Skip These Now-Commercialised Tourist Spots In Vietnam & Head To These Hidden Gems Instead

Skip Bui Vien

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Visit Mai Chau

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Skip Nha Trang Beach

[{"selector":"#anim-f2d3e7fd-8c9b-4fa0-a226-616e320222ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d9e53b7-3e25-4a63-a70e-6ba76f8cb017","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 575.90846%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Credits: Unsplash This once-pristine coastline has been overdeveloped with high-rise hotels and crowded beaches, losing much of its natural charm to mass tourism.

Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

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Skip Sapa Town Centre

[{"selector":"#anim-0681b7b7-f66f-4331-830e-3861a3316441","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20cafba8-4a6b-40ee-9ec2-d9146a0ddb7b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 211.42260%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The heart of this mountain retreat has succumbed to commercialisation, with its authentic hill tribe culture increasingly difficult to find amidst the souvenir stalls and cookie-cutter tours. Credits: Unsplash

Visit Con Dao Islands

[{"selector":"#anim-00bd6afd-e26c-44a7-844e-eb6649946afe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e29fa771-b9b4-48e2-b572-e2bcd23b5ce4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 692.29810%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This remote archipelago off the southern coast features pristine beaches, diverse marine life for snorkelling, and a sobering history as a former prison complex. Credits: Unsplash

Skip Ha Long Bay

[{"selector":"#anim-b0242050-9a47-4d5a-9bb0-74d2f8aa3d39","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b0fa9a6-a77a-4016-9051-103096a19bf9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 688.88899%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] While the bay itself is stunning, the standard day tours are often rushed, overcrowded affairs that barely scratch the surface of this natural wonder. Credits: Unsplash

Visit Mu Cang Chai

[{"selector":"#anim-1864b410-b2df-4ad3-96a9-316ed53a2ea0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-defade7e-3ede-4dd0-b5aa-f1fecffa0958","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 193.87577%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This northern district is home to breathtaking terraced rice fields that transform into a golden sea during harvest season, offering a photographer's dream and a chance to experience authentic Hmong culture. Credits: Unsplash

[{"selector":"#anim-6b839d66-8f48-4bc0-bd4d-9046de6317cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c050709-b96f-479e-9ac9-a230e98e83ee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1294.44529%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Which of these places have you been to? Credits: Unsplash