Mekong Delta among world's 25 hottest destinations this year: Australian magazine

"Regardless of your choice, this is one of the world's great regions for exploration, brimming with culture that's unique even from the rest of Vietnam," the magazine said. "The Mekong Delta – around riverside towns such as Can Tho, Vinh Long, Cai Be and Ben Tre – has amazing cuisine, bountiful markets, plus a rustic, raw feel that's perfect for the adventurous."

The Mekong Delta is home to Can Tho City and 12 provinces with around 20 million people, or a fifth of the country's population. The delta is known as Vietnam's rice basket and aquaculture hub.

The region is famous for its unique floating markets, such as Cai Rang, Phong Dien and Nga Nam, where trading on waterways has been a way of life for generations.

Due to its proximity to the Cambodian border, the Mekong Delta also charms tourists with Khmer-influenced pagodas and local specialties that originate from Cambodia.

The list also included Belitung Island in Indonesia, Lord Howe Island in Australia, and The Via Podiensis in France.