holidays as crowds flood the three-kilometer-long Bai Sau, also known as Thuy Van beach.

Ninh Binh, around 90 kilometers south of Hanoi, won the title of "Asia's leading emerging tourism destination" for the first time.

The province is known for its river boat tours through limestone karst mountain passes and paddy fields. It started shining on global stage after the Hollywood movie "Kong: Skull Island" was filmed there in 2016.

Ho Chi Minh City overtook Singapore, China's Shanghai and Hong Kong to become "Asia's leading festival & event destination".

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was voted "Asia's leading national park."

The 900-square-kilometer national park, which UNESCO recognized as a global heritage site in 2003, is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back some 400 million years, including the world's largest Son Doong.

Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark in the northern province of Tuyen Quang, was voted "Asia's leading regional cultural destination."

Northern highlands town Moc Chau was named "Asia's leading regional nature destination."

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, recognize excellence in the travel and tourism industry and are often referred to as the "Oscars of the travel industry." These annual awards are determined by votes from both travel industry professionals and the public.

From Hanoi to Vung Tau: Vietnamese tourist destinations shine at World Travel Awards - VnExpress International