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In 2024, the link between travel and food will become even stronger for Vietnamese travelers. According to the 2024 Travel Trends Study published by Booking.com, 73% of Vietnamese travelers want to explore dishes on their "must-try" list when visiting a new place.
Da Lat
Nestled on the Lam Vien plateau in the Central Highlands, Da Lat is one of the perfect destinations for escaping the heat with its cool and pleasant climate. Besides that, the city of spring is also a popular choice for tourists during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) to admire the cherry blossoms in full bloom, which usually takes place from January to February. And in the gentle embrace of Da Lat, Vietnamese filter coffee, the famous cold coffee of Vietnam, will awaken your senses with its fragrant aroma.
When visiting Da Lat, tourists can try local dishes such as sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, grilled rice paper, or artichoke soup in the cool mountain air.
When visiting Da Lat, tourists can try local dishes.
Suggested activities to explore Da Lat:Tourists planning to explore this city of a thousand flowers can choose a Da Lat day tour on Booking.com to discover scenic spots, historical landmarks, and enjoy local cuisine throughout their trip.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of six coastal cities in the top 10 most searched-for destinations in Vietnam for this Tet holiday. Famous for its stunning beaches, fascinating cultural sites, and vibrant nightlife, Nha Trang is an ideal choice for water sports enthusiasts during the upcoming New Year holiday, or for those simply wanting to enjoy a beach vacation before the hot and humid summer arrives.
Nha Trang is one of six coastal cities that made it into the top 10 most searched destinations in Vietnam for this Tet holiday.
In Nha Trang, tourists can enjoy jellyfish noodle soup made with crispy jellyfish pieces and fragrant fish cakes, served with noodles in a sweet broth; or banh can – a type of cake made from rice flour with a filling of shrimp, squid, and egg; or banh uot Dien Khanh – a dish made from rice flour and tapioca flour mixed with water, topped with fried shallots, shredded meat, finely ground dried shrimp, and mashed mung beans.
Da Nang
Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang offers traditional dishes that reflect the culinary traditions of both the North and South, with a harmonious blend of colors, distinctive flavors, and cooking methods. The city boasts some of the most beautiful beaches along the central coast, so seafood plays a central role in its cuisine. Furthermore, spices commonly used in central Vietnam, such as lemongrass, chili, turmeric, and garlic, contribute to the rich and sophisticated flavors of each dish.
Some must-try dishes when visiting Da Nang include banh xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) with its crispy crust, just the right thickness, and filling of shrimp or beef with bean sprouts and other fresh ingredients, or nem lui (grilled minced pork skewers with lemongrass and fresh minced pork, usually served with rice paper and fresh vegetables).
Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang offers traditional dishes that reflect the culinary traditions of both the North and South.
Suggested activities to explore Da Nang:Begin your half-day city tour by learning more about Da Nang's culinary scene and how to prepare its signature dishes through a food tour by motorbike and a sunset boat ride. Additionally, to better understand the preparation of fresh Vietnamese cuisine, visit a farming village and experience farm-to-table cooking with a Tra Que Farming and Cooking tour and foot massage.
Vung Tau
As one of the most easily accessible coastal cities from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is an ideal weekend getaway for travelers who have already explored Saigon. Besides its famous beaches, Vung Tau offers many other interesting things for visitors to discover, such as trails suitable for trekking and hiking, and historical sites that are fascinating for travelers wanting to learn more about the city's history.
Enjoying seafood is a must-do when visiting Vung Tau.
Enjoying seafood is a must-do when visiting Vung Tau. Some famous local dishes include squid noodle soup – a perfect combination of rich broth made from squid, served with tender meatballs and herbs; and banh khot – a type of rice flour pancake filled with shrimp, served with papaya and fresh vegetables. For those who like something a little more "thrilling," stingray hot pot with fresh, marinated stingray meat and a spicy and sour broth is a worthwhile choice.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, with its famously clear blue beaches, is an ideal destination for tourists who love water activities. With its rich marine ecosystem, Phu Quoc offers diving enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking scenery, from vibrant coral reefs to diverse marine life.
Besides being known for its beautiful beaches, Phu Quoc is also considered the "fish sauce capital" of Vietnam, which has contributed significantly to the distinctive flavor of its local dishes. Some must-try dishes when visiting Phu Quoc include: bun ken – a delicious broth made from finely ground barracuda or mackerel, flavored with coconut milk and curry powder, served with fresh vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce; herring salad – a salad served with rice noodles, grated coconut, fresh vegetables, and a dipping sauce made with chili, garlic, peanuts, and fish sauce; or bun quay – a light broth made from the characteristic rice noodle soup served with seafood, accompanied by a dipping sauce that can be customized to your liking.
Phu Quoc is also considered the "fish sauce capital" of Vietnam, and this has contributed significantly to the distinctive flavor of the local dishes.
Suggested activities to explore Phu Quoc:Enjoy dinner on a cruise ship, admire the stunning Phu Quoc sunset, and learn more about fishing traditions from a guide with our Sunset and Squid Fishing Boat Tour experience.
Ho Chi Minh City
Another culinary hub of the country is Ho Chi Minh City, which distinguishes its cuisine with rich and multi-layered flavors. Spicy, sweet, and salty – Ho Chi Minh City's specialties benefit from the tropical climate and fresh ingredients, combined with natural sweetness. Similar to Vietnamese cuisine in general, Ho Chi Minh City dishes use plenty of fresh vegetables and spices to balance the flavors of each dish.
Must-try dishes include broken rice (com tam) or braised fish in a clay pot - usually goby fish braised with rock sugar to create its characteristic dark brown color, and of course, the iconic Vietnamese banh mi, made from baguette bread with various fillings and sauces.
Another culinary hub of the country is Ho Chi Minh City, which sets its own unique culinary scene with its rich and multi-layered flavors.
Suggested activities to explore Ho Chi Minh City:Hop on a motorbike and explore Ho Chi Minh City with a private city motorbike tour themed around cuisine, or learn how to prepare delicious and interesting Vietnamese vegetarian dishes with a vegetarian cooking class.
Varun Grover, Country Director of Booking.com in Vietnam, shared: "Food and travel have always gone hand in hand, as demonstrated in our 2024 Travel Trends Research. We've found that Vietnamese travelers are increasingly interested in discovering 'must-try' dishes at their destinations. Therefore, Booking.com is delighted to introduce unique culinary journeys, exciting cooking classes, and other enriching experiences that can be booked directly on our platform. Buckle up for a culinary exploration of Vietnam, get ready to awaken your taste buds this Tet holiday and on your upcoming trips with Booking.com!"
Travelers who haven't booked accommodation for their upcoming Tet holiday can check out Booking.com's "Early 2024 Deals" program, offering discounts of at least 20% at various accommodations across Vietnam. This offer is valid for holidays between January 1st, 2024 and March 31st, 2024, and bookings can be made from today until March 31st, 2024.
