'Banh xeo’ (savoury filled pancakes) is a popular dish in the south and centre of Vietnam. (Photo: VNS)
Hanoi (VNA) – Food tour has been named thetop experience in Vietnam for the first time by renowned travel guide book publisher Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet describesVietnamese food as balanced between sour and sweet flavours, crunchy and silkytextures, fried and steamed dishes, soups and salads.
“Essentially it’s all about the freshness of theingredients – chefs shop twice daily to collect just-picked herbs from themarket,” it says. “Wherever you are, you’ll find exquisitelocal specialties – the ‘white rose’ of Hoi An, ‘banh xeo’ (savoury filledpancakes) of the south and centre, of the good ol’ ‘pho’ of the north.”
It says eating out in Vietnam is just afeast for the eyes and treat for palate.
In the Vietnam’s top 20 experience list,food tour is followed by Hoi An Ancient Town in the second place and PhongNha-Ke Bang national park in third.
Hoi An is dubbed as Vietnam’s mostcosmopolitan and civilised town and a beautiful ancient port where visitors canimmerse themselves in history in the warren-like lanes of the Old Town, tourthe temples and pagodas and dine like an emperor on a peasant’s budget.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is referred as one of Vietnam’s most spectacular nationalpark with “jagged hills shrouded in verdant rain forest and mountain rivercoursing through impressive ravines” above ground and underground, the“cathedral-like chambers” of Son Dong, the world’s largest cave.
The list also includes Ha Long Bay, Hue,Ho Chi Minh City, Beer, Extreme North, Cat Tien National Park, Markets, PhuQuoc Island, Hanoi, Con Dao Island, Ba Be National Park, Coffee Time, SapaTrekking, Dalat, Battle Sites, and Mui Ne./.
Banh mi is becoming the most beloved Vietnamese street food. With its typical flavor, Banh mi in the Old Quarter of Hanoi has established a reputation among both locals and foreign tourists.
Some of the crew at Lonely Planet ladle out their best bowl food experiences from across the globe. And a bowl of pho in Vietnam is among their favourite bowl foods from around the world.
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.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
'Banh xeo’ (savoury filled pancakes) is a popular dish in the south and centre of Vietnam. (Photo: VNS)
