World cultural and natural heritage Ha Long Bay - an attractive destination in Vietnam (Source: VNA)

This is the second consecutive year Vietnam has been honored in the three categories, showing that culture, heritage and cuisine are prominent factors bringing international titles to Vietnamese tourism.

The WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry. Heralded as the “travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars” by the Wall Street Journal, the awards are based on votes from the public and travel professionals across the globe.

The 26th World Travel Awards for Asia and Oceania selected Vietnam as Asia's Leading Culinary Destination at a ceremony in October 2019 in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

Vietnam was also named Asia’s Leading Destination and Asia’s Leading Cultural Destination, while Hoi An won the title of Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination. The country was then honored as a World Leading Heritage Destination 2019 by the WTA at an awards ceremony in November in Oman.