Vietnam has broken into the top five of Agoda’s prestigious 16th Gold Circle Awards, even as Thailand remains in the top spot.

The Agoda Gold Circle Awards celebrate exceptional hospitality within the Greater Asian region.

In addition, this year’s awards further underscore Southeast Asia’s exceptional performance with four out of the top five accolades awarded to markets within the region, a feat last witnessed in 2021.

The national ranking is based on how many hotels win a prestigious award within each market.

“Our Gold Circle Awards serve as a tribute to the dedication and remarkable achievements of our global accommodation partners. Achieving excellence in guest service is ever challenging, yet our partners rise to the occasion year after year. Vietnam’s entry into the top five showcases its efforts to enhance service quality, reflecting the growing potential of Southeast Asian hospitality.” — Andrew Smith

Japan took second place with 432 hotels, followed by Indonesia in third place with 365 hotels, Vietnam in fourth with 315 hotels, and Malaysia rounding out the top five with 311 hotels.

A higher number of winners

This year, the awards ceremony witnessed a 53 percent increase in Gold Circle Award winners compared to 2023, recognizing a record-breaking 3,545 exceptional properties across the globe in 2024.

Notably, nearly 50 percent of the awards went to independent hotels, highlighting the growing appreciation for unique, personalized guest experiences that emphasize creativity and individuality.

Vietnam’s groundbreaking climb from 9th place in 2023 to securing a position within the top five reflects its 209 percent increase in award-winning accommodations. This underscores the hard work of accommodation providers throughout the market as they strive to deliver the highest level of service to their guests.

Meanwhile, Thailand maintaining its top spot since 2023 confirms its enduring excellence, exemplifying strong reliability and leadership within the hospitality industry.