While Vietnam might be considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, there's still a number of fascinating locations around the country that don't see as much tourism as they deserve. If you've been to Vietnam before, or what to check out somewhere less popular with the foreign crowds, here are some of the most underrated places you should visit.
Ha Giang
Tucked away in the remote mountains of North Vietnam on the border with China, Ha Giang is one of the country's most stunning scenic areas, known for its dramatic mountain vistas. With similar scenery to the popular nearby excursion of Sa Pa, Ha Giang is much less traveled to and a great place to explore the dramatic scenery of northern Vietnam.
Ninh Binh
An easy day trip from the capital city Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the perfect example of rural Vietnam and its incredible scenery. It's often referred to as the 'Halong Bay on land' due to the sloping karst landscape, reminiscent of the popular seaside destination. Along with hiring a motorbike and driving through the scenic valleys, it's recommended to take a boat ride down the river at Tam Coc.
Nha Trang
While most tourists flock to the Philippines or Thailand for a beach holiday, Vietnam has its fair share of beautiful golden sands too. The island of Phu Quoc has become popular for its gorgeous beaches and idyllic island life but there are numerous other picturesque seaside towns and resorts, especially towards the south of Vietnam. Nha Trang is one of the best, popular as a beach getaway among the Vietnamese, it's still relatively unknown by most travelling from abroad.
With hot summer weather throughout the year, Nha Trang's long stretches of sandy beachfront makes for the perfect sun and sand holiday.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
One of the country's most beautiful national parks, Phong Nha is an adventurer's paradise full of winding rivers, lush forests and colossal caves to explore. The park is home to the biggest cave network in the world, Hang Sơn Đoòng, which even has its own micro-climate, rivers and jungle inside the cave. To explore it you'll need to book a tour trekking through cave system for several days. If you don't manage to get on the tour however, there are plenty of other caves and hiking trails to explore.
Ban Gioc Waterfall
Another of northern Vietnam's stunning scenic spots, Ban Gioc is a sprawling system of waterfalls that span over the border with China. While it doesn't see many tourists apart from Chinese and locals from Vietnam, the waterfalls are some of the most impressive and beautiful in Asia.
Conclusion
Popular for its vibrant cuisine and unique culture, Vietnam is also home to some of the most incredible scenery and beautiful countryside in Asia. Getting out of the major cities and tourist hotspots like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Hue is well worth the extra effort to see a different side of this beautiful nation.