Jeju has been included in the "Best in Travel 2026" list – one of the "25 must-visit travel destinations in the world in 2026".
This list was published by the globally renowned travel guide Lonely Planet on its official website, along with other notable destinations such as Phuket (Thailand), Maine (USA), British Columbia (Canada), and Mexico City.
Tourists use umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain while sightseeing on Jeju Island, South Korea, on June 12, 2025. Photo: Yonhap/VNA
According to information from the Jeju Island government, cited by the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in South Korea, Lonely Planet presented Jeju in a promotional video dedicated to the island as "the Hawaii of Korea." The video captured scenes of the sunrise over Seongsan Ilchulbong peak, the snow-capped landscape of Mount Hallasan, forest trails at Mount Sanbangsan and Jeolmul Recreation Forest, and the turquoise waters of Gimnyeong Beach. It also featured images of female divers ("sea women") and Jeju's signature dishes such as seafood noodles and abalone porridge.
According to a Jeju provincial official, this selection demonstrates Jeju's global recognition as a tourist destination, extending beyond Asia, and affirms the province's continued efforts to expand its appeal to international tourists and build a world-class hospitality system.
Tourists visit Jeju Island, South Korea. Photo: THX/VNA
Each year, Lonely Planet selects outstanding destinations from a wide range of cities, islands, and countries around the world through a rigorous evaluation process by a team of experts, and simultaneously implements marketing activities to directly connect travelers with tourism products and services in the selected areas.
According to VNA