In recent years, Vietnam has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for the plethora of things one can enjoy in this Southeast Asian country.

In 2024 alone, Vietnam recorded 12.6 million visitors in their country, which saw a 3.5 times increase in tourists compared to 2022.

One of the driving factors why tourists are drawn to the Land of the Blue Dragon is its affordability compared to its neighboring countries.

For this writer’s experience, you could travel to Hanoi with P10,000 ($170) pocket money for four to five days, and that would already allow you to do a daily food crawl and a little bit of thrift shopping.

Earlier this year, Filipino celebrities such as Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, Liza Soberano, and Kiray Celis were among those who were enchanted by the beauty of Vietnam.

If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, here are five travel tips and smart hacks to help you enjoy your trip smoothly.

Don’t miss out on Pho, Banh mi, and Banh xeo

You don’t have to worry about overspending when it comes to food, as most food establishments in Vietnam are cheap.

In Hanoi, don’t miss out on trying a bowl of authentic pho at Pho 10, which is listed in the Michelin guide for 2023 and 2024. A bowl of hot dish at Pho 10 ranges from 45,000 VND to 80,000 VND (P102 – P183).

As for Banh Mi, any food cart in the streets of Hanoi offers various delicious versions of the iconic Vietnamese bread with meat filling, but if you want a certain spot, Banh Mi 25 is the place to be. Price ranges from 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND (P68 – P91).

Another popular dish not to miss when in Vietnam is Banh xeo, also known as the Vietnamese crepe. For first-timers, experience the meticulous way of eating Banh xeo at Mr. Bay Mien Tay, a restaurant in Hanoi listed in the Michelin guide, where the servers will guide you on how to eat Banh xeo the Vietnamese way. Price ranges from 65,000 VND to P85,000 VND (P149 – P195).

Easily split group bills through an app

Suppose you’re traveling within a group and would stick to KKB (Kaniya-kaniyang bayad) method throughout your spending. In that case, it’s easier to rely on an online app to organize your expenses and automatically split the bill depending on the number of people in your group.

One of the free apps available on smartphones is Splitwise. This app lets you plan your trip, add people to the group on the app, and track your spending as you go along with your vacation. Through this approach, you won’t have to stress about paying the person who covered the bill right away before you forget, as it will reflect on the app once you encode your expenses.

Egg coffee is a must-try, but don’t drink it after 4 p.m.

Vietnamese coffee is known worldwide for its strong and robust flavor, and when in Hanoi, having a glass of egg coffee is a must.

Egg coffee was invented in the 1940s by Nguyen Van Giang due to the shortage of milk. This unique and intriguing beverage is still available to this day, and if you want to try its original recipe, head on to Café Giang for a glass of egg coffee for 25,000VND (P57). You can have it hot or over ice.

Since the coffee is strong, you might want to skip it after 4 p.m. to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Opt for a physical card from your digital bank

Compared to traditional credit cards, where your spending power depends on your credit limit, opting for a physical card from a digital bank gives you the freedom to set your budget by topping up the exact amount you’re willing to spend for a trip.

This writer used her Maya Mastercard on her latest trip to Hanoi and experienced no issues when using the card to withdraw money from an ATM and tapping the card in POS-enabled (Point of sale) establishments.

Another factor you can take advantage of by using a physical card from a digital bank is you can also track your spending in real time through the app. With traditional credit cards, you have to wait at least a day before it reflects on your bank’s app.

Stick to bottled water throughout your trip

Our gut reacts differently to all sorts of food and beverages we consume daily.

To be on the safe side healthwise when traveling to Vietnam or other countries, it’s best to stick to bottled water every time you dine out to ensure the water’s cleanliness.

It’s also advisable to bring your preferred over-the-counter medicines for gut health just to be prepared when your stomach acts up.

Eco-friendly travel has become the latest fad among those conscious travelers who want to leave a minimal carbon footprint.

The practice revolves around sustainability, conservation, and supporting local communities.

From verdant rainforests to tranquil beaches, there are a plethora of places around the globe that can be visited by eco-conscious travelers.

These places not only give you a taste of something unique but also promote environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

Biodiversity hotspot

Costa Rica’s biodiverse reserves

Costa Rica is famous for its incredible biodiversity and conservation efforts. Over 25% of the country is protected as national parks or reserves.

You can enjoy lush rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches while supporting eco-friendly lodges that focus on sustainability.

The country’s commitment to renewable sources of energy further makes it a top destination for eco-conscious travelers.

Green Adventures

New Zealand’s sustainable adventures

New Zealand is another country that caters to eco-minded adventurers and nature lovers.

The country markets eco-tourism with efforts like carbon-neutral tours and conservation projects.

