These two destinations earned high praise for their distinct cultural identity, stunning natural landscapes, and increasingly refined services.

Foreign tourists on Bui Vien backpacker street in HCMC.

Ho Chi Minh City ranked seventh among the best cities in Asia Pacific. The ranking was topped by Tokyo, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; Seoul, the Republic of Korea; and Hong Kong, China.

Phu Quoc off southern Kien Giang Province earned the third place in the top 10 islands in the region. Other islands in the list include Bali, Indonesia; Koh Samui, Thailand; Palawan, the Philippines; Phuket, Thailand; and Langkawi, Malaysia.

According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in the first quarter of 2025, the city welcomed over 1.63 million international visitors, an increase of 18.2% compared to the same period last year.

Data from the Kien Giang provincial Department of Tourism shows that in the first six months of 2025, Phu Quoc hosted over 4.4 million visitors, including 882,000 foreigners, up 33.3% and 76.7% year-on-year, respectively.

Bac Giang welcomes over 2.1 million tourists in first half of 2025

BAC GIANG – The northern province of Bac Giang recorded over 2.1 million tourist arrivals in the first half of this year, reaching more than 75% of its 2025 target, according to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Sapa - “Switzerland of Viet Nam" captivates RoK travelers

Bookings from Korean tourists for all-inclusive tours to Sapa in Viet Nam's Lao Cai province in the first half of 2025 surged by 333% compared to the same period in 2024, according to Hana Tour – the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s largest travel agency.

 

‘Vietnam is calling’: Social media videos give boost to Vietnamese tourism

A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.

 

Ha Long, Hoi An, Sa Pa among Southeast Asia's top tourist destinations

Three Vietnamese destinations Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Sa Pa were included in a list of 15 top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia by Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News.

Reunification Express tops world’s most stunning train journeys in 2025

World-renowned travel guide Lonely Planet has just released its Amazing Train Journeys edition, featuring 24 of the most exceptional train rides to experience in 2025, with Viet Nam’s Thong Nhat (Reunification) Express ranking number one on the list.

 

Bac Giang attracts tourists during lychee harvest season

BAC GIANG – The lychee harvest season in Bac Giang runs from late May to the end of July. This year, thanks to efforts to innovate in tourism promotion and communication, a large number of domestic and international visitors are flocking to Luc Ngan district and Chu township to experience the ripe lychee season.