Quiter & cheaper alternatives to Vietnam's most famous destinations (Halong Bay, Sapa, Hoi An & Nha Trang) that are much stunning and interesting.

1. Cheaper and Quieter
Alternatives to Halong Bay,
Sapa, Hoi An & Nha Trang

2. As Vietnam’s tourism numbers continue to
rise year on year, the usual hotspots for
foreign visitors are becoming more and
more crowded and forcing prices
skywards.
Many visitors are now looking for a
cheaper, less touristy alternative that still
promises not to sacrifice any of the culture
or natural beauty.

3. Last year, the country’s count for foreign
tourists exceeded 10 million for the first
time in history, a record that has already
been broken in the first 10 months of
2017.
Experts anticipate that by the time the
year is out, Vietnam will have welcomed
near 13 million tourists through its borders
this year.

4. Judging by these numbers, it’s no wonder that so
many of the country’s usual tourist haunts are now
becoming overcrowded.
Halong Bay has long held the attention of foreign
visitors, often being touted as the number one
place to visit in this neck of the woods; however,
even the grandeur of the ancient bay has not
been immune to the trappings of today’s fast
paced tourism industry – and the likes of Sapa,
Hoi An, and Nha Trang are not far behind.

5. While these destinations are all indeed still worth visiting
for their stunning natural scenery and deep-rooted
culture, it must be said that tourists who choose to come
here should expect to be among the masses.
If you’re the sort of traveler who prefers to keep things
somewhat “off-the-beaten-track” and away from the
crowds, it’s time you learned about a couple of cheaper
and quieter alternatives.

6. BAI TU LONG BAY, LAN HA BAY
Halong Bay Alternative:

7. BAI TU LONG BAY
Bai Tu Long Bay sits to the
northeast of Halong, and
because of its relative distance
from the main harbour, it remains
vastly under visited when
compared with its famous
neighbour.
A large portion of Bai Tu Long
falls under the protection of its
National Park, so the wildlife here
is rich and flourishing – as it
should be.

8. BAI TU LONG BAY
Here you’ll find a number of
secluded beaches, opportunities
for trekking and rock climbing,
and plenty of chances to enjoy
the impressive scenery – minus
the crowds.
It is best to explore this Halong
Bay alternative on an overnight
cruise, such as Signature Cruise
Halong or Royal Wings Cruise
Halong.

9. LAN HA BAY
Lan Ha Bay is located south of
Halong, boasting its own notable
collection of nearly 400
limestone karsts. Lan Ha is home
to the Cat Ba archipelago, a
stretch of islands that play host
to thousands of species of
animals and marine life. The
largest island, Cat Ba, is where
the entire world’s population of
golden-headed langurs reside –
the most endangered species of
primate on earth.

10. LAN HA BAY
Lan Ha Bay is a paradise for
nature appreciators and
adventure lovers, and offers
ample opportunity for kayaking,
sailing, hiking, sampling local
foods, and just generally enjoying
the peaceful surroundings.
Orchid Cruise Halong or Azalea
Cruise Halong offers amazing
cruise tours to this stunning
Halong Bay alternative.

11. HA GIANG, MU CANG CHAI
Sapa Alternative:

12. MU CANG CHAI
Tucked away in the heart of the
mountainous Yen Bai province,
far away from the mayhem of
the tourist hotspots, is the quiet,
peaceful district of Mu Cang
Chai. The scenery is comparable
to that of Sapa; the rippling hills,
misty mountains, and lush
terraces of rice paddies- yet as
of now, the entire district remains
more or less unchanged by
modern tourism.

13. MU CANG CHAI
Although quite some number of
visitors come to the area to
celebrate its annual Harvest
Festival place where culture,
colour, , most of the time Mu
Cang Chai is a serene and
calmness are all in abundance.

14. HA GIANG
Closer still to the Chinese
border, north of the capital city,
is Ha Giang province. Known for
its densely forested granite and
limestone mountains, Ha Giang
offers a tranquil alternative to
the increasingly popular
mountains in Sapa.

15. HA GIANG
The district’s capital city nestles
against the Lo River, and while
there’s plenty to see and do at
this level, exploring the
mountains and terraces that sit
just to the north will offer visitors
unparalleled views of the pass
below.

16. HUE
Hoi An Alternative:

17. HUE
For travelers looking for something
a little more laid back, Hue is a
much quieter, cheaper
alternative. Located a couple of
hours to the north of Hoi An,
sitting calmly on the banks of the
Perfume River, is Hue; revered for
its impressive shrines, imperial
palaces, and well preserved
Citadel surrounded by a moat
and thick city walls.

18. HUE
Rich in culture and laden with
ancient history, Hue is a must-see
for travelers looking for a deeper
insight into Vietnamese tradition.

19. QUI NHON
Nha Trang Alternative:

20. QUI NHON
Qui Nhon perfectly fills the gap
for beach-loving, budget-
conscious travelers who prefer to
shy away from the bedlam of
raucous Nha Trang. Situated on
the coast, smack bang in
between Nha Trang and Hoi An,
Qui Nhon is all about logging in
beach hours and enjoying low-
key local experiences.

21. QUI NHON
Qui Nhon perfectly fills the gap
for beach-loving, budget-
conscious travelers who prefer to
shy away from the bedlam of
raucous Nha Trang. Situated on
the coast, smack bang in
between Nha Trang and Hoi An,
Qui Nhon is all about logging in
beach hours and enjoying low-
key local experiences.