HCMC among Asia's top places to go in 2023

Ho Chi Minh City has been named among the top six Asian destinations to visit in 2023 by U.S travel site Fodor's.

"The center of Vietnam’s economy and the country’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City’s 24 districts offer plenty to see and eat, from the buzzing District 1 with its cultural attractions to all the street food in District 4," it wrote.

According to Fodor's, formerly known as Saigon and the “Pearl of the Orient,” HCMC is a gateway to Vietnam’s rich and turbulent history from French colonization to the end of the Vietnam War.

Preserved historical sights include Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, a neo-Romanesque and Gothic cathedral built by French colonists in the late 1800s; Cu Chi Tunnels, used by guerrilla troops; and the War Remnants Museum, an often-disturbing look at the atrocities of the decade-long war.

"The city’s skyline is ever-evolving, and though the traffic can be dizzying, there’s no shortage of cafes and watering holes for when you need a break from the buzz," the U.S travel site commented.

"In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City’s burgeoning food and drink scene has begun drawing visitors to stylish rooftop bars and street-side cocktail carts alike. Find European-inflected fine dining and banh mi stalls open late, and experience unparalleled coffee culture in hidden coffee shops - including iced coffee served from vendors’ tricycles."

In November, the banh mi (typical Vietnamese baguette sandwich) was named among 23 of the world's best sandwiches by CNN.

Fodor's suggested "Browse the wares and snacks at Ben Thanh Market, walk along the Saigon River - or take a nighttime cruise for a chance to see the city in a different light."

In December, HCMC was ranked second among the top 10 trending Google Flights destinations searched for in the U.S. at an annual roundup of Year in Search trends by Google.

According to US cable news channel CNN, Google's Year in Search covers a wide variety of topics, including tourism.

In September, the leading U.S. travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler listed HCMC among seven destinations trending this fall.

The other destinations in the list are: Ayutthaya (Thailand), Madhya Pradesh (India), Bangladesh, Palawan (Philippines) and Si Phan Don (Laos).