Ta Xua was named Asia’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination 2026, while the Moc Chau National Tourism Area was honoured as Asia’s Leading Nature Destination 2026.

It was the first time Ta Xua had been nominated in the emerging destination category. In July 2026, the World Travel Awards announced the regional nominees, with Ta Xua and Ninh Binh representing Vietnam alongside Koh Kood in Thailand, Melaka in Malaysia, Morioka in Japan, Sumba Island in Indonesia and Taipei in Taiwan, China.

For the Moc Chau National Tourism Area, the 2026 award marks the fifth consecutive year it has received the regional honour (from 2022 to 2026). This recognition is a testament to the strong appeal and distinctive value of the lush highland region.

The awards highlight efforts by the province, Ta Xua commune and the Moc Chau National Tourism Area to conserve and promote tourism resources, preserve local cultural identity and attract investment. They are also expected to provide an opportunity to promote Son La as a tourism destination, strengthen its profile in the regional tourism market and support sustainable growth and long-term livelihoods for local communities./.