After evaluating more than 260 applications from 60 countries, the UNWTO recognised Tra Que Vegetable Village's rich and outstanding natural and cultural resources, along with the village’s strong commitments and actions in compliance with the three main pillars of sustainable tourism development.

The award ceremony will be held during the Second Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism Network as part of the International Conference on Rural Tourism, due to take place in Hoi An from December 7 to 12, according to local authorities.

The UN Tourism Best Tourism Village award was launched in a bid to enhance the role of tourism in protecting rural villages such as its landscapes, knowledge systems, biodiversity, and culture; as well as local activities including agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries, and cuisine.

The award winners must have outstanding natural and cultural resources, along with taking innovative actions and commitments to tourism development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Situated about three kilometres from the centre of Hoi An Ancient Town, Tra Que Village is well-known as the freshest and cleanest herb and vegetable supplier in the locality.

Established 300 years ago and surrounded by the De Vong River, the first citizens of Tra Que made a living by fishing. Gradually, they started taking advantage of the river’s abundant seaweed to make fertilizer. Tra Que locals now spend their lives growing and providing all of Hoi An’s restaurants and households with the finest quality herbs and vegetables.

Hoi An is considered to be the food mecca of Vietnam and Tra Que Village is the main contributor to this status.

Currently, the village is home to 202 households participating in vegetable growing activities with 326 direct workers covering an area of ​​18 hectares.

In April 2022, vegetables growing in Tra Que were included on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, featuring in the category of folk knowledge and traditional handicrafts.