From hiking in national parks to exploring geothermal areas or joining in wildlife conservation efforts, the country has a lot to offer.

New Zealand’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty makes it a perfect fit for eco-minded adventurers.

Cultural preservation

Bhutan’s low-impact tourism

Bhutan is another one that makes its mark with a low-impact tourism policy to preserve its culture and environment.

The government caps tourists’ numbers by charging a daily fee, which covers accommodation, meals, and guide services.

This way, there is the least ecological disruption and tourists get authentic cultural experiences in this Himalayan kingdom, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and traditional architecture.

Scenic sustainability

Norway’s fjords and green initiatives

Norway is known for its stunning fjords and dedication to sustainability with green initiatives such as electric ferries run on renewable sources of energy.

They include hydropower plants producing over 90% of electricity requirements across the country every year.

Tourists can discover these magnificent waters on eco-friendly cruises or set out on beautiful hikes. These trails are created with the least environmental impact.

Here’s when to plan a trip to Mexico for idyllic weather, beautiful beach days, wildlife sightings, and major festivals.

With its vibrant culture, history, and food scene, Mexico is one of the most-visited destinations in the world. The country’s topography is quite diverse, featuring everything from golden beaches to rugged canyons, and you’ll find a mix of microclimates throughout the sultry cities and high-altitude colonial towns. You may bask on a jungle-backed beach by day and cozy up to a fireplace in the mountains by night. And with all these options to consider, it can also be helpful to know your way around Mexico’s tourism calendar.

• High Season: December to April
• Shoulder Season: July and August
• Low Seasons: May and June, plus September to November

Whether you’re seeking balmy beaches, affordable flights and hotels, stunning wildlife, or colorful fiestas, these are the best times to visit Mexico for every type of getaway.

Best Times to Visit Overall

The best time to visit depends entirely on where you want to go, what you want to do, your ideal crowd size, and the type of weather you’re willing to put up with — in Mexico, that can mean anything from extreme heat to monsoon rains, especially during hurricane season. The country’s different regions also experience a variety of climates year-round.

Dry, warm November may be the ideal month to visit Mexico overall, offering a sweet spot between the heavy autumn rains and the beginning of the busy season. Another perk of visiting that month: depending on your timing and whereabouts, you might catch Día de los Muertos festivities or the magnificent monarch butterfly migration, both mentioned below.

Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds

If you want to avoid crowds in Mexico, you should almost always skip the popular winter and early spring months. May and June can be more pleasant times to visit, especially after Easter Week (usually in March or April). This period also marks a lull between the hordes of spring breakers clearing out and the summer travelers filtering in. For similar reasons, fall can also be a lovely time to visit.

And while these less-crowded months correspond with the country’s rainy season, which runs from May to November, that might not be as bad as you think. Unless there’s a hurricane rolling through, the rain usually comes in the form of short afternoon storms, bookended by stretches of sun. These brief showers can be a welcome relief from the heat and humidity — and a nice time to take a siesta.

Best Times to Visit for Good Weather

The dry-season months of November to April promise the nicest, balmiest weather in most parts of Mexico, though these dreamy conditions do bring higher prices and larger crowds. That said, on a regional level, you can find pleasant climes at many different times of the year. Mexico’s coastal hot spots, like Cancun on the eastern coast and Los Cabos on the western coast, offer warmth and sun almost year-round, while high-elevation Mexico City boasts consistently mild temperatures and plenty of indoor activities to enjoy when the rainy season hits.

Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices

Airfare and accommodation prices tend to mirror the high and low seasons. Flights, hotels, and other travel expenses can surge starting in mid-December when visitors from the U.S. tend to escape the frigid winter weather and take advantage of the holiday break. Conversely, you can typically save by booking during the off-season when demand is lower.

June through October are the wettest months in Mexico. If you’re willing to risk these less-than-ideal conditions — particularly in mid-September, the peak of the Mexican hurricane season — your flight and hotel costs should be correspondingly low.

Although it falls in the high season, January is a great option for lower-cost travel. There are often good deals to be found after the New Year holiday and before the winter and spring break frenzy, which begins in February.

Best Times to Visit for Whale Watching

At various points in the year, migrating whales spend time in the warm waters off both Mexican shorelines. From December to March, travelers to Baja or elsewhere on the Pacific coast might spot humpback, gray, and blue whales, among other species, on their epic ocean journeys. Humpbacks love sheltered Bahía de Banderas off Puerto Vallarta; the best times to see them are February and late March. In general, lovers of marine life will be in luck for most of the west coast’s peak season. Between October and April, you can snorkel with whale sharks off Espíritu Santo Island or dive in the protected waters of beautiful Cabo Pulmo, one of just three coral reefs off the country’s western coast.

