Vietnam among 20 best places to visit in January

Vietnam is among the 20 best places in the world to visit in January, says leading UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust.

"The weather is similarly pleasant, dry and sunny," it notes, adding: "You'll never get bored of Vietnam's varied cities: Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue, the perfect city for cycling enthusiasts."

"Natural beauty is around every corner in Vietnam, too. There's Halong Bay and the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay, both accessible from Cat Ba Island."

The travel magazine also highlights the possibility of visiting “one of the world's biggest caves, Hang Son Doong, or seek out the rare golden-haired langur. An incredibly difficult - but rewarding - sighting for the expert wildlife watcher, as only 100 or so remain in Cat Ba National Park."

Other places listed by the magazine include: Norway, the Maldives, Los Angeles, Slovenia, Barbados, Laos, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Panama, Peru, the UK, Tanzania, India, Scotland, Sweden and Sydney. The magazine recommends specific events and activities in these places that can be enjoyed in January.

In July, Vietnam was named among the eight cheapest countries to retire by Travel + Leisure, with the overall cost of living about 49% lower than in the U.S., and rents about 75% lower, depending on the location.

"In Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), home to the largest expat community according to International Living, the cost of living is 62% lower than in New York, and housing is about 83% lower," the New York-based travel magazine commented.

"Vietnam is a very affordable place to retire, especially for adventurous retirees who appreciate the country's beaches, scenery, food, history, and culture.

"High-quality health care is very affordable, with both public and private systems. Most expats carry international health insurance and take advantage of private hospitals," it wrote.