Vietnam among top 10 graduation destinations of 2024

Foreign tourists take a boat tour in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Lux Cruises

Vietnam stands out as the only Asian destination on Lonely Planet's list of 10.

The Australian magazine describes Vietnam as "affordable, beautiful, and warm," highlighting that "a graduation trip to Vietnam gets you out of your comfort zone."

In Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, visitors can expect to see plenty of scooters rushing around the streets. Food lovers can enjoy trying Hanoi's popular street food, like pho, right on the sidewalks, it recommended.

Not far from Hanoi, approximately 150 kilometers away, lies Ha Long Bay, designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Here, travelers can embark on a cruise to admire its limestone islands.

While in Vietnam, visitors should consider exploring other destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, where they can visit the Binh Tay Market, one of the largest markets in the city situated in Saigon's Chinatown, or Vietnam's only Taoist temple, the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, Lonely Planet said.

And for those seeking more adventure, a journey to the nearby Mekong Delta, approximately 175 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, provides an opportunity to delve into the riverside culture and discover floating markets such as Cai Rang, the biggest one in the region.

Topping the list is Mexico, followed by a road trip across the U.S., Greece, and Costa Rica.