Beyond the bustling streets of Hanoi and the crowded cruises of Ha Long Bay lies a Vietnam few tourists see – a land of misty mountains, untouched islands, and villages where time stands still.
I’ve visited Vietnam a number of times now – the last time I was there was in April 2024 – and each trip reveals new layers of this incredible country that I’ve not seen before. Sure, the touristy bits have their charm – I won’t lie about enjoying a proper bánh mì in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. But the real magic? It happens when you venture off the beaten path.
Vietnam receives around 18 million visitors annually, yet most stick to the same well-worn route: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang. It’s what I call the “Instagram Greatest Hits” tour. Don’t get me wrong, those places are spectacular – but they’re also packed, pricey, and feel more like theme park versions of the real Vietnam.
This article isn’t about telling you to skip those famous spots entirely. It’s about showing you what lies beyond them. The misty loops of Ha Giang where you’ll share roads with buffalo herders. The pristine beaches of Con Dao where you might be the only foreigner in sight. The coffee plantations of the Central Highlands where locals still raise eyebrows when foreigners roll up.
I’ve pulled together some hopefully very helpful insights, as well as my own sometimes-successful, sometimes-catastrophic adventures.
Why Venture Beyond the Tourist Trail?
There’s no debate here: somewhere like Ha Long Bay is gorgeous. But it’s also heaving with tour boats and costs about three times what it should. When 33,000 visitors descend on those limestone cliffs monthly, the ‘unspoilt natural wonder’ vibe gets a bit… commercialised.
The real gems I’m about to share offer something different: authenticity. Not the manufactured kind you get at tourist villages, but the real deal. Places where your arrival might genuinely surprise locals. Where prices reflect what things actually cost, not what tour operators think foreigners will pay.
And here’s the thing – you don’t need to be some hardcore backpacker to enjoy these spots. I’ve seen families, couples celebrating anniversaries, and 60-something retirees all having incredible experiences in Vietnam’s lesser-known corners. The infrastructure is better than you’d expect, and locals are incredibly welcoming once you make the effort to get off the main tourist route.
Ha Giang Province: Where Adventure Actually Begins
If I had to pick one experience that changed how I see Vietnam, it’d be the Ha Giang Loop. 400 kilometres of mountain roads where the journey genuinely is the destination. Limestone peaks that make Ha Long Bay look tame, ethnic minority villages, and roads that twist through clouds.
Ha Giang is really what I imagined Vietnam would be like before I first visited. The Ha Giang Loop takes you through some of Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery, and you’ll barely see another Western face.
The loop typically takes three days by motorbike, though I know people who’ve stretched it to five (and others who’ve done it in two, though that’s madness). You’ll pass through villages where life moves at a completely different pace. In Dong Van, I watched a H’mong woman weave traditional textiles using techniques passed down through generations. She taught me to thread, and I instantly understood why machines took over… my attempt looked like a drunk spider had done it.
Practical stuff:
- Rent a motorbike for about £7-10 a day from Hanoi
- October to November offers perfect weather (clear skies, crisp air)
- Homestays cost around £10-£15 and include home-cooked meals
- Pack layers – it gets cold in the mountains
Most people do the loop anticlockwise: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Ha Giang. The road from Dong Van to Meo Vac is genuinely one of the most spectacular I’ve ever driven. Just… maybe don’t do it in monsoon season like I did once. Visibility drops to about three metres, and you’ll spend more time sliding than driving.
Ninh Binh: Ha Long Bay’s Quieter Cousin
Ninh Binh gets described as “Ha Long Bay on land,” and while that’s accurate, it undersells the place. Those same limestone karsts rise from emerald rice fields and winding rivers, but without the floating circus of tour boats.
Tam Coc offers boat trips through caves, but here’s what most people miss: cycle the back roads afterwards. I stumbled upon Hoa Lu’s illuminated pagodas at sunset completely by accident; turned out to be free and I had the place to myself.
Insider tip: Stay in Tam Coc town rather than Ninh Binh city. It’s quieter, cheaper, and puts you right in the heart of the scenic area. I found a family-run place called Tam Coc Mountain Sunset that cost £20 a night and included the best Vietnamese breakfast I’ve ever had. The owner, Linh, drew out cycling routes on napkins and refused to let me leave without trying her home-made banana wine (it’s smoother than it sounds).
Central Highlands: Coffee Country
Kon Tum and Pleiku don’t appear in many guidebooks, which is exactly why they’re worth visiting. This is Vietnam’s coffee country – rolling hillsides covered in plantations, indigenous villages, and not a tour group in sight.
I ended up in Kon Tum by accident (missed my bus to another destination) and it turned into one of my favourite stops. The Rong houses – traditional wooden structures on stilts – are architectural marvels. But it’s the people that make this region special. In Pleiku, I spent a morning at a Ede village where they still practice traditional brocade weaving. No entrance fee, no sales pitch, just genuine cultural exchange.
Coffee tip: Skip the fancy cafes and head to local joints where farmers grab their morning brew. A Vietnamese coffee in Kon Tum costs about 30p and tastes way better than Starbucks.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Trekking Without Crowds
Here’s a secret that many don’t know about: Pu Luong Nature Reserve offers some of Southeast Asia’s best trekking, minus the crowds you’d find in northern Thailand or Nepal. Terraced rice fields stretch as far as you can see, waterfalls hide around seemingly every corner, and the silence is profound.
