I've been traveling across Vietnam for 10 years. These are 5 places to skip if you want to avoid crowds — and where to visit instead.

Joshua Zukas offers alternatives to some of Vietnam's overcrowded must-see destinations.Joshua Zukas

• Hanoi-based travel writer Joshua Zukas has contributed to three guidebooks about Vietnam.
• Tourist destinations like Sapa Town, Halong Bay, and Phu Quoc often get overrun with tourists.

After contributing to three guidebooks and writing over a hundred travel stories about Vietnam, my conclusion is that there are no no-go destinations. Every town, city, and province has its merits. But I would question some of the must-see destinations that pop up on the typical travel itinerary. The highlights are popular for a reason, but with popularity comes over-tourism, and with over-tourism comes crowds, noise, and disruption.

Fortunately, there are viable alternatives to Vietnam's tourist hot spots. For those of us who would rather escape crowds than hunt highlights, there are five places I would suggest skipping — along with pointers on where to check out instead.