HO CHI MINH CITY, June 5 -- The Vietnamese city of Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site, has recently voted as one of the 10 ideal cities for visiting in Asia by U.S. online travel resource Smarter Travel.

Hoi An remains a trading port, just as it was from the 15th to 19th centuries as it thrived in the spice trade. One-time merchant homes represent Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles and are currently a mix of antique shops, eateries and galleries.

"Wander among canals and bridges, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese to connect them with the Chinese community. The river is a hub of activity, offering up activities such as boat rides, fishing-like- a-local lessons and al fresco dining. Or take a visit to nearby beaches and islands. For the fashionable set, Hoi An is known for its tailors, it is home to hundreds of them, who can make you a custom-made coat or dress just by looking at a photograph," Smart Travel said.

On the 14th day of a lunar month, visitors can experience Hoi An aglow via traditional colored lanterns, as the town shuts off its electric lights and shuts down to motorized vehicles. The lantern festival offers a glimpse at what life was like hundreds of years ago.

Hoi An is ranked ninth in the list of Smarter Travel. The others include Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Siem Reap and Taipei.

Vietnam received nearly 3.3 million foreign visitors in the first five months of this year, down 12.6 percent against the same period last year, its General Statistics Office said.