Ta Xua named Asia’s top emerging tourism destination 2026

The awards ceremony was recently held in the Maldives.

This was the first time Ta Xua was nominated for the category, as well as its first win.

Ta Xua and Ninh Binh were the two Vietnamese destinations nominated for the award, alongside Koh Kood of Thailand, Melaka of Malaysia, Morioka of Japan, Sumba Island of Indonesia, and Taipei of Taiwan (China).

The recognition highlights the growing appeal and diversity of Viet Nam's tourism destinations.

Known as the "paradise of clouds," Ta Xua has emerged in recent years as a popular destination, particularly among young travellers seeking nature and adventure experiences.

Located at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters above sea level, with some areas exceeding 2,000 meters, Ta Xua boasts a cool climate and distinctive highland landscapes.

Its attractions include the Dinosaur Spine, Windy Peak, Ta Xua grassland and trekking routes through forests, which have become popular with adventure and nature enthusiasts.

Ta Xua is also home to the rich cultural heritage of the Mong ethnic community, reflected in traditional houses, costumes, handicrafts, cuisine and customs.

Visitors can experience traditional crafts such as flax weaving, indigo dyeing and beeswax batik, while exploring the daily life of local people in highland villages.

Another distinctive tourism product is Ta Xua's ancient Shan Tuyet tea plantations. The tea-growing areas offer opportunities to develop tourism experiences associated with tea culture, indigenous agriculture and the livelihoods of local communities.

The WTA recognition marks a new milestone in Ta Xua's tourism development, as the destination expands beyond its traditional appeal among domestic trekkers and cloud-hunting enthusiasts to gain wider regional recognition.

According to the Ta Xua Commune People's Committee, the destination welcomed an estimated 56,000 visitors in the first six months of 2026, equivalent to 46.7 percent of its annual target. Tourism revenue reached around VND54 billion (over US$2 million).

Ta Xua aims to attract 120,000 visitors and earn around VND120 billion in tourism revenue this year.

To sustain its growing appeal, the locality is working to improve tourism infrastructure and service quality, strengthen cooperation with travel businesses, and preserve its natural landscapes and distinctive cultural identity.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is a global awards programme recognising outstanding destinations, organisations and businesses in the travel and hospitality sector.

In 2026, Viet Nam also retained the WTA title of Asia's Leading Destination./.