Hoi An is the Best City in the World in 2019

The world is certainly not short of incredible cities. There are the skyscraper-laden megacities Hong Kong and New York City, historic cities full of charm and romance like Kyoto or Paris, and cities so special they just can’t be compared — here’s looking at you Udaipur.

At Travel + Leisure, we know our readers have traveled the world near and far, discovering what cities are truly worth experiencing on every continent. That’s why, each year, we task them with helping us figure out something that’s difficult to determine: What’s the best city in the world to visit right now?

For our 2019 World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asked readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. And the results are in. This year, the title of Best City in the World belongs to Hoi An, Vietnam. 

Hoi An Is the Best City in the World — and the Street Food Is Only the Beginning
Score: 90.39

This charmer of a city leaped from its No. 8 position last year to the top of our list. What draws readers to what one called “a little gem of a place”? For some, it’s the shopping: “You can have anything made to order.” For others, it’s the food. “The best in Vietnam, with amazing vegetarian and vegan options,” wrote one fan. It doesn’t hurt that Hoi An is so accessible either. “It’s great that the inner part of the city is restricted and cars aren’t allowed, so one can walk down the center of the street to the shops and markets,” explained one reader. “The city has a nice atmosphere, being right on a river.”

Located in central Vietnam on the coast of the East Vietnam Sea, Hoi An is a charming city with ancient roots, distinct architecture, a contagious energy, and arguably one of the best street food scenes on the planet. Most importantly, Hoi An is home to friendly people who are eager to share the best their city has to offer.

When it comes to places to stay, there are plenty of options: resorts, hotels, hostels, and guest houses. The true stand-out in the area is the Four Seasons Nam Hai, a beautiful resort with one of the best spas in Asia. Located on the beach, the Nam Hai is just a short taxi or motorbike ride into the heart and energy of Hoi An. Opt for a pool villa where the bed is on an elevated platform next to a built in bathtub.

Another reader recommends a more involved way to get into Hoi An’s world class food scene: “Check out a cooking class.” And that’s something I managed to do thanks to the Cooking Academy at the Four Seasons Nam Hai. Here, guests can join a morning-, day-, or week-long class to learn the ins and outs of Vietnamese cooking with the resort’s local chef. Prior to the class, guests travel with the chef into Hoi An’s markets to shop and take in a lesson on local foods and fish. But even if you don’t join a cooking class, a trip to the markets is an absolute must.

Famous for its textiles, Hoi An is also a great place to get custom-made suits or dresses — even just shopping for souvenirs along the main touristy areas can uncover delightful finds. Beat the heat by stopping in at the Reaching Out Tea House, right near the Thu Bon River, for a traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee that will send shock waves of caffeine into your body. Designed to reflect “the joy of silence,” all of the servers there are hearing- or speech-impaired, meaning that guests get the opportunity to participate in a form of communication that doesn’t require sound so much as hand gestures and warm smiles.