Jung Il Woo, 38, star of the film "Mang me di bo" (Give Me Away), studies Vietnamese, loves pho, and once toured Sapa by motorbike.

Vietnam and Laos have been praised by British magazine Time Out as two Southeast Asian destinations offering affordable travel experiences with delicious food, comfortable accommodation, and enriching exploration.

TasteAtlas's "food map" highlights 26 of Vietnam's best snacks, including spring rolls, grilled shrimp paste, and sizzling pancakes.

While prepared to pay a premium for airport dining, many Vietnamese travelers feel shortchanged, believing the quality doesn't justify the cost compared to other airports in the region.

Vietnam began appointing tourism ambassadors 24 years ago to promote the country's image globally, with actress Ly Nha Ky being the first.