What is going on in Vietnam?
Travel in Vietnam has changed dramatically in the past 5 years. Rather than being a hot upcoming destination, I is now in full throttle as a major destination. Much information you will read in tour guides or read in travel forums might be discouraging to those wanting more off the beaten track adventures but hold on…… It is still very easy to enjoy a more local style holiday and I will address this issue in the following paragraphs.
What has caused change is that Former American airbases with longer runways are now becoming international airports. At one time, a person was required to fly into Saigon or Hanoi to start their vacation. Other airports became international starting with Danang, Nha Trang, and even Dalat. There are other airports waiting for approval or upgrades such as Pleiku and Tuy Hoa. Once this happened, Russian, Chinese, and Korean tour packages were available to Vietnam and they started coming increasing every year until the capacity of many 
places became overrun. That created a hotel boom which is still underway. The increased tourists caused the need for increased busses and facilities that have now overloaded an infrastructure built for moto scooters and bicycles. The roads in most cities and towns that attract tourists are now noise and a traffic nightmare. Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi are the worst affected. Add the increase in auto sales…. Yuk! All in all, Vietnam is still a great tourist destination and a very good value….. For now.
For people that are interested in the mainstream tours, I still recommend V’Explore Travel as one of the best and most caring
about your needs and desires, however, there are many decent companies that can arrange a Vietnam holiday. When doing your research, do not get scared off by comments about how touristy a destination is or fear mongering about crime. Vietnam is a very safe destination with friendly people. Even though there is always petty thefts and scams against tourists (in all countries), actual theft and other crimes of opportunity happen to drunk patrons that stagger out of bars after 10 pm. This is especially true for areas that have larger tourist populations such as Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Hanoi. Enjoy your trip and I encourage all of you to walk 3 or 4 blocks outside of the tourist area and enjoy some local life. Perhaps ride the local busses and get yourself lost for a day of fun. If you are able, I also encourage you to perhaps hire a local “easyrider” or private car to take you to more interesting off the beaten track areas in and around the city for a more realistic image of Vietnam.
For those interested in off the beaten track, there is good news. Many of the inland towns and cities have been much slower to change. There is more wealth in the countryside and a person can see it from housing being upgraded from Rattan to brick and concrete, infrastructure improvements, and machine working fields more than people. Still…… Highway 20, 17, and 14 travel will still offer you an adventure. Lak Lake has tipped towards tourism but still worth the visit. Dalat was always a tourist town but for Vietnamese. I have changes very little with the exception of busloads of foreign visitors on day trips from Nha Trang. The waterfalls are overwhelmed with Russian and Chinese visitors so plan to go before 9 am and after 3 pm. Pleiku has
simply grown and become wealthier and Kon Tum has not changed in the 10 years I have been going there. So there you go. Hire an “easyrider” in Nha Trang for the best value or Dalat if you sadly miss Vietnams no 1 destination. Give me an email if you want good recommendations since I am now retired and no longer guiding by motorcycle myself. A Typical trip is from Nha Trang to Hoi An over 5 days. Overnight stops are often in Dalat, Lak Lake, Buon Ma Thuot, Kon Tum, and Kham Duc. For even more adventure, continue to Aluoi, Khe Sanh, then over to Hue and Hoi An. Those of you interested in doing it on your own with a rented or purchased motorcycle, stay tuned for my next post. I have been driving these roads for 10 years legally and have advice and information to offer.
Vietnam has changed in many ways other than just mentioned above. For example Spas and Massage is big business. May restaurants catering specifically to specific foreign clients have emerged. Prices in tourist restaurants have risen. Domestic flights and options have improved. Luxury high-rise condos and hotels have increased dramatically. Highways are improved with tolls that are expensive even from the wests perspective. Almost everything is being upgraded. Nha Trang was rated in the top 10 places to retire in the world and the people noticed. Dear or dear how Vietnam has changed. Gone is the time when I felt like something different and special.
Was in Nha Trang 1989 and saw the incredible beauty of the bay. A hidden gem. At that time there were only low rise bulidings just because there were no elevators. Many of them in French style. The only problem that time was the buildings were run down. Taxis and cars were extreme sparse. Could walk Tran Phu and enjoy. A fantastic place. In the morning and evenings you could hear the bare foot running down for a swim. The beach was crowded with locals. No cars. Bicycles and some Honda Oms. Today Nha Trang it’s a more or less disaster with a beach traffic on the same level as today Saigon. Even Bangkok is more walk friendly. Today tourist clientel doesn’t seem to care. From Scandinavia they cancelled all Charter due to the devastation. The best that time you landed in the middle of the city. 3 flights a week from Hanoi and 2 daily from Saigon in 50 seater planes. Today the place is just awful. Tourist industry in Asia is exploding like it did from North Europe to South Europe once a time. Actually I already in 1989 proceeded this expansion. Sooner or later.
Well said. The changes had me sell and leave for good. Sad really.
Great read,always so honest
Thanks