On the opposite side of the country, whale sharks are the species you’re likeliest to spot. Their season lasts from mid-May to mid-September on Mexico’s eastern shores, with a peak in June and July. Half-day whale shark tours are available from Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Isla Holbox, and Isla Contoy. Keep an eye out for other sea creatures like manta rays, turtles, and dolphins.

Best Times to See the Butterfly Migration

Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies migrate to central Mexico, where they spend the winter in pine and fir trees in the state of Michoacán. The sight of these brilliant golden-orange butterflies covering the mountain forest and fluttering against the bright blue winter sky is truly magical and worth planning a trip around.

To witness the yearly phenomenon, visit one of many sanctuaries within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve between mid-November (when more butterflies have settled in) and late March. At nearly all the sanctuaries, you can hike, horseback ride, or bike to see the butterflies in their wooded habitat — at some, you can even zip-line back down the mountain. The afternoon, when the air is warmer and the butterflies dance among the trees, is the perfect time of day to visit them.

Best Times to Visit for Surfing

The Pacific Ocean drums up fantastic swells along Mexico’s western coast all year long. More experienced surfers will find the biggest, most consistent waves from April to October. July and August are especially prime times for surfing, as they coincide with hurricane season.

Some of Mexico’s best waves pound the breezy Baja Peninsula, where the waters can be quite nippy during the winter months. Further south, Nayarit, Barra de Nexpa, Troncones, and Puerto Escondido, home to the world-famous Mexican Pipeline, benefit from the Pacific’s powerful barreling surf while their waters remain warm all year.

Best Times to Visit for Festivals

Mexico offers countless celebrations and events to plan a trip around. Here are just a few:

• On Feb. 2, Candelaria (Candlemas) is a big deal in San Juan de los Lagos and Tlacotalpan, celebrated with church services, tamales served at dinner, and parades.
• Carnaval is the major February (or early March) event in Mexico, with the biggest parties in Mazatlán on the Pacific coast and Veracruz, Mérida, Cozumel, and Campeche on the Caribbean and Gulf coasts.
• Mexico’s most important holiday, Semana Santa (Holy Week), occurs in March or April, marking the biblical events leading up to Easter Sunday; expect crowded hotels and transit, with processions threading through the streets.
• Celebrate Cinco de Mayo alongside the locals in Puebla, where the Mexican army defeated the French in 1862; note that in Mexico, this is largely a regional festival, with street parades and battle reenactments, and not typically celebrated elsewhere in the country.
• Foodies will love Puebla’s Festival del Mole Poblano, usually held from mid-June to mid-July.
• A colorful celebration of Indigenous dance and music, the Guelaguetza festival occurs in Oaxaca City and its neighboring villages in late July.
• Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16 is toasted with dancing, parades, and fireworks.
• October sees several big annual events: the Cervantino Arts Bash in vibrant Guanajuato, the Morelia International Film Festival in Michoacán’s UNESCO-listed capital, and the all-month extravaganza of Fiestas de Octubre in Guadalajara.
• For many travelers, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead (Nov. 1–2), is the crown jewel of the Mexican calendar. Festivities across the central and southern regions, and especially in Pátzcuaro, honor the departed with picnics, graveyard vigils, papier-mâché skeletons, and intricate dress and makeup.

Best Times to Visit Canyon Country

The wild, rocky landscape of northwest Mexico’s Copper Canyon is among the country’s most spectacular sights. It’s one of the deepest canyons in the world — larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon in some places — and it’s important to plan your visit carefully since the elements can be unforgiving. Spring (particularly in March) and fall (November, after the wet season) are your best bets for timing a trip, with flowing rivers and waterfalls and mild temperatures.

A scenic train line called the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico, colloquially known as Chepe, cuts through the canyon on its 220-mile journey from Los Mochis in Sinaloa to Creel in Chihuahua. If you want to ride, book your seat in advance.

Best Times to Go to Mexico City

For the best weather conditions, time your trip to Mexico City for March, April, or May, before the rainy summer but after the winter months, when overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s. Spring temperatures linger in the mid-60s on average, with cooler evenings bottoming out in the 50s. The city will be busy with fellow travelers this time of year, but affordable hotel rates can still be found.

Note that Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,350 feet, so make sure you stay hydrated to avoid any issues with altitude sickness — just take it easy and drink plenty of water if you start to feel lightheaded.

Best Times to Go to Oaxaca

Spring and fall are the best times to head to the enchanting southern city of Oaxaca. April to May and September to October are blessed with idyllic weather, with average temperatures in the mid-to-high 60s, and lighter crowds than at other times of the year.

