Vietnam's Hidden Beach Cracks Global Top 100 for First Time

Soi Sim, an almost untouched shoreline within Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, has made its debut on the list of the world's 100 most stunning beaches.

Situated on the island with the same name within the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beach was the sole Vietnamese location to secure a spot on the most recent Beach 100 list published by the U.S.-owned Corona Beach 100 on June 8.

In contrast to several more famous coastal spots in Vietnam, Soi Sim Beach stays relatively unknown due to its remote setting and limited tourist infrastructure.

The 2026 edition showcases shores from 22 nations and incorporates 27 new entries that are appearing for the first time in the yearly selection.

"Our aim is for Beach 100 to inspire individuals to rediscover their connection with nature and explore the incredible shorelines that Earth provides," stated a member of the group.

The shores were chosen according to factors such as visual attractiveness, environmental significance, historical importance, and opportunities for engaging with natural settings. The list also emphasizes the environments that contribute to the charm of these locations.

Soi Sim Beach. Image provided by the Ha Long Bay - Yen Tu Management Board

Soi Sim Island covers approximately 8.7 hectares and is located about 12 kilometers away from Tuan Chau International Cruise Port. Tourists usually arrive at the island through a boat trip lasting around 90 minutes.

The island is temporarily not open to visitors while it experiences development and improvements to its facilities.

One notable aspect of Soi Sim is its well-preserved natural environment.

The island hosts regions of untouched forests which shelter many native plant species located within Ha Long Bay.

The Top 100 Beaches list includes famous locations from Southeast Asia like Alegria, Cloud 9, and Nacpan in the Philippines, Koh Mak and Railay in Thailand, and Padar Island and Pink Beach in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

Vietnam’s Michelin Rise: Roots and Rivalry in Every Bite

The Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 underscores the increasing international appreciation for Vietnamese food, demonstrating that the nation’s gastronomic character—spanning modest roadside stalls to award-winning dining establishments—is gaining praise due to its genuine nature, use of regional products, and narrative rooted in tradition.

A notable example is Hieu Luc, a simple seafood noodle soup shop located on Hai Ba Trung Street in Hanoi, which has once again been recognized in the Michelin Selected list for the second year running. It is famous for its light, subtly sweet stock prepared using local carp and green vegetables, offering a classic dish originating from Hung Yen Province.

Nguyen Thi Tuyen, who runs the restaurant, mentioned that being recognized by Michelin has attracted more guests, especially tourists coming from different regions and foreign travelers. Several people initially learned about the establishment via the Michelin Guide and then turned into frequent patrons.

"Personally, that is my biggest happiness, as Hung Yen's snakehead fish soup still maintains its distinct charm among customers nowadays," Tuyen mentioned.

Hieu Luc is not alone in this situation. The Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 still recognizes numerous well-known local gems, such as Pho Ha Hang Hom and Thanh Van for their traditional steamed rice rolls in Hanoi, Bun rieu Yen and Ba Ba for their crab noodle soup in Ho Chi Minh City, and Ba Vui and Banh Beo – Banh Dap restaurants in Da Nang.

Following four years in Vietnam, the Michelin Guide seems to have adopted a more inclusive view of the nation's food scene, emphasizing traditional cuisine and genuine flavors just as much as cooking methods and restaurant experiences.

As stated by Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, one notable trend is the rise of a fresh wave of Vietnamese chefs who, although educated overseas, have decided to come back to their homeland and craft creative meals influenced by regional ingredients, personal recollections from their youth, and a deep feeling of patriotism.

"These chefs are shaping a new culinary movement in Vietnam. Their creations are rooted in local produce, nourished by personal memories and driven by a strong sense of cultural identity," he said.

This tendency is evident in Upstairs, one of two eateries that have received a Michelin Star this year.

Renowned chef Truong Hiep integrates traditional Vietnamese elements like fish sauce, aged seasonings, and aromatic herbs into modern culinary creations.

"From my perspective, the main focus is using Vietnam's most unique ingredients and tastes to honor the essence of Vietnamese cooking while presenting Vietnamese food culture to guests," Hiep stated.

This year, Tales by Chapter maintained its Michelin Green Star due to its plant-based approach and "zero waste" mindset. Instead of depending on imported high-end ingredients, the eatery develops creative dishes utilizing locally available Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.

