Lonely Planet highlights five best experiences during Vietnam trip
Brekke Fletcher, a writer for the world's leading travel magazine Lonely Planet, has chosen Vietnam as a culinary destination to explore for the Elsewhere section.
Hanoi (VNA) – Brekke Fletcher, a writer for the world's leading travel magazine Lonelﷺy Planet, has chosen Vietnam as a culinary destination to explore for the Elꦑsewhere section.
Fletcher spent 9 days discovering the diverse cuisine of various regions in Vietnam together with photographer Thanh Huynh.
She said riding a scooter through the streets of Hanoi in Vietnam is one of those things she's always wanted to do but was too afraid to attempt.
A tour of Ho Chi Minh City on vespa (Photo: HCM City tourism magazine)
"To be anonymous, another helmeted figure in the middle of a million little dramas and comedies happening on a million bikes moving through this amazing city – every second is pure joy,” she wrote, and highlighted hopping on a Vespa as the first in the most outstanding experiences in her trip. On her first night in Ho Chi Minh City, she climbed on the back of a scooter and headed into the city centre to taste the diverse flavors of the market, like a Chinese roasted duck and a French baguette.
The second one is to go deep into the Mekong Delta. Fletcher entered Ben Tre province and island-hopped on a small-boat tour in the Mekong Delta, which included a stop at an artisan workshop and lunch with a local farming family.
In Ben Tre province (Photo: VNA)
Taking the slow train to Hue is another outstanding experience. The writer described the rail journey to Hue as among the most beautiful in Southeast Asia. Visitors could enjoy coastal and rural views and buy snacks from vendors who hop on along the way.
The next one is to spend the day and night on Lan Ha Bay. Fletcher said she cruised the glorious waters in the less-touristy area of Lan Ha Bay and took in stunning scenery. She then kayaked into a sea cave and sipped cocktails while the sun set.
And on the last night, she decided to dine with a Hanoian family and savored some Cha ca, a freshwater fish marinated in a sl𒉰ew of fragrant spices that's a specialty of the city, which is an outstanding experience for her./.
Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave located in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Binh, has been ranked third among the worldwide bucket-list trips for 2019 by Lonely Planet.
Australia's renowned travel guide Lonely Planet has selected the seven best road trips in Vietnam, spanning from the country’s north down to its southern reaches.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA)
A tour of Ho Chi Minh City on vespa (Photo: HCM City tourism magazine)
In Ben Tre province (Photo: VNA)
