Tourists go on a tour around Hoi An (Photo: Doan Huu Trung/ VNA)

This was announced on the ASEAN website on Thursday. According to the website, the Awards went to Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An (Vietnam); Siem Riep (Cambodia); Chiang Mai (Thailand); Panay Islands (the Philippines); and Lombok (Indonesia).

Those destinations were selected for their natural beauty, cultural and historical landmarks, adventure activities, and phenomenal cuisines.

Located in Viet Nam’s Quang Nam province, Hoi An is a popular tourist destination where on the 14th of every month, the city turns off its electric lights and illuminates the town with paper lanterns. Hoi An is noted for its four popular history museums and its local cuisine.

Ho Chi Minh City is known for its French colonial architecture. Vietnam’s largest city offers more than urban attractions. Nearby are breathtaking Con Dao and idyllic Phu Quoc island.