Stop Flocking To Southeast Asia's Over-Touristed Hot Spots And Visit Vietnam Instead

If you've ever thought about traveling to Southeast Asia, chances are you've been bombarded with glowing recommendations for Thailand's beaches or Bali's retreats. These destinations are undoubtedly beautiful, but they've also become synonymous with the very worst of overtourism. Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore are the top three most visited destinations in Southeast Asia, raking in a combined 71 million arrivals annually (via VnExpress). Vietnam comes in fourth with 12.6 million, followed by Indonesia at 11.7 million visitors, with most of the tourism concentrated exclusively in Bali. 

Apocalypse Now. War. Communism. What's there to do in the jungle? People hold many ignorant stereotypes and assumptions about Vietnam. After spending half a year living in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) as part of a university exchange program and returning for another multi-month trip across the entire country this past winter, I can confidently say that Vietnam deserves your attention far more than these trodden hot spots in Southeast Asia. Not only does it offer incredible experiences, but it also provides a much more authentic and less crowded adventure (if you do it right).

From world-class cities and rice-paddy villages to ancient temples and hip art scenes, Vietnam is where tradition and modernity jostle for space, just like the 70 million motorbikes that buzz in its streets. And the food? Don't get me started — Vietnamese cuisine is hands down the healthiest and most versatile in the region. Plus, it's arguably the best country for coffee lovers. Egg coffee? Salt coffee? Avocado coffee? All of the above. Budget travelers rejoice: For all of these simple pleasures, Vietnam is significantly more affordable than Thailand and other countries in the region.

During my time in Vietnam, I was struck by how much there is to explore beyond the typical tourist circuit. Of course, there are the must-sees, like Hạ Long Bay and the lantern-lit streets of Hội An. However, the real magic lies in Vietnam's less-visited places. A favorite of mine is Côn Đảo. This archipelago of 16 islands on the southeast coast has a population of just under 10,000 people, and 80% of it is covered by forest. While there, I spent my days motorbiking around empty winding roads and enjoying secret beaches all to myself. If you know anything about the hustle and bustle of Southeast Asian hotspots like Koh Phi Phi (Thailand), Boracay (Philippines), and Seminyak (Indonesia), you'll know that empty roads and empty beaches are things you cannot find easily, but in Vietnam's Côn Đảo, you can.

The Mekong Delta region is another hidden gem, specifically Cần Thơ, Cái Bè, and Bến Tre. In these cities, you can experience a slower pace of life on the river, visit authentic floating markets, eat fresh coconut (try palmyra fruit and nipa palm), and relax at a family-run homestay. Instead of taking an eight-hour day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, stay a few nights (you won't regret it!).

Vietnam has 63 provinces; there are so many low-key, authentic, explore-worthy places to see. How can I only mention two? The imperial city of Huế, the Miami-like beach city of Đà Nẵng, and Đồng Hới, the gateway to the biggest cave in the world (Sơn Đoòng Cave in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park), are three other must-visit spots. What makes Vietnam's hidden gems stand out is this: No over-tourism, no long lines, and no massive, loud tour groups killing the vibe.

Vietnam feels like one of the last frontiers where mass tourism hasn't taken hold. If you want to join the action, you can. Just grab a little plastic stool, drop your pretenses, and you're in it. In no time, you'll be smashing Tiger beers and yelling "Một – Hai – Ba – Dzô!" ("One, two, three, drink!") with locals in any one of the country's walking streets. These types of experiences are a little more difficult to come by in the more tourist-trodden spots in Southeast Asia. There's sometimes a sense that these destinations, Bali and Thailand in particular, are tired of foreign tourists — or "farangs" — but with Vietnam, this is yet to be the case. Locals are eager to connect, and they will invite you to sing karaoke. Although Vietnam does attract some of the "ugly tourist" obnoxious backpacker types, there are far less of them.

I made several friends — with whom I still keep in touch to this day — who showed me sides of Vietnam I never would have discovered on my own. I enjoyed a home-cooked meal with my friend and her husband's family, had an impromptu, guitar-strumming BBQ under the stars, and helped a local cat rescue operation. Befriending locals is the key to the lock of Vietnam's heart, and you'd be surprised at how much you can say and understand despite not really speaking the language. "Vietnam. It grabs you and doesn't let go. Once you love it, you love it forever." These are the words of the late Anthony Bourdain (via Vietcetera). Vietnam was one of his most-filmed destinations (eight episodes across his three shows); he would even say it's his favorite place in the world. Mine, too. Maybe it could be yours, also.