Mai Chau, a small town in the northern province of Hoa Binh was named by the US Business Insider as among the top ten incredible places for cultural tours.

The magazine described Mai Chau as a wonderful destination if visitors are interested in a deeper experience of Vietnam with a warm and welcoming population and unspoiled natural beauty.

Just three hours outside of the capital Hanoi , Mai Chau is a mountainous region dotted with traditional stilt houses. Two ethnic minority groups - the White Thai and Black Thai - make up the majority of the population there, Business Insider reported.

The Business Insider suggested the best way to immerse yourself in the region is through a homestay with local families.

It said visitors can spend two days cycling across mountain trails and through rice fields, visit local villages, and watch a cultural performance by Thai villagers.

Other destinations recommended by the Business Insider include Santiago in Chile, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Marrakech in Morocco, Shanghai in China, Trani in Italy, Budapest in Hungary, Lisbon in Portugal, Bordeaux in France, and Old Delhi in India.

Mai Chau was also named one of the top ten "fresh" Asian destinations by hotel booking site Agoda.com.-VNA