A Tourist's Guide to Love (2023)

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is the kind of romantic comedy that wins you over with sunshine, sincerity, and a real sense of place—Vietnam isn’t just a backdrop here, it’s the movie’s heartbeat, full of color, flavor, and lived-in texture. Rachael Leigh Cook is effortlessly likable as a woman rebuilding her footing, and Scott Ly brings an easy charisma that makes their connection feel warm rather than manufactured. The vibe is breezy and escapist, with enough culture-shock comedy and off-the-beaten-path wonder to make it feel like a mini vacation that also remembers to have a pulse. If you’re looking for a low-stress, feel-good romance that leans into charm over cynicism, this one’s a lovely ticket—though those craving sharp-edged comedy or big dramatic surprises may find it pleasantly predictable.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is clearly aiming to be a soothing, postcard-pretty rom-com about starting over, stepping outside your comfort zone, and letting Vietnam’s scenery do some of the emotional heavy lifting. The problem is it rarely surprises you: the beats are familiar, the conflicts feel prepackaged, and the script often plays it so safe that the charm turns bland. If you’re hoping for a sharp comedy, a genuinely twisty romance, or a deeper look at the travel industry beyond “follow your heart,” this will likely feel like background comfort viewing. That said, the Vietnam locations are genuinely lovely, and the leads have an easy, pleasant warmth that can carry you through if you’re in the mood for something simple and predictable.