I did a three-day trek here with just a local guide (arranged through a homestay in nearby Mai Hich village). We saw golden langurs, an endangered primate species, and I learned to fish using traditional bamboo traps. The guide’s family invited me for dinner afterwards – fresh fish, rice from their own fields, and enough rice wine to make everyone best friends.
On a practical note, Pu Luong requires more planning than other destinations. Arrange accommodation and guides in advance, especially during rice harvesting season (September-October) when the landscapes are most dramatic.
Con Dao Islands: Beaches Without the Masses
While everyone flocks to Phu Quoc, Con Dao remains blissfully under-discovered. These 16 islands off Vietnam’s southern coast offer pristine beaches, excellent diving, and a fascinating albeit dark history as a former prison colony.
The beaches are genuinely spectacular. At Dat Doc beach, I spent an entire afternoon without seeing another soul. The snorkelling is world-class – coral reefs that haven’t been loved to death by tourists yet. And the food… oh, the food. Fresh seafood grilled right on the beach, served with nothing but rice paper and herbs.
Con Dao practicalities:
- Fly from Ho Chi Minh City (50 minutes) or take a ferry (2.5 hours)
- Book accommodation early – options are limited but consistently good
- Rent a motorbike to explore the islands properly
Note on this history of Con Dao: Con Dao’s prison museum is heavy but important – this is where thousands of political prisoners were held during French rule and later by the South Vietnamese government. It puts modern Vietnam in perspective.
Cultural Immersion Tips
Here’s where most travellers get it wrong. They visit ethnic villages like they’re human zoos – snap some photos and leave without any real interaction. Don’t be that person.
Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. “Xin chào” (hello), “cảm ơn” (thank you), and “xin lỗi” (sorry) will get you far. But more importantly, show genuine interest in people’s lives. I’ve had incredible conversations using nothing but Google Translate and hand gestures.
Homestay etiquette includes taking your shoes off, bringing a small gift (fruit works well), and participating in meal preparation if invited. One family in Sa Pa taught me to make bánh mì from scratch – my attempt was laughable, but we all had a brilliant time.
Respect local customs, especially around temples and religious sites. Dress modestly, don’t point feet towards altars, and ask before photographing people – some may have specific beliefs about images.
Practical Survival Guide
Let’s talk about the stuff travel blogs usually gloss over – the practical challenges that can make or break your trip.
Money matters: Vietnam is still largely cash-based, especially in remote areas. ATMs exist in most towns, but bring backup. I once got stuck in Ha Giang with no cash and a broken ATM – thankfully the petrol station owner trusted me enough to fill up and let me pay after finding another ATM.
Getting around: Grab (Vietnam’s Uber) works in cities and saves you from taxi scams. For longer distances, buses are reliable and ridiculously cheap. The sleeper buses get mixed reviews, but I’ve taken dozens without major issues. Just book with Futabus or Xuân Thành Đạt for slightly better standards.
Language barriers: Google Translate’s camera function is brilliant for menus. Download the Vietnamese language pack for offline use. Most importantly, smile and be patient – locals appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation is terrible.
Safety concerns: Vietnam is very safe, but use common sense. Don’t flash expensive gear, stick to bottled water in remote areas, and be cautious with street food in places that don’t get many tourists (their stomachs are more hardy than ours).
Challenges You’ll Actually Face
It’s true to be practical and admit that travelling off any beaten path in the world may not be smooth sailing, all of the time. The infrastructure, while improving, can be patchy. That tiny village you’re desperate to visit might not have proper toilets. The bus journey might take twice as long because of road conditions.
I once spent six hours on what should have been a two-hour bus ride because of flooding. But here’s the thing – those unplanned stops led to some of my best experiences. We sheltered in a local woman’s house, met her kids, and shared a simple lunch. It’s those moments of unexpected human connection that make travel memorable.
Common scams to watch for:
- Taxi drivers who “forget” to turn on the meter (though most are kind and absolutely not out to scam you)
- Restaurants with separate (higher) prices for foreigners
- Tour operators who promise one thing and deliver less
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Most importantly, don’t let fear of scams stop you from exploring – the vast majority of Vietnamese people are honest and helpful.
Final Thoughts
Vietnam’s hidden delights offer something that famous tourist sites can’t: genuine surprise. When you stumble upon a village celebration in the mountains or discover a beach where you’re the only foreigner, you remember why you started travelling in the first place.
These destinations won’t stay secret forever. Tourism grows annually, and social media makes nowhere truly hidden. But for now, they offer glimpses of Vietnam without the crowds, the inflated prices, and the feeling that you’re following a script written for tourists.
Pack light, bring patience, and prepare for the unexpected. Rent that motorbike even if you’re nervous. Stay in homestays even if the toilet situation seems questionable. Communicate with locals even if you don’t share a language.
Most importantly, travel with respect and curiosity. These aren’t theme parks designed for your entertainment – they’re living communities with their own rhythms and traditions. Approach them as a guest, not a consumer, and Vietnam will reward you with experiences that guidebooks can’t capture.