According to the latest Global Law and Order ranking, published by Gallup in late 2023, Viet Nam is the highest-charting country in Asia, with an enviable score of 92, out of a maximum of 100, in the top 10 dominated by European countries.
In effect, Viet Nam is the safest country in East Asia, but that in itself is a huge achievement, considering it was a literal war zone only four decades ago, and the West-led blockade against Viet Nam was only lifted fully in the early nineties.
In terms of tourist offers, Viet Nam is ideal for slow travelers and backpackers looking to reconnect with nature and expose themselves to a culture that is almost entirely different than their own–that is, if they are coming from the Northern Hemisphere, shared Travel Off Path.
"When traveling Viet Nam from North to South, or vice-versa, you should definitely take your time in strolling the charming, yellow-washed streets of Hoi An, a river port and UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its numerous historical temples and French colonial architecture", suggested the travel news.
Also not to be missed is neighboring Hue, home to an imposing moated citadel; further down the coast, the sandy beaches and forested reserves of Da Nang are a mandatory stopover, as are the golden sand dunes and sleepy coastal towns lining the laid-back Mui Ne section of the coast, it recommended.
"From vibrant city breaks in Ho Chi Minh City, the busy coastal port of Nha Trang, or Ha Noi, the stately capital, to escapes into nature in Ninh Binh, famous for its rice fields and monumental geological formations, you could truly never exhaust your 'to-do' list while exploring the country," Travel Off Path suggested.
Travel Off Path is a world-leading indie travel news source, providing the most up to date and relevant news for travelers across the globe.
Viet Nam received 12.6 million international visitors in 2023, up 3.4 times against the previous year but only around 70 percent of pre-pandemic times./.