The influx of tourists has led to significant growth in this industry, with countless benefits for local residents who can benefit economically from the increased number of tourists. Unfortunately, a by-product of this is some overcrowded, inauthentic activities and attractions that are frankly a complete waste of time.
Let’s take a look at some activities that I personally believe are overrated, not worth the money, or better spent on other things.
golden bridge
Nestled in the lush mountains, 20 km from Vietnam’s beautiful coastal city of Da Nang, lies one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions. The Golden Bridge, which will probably appear on anyone’s online dating profile within minutes of swiping through Vietnam, is one of the endless list of international tourist attractions that have become famous in this new form of travel in the social media era. is. It’s been described as “heaven on earth,” but if heaven is filled with selfie sticks, overpriced snacks, and huge crowds, then count me out.
Everyone who visits aspires to take unique photos with no people nearby, but in reality, this is only achievable if you wake up well before the sun. The road climbs in a zigzag pattern between mountains and trees surrounded by greenery as far as the eye can see, and the entire mountaintop is sure to be an area of pure beauty.
Trang An Boat Tour
Ninh Binh is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Vietnam. Rising high above the golden rice fields, the karst mountains will awe anyone visiting for the first time or many times.
If you really want to enjoy this wonderful natural wonder, you have to wait in a line that seems to last forever, with hundreds of people crammed like sardines under the scorching sun, and then sit in a small tree in a confined bamboo boat. I recommend sitting on a board. It is not best to leave it in the shade for up to 3 hours. Rather than enjoying the city’s splendor, I’m more concerned about the crowds of boats that remind me of motorcycles lined up all over the city, and the numbness of my butt from the scorching sun overhead.
Instead, we recommend taking a shorter Tam Coc boat tour or the Van Long Nature Reserve tour, which has far fewer tourists, cheaper ticket prices, and more peace and quiet. If you’re especially lucky, you might even spot the endangered Delacour langur in the mountains.
Ha Long Bay Boat Tour
For many travelers visiting Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is considered the pearl of their travels, and they experience immense excitement before heading there. But the more I talk to travelers who have paid incredibly high prices for cruises, the more they are shocked by the amount of trash they leave while exploring the scenery. They are equally disappointed each time the boat docks, discovering that they are surrounded by more boats than Jack Sparrow ever sailed in his life.
Swimming restrictions and regulations in the bay further exacerbate the incentive to travel to the bay, with authorities simply wanting to make as much money as possible, rather than protecting nature or providing an optimal experience for their customers. Many people suggest that it is.
We highly recommend visiting Lan Ha Bay or Cat Ba Island instead, which are much quieter. Transport is cheaper, faster, and you can enjoy far more activities with half the restrictions, overcrowding, and trash.
Cai Rang Floating Market
Many tourists exploring South Vietnam usually visit the Mekong Delta after spending time in Ho Chi Minh City. They are promised an abundance of coconut trees, a glimpse of a slower pace of life, and the most fascinating part of the tour: a trip to Can Tho’s famous floating market.
Other images on social media and online show the market as a hub of activity as the city wakes up and thousands of people buy goods ranging from electronics, groceries and even spare parts for bikes and boats. It is depicted as a ground. Unfortunately, since the pandemic, the number of boats participating in the market has decreased significantly, and the liveliness of the atmosphere pales in comparison to the unique experience many were hoping for. This is a sad situation and one of the many tourism sectors that have been greatly affected by the pandemic, not just in Vietnam.
hanoi train street
Tourists in Hanoi take photos of upcoming trains. Photo credit: VnExpress/Giang Huy
Did you know that Hanoi has a railway line that runs right through the middle of the Old Quarter and you can have a coffee or beer just inches away while the train passes by? Of course we did, right? It’s been a top Hanoi tourist attraction on popular sites like TripAdvisor for years, and like Ba Na Hills, everyone visiting the capital enjoys a photo of themselves looking natural as the train passes by. I’m itching to take a picture. high speed.
However, like most tourist attractions, Train Street has become so popular that we now have to police queues on the sides of it. Many people brave the heat to work with cafe owners to place orders and wait patiently for the train. arrive. It’s certainly safer than it used to be, but the lines, screaming, and chaos have taken away much of the essence of what was once special.
*Darren Bernard is a teacher based in Hanoi.
