Vietnam's Ta Xua Wins World Travel Award for Emerging Destination
The Son La province locale secured the 2026 World Travel Award in its debut entry, highlighting Vietnam's growing appeal for global visitors.
Ta Xua Recognised at World Travel Awards
Ta Xua, located in Vietnam's north-western Son La province, has been named Asia's leading emerging tourism destination for 2026. The recognition came at the 2026 World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony for the Asia, Oceania, and Indian Ocean regions, which was recently held in the Maldives, as reported by Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
This marks the first time Ta Xua has been nominated in this category and its inaugural win, signalling a new level of international acknowledgement for the region's tourism offerings.
Strong Vietnamese Representation
Vietnam featured two destinations among the WTA nominations for this category, with Ta Xua and Ninh Binh competing against other regional contenders. These included Koh Kood from Thailand, Melaka in Malaysia, Morioka from Japan, Sumba Island in Indonesia, and Taipei (Taiwan, China).
The inclusion of two Vietnamese locales in such a competitive field demonstrates the breadth of the country's tourism assets, according to VNA. This diverse representation shows Vietnam's capacity to attract travellers with varied interests, from mountainous landscapes to cultural sites.
Ta Xua's Unique Appeal
Known colloquially as "the paradise of clouds," Ta Xua has increasingly drawn interest from young travellers. Its appeal lies in the spectacular sea of clouds that often blankets the mountains across Vietnam's north-western region.
Situated at elevations primarily above 1,500 metres, with some peaks exceeding 2,000 metres above sea level, Ta Xua benefits from a consistently cool climate and distinct mountainous topography. Popular attractions for adventure and nature enthusiasts include the Dinosaur Spine, Windy Peak, Ta Xua grassland, and various forest trekking routes.
Outlook for Destination Growth
The award is set to boost Ta Xua's profile on the global tourism map, particularly appealing to travellers seeking nature-based activities and unique landscapes in Asia. For the Vietnamese tourism industry, this recognition from the World Travel Awards, established in 1993 to honour excellence in the sector, reinforces the country’s position as a diverse and growing destination.
It encourages continued development of infrastructure and services to accommodate increased visitor numbers, while potentially inspiring other emerging destinations within Vietnam to enhance their international visibility and offerings.
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