Vietnam has once again been recognized as the World’s Leading Heritage Destination in 2025 by the World Travel Awards (WTA), reaffirming its appeal through diverse heritages linked to sustainable tourism and its strong national brand reputation in the international market.
At the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony held in Bahrain on December 6, 2025, Vietnam was recognized as the World’s Leading Heritage Destination for the sixth time after being honored in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The selection by the WTA has reflected the appeal of Vietnam’s heritages, including the world’s nine natural and cultural heritages, 16 intangible cultural heritages, 10 documentary heritages recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang Province won the World’s Leading Cultural Destination title for the first time, highlighting the cultural value of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Moc Chau Plateau in Son La Province was listed as the World’s Leading Natural Destination for the third time. Tam Dao in Phu Tho Province was voted as the World’s Leading Town Destination for the fourth time. Bai Khem Beach on Phu Quoc Island was recognized as the World’s Leading Regional Beach.
The humble savior of nearly 100 flood victims
Do Ngoc Tang, 43, a fisherman living in Phu Huu, Son Hoa Commune, Dak Lak Province, used his boat to rescue nearly 100 people stranded at their houses due to the recent heavy flood.
On November 19, several villages in Son Hoa were submerged in the flood. Living in a high place, Tang’s house was not inundated. Learning that many villagers were stranded at their houses, Tang rowed his boat crossing the floodwater to take as many flood victims as possible out of inundated houses. Meanwhile, Ho Nhu Nguyet, Tang’s wife rode her motorbike to take these victims to high, safe places.
From the evening of November 19 to the early morning of the following day, Tang rowed his boat in troubled water to rescue nearly 100 young and old people, including a new mother. After the flood receded, many of the victims rescued by him went to his house to express their gratitude to Tang and his wife. They even called him “hero.”
However, Tang modestly told dantri.com.vn that he makes a living by fishing and he considers the rescue of flood victims his responsibility, adding that he is not a hero at all.
Two fishermen receive Bravery Orders
Phan Duy Quang and Le Van Sanh, two fishermen living on Ly Son Island (now a special zone off Quang Ngai Province), were each awarded a Bravery Order for sailing their coracle into the rough sea to rescue a man who jumped into the water to attempt suicide. The three men miraculously survived after drifting for two days in the troubled waters.
Sanh told tuoitre.vn that at 3 p.m. on November 6, he saw Duong Quang Cuong, an islander, jump into the sea. Despite high waves and strong winds, he and Quang sailed their coracle out to rescue Cuong. But the storm pushed the basket boat with three men onboard farther and farther from the island. At 8 p.m., strong waves sank the coracle, and the three men floated thanks to their life jackets.
Being separated from each other during the night, Quang was the first to be rescued by a merchant ship at 9 a.m. on November 8. At 4 p.m. on the same day, Sanh was rescued by a passenger ship. The two brave fishermen were drifted 100km away from Ly Son Island. At 6 p.m. on that day, Cuong was also rescued by a fishing boat.
The sympathy for a Down syndrome tourist
The short video clip featuring Joey Hitzroth, a 26-year-old Australian tourist with Down syndrome, shyly high-fived and shook hands with a group of elementary students in HCMC, and the students gave him a hug and kissed him, has attracted over two million viewers on social media.
Alan Hitzroth, Joey Hitzroth’s adoptive father, saw the moment as others’ sympathy for his son. The father and his son made an eight-day trip to HCMC in early December this year. Currently living in Bali, Indonesia, Hitzroth and his son often made short trips abroad, mostly to Singapore and Malaysia, to extend their visas. He chose Vietnam for the recent trip because this destination is suitable for the health condition of his son.
On December 2, when traveling on a street in Khanh Hoi Ward, HCMC, Alan and Joey Hitzroth saw a group of students having breakfast on the sidewalk. The children said hello and waved their hands to greet Joey Hitzroth. The father told vnexpress.net that he was moved and happy at the open-mindedness and hospitality of these Vietnamese kids, adding that his son was also happy at the students’ sympathy for him.
Alan and Joey Hitzroth plan to return to Vietnam, hoping to visit the school of such lovely students in Khanh Hoi Ward.
