Why Vietnam is Missing from the Top Food Destination Rankings for 2025

Vietnam is missing from Tripadvisor’s top food destinations for 2025, despite tourists praising its cuisine. Experts suggest this drop is due to competition and evolving travel interests. There are calls for better promotion of Vietnamese dishes and improvements in tourist experiences to enhance Vietnam’s culinary reputation.

Gary Johnson, a seasoned traveler who has explored 89 countries, cites Vietnamese cuisine as a primary attraction for tourists. He notes that visitors often compliment Vietnam’s food before discussing its scenic beauty, affordability, and people. Susan Halliwell, another traveler, also praises Vietnamese dishes, particularly banh xeo and trung vit lon, although she was initially hesitant to try street food. Both expressed surprise that Vietnam did not appear on Tripadvisor’s list of top food destinations for 2025 despite their favorable impressions.

Last year, Hanoi achieved the top position on this list and was ranked third in 2023. According to Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best, which is based on traveler reviews, less than 1% of approximately 8 million destinations receive this recognition. Culinary expert Ho Dac Thieu Anh suggests that Hanoi’s diminished ranking may result from improvements in other culinary destinations. Martin Koener, Vice President of the German Business Association in Vietnam, remarks that shifting global travel trends could be leading visitors to explore new dining experiences.

Koener emphasizes that Vietnam faces growing competition as destinations enhance their food offerings for greater acknowledgment. Experts warn that, without innovation in Vietnam’s culinary scene, its ranking may continue to decline. Remi Van Peteghem, Executive Chef at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, points out that international tourists may not experience the full range of Vietnamese cuisine’s diversity, impacting the city’s standing globally.

This year, major cities such as Rome, Paris, and Bangkok maintained their positions in Tripadvisor’s top 25 food destinations while others dropped off the list. For instance, Crete was ranked third last year and second the year before but does not appear on the 2025 list. British traveler Nigel Halliwell acknowledges that rankings may not accurately reflect subjective culinary tastes. Thieu Anh reiterates that many appreciate Hanoi for its rich traditional cuisine.

Despite the ranking drop, Koener commends the quality of Hanoi’s food scene, highlighting its unique ingredients and culinary techniques. Experts propose that Vietnam enhance its global culinary image by collaborating with international chefs, participating in food festivals, and gaining traction in Michelin rankings. Improved interactive food tours and cooking classes could attract culinary enthusiasts.

Sustainability and quality control are pivotal for enhancing Vietnam’s culinary allure. Emphasizing food hygiene and sustainable sourcing can significantly uplift its reputation. Van Peteghem questions why Bangkok, which excels in street food, receives recognition while Vietnam, which offers similarly diverse options, struggles to stand out. He underscores the need for promotional campaigns to elevate Vietnamese cuisine’s global presence.

Moreover, Van Peteghem advocates for Vietnam’s emphasis on promoting local products like coffee and fish sauce to bolster its culinary identity. Experts also caution against overpricing practices that may tarnish tourist experiences. Nguyen Ba Thien An recounts witnessing overcharging incidents in Hanoi, indicating potential discontent amongst tourists.

As of early 2024, Vietnam’s international arrivals are nearing pre-pandemic levels, with a record 2.1 million foreign tourists reported in January 2025. Some experts argue that the actual influx of tourists and their spending habits carry more weight than rankings alone. Nguyen Van My, chairman of Lua Viet Tours, states that the primary concern should be the number of international visitors and their expenditure, rather than inclusion in rankings.

Vietnam’s culinary scene, despite its rich offerings, faces challenges that have led to its exclusion from Tripadvisor’s 2025 food destination rankings. Experts attribute this to increased competition and evolving travel trends while emphasizing the need for innovation and better promotion of Vietnamese cuisine. Sustaining high standards in food quality and addressing tourist experience issues are crucial in reclaiming Vietnam’s esteemed position in global culinary tourism.

Original Source: e.vnexpress.net