Tra Que Vegetable Village in Hoi An, Quang Nam, was named the Best Tourism Village of 2024 by UN Tourism during an event in Colombia on November 15. The village outshone 260 candidates from 60 countries due to its commitment to the three main pillars of sustainable tourism: social equity, economic development, and environmental integrity. It is also the only representative from Vietnam to receive this prestigious award.
Founded in the 16th century, Tra Que Vegetable Village is located three kilometers from Hoi An and is known for its green tourism. Surrounded by the Co Co River and Tra Que Lagoon, the village utilizes its fertile land and favorable climate for organic farming. With 202 families and 326 farmers managing 18 hectares, they produce vegetables and herbs for restaurants in Hoi An and Da Nang.
As an agritourism destination, the village preserves traditional farming practices while offering cultural experiences, cooking classes, homestays, and farm tours. Tra Que also has 23 homestays and 16 restaurants, making it an ideal location for travelers seeking an authentic local lifestyle. In April 2022, Tra Que's vegetable farming was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in the category of folk knowledge and traditional crafts.
Global Recognition for Villages
The UNWTO's "Best Tourism Village" award recognizes villages that preserve landscapes, traditions, biodiversity, culture, and local activities such as agriculture and cuisine. Selected villages must have strong natural and cultural resources and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable tourism in line with the SDGs. To date, UNWTO has awarded this recognition to 130 villages worldwide.
Celebrating Hoi An’s Heritage
Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, boasts an invaluable cultural heritage. In addition to its international recognition, Hoi An has won eight national awards for its tangible and intangible cultural assets, including traditional festivals like Nguyên Tiêu (the full moon of the first lunar month) and unique crafts such as hanging baskets made from Firmiana colorata tree bark.
