Design travel is said to be a big trend for 2019, with people looking to explore the world’s most creative places for culture and inspiration.

Lonely Planet notes Vietnam as "the perfect purchase to integrate Asian flair into your home.

"Impressive hand-painted lanterns and beautifully crafted wooden bowls, vases and plates can be found in the heritage town of Hoi An in Vietnam," it advises.

Crafted wooden bowls in Hoi An. Photo by Shutterstock/Troy Rocco

Other destinations on the list include Peru, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

In January, Lonely Planet had picked Son Doong Cave in Vietnam among must-go destinations in 2019.

Vietnam had also figured among 40 destinations worth checking out this year by UK newspaper The Guardian.

The country welcomed more than 15 million foreign visitors in 2018, setting a new record for its tourism industry.

It aims to receive about 18 million foreign visitors and serve 85 million domestic ones in 2019, and earn more than VND700 trillion ($30.2 billion) in tourism revenue.