Forget Da Nang: 5 Under-the-Radar Vietnam Cities Korean Travelers Are Discovering in 2026

Da Nang has been a favorite for Southeast Asian travelers for years. But here's what's quietly happening: even Korean visitors — who collectively made South Korea Vietnam's single largest source of foreign tourists, with 4.5 million arrivals in 2025 — are starting to move on. Accommodation prices across Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City have risen 40 to 60 percent in the last three years. A so-called "Korean premium" has taken hold, and the savvier travelers are already looking at the map differently.

The good news for the rest of us? They've found some genuinely excellent places. Vietnam's government has been aggressively expanding regional airport infrastructure — 12 provincial airports by 2026 — which means destinations that once required an exhausting overland journey are now a short domestic hop away. Here are the five cities worth adding to your bucket list before everyone else does.

Why 2026 is the year to go beyond Da Nang

Vietnam's appeal hasn't dimmed — if anything, it's stronger than ever. But the tourist infrastructure in its most popular cities has become a victim of its own success. For travelers who want to experience Vietnam itself rather than a curated version of it, the timing is right: new domestic flight routes are opening, and these five destinations are still in the window where pool villas cost $22 a night and the seafood comes without a tourist surcharge.

Vietnamese authorities confirmed in 2025 that South Korean passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 45 days. Travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and several other ASEAN nations enjoy similar arrangements. For a weekend escape or an extended stay, the logistics have never been simpler.

5 must-visit Vietnam destinations for 2026

1. Phú Yên — Vietnam's most photogenic coastline, before the crowds arrive

Phú Yên went viral after featuring in a Netflix documentary, and Korean travel communities have been buzzing about it ever since. Think the same turquoise water and dramatic rock formations as Da Nang — but without the inflated prices. A full seafood spread here costs around $2 USD. Pool villa accommodations start at about $22 a night (roughly SGD 30), the kind of deal that feels almost impossible until you're actually living it.

The nearest airport is Tuy Hoa (TBB), just an hour and 20 minutes by domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City on Vietjet or Bamboo Airways. No major resort chains have moved in yet, which means local guesthouses and family-run restaurants are still the norm. Book soon — this one won't stay off the map for long.

2. Hà Giang — Vietnam's most dramatic motorbike route

In the far north, near the Chinese border, Hà Giang has become a word-of-mouth favorite among Korean travel vloggers for its mountain motorbike loop — a multi-day ride through jaw-dropping karst peaks and highland villages. Korean visitor numbers here jumped threefold in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Getting here takes commitment: it's a 6 to 7-hour bus ride from Hanoi, and the overnight sleeper bus is the practical choice. Pack motion sickness tablets — the mountain roads are beautiful but relentlessly winding. Cash is essential in this region; international ATMs are rare or nonexistent in the smaller villages along the loop. A local guide is strongly recommended, especially for first-timers.

3. Quảng Bình — home to the world's largest cave

Sơn Đoòng, the largest cave on earth, sits in Quảng Bình province. The full guided trekking expedition costs upwards of $2,200 USD per person with a waitlist stretching beyond a year. But here's what most visitors miss: the surrounding area is filled with smaller caves — Phong Nha, Thiên Đường, and others — that can fill a rewarding three-day itinerary at a fraction of the price. It's one of the most spectacular landscapes in Southeast Asia, and it remains genuinely under-visited.

4. Quy Nhơn — the new hub for golf and beach in one

Quy Nhon has quietly become a must-visit for Korean golf travelers since the FLC Resort complex opened here. The pattern tends to hold: Korean golf tourists find a destination, and direct flight routes follow. Phu Cat Airport (UIH) already connects to Ho Chi Minh City in 80 minutes, and the beach-meets-fairway combination is hard to beat at current prices. For travelers from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, it's a compelling alternative to Phuket for a golf-focused long weekend.

5. Đà Lạt — Vietnam's cool highland retreat for long-stayers

Dalat sits at around 1,500 metres above sea level in the Central Highlands, which means the temperature hovers around 20°C year-round — a genuine relief for anyone escaping the heat of lowland Southeast Asia. The city has a charming French colonial atmosphere (locals call it "Vietnam's Europe"), a thriving café culture, and fast enough Wi-Fi to attract a growing community of remote workers and digital nomads, with Koreans leading the long-stay trend.

For Southeast Asian visitors, Dalat is an easy sell: cool weather, beautiful scenery, excellent coffee, and price tags that are a fraction of comparable highland retreats in Thailand or Malaysia.

How to get there from Southeast Asia

Most of these destinations require a connection through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. From Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City is roughly a 2-hour flight; from Kuala Lumpur, about 2.5 hours; from Manila, around 3 hours. From there:

• Phú Yên and Quy Nhơn: 1 hour 20 minutes by domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietjet, Bamboo Airways)
• Đà Lạt: Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) is 1 hour from Ho Chi Minh City
• Quảng Bình: Fly to Dong Hoi Airport (VDH), served by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
• Hà Giang: Fly to Hanoi, then a 6–7 hour overnight sleeper bus north

Cash warning: Bring more than you think you'll need for Hà Giang and Quảng Bình. International card acceptance is limited outside the main tourist corridors.

Travel insurance note: If you're planning to ride a motorbike on the Hà Giang loop — and you should, it's extraordinary — check your policy carefully before you leave. Many standard plans explicitly exclude motorbike accidents. Look for one that covers motorcycle riding; some insurers offer it as an add-on.