I've worked on 10 Vietnam guidebooks. Here are 7 mistakes that first-time visitors continue to make.

"I've worked on 10 guidebooks to Vietnam and written hundreds of articles. I can say with confidence that the Vietnam of glossy screens is not the Vietnam of lived experience. Economic development, social change, and overtourism are reshaping the country, widening the gap between endorsed fantasy and concrete reality. Over the years, I've watched as travel media spins fanciful notions, which are then twisted further by travel influencers. This has resulted in first-time visitors continuing to make these seven mistakes in Vietnam."

"Perhaps my most controversial opinion is that Vietnam has no must-see places. In an era of overtourism, following the crowds often means jostling through throngs of visitors - and increasingly exasperated locals. Vietnam is safe, and I've found that much of the country is eager to welcome travelers. Rather than a rush to tick off the hot spots, my most rewarding trips have come from focusing on what genuinely excites me."

Glossy tourism marketing presents Vietnam as an untouched tropical paradise filled with Instagram-ready moments. Economic development, social change, and overtourism are reshaping landscapes and widening the gap between promoted fantasy and everyday reality. Travel media and influencers amplify sensationalized images, prompting first-time visitors to repeat predictable mistakes. There are no absolute must-see sites; following crowds often yields crowded, inauthentic experiences. Vietnam remains safe and welcoming, and more rewarding travel arises from pursuing personally exciting places rather than ticking off popular hotspots. Algorithms favor awe and outrage, so influencer recommendations can be misleading.

Read at Business Insider