WASHINGTON - President Clinton, once a reluctant foreign traveler, has slipped quietly into the history books as the most widely traveled president ever.

His journeys over nearly seven years have taken him to 58 countries and territories, from Australia to Venezuela, from Argentina to Uganda, visiting some more than once. Next stop: New Zealand.

George Bush, by comparison, visited 36 countries and territories over four years, while Ronald Reagan stopped in 26 over eight years.

White House aides are just beginning to discuss possible foreign destinations for Clinton in 2000, the final full year of his presidency. The hottest speculation is that he will visit Vietnam, a place he struggled to avoid when he was draft-age.

Moreover, aides note the president told the Chinese women's soccer team he would like to go to China again-- even though relations were soured by the accidental U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia.

A return to Africa - following up on last year's tour-- is another possibility, perhaps to celebrate Nigeria's turn to democracy.

Clinton probably will visit India and Pakistan in 2000 after postponing a visit this year because of their nuclear tests, aides say. He also will attend two international summits in Asia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in Brunei and the annual summit of industrialized nations in Okinawa, Japan.

Clinton will return to Europe next year for a U.S.-European Union summit and perhaps visit Russia again. He would go back to Ireland and to the Middle East if peacemaking efforts warranted a presidential visit, aides say. Morocco, in particular, is being considered for another visit after a brief stop in July for the funeral of King Hassan II.

Clinton would like to visit Kosovo, liberated from Serb occupation by U.S.-led bombing attacks.

There even have been discussions about stopping in Antarctica to highlight the problems of global warming. However, aides say idea has been put aside because of logistical problems.