June through August, despite the rainy weather, and the Christmas/New Year holiday season are the busiest periods for tourists. In late July, the Guelaguetza festival celebrates folk music and dance. If you’re there around Christmastime, your trip will coincide with Oaxaca City’s yearly radish-carving competition, Noche de los Rábanos (Night of the Radishes), held each year on December 23.

Worst Times to Visit

Determining the worst time to visit Mexico depends on one key question: Is your goal to have great weather or fewer crowds? Though the best and worst times will vary by region, that general metric can be your guide. Crowd-averse travelers should avoid the popular spring break season, while sun-seekers should skip summer and fall, which come with near-daily rain.

Vacationers planning a peaceful coastal getaway will want to avoid visiting in March and April, when a huge influx of American college students and Mexican families arrive in resort areas like Cancun during spring break and the Semana Santa holidays.

Beachgoers should remember to consider the weather. Hurricane season — which stretches from May through November, with a peak from July to October — is a risky time to visit the Gulf and Caribbean coasts. It’s also worth noting that warming ocean waters each spring and summer bring sargassum seaweed masses that can put a damper on swimming and sunbathing — especially on the Yucatán coast in popular beach towns like Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Slow travel is all about letting go of checklists and immersing yourself in the everyday moments that make a place truly special.

In a time where travel often feels like a race to tick off landmarks, slow travel offers a refreshing alternative. It’s about moving at a relaxed pace, appreciating the little moments, and immersing yourself in local culture without a packed itinerary. Whether it’s lingering over coffee at a quiet cafe, wandering through charming streets with no set plan, or simply soaking in the beauty of a place, slowing down makes every journey more meaningful. If you’re craving a trip that’s less about schedules and more about experience, these slow travel destinations invite you to take it easy and truly savour the moment.

Here Are Top 7 International Destinations For Slow Travel:

1. Kyoto, Japan

If there’s one place that truly honours the art of slowing down, it’s Kyoto. While Tokyo buzzes with energy, Kyoto is all about quiet lanes, wooden machiya houses, and the occasional geisha sighting in Gion. Spend your mornings strolling through bamboo forests in Arashiyama, take a moment to appreciate the stillness at one of the city’s many temples, or simply enjoy a multi-course kaiseki meal that stretches over hours. Kyoto teaches you that time isn’t meant to be rushed.

2. Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is the kind of place that makes you want to put your phone away. Monks in saffron robes walk the streets at sunrise, French colonial buildings line the riverbanks, and the Mekong flows lazily alongside it all. Mornings are best spent watching the alms-giving ceremony, afternoons call for long lunches by the river, and evenings are perfect for catching golden-hour views from Mount Phousi. No one’s in a hurry here, and you won’t be either.

3. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Italy is practically designed for slow travel, and the Amalfi Coast is proof. Picture pastel-hued villages perched on cliffs, lemon groves scenting the air, and the Mediterranean sparkling under the sun. The only real way to experience this region is to move at its unhurried rhythm — long lunches with a glass of limoncello, meandering walks through Positano’s staircases, and hours spent just watching the waves. Trust the Italians, they know how to take it slow.

4. Ubud, Bali

If slowing down had a spiritual home, it would be Ubud. Surrounded by rice paddies and dense jungles, this Balinese town is all about mindful living. Whether it’s a sunrise yoga class, an afternoon of reading in a cafe, or an evening spent watching traditional dance performances, Ubud reminds you that life isn’t meant to be a race. And let’s be honest-having a fresh coconut in hand while doing absolutely nothing sounds pretty perfect.

5. Porto, Portugal

Lisbon may be Portugal’s star, but Porto is where you go to truly unwind. This riverside city moves at a dreamy pace — think slow walks across the Dom Luis I Bridge, afternoons spent tasting port wine in the Douro Valley, and evenings watching the sky turn pink over the Ribeira district. The best way to experience Porto? Sit by the river with a glass of vinho verde and just watch the world go by.

6. Galle, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s southern coast is known for its pristine beaches, but Galle is where you go when you want to take it slow. A former Dutch trading port, this fortified town is a maze of cobbled streets, boutique cafes, and hidden courtyards. Walk the ramparts at sunset, linger over a cup of Ceylon tea, or browse through local art shops. There’s no rush to be anywhere-just how slow travel should be.

7. Quebec City, Canada

If you’ve ever dreamed of a slow-paced European holiday but without the transatlantic flight, Quebec City is your answer. With its cobblestone streets, charming bistros, and old-world architecture, it feels like a slice of France in North America. Spend your days wandering through Old Quebec, indulging in long meals filled with buttery pastries, and stopping to chat with friendly locals. The city’s pace is delightfully unhurried, and you’ll want to savour every second of it.