In 2024, the connection between tourism and cuisine will become even stronger for Vietnamese tourists. According to the 2024 Travel Trends Study published by Booking.com, 73% of Vietnamese tourists want to explore dishes on their "must-try" list when setting foot in a new land.
Dalat
Nestled on the Lam Vien plateau in the Central Highlands, Da Lat is one of the perfect destinations for “escape from the heat” with its cool and pleasant climate. In addition, the city of thousands of springs is also a popular choice for tourists during Tet to admire the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place from January to February. And in the cool embrace of Da Lat, filter coffee, the famous cold coffee of Vietnam, will open your senses with fragrant notes.
When coming to Da Lat, tourists can try local dishes such as sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, grilled rice paper or artichoke soup in the cool atmosphere of the mountains and forests.
When coming to Da Lat, tourists can try local dishes.
Suggested activities to explore Dalat:Tourists planning to explore this city of thousands of flowers can choose the Dalat Discovery Tour on Booking.com to explore the scenic spots, historical sites as well as enjoy local dishes throughout the trip.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of six coastal cities in the top 10 most searched destinations in Vietnam for this Tet holiday. Famous for its beautiful beaches, attractive cultural sites and vibrant nightlife, Nha Trang is an ideal suggestion for "fans" of water sports during the upcoming New Year holidays, or those who simply want to enjoy a beach trip before the hot and humid summer arrives will also find it suitable.
Nha Trang is one of six coastal cities in the top 10 most searched destinations in Vietnam for this Tet holiday.
Coming to Nha Trang, visitors can enjoy jellyfish vermicelli made from crispy jellyfish pieces, fragrant fish cakes, served with vermicelli in sweet broth or banh can - a type of cake made from rice flour, filled with shrimp, squid and eggs, or Dien Khanh wet cake - a dish made from rice flour and tapioca flour mixed with water, topped with scallion oil, shredded meat, finely ground dried shrimp and crushed green beans.
Da Nang
Located in the Central region of Vietnam, Da Nang offers traditional dishes with strong identities from both the North and the South, with a harmonious combination of colors, typical flavors as well as processing methods. This city owns the most beautiful beaches along the Central coast, so it can be said that seafood plays a key role in the cuisine here. Along with that, spices commonly used in the Central region such as lemongrass, chili, turmeric, garlic also contribute to increasing the richness and sophistication of each dish.
Some must-try dishes when visiting Da Nang are banh xeo with crispy, moderately thick crust, shrimp or beef filling with bean sprouts and other fresh ingredients, or nem lui with lemongrass skewers and fresh minced pork, usually served with rice paper and raw vegetables.
Located in Central Vietnam, Da Nang offers traditional dishes with strong identities from both the North and South.
Suggested activities to explore Da Nang:Start your half-day city tour and learn more about Da Nang’s cuisine and how to prepare signature dishes with the Motorbike Food Tour and Sunset Boat Ride. Or, to learn more about how fresh Vietnamese food is prepared, visit a farming village and prepare farm-to-table food with the Tra Que Farming, Cooking and Foot Massage tour.
Vung Tau
As one of the most easily accessible coastal cities from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is an ideal weekend getaway for tourists who have spent time exploring all of Saigon. Not only famous for its beaches, Vung Tau has many other interesting things for tourists to explore, such as trails suitable for trekking and hiking or historical sites that are attractive to tourists who want to learn more about the city's history.
Enjoying seafood is a must-do when coming to Vung Tau.
Enjoying seafood is a must-do when coming to Vung Tau. Some famous local dishes include squid noodles - a perfect combination of rich broth made from squid, served with soft meatballs and herbs, banh khot - a type of rice cake with shrimp filling, served with papaya and raw vegetables. For those who like a little "stimulation", stingray hotpot with fresh stingray meat marinated in spices, fatty with a sour and spicy broth is a worthy choice.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc - the largest island in Vietnam with famous clear blue beaches, is an ideal destination for tourists who love underwater activities. With a rich marine ecosystem, Phu Quoc offers diving enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful scenery from colorful coral reefs to diverse marine life.
In addition to being known for its beautiful beaches, Phu Quoc is also considered the "fish sauce capital" of Vietnam, which has contributed significantly to the unique flavors of local dishes. Some must-try dishes when coming to Phu Quoc include: Bun Ken - a delicious broth made from minced kangaroo or silver fish, with the rich flavor of coconut milk and curry powder, served with raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce; Herring Salad - a salad served with vermicelli, grated coconut, raw vegetables, and a dipping sauce of chili, garlic, peanuts, and fish sauce; or Bun Quay - a light broth made from typical rice vermicelli broth eaten with seafood, with a dipping sauce that can be mixed to your liking.
Phu Quoc is also considered the "fish sauce capital" of Vietnam, which has contributed significantly to the unique flavors of local dishes.
Suggested activities to explore Phu Quoc:Enjoy dinner on a cruise, watch the beautiful sunset of Phu Quoc and learn more about fishing traditions from your guide with the Sunset Cruise and Squid Fishing Tour experience.
Ho Chi Minh City
Another culinary hub of the country is Ho Chi Minh City, which sets itself apart with its rich and multi-layered flavors. Spicy, sweet and salty – Ho Chi Minh City’s specialties benefit from the tropical climate with fresh ingredients, combined with natural sweetness. Similar to Vietnamese cuisine in general, dishes from Ho Chi Minh City use a lot of raw vegetables and spices to balance the flavors of each dish.
Must-try dishes include broken rice or braised fish in a clay pot – usually goby fish braised with rock sugar to create its signature dark brown colour, and of course the iconic Vietnamese banh mi, made from baguettes with a variety of fillings and sauces.
Another culinary hub of the country is Ho Chi Minh City, which sets itself apart with its rich and multi-layered cuisine.
Suggested activities to explore Ho Chi Minh City:Jump on a motorbike and “speed” to explore the city named after Uncle Ho through a Private City Tour by motorbike with a culinary theme or learn how to prepare delicious and interesting Vietnamese vegetarian dishes with the Vegetarian Cooking Class.
Varun Grover, Country Manager of Booking.com in Vietnam, said: "Food and travel go hand in hand, as shown by our 2024 Travel Trends Study. We have seen that Vietnamese travelers are increasingly interested in discovering 'must-try' delicacies at their travel destinations. Booking.com is pleased to introduce unique culinary itineraries, exciting cooking classes and other enriching experiences that can be booked directly on our platform. Buckle up for a taste of Vietnam and get ready to open your taste buds this Tet and on your upcoming trips with Booking.com!"
Travelers who have yet to book accommodation for their upcoming Tet holiday can take advantage of Booking.com's 'Early 2024 Deal', which offers a minimum of 20% off at various properties across Vietnam. Travelers can take advantage of this offer for stays from January 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, and can book from now until March 31, 2024.
