Luxury travel magazine DestinAsian has just announced the results of the DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2026, in which Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are both in the list of 10 best cities in Asia in 2026 selected by readers.
According to the ranking, Bangkok tops the list, followed by Tokyo and Singapore.
Ho Chi Minh City ranked 6th, while Hanoi ranked 9th. The remaining cities in the top 10 include Hong Kong (China), Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kyoto and Macao (China).
In the eyes of international tourists, Ho Chi Minh City is attractive because of the dynamic atmosphere of a large city, with a system of restaurants, bars, night markets and vibrant shopping centers. The city is also a popular starting point for tourists to explore nearby destinations such as islands or the Mekong Delta river region.
Hanoi impresses with its history of more than a thousand years, the intersection between the Old Quarter, the lake and ancient French architectural works. Slow pace of life, sidewalk coffee culture and typical dishes such as pho, bun cha or banh mi... create a unique local experience, making many tourists want to return.
This annual award - currently entering its 19th year - has attracted more than one million votes worldwide from about 45,000 readers, with 38 rating categories, from best airline to most attractive tourist island. The award aims to honor outstanding contributions to the tourism industry in the region.
Previously, in the ranking of the best cities in the world announced by Time Out magazine this year, Hanoi ranked 25th and Ho Chi Minh City ranked 38th.
