Turning up the heat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is a popular suggestion for travelers who are keen to enjoy a great winter holiday, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Guests can pull up a stool at a street pho vendor ­and enjoy the spice hit of Vietnamese food to make one forget the winter doldrums back home.

Visitors can also take time to wander the streets, drink coffee with locals, browse the boutiques with the young and fashionable, and linger at the sophisticated bars and nightspots that tell of a smart, upwardly mobile city, the Australian media outlet recommends.

Furthermore, a 15-day “Magnificent Mekong” river cruise is featured in the list of places. Sailing at the hottest time of year is perfect for those whose idea of a break means wearing shorts and enjoying a cold beer.

A Viking cruise between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi has three departures in August and four in September, with visits to bustling river-port towns such as Sa Dec and Cai Be in Vietnam, as well as the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and the superb temples of Angkor Wat. It finishes with a side trip to Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, the article writes.

Apart from Vietnamese destinations, the author Julietta Jameson suggested others in 10 metropolises to offer an abundant out-and-about opportunities, alongside cosy or cooling relaxation and respite. 

Wellington (New Zealand), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, and Melbourne (Australia) are also among the good suggestions for travelers to enjoy the best winter holiday escapes.