Underrated Places In Vietnam You Have To Visit Before They Get Too Touristy

It’s really quite amazing just how many interesting places there are to visit in Vietnam. For such a small country, there’s so much to experience. You know all the usual stops already. The major destinations are enough for most holidays, but if you’re keen to stray from the normal tourist spots, then here are a few towns and villages to consider.

1. Dương Đông

Phu Quoc Island is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam because of its spectacular beaches. Dương Đông, the big town on the island, is a picturesque fishing village with vibrant markets and a turquoise fleet of boats moored all along the river and offshore. For seafood lovers, there’s a street lined with stacks of tanks all filled with live catch for you to choose from. Take at least one night of your time on Phu Quoc and wander around town. Like many experiences in Vietnam, the best ones are spontaneous, found by chance as you stroll through different communities.

Dương Đông Market, Võ Thị Sáu Street

Point and eat | © Matthew Pike

2. Châu Đốc

When it comes to the Mekong Delta, Cần Thơ hogs all the attention. Near the Cambodian border, on the same river that floats Cần Thơ’s famed markets, there’s the town of Châu Đốc. For such a small area, it has an impressive variety of cultural influences – Cham, Khmer and Chinese. Many travelers make their way through this town on their way to Cambodia, but it’s not touristy at all. In fact, it’s a perfect place to slow down and take a few days to relax and explore.

Châu Đốc, An Giang Province

Homes floating in Chau Doc | © Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/Flickr

3. Cẩm Phả – Bai Tu Long Bay

Some people are put off by the flagrant exploitation which is morphing Ha Long Bay from a natural wonder into a monument of human greed and the shortsightedness inherent to our age. To get away from hoards of tour buses, go north to Cẩm Phả and Bai Tu Long Bay. It has all the same limestone giants poking their rocky fingers out of the calm waters, but without all the monstrous resorts of Ha Long City. You can also get junk boats out of Ha Long Bay to visit Bai Tu Long Bay. Either way, it’s an interesting alternative.

Cẩm Phả, Quảng Ninh Province

Bai Tu Long Bay | © Bex Walton/Flickr

5. Côn Sơn Town

The Côn Đảo Islands are an archipelago off the coast of southern Vietnam known for turtles, beaches and scuba diving. They’re not on the usual traveling circuit because they’re a bit out of the way. You really do need a few days to properly enjoy them. Before exploring the wonderful, unblemished scenes around the different islands, check out Côn Sơn Town on Côn Sơn, the largest island.

Con Son Island, Côn Đảo Islands, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province

6. Lăng Cô

View of Lang Co on the way down from the Hai Van Pass | © Vincent Guth/Flickr

As you finish your descent over the Hai Van Pass, north of Da Nang, you come around one last corner and find one of the most beautiful sights in all of Vietnam. It’s a famous scene from an episode of Top Gear, and if you’re traveling along the coast in either direction, then add some time to have a look at Lăng Cô.

“That image really is a metaphor for Vietnam — the mountains, the coastline, the big new engineering project and the traditional fishing scene…” — Jeremy Clarkson, from Top Gear, Season 12: Episode 8

Lăng Cô, Hue Province

View of Lang Co on the way down from the Hai Van Pass | © Vincent Guth/Flickr

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