25 of the best places to visit in the world in 2027: Some are familiar to Vietnamese tourists.

Drawing on input from National Geographic ‘s global network of writers, photographers, and explorers, the magazine’s annual Best of the World list showcases 25 outstanding destinations across the continents.

These are places offering new avenues of discovery , reviving cultural values, or significant commemorative events, making 2027 an ideal time to visit.

“A new national park at the ends of the earth , an ancient city looking back at its past in a new way, or a legendary travel route—all these places offer new reasons to stop. Your next memorable trip could begin from any of these locations,” writes National Geographic .

Destinations in Asia

One of the familiar destinations for Vietnamese tourists on this list is Japan , specifically Niigata Prefecture.

National Geographic recommends that tourists visit in 2027 because it will feature a unique art festival and centuries-old traditions of sake and fermented foods, opening up new ways to explore this peaceful region of Japan.

Niigata Prefecture is located in the heart of Japan’s snowy region, a coastal area in central Japan known for its heavy snowfall, attracting skiers from around the world.

Next year, before the snow season begins, the world’s largest outdoor arts festival will take place in approximately 200 villages across Niigata.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Niigata City, the prefectural capital, is known as the land of rice and premium sake. Inside Niigata Station is Ponshukan, a sake-themed park where visitors can sample sake from around 110 different brands at small vending machines.

Another location in Asia on the list is Chengdu, China.

According to National Geographic travel writer Iona Brannon, Chengdu may be known for its giant pandas and its tongue-numbingly spicy hot pot.

However, the capital of Sichuan province also offers opportunities to explore archaeological mysteries for the curious, or to witness the distinctive face-changing performances of Sichuan opera.

Another Asian representative on the list is Penang, Malaysia . It’s presented as a tropical destination combining rainforest exploration trails with a cultural heritage that has been preserved and passed down through generations.

“Starting from Penang Island, travelers can leisurely explore the streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and then head to beaches shaded by tropical rainforests. From there, they can cross the strait to the mainland, where rural villages and winding rivers meander through mangrove forests, interspersed with modern industrial centers,” writes travel writer Kristin Braswell.

National Geographic also recommends that travelers visit Jaipur, India in 2027, as this city famous for its palaces will host one of the world’s largest literary festivals.

The city of Jaipur will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2027, and will be the venue for the Jaipur Literary Festival, an event that attracts around 400,000 visitors each year. The 20th edition of the festival will take place from January 14th to 18th next year.

Top destinations range from the American coastal route to heritage-rich regions.

This year, several US destinations made the list, including Madison (Wisconsin), the Pacific Coast Highway (California), the Southern Ozarks (Missouri and Arkansas), Baltimore (Maryland), and Catalina Island.

Additionally, National Geographic ‘s list of The Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2027 also features many other destinations around the world, including Melbourne (Australia), Luxor (Egypt), Puerto Rico, Dumfries and Galloway (Scotland), Grenada, Salvador (Brazil), Cape Froward (Chile), Santander (Spain), Normandy (France), Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada), the Transcaucasian Trail (Armenia), Leipzig (Germany), Malawi, Maya Ka’an (Mexico), the Tricity metropolitan area (Poland), and Kuélap (Chachapoyas, Peru).