Its food delights the senses, its forests and seas teem with life, and its cities fizz with culture and creativity – in short, Asia Pacific has it all.
Lonely Planet, the world’s biggest travel publisher, has named Central Vietnam one of this year’s top destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Bookended by the kinetic energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the (slightly) more relaxed historic ambiance of Hanoi, central Vietnam is one of the country's most diverse regions”, Lonely Planet wrote.
According to the world’s biggest travel publisher, Hue's vibrant cuisine showcases the city's imperial legacy, while south in Hoi An's storied laneways, local dishes include fragrant cao lau noodles. Seafood stars in nearby Da Nang, and the city alongside the Han River, is becoming one of Vietnam's most exciting urban destinations.
International air links with many Asian cities provide easy access to attractions like the Golden Bridge at nearby Ba Na Hills, while exploring the world-beating caves and rugged river and jungle wilderness of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is essential for adventurous and intrepid travelers.
Margaret River and Southern WA in Australia tops the list, followed by Shikoku in Japan, Bay of Islands and Northland in New Zealand, Singapore, The Cook Islands, and others.
Foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the first six months of 2019 are estimated at 8.5 million, up 7.5% year on year, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO).
Of the total, the number of arrivals from Asian countries continued to make up the lion's share of 77.4%. Among them, arrivals from Taiwan – China represent 27%, those from South Korea 21.3%, and Japan 12.8%.
Meanwhile, the number of holidaymakers from Europe and America was estimated to have picked up by 5.5% and 5.2% from the same period of 2018, respectively.
According to Lonely Planet, Da Nang stands out for its harmonious blend of beautiful beaches, an energetic yet relaxed lifestyle, a rich culinary scene and a diverse range of experiences spanning nature, culture, leisure and entertainment. The city is also praised as an ideal gateway to central Vietnam, offering convenient access to Hoi An, Hue and My Son Sanctuary.
More than one million people visited the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the first half of 2026, including over 256,000 international visitors.
The DIFF 2026 festival has been one of the most successful editions in its history. Over the past weeks, hundreds of thousands of visitors have flocked to Da Nang to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
The display is built around four themes of royal authority, court rituals and order, craftsmanship and artistic excellence, and the enduring splendor of a golden era.
Vietnam's appeal lies not in a single attraction but in the seamless combination of authentic experiences rooted in local culture. From colourful highland markets and traditional festivals to centuries-old craft villages, all remain an integral part of everyday life.
Experts said that with market-oriented development, improved functionality, stronger storytelling and greater involvement from designers, businesses and market-connecting organisations, souvenirs could become a bridge linking Vietnam with the world while contributing to the growth of cultural industries and the creative economy.
Stretching for more than 3,200 kilometres, Vietnam’s coastline boasts hundreds of beaches, ranging from long stretches of white sand and crystal-clear waters to secluded bays surrounded by lush mountains and tropical forests.
One of the exhibition's highlights is the "Our Sound" installation, where visitors become part of the artwork itself. As multiple participants interact simultaneously, sound and light merge into a shared composition, conveying messages of connection, sharing and collective responsibility for building sustainable communities in harmony with nature.
Da Nang is home to nearly 70 craft villages and traditional craft villages, along with around 3,000 craft establishments; many of these have become popular tourist attractions.
Standing on the historic land of Quang Tri, alongside the Ben Hai River, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the national martyrs’ cemeteries, people are reminded of the true value of peace and the sacrifices made for national independence, freedom and reunification.
The photo exhibition featured vivid images of Vietnam's majestic natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, distinctive customs and centuries-old traditional craft villages.
Under the country’s 2026–2030 digital economy and digital society development programme, the sector has been identified as one of the priority ones for accelerating digital transformation to improve governance efficiency, service quality, and visitor experiences.
A series of cultural events honouring Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh has been held in Montreuil, France, highlighting his enduring legacy while strengthening cultural ties and friendship between Vietnam and France.
Located about 80km from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Dinh Mountain stretches across Tan Hai, Long Huong, and Chau Pha wards.
PSNews - The UAE Embassy in Vietnam also confirmed that Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports, and their eligible accompanying family members, are able to get a visa on arrival from June 25, 2026 as long as they meet the above requirements.
The festival is part of Hanoi's strategy to boost its cultural industries by transforming cultural heritage into a driver of socio-economic development while preserving and promoting the city's traditional cultural values.
PSNews - From a land that once endured some of the greatest suffering during the war, Quang Tri today is rising to become a meeting point for connection, reconciliation, and the promotion of a global message of peace.
Nestled among coastal sand dunes in Cam Ranh, the project was conceived with a strong commitment to respecting the natural landscape and harnessing water as its central element. Rather than creating a visually dominant structure, the design blends into the terrain, making use of sand layers, native vegetation and open spaces to strengthen the connection between people and nature.
Hue is simultaneously stepping up efforts to attract investment into tourism, services and cultural industries. In the first five months of 2026, the city secured more than 19 trillion VND in newly registered investment capital, with projects planned in coastal tourism, lagoon-based ecotourism, cultural spaces along the Perfume River, convention and exhibition centres, night-time economy projects and cultural innovation hubs.
With coordinated efforts in planning, infrastructure development, product diversification, human resources training, digital transformation and destination branding, Phu Tho is well-positioned to transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector and a new engine of sustainable growth in the years ahead.