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Breaking News: The numbers are in, and a new travel king is crowned. The National Tourism Administration has reported a seriously strong 2025 turnout for one unstoppable destination in Asia: Vietnam.

While new reports suggest Thailand is losing its edge as the “cheap and cheerful” go-to, Vietnam has kicked the door wide open for travelers ready to expand their horizons. The country just took note and welcomed an astounding record of international visitors, crossing the 21 million threshold for the first time ever.

Known for an almost absurdly low cost of living, sensational food across the board, and a breadth of attractions that would be impossible to cover even in a lengthy, eye-drying Travel + Leisure feature, Vietnam has become Asia’s new powerhouse, shattering previous tourism records.

Not only are more travelers seeking stunning urban sprawls to temple-hop and chow down cheap pho on rickety barstools, but they’re also uncovering paradise beaches and misty mountain towns formerly tight-lipped by locals and in-the-know expats.

Let’s pick apart what makes Vietnam such a worthwhile destination — and why Americans in particular should take advantage of the lone direct flight to the country’s surging metropolis.

Ho Chi Minh City Leads Vietnam’s Tourism Surge

Ho Chi Minh City may be a mouthful, but that’s what us experts at Travel Off Path call foreshadowing as there’s no way you’ll go back home on an empty stomach.

There are so many amazing cities to explore in Vietnam, but Ho Chi Minh City (also still referred to as Saigon) is not only the economic engine but the best launchpad.

While it may seem quite literally far-fetched to travel to save a few bucks, it’s hard to find any major city cheaper or culturally immersive.

From the get-go, you’ll be mesmerized by the city’s rich history, brimming with French colonial landmarks and insightful war-era museums that turn back the clock.

Across the country, but perhaps no more than Ho Chi Minh, markets are a must-stop for cheap noodles, local life, and sensory overload to slap you out of jet-lag.

The city welcomed roughly 8.5 million international visitors, up nearly 40% from 2024. Americans can take advantage of the single direct flight to Ho Chi Minh from San Francisco (SFO) via the country’s flagship carrier, Vietnam Airlines.

Asia’s Most Underrated Country For Epic Beach Getaways

If you’ve had Asia on the brain, you’ve likely scoped out Thailand, the Philippines, or maybe The Maldives if you’re up for the journey, but somewhere in between on the scale of price and payoff sits Vietnam’s paradisal shores.

Most notable is Phu Quoc, known as the ‘Hawaii’ of Vietnam and winner of World’s Leading Nature Island Destination by the 2025 World Travel Awards (not to mention the incredible resorts) — but there are a handful of other beautiful coastal hideaways just beginning to gain serious traction.

Following slightly behind in popularity is Da Nang, another of the country’s most renowned vacation destinations for sun, sand, and culture.

But according to the latest numbers, these 4 relatively unknown destinations (even for seasoned travelers) are on the rise:

• Khanh Hoa
• Thanh Hoa
• Quang Ninh
• Nghe An

An Unmatched Foodie Destination

Look, we get it — ordering menu items you’re likely pronouncing wrong with symbols and syllables we’re not used to can be dicey, but that just adds to the allure you’re ‘not in Kansas anymore’, which is what travel is all about, right?

What’s the point of having a passport if you’re going to find a KFC in Saigon? That’s a missed opportunity if you ask us!

Worst case scenario, if you order something texturally off-putting or maybe too spicy, your bank account won’t sweat it if your first order was a misfire.

It’s quite feasible to find local staples such as piping hot bowls of pho, earthy spring rolls, and hearty bánh mì sandwiches under $2, especially at local markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries famed travelers like Anthony Bourdain fell in love with during numerous Vietnam escapades.

The city of Hanoi, yet another surging city, is arguably the country’s best foodie spot, made famous by President Obama’s visit in 2016, where his table is still enshrined behind glass at Bun Chả Hương Liên from a popular Parts Unknown episode.