Con Dao among best destinations in Asia

Their appeal includes coral gardens that offer Vietnam’s best diving, rewarding hikes in wildlife-rich tropical forests, and a coastline studded with gorgeous white-sand coves, describes Lonely Planet.

The site adds that with improved flight connections from Ho Chi Minh City, there is no better place right now to feast on fresh seafood, explore in search of a perfect beach and revel in a castaway vibe.

A flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao takes about 45 minutes.

The BBC Travel website describes Con Dao as a world away from Vietnam’s well-beaten tourist trail and that the islands have no touts, only peaceful empty beaches, and peak season means being just one of a dozen Westerners.

For decades, Con Dao was known for its brutal colonial prisons but this archipelago now ranks among Asia’s hottest emerging destinations.

Other destinations on Lonely Planet’s list include Hokkaido (Japan) Shanghai (China) and Jeonju (Republic of Korea).

Lonely Planet says the list offers travellers “a fresh twist” in regions packed full of action and edge-of-the-map places you’ve probably never heard of.

Lonely Planet's Best in Asia for 2016

1. Hokkaido, Japan

2. Shanghai, China

3. Jeonju, South Korea

4. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam

5. Hong Kong, China

6. Ipoh, Malaysia

7. Pemuteran, Indonesia

8. Trang Islands, Thailand

9. Meghalaya, India

10. Taitung, Taiwan (China)