HCMC has been named one of the 12 best cities for culture in 2019 by UK travel website Culture Trip.

An old woman makes a pottery pot at a cultural event in September 23 Park in downtown 

The 12 destinations were chosen based on an analysis of the cities that have seen the biggest growth in millennial interest on the Culture Trip site and app and a survey of 300 of the company’s local creators, who are based around the globe.

Standing in the fourth place, Vietnam’s busiest city was described by Culture Trip as an affordable destination with a buzzing cultural scene to match.

“HCMC is perfect for cash-strapped millennial travelers. A booming economy has brought a roaring energy to the city, palpable as soon as you leave the airport, and that energy increases as soon as you try ca phe da (Vietnamese iced coffee) – a jolt of caffeine and sugar like no other. Afterwards, meander the city’s neighborhoods and hidden alleyways in search of street food and displays of public art,” Culture Trip said.

According to Culture Trip, a must-visit attraction in the city is Lang Ong Ba Chieu, a temple that “will transport you back in time to the city’s early history.”

The three top spots on the list are Oaxaca City (Mexico), Porto (Portugal), and Austin (USA).

HCMC is followed by Cape Town (South Africa), Lima (Peru), Tokyo (Japan), Istanbul (Turkey), Budapest (Hungary) and Marrakech (Morocco).

HCMC welcomed more than seven million foreign visitors in 2018. It expects a 15-20% rise in international visitor arrivals this year, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

SGT