Vietnam is the hot travel spot - but is it really worth the hype?
Vietnam: is it really as wonderful as tourists say (photo: Getty Images)
In 2026, Vietnam will have firmly secured its status as the new Thailand. While it used to attract only daring backpackers, today the country draws millions of tourists — from digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh City to seekers of luxury relaxation on tropical islands. However, behind the Instagram images of perfect beaches lie nuances worth knowing before buying a ticket.
RBC-Ukraine explains why the whole world is going crazy about Vietnam — and what hidden pitfalls could ruin your vacation.
Why Vietnam is a ''wow'': 3 main reasons
Unreal affordability with high quality
You can rent a villa with a pool for $40–50 per night, and a full seafood meal costs just $5–7. Vietnam remains one of the most affordable countries in the world for long-term living.
A gastronomic paradise
Vietnamese cuisine is much more than pho soup. It’s an incredible blend of French culinary traditions (a legacy of the colonial past) and Asian spices. Egg coffee in Hanoi or banh mi baguettes on the streets of Da Nang are experiences you won’t forget.
Variety of locations
Want futuristic skyscrapers? Head to Ho Chi Minh City.
Looking for ancient architecture and lantern-lit streets? Choose Hoi An.
Dreaming of otherworldly landscapes? Ha Long Bay is waiting for you.
Add to that stunning beaches, mountains, and breathtaking tourist spots.
The other side: what to be prepared for
Traffic chaos
Crossing the road in Hanoi is a separate extreme sport. Thousands of mopeds move in a constant flow, often ignoring traffic lights. You need time to adapt — otherwise your first days may be filled with stress.
A specific service culture
Despite tourism growth, English outside hotels is still rare. Cleanliness standards in public spaces may also surprise demanding European travelers.
Seasonality and weather
Vietnam is very long geographically. When it’s sunny in the south, the north may be experiencing heavy rain. Choosing the wrong month for a specific region can turn your vacation into days stuck in a hotel during a downpour.
Crowds, cold, and no food
Ukrainian travel blogger Alexa visited the famous Ba Na Hills resort in Vietnam and shared mixed impressions. It was her first trip to Vietnam, although she had already visited 25 countries.
The first thing that surprised her was the absolute silence in the evening streets — “as if there were a curfew.” Hotel check-in was also unpleasant, as she had to wait in a room filled with strong cleaning chemical smells. However, the hotel room itself turned out to be comfortable and pleasant.
The first attraction she chose to visit was the popular Golden Bridge — two enormous stone hands holding a golden pedestrian bridge 1,400 meters above sea level.
Alexa noted that tourists who see stunning photos on social media often have inflated expectations and end up disappointed. The Golden Bridge is one of those cases: the photos are incredible, but reality is less perfect.
Crowds. It’s hard to enjoy nature and the fantastic structure because hundreds of tourists pack the bridge. Walking is noisy and cramped. To get good photos, you have to run around the area searching for a people-free angle.
Weather changes. Alexa wasn’t prepared for sharp temperature drops in the mountains and got very cold. She had to buy socks from a souvenir shop — “the most expensive socks of my life,” she said, due to the huge markup.
Lack of food. The biggest disappointment was the absence of food venues in the tourist area. Spending the whole day in the mountains, and nowhere to even buy a hot coffee.
Alexa spent the entire day hungry and admitted she struggled to resist temptation in a Buddhist temple where tables were filled with offerings — apples, mandarins, and various sweets. According to her, it looked like an all-inclusive hotel buffet.
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