Lonely Planet is basically a disinformation campaign in support of Operation Mindfuck. Whatever they put out is about 10% accurate information randomly mixed in with 90% imaginary, fantasy, inaccurate, out-of-date stuff they pulled out their collective asses.
As for this list:
1. Hokkaido, Japan. Too fucking cold, year-round radiation.
2. Shanghai, China. Huge Chinese city. What's the appeal? Poor air quality? Overcrowding? Expensive shops, restaurants and accommodation?
3. Jeonju, South Korea. I like bibimbap, but this just sounds cold and boring.
4. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam. As bolueeleh says:
few cheesy cement statues in those former prison cell
Everything in Vietnam is "hidden". CEOCambodiaNews mentions
birds and turtles and unspoilt beaches?
In other words, there's nothing there. Welcome to Gilligan's Island.
5. Hong Kong, China. Huge Chinese city. Hundreds of skyscrapers. "A paradise for food and shopping" = not much to do. The UNESCO-designated Geopark = all the nature has been destroyed, so we had to make some fake green place.
6. Ipoh, Malaysia. "a crop of boutique cafes that have sprung up in its historic quarter" = snobby, snooty and retentious. Also, did not work out so well for Jim Thompson.
7. Pemuteran, Indonesia. Actually, this place sounds OK. This must be the 10% accurate part.
8. Trang Islands, Thailand. It's located in the Circus Formerly Known as Thailand. 'Nuff said!
9. Meghalaya, India. This place also sounds pretty cool.
10. Taitung, Taiwan, China(?). Another "secret" place. Sounds a bit like a cultural zoo. "Hey, everybody! Let's go check out some primitive people's village!"