Western tourists suggest destinations that are both beautiful and avoid crowds in Vietnam
Having written three travel guidebooks and more than 100 stories about Vietnam tourism, Joshua Zukas has given suggestions to help tourists know about the less crowded but must-see destinations in the S-shaped country.
According to Zukas, every town, city or locality has its own merits. Popular destinations are popular for a reason, but with popularity comes overtourism, crowds, noise and long waits.
“Fortunately, there are viable alternatives to Vietnam’s tourist hotspots. For those looking to escape the crowds rather than hunt for the highlights, there are five destinations I recommend considering exploring,” Zukas shares.
1. Instead of Sa Pa, go to other rural areas in the North
Sa Pa has a long history of tourism development. Famous as a hot spot in the North since the French colonial period, Sa Pa is now a 6-hour drive from Hanoi and even more popular with many tourists. As a result, the town center is literally a construction site year after year.
On the contrary, many other destinations around Sa Pa still retain their wild and peaceful beauty. Zukas suggests some typical names hidden in the vast northern mountains of Vietnam that tourists can explore such as: Pu Luong Nature Reserve with wonderful mountain accommodations, Mu Cang Chai famous for its multi-layered terraced fields, Ha Giang with the most beautiful mountain passes in Southeast Asia and Ba Be National Park with amazing caves.
2. Instead of Ha Long Bay, go to Hai Phong
Ha Long Bay, a three-hour drive from Hanoi, is the most famous destination in Quang Ninh province. This hotspot has all the hallmarks of a top tourist destination: fascinating legends, picturesque scenery, delicious local cuisine and affordable cruises.
But at times, the sheer number of visitors seems to overshadow all of this, prompting concern from both UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2016, 8.3 million tourists visited Quang Ninh. By 2019, a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, that number had risen to 14 million.
Meanwhile, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong province have similar scenery, but have fewer cruise ships. At the same time, tourism activities have also been deployed more in recent years.
Cruises in Lan Ha Bay now rival those in Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba Island offers water activities such as kayaking and swimming, as well as land activities such as rock climbing and hiking.
3. Instead of Hoi An, go to Hue
Walking through the lantern-filled old town of Hoi An, a cultural tourist destination in central Vietnam, can be overwhelming due to the influx of visitors. The overcrowding has even led local authorities to propose a controversial entrance fee to the old town.
Meanwhile, the ancient capital of Hue, another heritage city, 123km north of Hoi An, seems quieter. North of the Perfume River is dotted with palaces, pagodas and temples, steeped in history.
4. Instead of Da Nang, go to Quy Nhon
As the largest city in central Vietnam with over a million inhabitants, Da Nang has an inner-city beach that can compete with many other coastal cities in the world such as Miami (USA), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Barcelona (Spain). However, finding a quiet place by the beach, especially during the holidays or sunny summer months, can be a big challenge.
Fortunately, Central Vietnam’s coastal geography has fostered a number of other, lesser-known urban beaches. South of Da Nang is Quy Nhon, a clean and quiet coastal city surrounded by centuries-old Cham towers and labyrinthine fishing villages. North of Da Nang is Dong Hoi, another sleepy coastal city close to the unique caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
5. Instead of Phu Quoc, go to Con Dao
Phu Quoc, the country’s largest island in southern Vietnam off the coast of Cambodia, has been dubbed the next Phuket or Bali. It is dotted with abandoned construction sites and unfinished hotels.
Con Dao, also an island in southern Vietnam, has fewer visitors. Accordingly, the island seems to have learned from the mistakes of other destinations by limiting construction, managing tourist numbers, and enacting environmental protection policies. Hotel options are limited, and the island is not easy to get to.