"Our aim is to turn common Vietnamese ingredients into innovative culinary experiences, not just to prepare delicious meals but also to share a fresh narrative about Vietnamese cooking," said founder Truong Quang Dung from Tales by Chapter.

Chefs awarded by Michelin all find motivation in the traditional elements of Vietnamese cooking, including fish sauce, fresh herbs, home-style meals, and locally grown ingredients. Starting from these simple beginnings, they create innovative food stories for global guests, supporting the growing visibility of Vietnamese culture on the world scene.

The Michelin Guide Vietnam 2026 includes 193 recognized restaurants spread throughout Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

The lineup features 11 establishments awarded one star by Michelin, 72 Bib Gourmand venues , 110 Michelin Selected establishments and three winners of the Michelin Green Star award.

Two restaurants - ONVIT in Hanoi and Upstairs in Ho Chi Minh City - entered the one-star category this year. The Michelin Guide also handed out various individual honors, such as Restaurant of the Year, Young Chef Award, Sommelier Award, and Service Award.

Vietnam Unveils $6.5B Rail Link: First in 70 Years from HCMC to Mekong Delta

A railway spanning 175 kilometers, valued at over VND171 trillion (US$6.5 billion), is being planned between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, marking the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam with its initial train connection in almost seventy years.

The project management committee for the My Thuan initiative, responsible for preparing the preliminary feasibility report sent to the Ministry of Construction, has suggested financing the entire railway line using government funding. The route would start from An Binh Station in Di An District of Ho Chi Minh City and terminate at Can Tho Station in Hung Phu District of Can Tho, covering a distance of 175.2 kilometers across Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Can Tho.

Passenger services would operate at a maximum designed speed of 160 kilometers per hour, while cargo trains would travel at 120 km/h. There would be 12 stops and three maintenance facilities throughout the route. The initial stage would feature a single line using the standard 1,435 mm rail width, which would eventually be expanded to a dual-track system.

Can Tho is often regarded as the capital of Vietnam's Mekong Delta region, known as the nation's primary rice producer and a major contributor to its seafood and fruit exports.

The delta ceased to have a railway after the Saigon-My Tho line from the French colonial period shut down near 1958. Now, goods and passengers mainly travel through heavily crowded roads and rivers to get to Ho Chi Minh City and its harbors.

According to the board's research, the HCMC-Can Tho route is expected to manage approximately 1.46 billion tons of cargo and over 326 million passenger journeys each year by 2050, with rail potentially handling around 23 million tons and 16 million travels per annum.

A KTX train in South Korea travels at approximately 150-180 km/h. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy

The line forms part of a rail initiative Vietnam is advancing at an exceptional pace. At its core is the approximately $67 billion North-South high-speed railroad, a 1,541-kilometer route capable of reaching speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour, stretching from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, scheduled to start construction by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, the broader national network strategy outlines 25 routes covering around 6,354 kilometers.

The HCMC-Can Tho route is a traditional rail system designed for multiple types of traffic, not an actual high-speed line, yet it follows the same key timeline as the main project: both aim to be largely completed by 2035.

Approximately 56% of the route would run over bridges or viaducts, primarily passing through city zones, densely populated regions, rivers, and locations where it connects with current facilities, whereas the rest, amounting to 44%, would be built on embankments where the soil is solid and flood risks are lower. The first phase bridges would measure around 6.5 meters in width, featuring span lengths ranging from 24 meters up to 450 meters. At the Hau River location, the rail system would use the upcoming Can Tho 2 Bridge. The track will be powered using 25 kV AC electricity, with commuter train operations utilizing decentralized power electric multiple units, cargo transport handled by engine-pulled trains, and full implementation of fiber optic communication along with digital signaling systems.

The advisor presented two financial alternatives. Constructing a shared road bridge spanning approximately 4.7 kilometers at the Hau River crossing would result in an initial investment of roughly VND171.3 trillion ($6.51 billion), whereas building an independent railway bridge would increase this amount to around VND175.11 trillion ($6.65 billion). Referring to the scale of Vietnam's economy and its ability to secure funds, the advisor suggested financing the project through government resources.

Having been under development for over ten years, the initiative has now entered its most advanced phase. It will be submitted to the National Assembly for investment policy endorsement in August 2026, with preliminary engineering designs completed during the first quarter of 2028, land clearing beginning in the same period, and a construction company chosen to commence work in the third quarter.

The railway system of Vietnam will manage the route upon its inauguration.