Vietnam's Mekong Delta among 25 'hottest' destinations

Vietnam's Mekong Delta has been named among the top 25 hottest destinations this year by leading Australian travel site Traveller.

"With Vietnam gaining rapidly in popularity, there's never been a better time than 2023 to see an area that remains relatively untouched," it wrote.

According to the Traveller, there are various ways you could choose to explore the Mekong Delta. Tourists could do it by river cruise, in the lap of luxury with a company such as Scenic or Emerald. They could do it as a series of day trips from Ho Chi Minh City, dipping in and out with a base in the city. Guests could even travel here independently, on a proper adventure through rural Vietnam on a hired scooter.

"Regardless of your choice, this is one of the world's great regions for exploration, brimming with culture that's unique even from the rest of Vietnam.

"The Mekong Delta - around riverside towns such as Can Tho, Vinh Long, Cai Be and Ben Tre - has amazing cuisine, bountiful markets, plus a rustic, raw feel that's perfect for the adventurous," the travel site commented.

The other destinations in the list are: Egypt, Sri Lanka, Spain, Ecuador, Namibia, Slovenia, Laos, Scotland, Bhutan, Japan, Taormina (Italy), Tangier (Morocco), Nashville (U.S.), Budapest (Hungary), Montevideo (Uruguay), Manchester (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Via Podiensis (France), Kakheti (Georgia), Albanian Riviera (Albania), Northern Patagonia (Chile), Lord Howe Island (Australia), Belitung (Indonesia) and Great Southern (Australia).

In May 2022, The Travel, a Canadian magazine, said the Mekong Delta in Vietnam is "worthy of discerning travelers' bucket lists".

The magazine said this place, coined the “rice bowl” of the country where over 50% of Vietnam’s rice is produced, is "an ideal destination with many fascinating experiences."

In January, Vietnam had been ranked 15th in the list of 27 top new world trips for 2023 by leading U.K.-based travel magazine Wanderlust.

"Guests will get to enjoy the picture postcard scenery of Southeast Asian, from southern Vietnam to the temples of Angkor in Cambodia."

The magazine suggested readers travel through Vietnam's Mekong Delta "to see colourful markets, flooded forests, and a way of life that centres around agriculture and fishing."