A Southeast Asian country, boasting stunning beaches, vast history and tropical history, is hoping to continue its recent tourism boom. Vietnam welcomed a record 21 million international visitors in 2025, representing a more than 20% increase on the previous year.

The surge in visitor numbers has been fuelled in part by relaxed visa rules for several European nations, including the UK, Germany and France, helping drive a near 39% jump in arrivals from the continent. Vietnam boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Hoi An, a remarkably well-preserved trading port dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, as well as Ha Long Bay, famed for its emerald waters and thousands of rainforest-topped limestone islands. Molly Toolan visited the country recently and believes it is a more attractive holiday and travelling destination than others in the area that have historically been more popular with UK and European tourists.

She said: “Vietnam is a country with a lot to offer and in my opinion is better than Thailand for so many reasons. The country is full of hidden gems and has a rich history and highly diverse culture.”

She added that although tourism is increasing in Vietnam, there are considerably less tourists than in Thailand.

With temperatures of around 33C throughout May, it is understandable why the country might prove popular amongst tourists and the recent surge has seen plans put in place to develop the nation’s infrastructure to handle a greater influx in the coming years.

The Southeast Asian hotspot is gearing up for a major travel upgrade, with Long Thanh International Airport, near Ho Chi Minh City, due to begin full commercial operations in mid-2026.

Its first phase will be able to handle up to 25 million passengers a year and is expected to ease congestion at the overstretched Tan Son Nhat Airport.

For all its beauty, Vietnam has seen its fair share of horror, with the country for decades being synonymous with a brutal conflict with the United States which eventually resulted in humiliation for the superpower.

Across the country, historical sites dedicated to the conflict serve as a powerful reminder of the horrors of war but also the ingenuity of Vietnamese forces, with tourists flocking to sites to fit into crammed tunnels that offered soldiers a significant advantage when manoeuvring around the battlefield.

The phrase “there is something for everyone” has become cliched in modern journalism when describing places to visit, but in Vietnam, it is perhaps a genuine description.

Young travellers exploring on a budget can make the most of the nightlife in Hanoi, which offers the ‘cheapest’ night out in the world.

The vibrant city, known for its rich history, French colonial architecture, chaotic yet charming Old Quarter with narrow and trade-focused streets, is one where ancient temples, French villas and modern cafes and bars coexist.

For others, relaxing beaches with white sand and blue sea are common along the coastline whilst those looking to explore the culture can visit traditional floating markets, historic river villages and islands big and small, just waiting to be explored.