Vietnam in winter: Time Out ranking, cuisine reigns supreme

Time Out has announced a list of 20 winter destinations for 2025-2026, ranking Vietnam 16th and highlighting the Best for food category. The magazine suggests the ideal time to explore Vietnam is from October to February next year, when the weather is stable, travel costs are considered affordable and local experiences are diverse. Three destinations are mentioned: Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.

Explore as suggested by Time Out

Hanoi

Hanoi is recommended for its old quarter, small jazz bars and street food. In the Northern weather of about 12-15 degrees Celsius, a hot bowl of pho becomes a symbol of winter.

Hoi An

Hoi An impresses with its ancient space, Cao Lau dish and streets shimmering with lantern lights at night.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is mentioned by Time Out as a dynamic city with a diverse culinary system and vibrant nightlife.

Cuisine reigns supreme

In the Best for Food category, Time Out rated Vietnamese cuisine as rich, accessible, and with a wide range of prices, from street stalls to high-end restaurants. During the cold season in the North, hot pho is a typical dish: CNN has repeatedly called Vietnamese pho “the best soup in the world”, while Lonely Planet included Hanoi pho in its list of “50 dishes to try in your life”. In Hanoi, Pho Thin Bo Ho with poached eggs is a popular choice during the cold season.

A Hanoi street in winter. Photo: Quang Anh

Time and destination picture

Time Out recommends visiting Vietnam from October to February next year to enjoy stable weather, “affordable” costs and rich local experiences. In the picture of 20 winter destinations, Thailand is listed as a place with beautiful beaches; Cape Town is suitable for short urban breaks; Tenerife is the warmest spot in Europe; Namibia is for wildlife lovers; and Cartagena stands out for its art. In the culinary group, Vietnam is considered an outstanding destination.

About Time Out

Time Out is a British travel and leisure magazine, founded in London in 1968 and now published in more than 300 cities worldwide. Its content focuses on travel, food, culture, art, urban living and experiences. Time Out's lists are based on traveler surveys, expert reviews from its international editorial team and current experience trends.

Quick Facts

Vietnam's position: 16th/20th in the list of "The world's most interesting winter destinations" 2025-2026.
Category: Best for food.
Ideal period: October-February next year.
Suggested destinations: Hanoi, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City.
Northern winter temperature: about 12-15 degrees Celsius.
Travel costs: considered affordable; food ranges in price from street stalls to high-end restaurants.

Short trip suggestions

During the months of October-February, you can combine: exploring the old town, small jazz bars and street food in Hanoi; strolling the lantern streets, enjoying Cao Lau in Hoi An; enjoying the diverse culinary system and nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City. On days in the North, 12-15 degrees Celsius, a hot bowl of pho is a suitable choice for the cold season.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/viet-nam-mua-dong-time-out-xep-hang-am-thuc-len-ngoi-10313131.html