Foreign media outlets have voted Ho Chi Minh City among the most memorable destinations in autumn.

According to Conde Nast Traveler, as the busy summer travel season draws to a close and the weather begins to cool, fall emerges as one of the most ideal and suitable times of year to book a dream getaway. And for American travelers, many seem eager to embark on an adventure far from home this fall.

Christie Hudson, Expedia's head of public relations for the US market, said: "The surge in searches for destinations like Munich, Ho Chi Minh City, and Barbados shows travelers are eager to pack their bags and travel to places previously inaccessible due to travel restrictions, testing requirements, or high airfare. Now that most Covid-19-related travel restrictions have eased, these destinations are back and even more attractive due to factors such as favorable dollar-to-euro exchange rates and seasonal travel deals."

Conde Nast Traveler mentioned seven destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, London, Punta Cana, New York, Munich, Albania, and Barbados. Ho Chi Minh City was the only Asian destination mentioned. According to Conde Nast Traveler, Asia is experiencing a surge in interest this fall as more countries reopen their borders.

The Priceline platform reported that searches for flights to the continent more than quadrupled this fall. According to Kayak, Vietnam's largest city saw a 46% increase in searches compared to 2019, while Expedia confirmed a 630% increase in searches for the city compared to last fall.

Ms. Hudson said, "The news that Vietnam reopened its borders to foreign tourists on March 15th generated immediate excitement. Ho Chi Minh City is very affordable during the fall months, so reasonable travel budgets go a long way." She also noted that she found five-star hotels in September and October starting at around $50 a night.

While the climate here is warm year-round, autumn marks the end of the rainy season when temperatures cool down, making it an ideal time to visit the city's landmarks such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market.

Anh Thi