Top 10 cheap and interesting destinations, including Vietnam

1. South Africa

Sit back, relax and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine on your South Africa Airways flight to Cape Town, one of South Africa's three capital cities. The city is also renowned for some of the world's best hiking.

If you are an adventurer, you might want to take on the Three Peaks Challenge – a one-day hike to conquer Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, and Devil’s Peak. Since the hike is challenging, don’t forget to pack some food. You can buy fruit from a street vendor or a BBQ chicken sandwich from a grocery store for under $2.50.

Alternatively, you can also experience another hike to the Twelve Apostles in Camps Bay - just a 10-minute drive from the city centre of Cape Town. This place attracts not only tourists but also locals, with the view of the city at sunrise from the Rhodes Monument on Table Mountain or the full moon shining in the night sky atop Lion's Head.

2. Thailand

When traveling in Thailand, you can enjoy a full, flavorful meal for just $1 (about 23,000 VND). Desserts or fruits from street vendors can be even cheaper. However, you will have to learn to bargain to avoid being overcharged when shopping at some tourist destinations here.

3. Vietnam

According to Reader's Digest, in addition to the charming scenery and diverse cuisine, visitors to the capital Hanoi or the ancient town of Hoi An can also find many tailor shops in the central area and order tailor-made clothes at very low costs. You will easily own self-designed shirts, or stylish and quality clothes at a much more modest price than high-end brand clothes on the market.

4. Peru

Peru’s capital, Lima, has a number of interesting and popular tourist attractions, including El Parque del Amor and Larcomar. If you’re looking for a place to relax or buy souvenirs, the two-story outdoor Larcomar mall is the place to be. Here, you can explore countless shops or enjoy a meal in a romantic, idyllic setting by the Pacific Ocean.

If you want to get active, El Parque del Amor is the place to be. Along with a 5km path used by locals and visitors for jogging, cycling, walking or playing tennis, visitors can head down to the beach for a two-hour surfing lesson with a local instructor for $30.

In addition, instead of enjoying food at a fancy restaurant, you can immerse yourself in local life by trying a typical Peruvian meal for only $6 (about 137,000 VND).

5. Uruguay

Just a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires - Argentina, you will arrive in Uruguay - a small, peaceful country in South America.

For history buffs, seeing the array of cultural relics with architectural styles from the last century in the city of Colonia del Sacramento will be an unforgettable highlight of the trip. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Colonia offers walking tours containing countless historical stories hidden in the cobblestone streets, interwoven with rows of colorful houses and shops.

During the warmer months, people throw big street parties, which are a great way to sample Uruguay’s signature street food. You can easily spend a whole day at these parties and not spend more than $10 on food, even at restaurants.

6. India

It would be hard to miss a tour of the Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world - in the city of Agra, when the cost is only under 100 USD (about 2 million VND), including guide fee and travel fee.

In addition, in Jaipur city, one of the interesting activities that many tourists love is a visit to the Elefantastic Elephant Sanctuary. The cost of food and participating in activities here is less than 55 dollars (about 1 million VND). Besides, you should choose to travel to India during the time of many festivals, because the cost of attending and eating here is much cheaper than other places in the world.

7. Mexico

Besides the vibrant and modern lifestyle, the capital of Mexico is also famous for its rich history and unique culture. You can find many world-class museums and countless famous art centers here. Among them, the Palacio de Bellas Artes Museum, known as the "art cathedral" of Mexico, or Palacio Nacional, which houses the works of the famous artist Diego Rivera. Many museums will open for free on Sundays, and the cost of visiting the museum on weekdays is not too expensive for visitors.

In addition, Mexico is also one of the very few countries in the world that owns an underwater museum - MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) - becoming an attractive destination for many foreign tourists when they come here.

8. Portugal

To increase the number of tourists visiting Portugal, TAP Air Portugal has launched a "stopover" program, allowing travelers who transit through a Portuguese airport to stay there for three days before traveling to their final destination. With this program, travelers can travel cheaply with reduced accommodation costs and enjoy perks such as free wine at participating restaurants, guided tours, museum visits and dolphin shows.

9. Cuba

An interesting “challenge” when coming to Cuba is to try to learn the traditional dances of the people here. You can sign up for a salsa class at La Casa del Son for about $15 (VND 343,000) to get acquainted before performing at outdoor dance clubs such as Jardines del 1830, Casa de la Musica…

The cost for an evening at a club with a band performing is usually around $3 - $15 (about 70,000 - 340,000 VND), depending on the venue.

In addition, you can also easily go to restaurants on the street to buy a portion of spaghetti for only 60 cents (about 14,000 VND).

10. Guatemala

For just $22, you can join a half-day guided hike to Pacaya Volcano in Antigua, which includes entrance fees, water, and hotel pickup. If you love water, Jorge's Rope Swing is a must-try experience at Lake Peten Itza, near Flores Island. For $3 to $5, you can challenge yourself with a zipline; or for $10, you can rent a canoe and hang out on the lake for the day.

Khanh Ha