Vietnam ranks among the world's most ideal winter destinations for food lovers.

According to information from the National Tourism Administration, Vietnam has just been listed in the list of 20 most ideal winter destinations in the world for 2025-2026. This vote was announced by the travel magazine Time Out (UK).

Accordingly, Vietnam was ranked "Best for food" - an ideal winter destination for food lovers. Experts from the magazine assessed that Vietnam is not only diverse with its rich and distinctive traditional cuisine with unforgettable flavors, but the delicious food is also easily accessible, reasonably priced, and offers a wide variety of choices from street food stalls to high-end restaurants.

The period from October to February of the following year is suggested as the ideal time to travel to Vietnam. The cost of travel and accommodation in Vietnam is also considered "tourist-friendly," more economical than many other international tourist destinations.

Notable and must-see destinations across Vietnam for tourists to explore include Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City... Hanoi, in the eyes of foreigners, is fascinating because of its small jazz clubs, the atmosphere of the old town, and its street food.

Meanwhile, Hoi An is known for its signature Cao Lau noodles, peaceful and ancient streets, and the charm of its evening lanterns. Ho Chi Minh City, on the other hand, offers an experience of vibrant nightlife in its restaurants and cafes…

So what can tourists enjoy when visiting Vietnam in winter? Experts from Time Out suggest that tourists can feel the winter atmosphere most distinctly in the northern region. In the cold weather, a steaming bowl of pho would be the perfect meal.

This is also the dish that CNN has repeatedly called "the best soup in the world," while Lonely Planet has listed Hanoi pho among its "50 dishes you must try at least once in your life." Besides pho, bun thang, bun moc, bun bo, bun ca, etc., are also traditional dishes that many international tourists enjoy when exploring Hanoi during the cold season.

The South China Morning Post once described bun thang as "a delicate symphony of Vietnamese cuisine," with each strand of rice noodles, layer of shredded egg, shredded chicken, and shiitake mushrooms blending together in a light and sweet broth.

In particular, Hanoi's winter is also associated with hot desserts like tapioca pudding, coconut milk pudding, and glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup... CNN once included glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup in its list of "unique winter desserts in Asia," emphasizing the harmonious blend of the warming flavor of ginger and the soft, chewy texture of glutinous rice flour as a "small hug" on cold days.

With such unforgettable flavors, Vietnamese winter truly offers a unique emotional experience that captivates international food lovers.

Photo: Vu Minh Quan

Heritage Magazine