Overcrowded sites, peak visitor flows, a loss of authenticity… Asia is no stranger to overtourism. Yet on the ground, another approach is possible. With a deep knowledge of places, seasons, and local practices, travel agencies such as Asia My Way play a key role: enabling travellers to experience the essence of a destination differently—without adding to the crowds, and without suffering their impact.
This Saturday, 31 May, I took advantage of a weekend in Huế to rediscover the majestic Imperial City. The atmosphere was unique: it was Tết Đoan Ngọ, or the “Double Fifth Festival”—an ancient Vietnamese tradition symbolically marking a turning point in the year, a moment of purification at the threshold of the rainy season.
In the garden-lined walkways, Vietnamese families strolled in their finest, colourful áo dài. These vibrant touches contrasted with the stone walls and gilded rooftops, enhancing the splendour of the site. The mood was relaxed. It was hot—as it often is at the beginning of the wet season—but the clear blue sky offered perfect light for the visit.
Although there were some visitors, mostly local families, it was far from the packed atmosphere of high season. And that made all the difference.
Visiting Highlights Without Creating – or Enduring – Overtourism
Huế, like other jewels of Vietnam, is not immune to overtourism. This phenomenon, though more pronounced in recent years, is nothing new. But it now poses a genuine challenge for us as travel professionals.
Tourist flows are largely dictated by the calendars of outbound markets: school holidays, summer breaks, and so on. These constraints concentrate demand into specific periods, transforming peaceful sites into saturated ones.
And yet, Vietnam remains a destination where it is still possible to enjoy all the highlights—Hạ Long Bay, Ninh Bình, Huế, the Mekong Delta—under ideal conditions, provided you choose the right moment.
Local Agencies’ Agility: The Art of Avoiding Overtourism in Asia
We welcome the initiative of our partner Evaneos, which, with its Overtourism Index, has created an innovative analytical tool measuring visitor pressure using four criteria, including seasonality. This work shows that no destination is permanently overcrowded: there are always windows of opportunity for discovery.
That is why our role as local travel experts goes far beyond simple booking. We guide travellers towards the best times for each site and suggest lesser-known alternatives. Sometimes, it takes only a few steps to get off the beaten track, a few days to find calm and serenity again, or even just a few hours. At Angkor, for example, the final rays of the setting sun can transform Bayon into an almost deserted sanctuary.
Knowing when to go, and where to go—this is the key to experiencing an authentic journey while preserving the magic of extraordinary places.
