Vietnam among world's best-value destinations

Vietnam has been named among 20 of the world's best-value destinations by leading Australian travel site Traveller.

"For food alone Vietnam is a favourite. Add the transformations and heady vibe of an emerging economy, incense-laden temples, lakeside old towns, lush highlands and mushrooming beach resorts and you have every reason to visit," it wrote.

"Vietnam remains one of the cheapest travel destinations in Asia, with direct budget flights from Australia an added saver.

"Expect to pay under two dollars for a beer or coffee, not much more for a bowl of pho, $50 for a decent hotel, and $170 for an upmarket one. Nothing to complain about, except the traffic," the travel site added.

Traveller suggested: "Have a half-price honeymoon on tropical island Phu Quoc, or hit the sands at up-and-coming new resort destination Quy Nhon in central Vietnam. Or forget the beach and head inland instead to former colonial hill town Dalat or eco-destination Dien Bien Phu; for the moment, mostly domestic tourists keep prices low."

The other destinations on the list are: South Korea, Romania, Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji, Philippines, Bulgaria, Laos, Georgia, Argentina, Albania, India, Mexico, Egypt and Cuba.

Previously, Vietnam was named among the 20 best slow travel holidays for 2023 with "a salubrious wellness journey" by the Traveller.

"Go well by combining culture and sightseeing with activities designed to relax, rejuvenate and remind you that nothing is more important than your health," the site wrote.

"Inside Asia Tours has a wellness-oriented journey through the length of Vietnam that's active thanks to cycling and walking tours, and which involves the likes of sunrise yoga, organic cooking classes, an aromatherapy workshop, a stay in Alba Wellness Valley with daily spa treatments, and a kick-back beachside finale at Phu Quoc, Vietnam's hip resort island," it added.

Early this month, Vietnam was named among the 10 best places for a budget honeymoon in 2023, where you can "expect to eat like royalty even when you're on a budget", according to the world's leading travel guide Lonely Planet.

"Make sure you sample the country's signature dishes: beef pho (noodle soup), bun cha (barbecued pork with rice noodles) and chow a banh mi (baguette) as you wander," it wrote.

In January, Vietnam was labelled the best culinary destination in Asia for 2023 by the New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure.

"If there’s one cultural cuisine that bursts with umami goodness, it’s Vietnamese cuisine. The country, apart from its beautiful landscapes, is known for its food," the travel magazine wrote.

"Everywhere you go, you’ll be met with local, regional delicacies that will bowl you over, as you soak in new, exciting experiences and visit stunning destinations," it added.