Located between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and only 120km southwest of Hanoi, the park boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. (Photo courtesy of the park)

Hanoi  – The Cuc Phuong National Park, a famous tourist
destination in the northern province of Ninh Binh, has once again been named
“Asia’s Leading National Park”.

This is the fourth consecutive year, the park has been honoured at the 29th
World Travel Award (WTA) Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony held recently in Ho
Chi Minh City.

It was one of many successes for Vietnamese destinations and tour operators.

The WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and
tourism industry. Its awards have been described as equivalent to the
“Oscars”.

Travel industry VIPs from 35 nations attended the blockbuster event at HCM
City’s state-of-the-art GEM Center.

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Located
between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and only 120km
southwest of Hanoi, the park boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage
and enchanting scenery.

Magnificent limestone mountains rise up majestically from the green
rice-terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong ethnic minority.
Situated on two limestone mountain ranges, the landscape of Cuc Phuong contains
a wonderfully rich ecosystem. The rocky outcrops of the forest park form the
site of valuable pale ontological and anthropological vestiges, including a
fossilised sea reptile dated 200-230 million years old, while the remains of
prehistoric people who lived in the forest some 7,500 years ago are also to be
found in the numerous mountain caves.

More WTA awards

Amazing natural beauty combined with world-class levels of hospitality has
earned Vietnam the title of “Asia’s Leading Destination” and
“Asia’s Leading Nature Destination”, Hanoi has claimed the top prize
for “Asia’s Leading City Break Destination” and HCM City won the
award for “Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination”.

The Vietnam National Tourism Administration has received the award “Asia’s
Leading Tourist Board” while the HCM City Department of Tourism won the
title of “Leading City Tourist Board”.

The UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site of Hoi An has won in the category of
“Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination”.

Moc Chau in the northern mountain province of Son La for the first time has
been honoured as “Asia’s Leading Regional Nature Destination” and
“Vietnam’s Leading Nature Destination “.

The WTA 2022 also honoured Da Nang City as Asia’s Leading Festival & Event
Destination 2022, Vietnam Airlines as Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2022, as
well as several hotels and tourist resorts in Vietnam.

In addition, a number of tourism businesses in the country also participated
for the first time in the World Travel Awards system such as Lux Travel DMC
which has won titled as Vietnam’s leading destination management company 2022,
and Vietravel Airlines with title as the Asia’s Leading New Airlines.

The WTA 2022-themed “Southern Journey” focuses on nine categories in the fields
of airlines, destinations, entertainment parks, yachts, hotels and resorts,
travel agencies and tour operators, among others.

Phan Van Mai, chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said this year’s
award ceremony marked an important milestone in the tourism industry of the
world and Vietnam as it was held at the time when global tourism is recovering
from the COVID-19 pandemic, and HCM City was proud to host this special event.

The awards have contributed to creating momentum for development and affirming Vietnam’s
position on the world tourism map, according to the city leader.

“This is a great opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam and its beautiful
and attractive nature along with the friendly and hospitable Vietnamese people
to the world,” he said.

According to Graham Cooke, founder and president of World Travel Award, the
organisation board this year had received 2.3 million votes from across the
globe, which shows ‘expectations of global tourism as well as the mainstream
trend of world travelers looking for new passions and quality services’.

He also singled out Vietnamese representatives that have won the 2022 awards
for reaching world class standards.

“WTA had the privilege of recognising the industry’s leading lights from the
length and breadth of twin Asia and Oceania regions. As shining examples of
tourism excellence, our winners have helped once again raise the bar,” he said.

“Ho Chi Minh City is an impressive cosmopolitan destination, rich in history
and culture but with a dynamic, forward-thinking outlook. Vietnam is not only a
tremendously exciting destination within Asia, but I believe it will soon
become a tourism epicentre on the global stage. We foresee an era of
unprecedented growth as more brands and tourism development products are
attracted to the nation.”/.