Australian travel magazine Lonely Planet has named Quy Nhon in central Vietnam among the world’s 25 best destinations for 2026, praising the city’s beaches, cuisine, and easygoing seaside charm.
Lonely Planet unveiled its “Best in Travel 2026” list on Oct. 21, featuring 25 top destinations and travel experiences, along with “Lonely Planet Journeys”, a new platform for itineraries.
Quy Nhon, about 650 km from Ho Chi Minh City, represents Vietnam on the list.
Nestled between mountains and the sea, the city is known for its curved beaches and turquoise waters.
Lonely Planet describes Quy Nhon as “a coastal city where natural beauty and culture seamlessly intertwine”. The magazine highlights the city’s laid-back atmosphere and lack of tourist crowds as part of its appeal.
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Quy Nhon viewed from above. Photo by Nguyen Tien Trinh |
Among the city’s attractions are Nhon Hai, a fishing village with rugged shores and coral reefs, and Ky Co, a crescent-shaped beach framed by cliffs. Ancient Cham towers and temples also draw visitors seeking history and culture.
Local food adds to Quy Nhon’s appeal, with specialties such as fish cake noodle soup, crispy shrimp pancakes (banh xeo), and banh hoi chao long (rice vermicelli with pork offal), as well as seafood prepared in local style.
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A view of Cu Lao Xanh Islet of Quy Nhon from above, showing its turquoise waters dotted with fishing boats. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Chi Nam |
Lonely Planet’s 25 best places to travel in 2026 features:
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1. Barbados, Caribbean |
14. Peru, South America |
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2. Botswana, Africa |
15. Phuket, Thailand |
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3. British Columbia, Canada |
16. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala |
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4. Cádiz, Spain |
17. Quy Nhon, Vietnam |
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5. Cartagena, Colombia |
18. Réunion, Africa |
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6. Finland, Europe |
19. Sardinia, Italy |
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7. Ikra–Flinders Ranges and Outback, South Australia |
20. Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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8. Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
21. Solomon Islands |
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9. Jeju-Do, South Korea |
22. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota |
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10. Liberdade, Brazil |
23. Tipperary, Ireland |
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11. Maine, USA |
24. Tunisia, Africa |
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12. Mexico City |
24. Utrecht, Netherlands |
| 13. North Island, New Zealand |
The Best in Travel 2026 also highlights 25 global experiences, from spice tours in Old Dubai and Kerala to rafting the Colorado River and stargazing in New Zealand.
Unique stays include Japanese ryokans and Hawaii’s Volcano House, while culture seekers can catch Premier League matches or explore Bristol’s street art scene.