Vietnamese City Ranks High in World's Most Welcoming Cities Study

A Vietnamese city has emerged as one of the world's most welcoming, according to a recent study assessing English proficiency, social support, tourism services, safety, and visa openness across 200 cities globally. The research, which collected data as of June 15, 2026, also evaluated the number of local tourism services and online search interest for terms like "friendly" and "welcoming." Singapore topped the overall ranking with a safety score of 77.7, noted by Holafly as a strong reassurance for new visitors. The city-state also recorded a visa openness score of 164, highlighting its high accessibility to foreign nationals, and features 41 tourism and information assistance services. Holafly defines a welcoming destination by whether visitors feel safe, accepted, and supported, not solely by resident friendliness. London ranked second worldwide, recognized for its diversity and 54 tourism and assistance services. Sydney placed third, boasting the highest English proficiency score among all ranked cities. New York ranked fourth, followed by Boston in fifth. Penang Island in Malaysia secured the sixth position, while The Hague in the Netherlands placed seventh. Hong Kong secured the eighth position, followed by the Danish cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus in ninth and 10th, respectively. Other cities in the top 20 included Edinburgh, Utrecht, Davao City, Ottawa, Melbourne, Prague, Amsterdam, Toronto, Montreal, and Brno. Nine European cities made the top 20, while Canada accounted for three entries. The research methodology combined the 100 most-visited cities globally with the 100 most-populous urban areas. Each city was assessed using six indicators before data was normalized and combined into a final weighted score. While the specific Vietnamese city and its exact ranking were not detailed in the provided text, the inclusion of a Southeast Asian city like Penang Island, Malaysia (ranking sixth), suggests a broader regional trend of increasing international appeal. This development can be viewed within the context of Vietnam's economic growth under its one-party system, which has driven urban development and infrastructure improvements, contributing to its attractiveness to international tourists. Furthermore, regional stability, influenced by relationships with neighboring countries like China, may indirectly support a safe travel environment for visitors.