Southeast Asia is a truly stunning part of the world. Tropical islands. Check. Steamy jungles. Check. Archeological wonders, delicious food, friendly locals… check, check, check. It’s no wonder so many people travel to this beautiful and varied region!
However, some of Southeast Asia’s most loved destinations have become a victim of their own success, attracting many more visitors than the island, village or town can accommodate. Too many tourists in one area can be detrimental to both the place and the people who live there. It also detracts from the beauty that made travellers want to visit in the first place!
Overtourism is a genuine concern for many places in Southeast Asia. With this in mind, we asked you which places in Southeast Asia you think have been ruined by tourism and here’s what you said…
Related: (opens in new tab)
- 🙅🏽 13 Places to Avoid in Southeast Asia
- 📆 When is the Best Time to Visit Southeast Asia?
- ♻️ 15 Responsible Travel Tips
Which Places in Southeast Asia Have Been Ruined by Tourism? 👎🏼
Readers named several places they think are no longer what they were due to overtoursim in countries right across the region, including destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Although few people would deny that the destinations highlighted in this article are over touristed, it’s important to stress that the opinions expressed here may not reflect the views of all travellers! And just because these places offer a different experience to what they once did does not mean they aren’t worth visiting. They are/were popular for a reason after all!
1. Halong Bay, Vietnam 🏞️
Surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs, the emerald green waters of Halong Bay draw tourists from around the world. Sailing around this jaw-dropping UNESCO World Heritage Site has become a must-do activity in Vietnam. With around 2.6 million visitors a year, and counting, Halong Bay is among the most visited natural wonders on the planet!
“The bay (Halong Bay) itself has hundreds of boats, even a cruise ship at the edge of the bay.” – Daryl, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Unfortunately, the increasing number of visitors combined with a lack of regulation has resulted in concerns regarding the environment and safety regulations. The dramatic rise in visitors has seen an increase in the number of tour operators and boats in the bay and a correspondingly higher risk of accidents. Boat sinkings have occurred in the past, some resulting in fatalities.
Plastic waste and water pollution are other major problems resulting from the impact of tourism in Halong Bay. Some boats are reported to dispose of rubbish directly into the bay, causing damage to the environment and marine life. If you plan to visit, it is essential to look for eco-friendly tour operators that follow sustainable tourism practices. Our advice is to choose your Halong Bay tour company wisely and look for positive traveller reviews.
Best Alternatives to Halong Bay: If you’re seeking somewhere less crowded but just as spectacular, try visiting nearby Lan Ha Bay instead. Phang Nga Bay in Thailand also has a similar dramatic karst landscape with a fraction of the visitor numbers.
2. Hoi An, Vietnam 🏮
Tourism in Vietnam is exploding. In 2023 the country received 12.6 million visitors while in 2024 the figure rose to 17.5 million — that’s nearly a 40% increase! Its popularity shows no signs of slowing down and that’s having a major impact on some of its most popular tourist destinations.
The once-sleepy town of Hoi An has become a major tourist draw and the influx of visitors has put pressure on this small ancient port town. Located on the Thu Bon River and known for its bright lanterns and colourful buildings, Hoi An attracts travellers from around the world.
Its Instagram-worthy beauty provides stunning content for travel influencers and tourists keen to snap an iconic lantern photo. Excessive crowds, commercialisation and cyclos have ruined the once-tranquil ambience of this riverside settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Hoi An, Vietnam [has been ruined], they turned a beautiful old town into a touristy s**thouse!” – Mustapha, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Best Alternatives to Hoi An: Hue is an ancient Vietnamese city with a rich heritage. Further north, Ninh Binh oozes riverside charm.
3. Sihanoukville, Cambodia 🎰
Once one of Cambodia’s most popular backpacker enclaves, Sihanoukville has slid off the tourist trail thanks to its rapid urban development. Foreign investment has led to the unsightly addition of a plethora of hotels and casinos that have completely changed the vibe of this once-paradisiacal beach town. These casinos have also brought with them social issues such as problem drinking, gambling and an increased crime rate.
“Without a doubt, Sihanoukville [is ruined by tourism].” – Owen, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Where previously backpackers lingered for weeks, now they simply pass through en route to the ferry port and the island havens of Koh Rong, Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Ta Kiev across the water. Now unrecognisable, even well-established tourism companies have removed Sihanoukville from their itineraries and are encouraging tourists to skip it altogether.
Best Alternatives to Sihanoukville: Koh Ta Kiev remains the quietest and most chilled of the three small islands off Sihanoukville’s coast. On the mainland, coastal Kep has thus far retained its quiet charm.
4. Koh Samui, Thailand 🏝️
Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest island and one of the most visited. It’s also one of the most developed, meaning travellers looking for an authentic Thai experience will be disappointed.
“I’ll never return to Phuket or Koh Samui!” – Chris, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Rapid development has caused environmental concerns, and the island has seen more than its fair share of problems, including overcrowded beaches, plastic pollution and water shortages. The popularity of the TV show White Lotus has exacerbated the problem, creating an even bigger uptick in visitors and putting further pressure on the island’s resources and infrastructure.
Best Alternatives to Koh Samui: A short ferry ride away, the beaches in the north and east of Koh Phangan are equally stunning and far less crowded. There’s also luxury resorts here for those wanting to channel White Lotus vibes in a more tranquil setting.
5. Phuket, Thailand 🍻
Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket holds the crown for both Thailand’s largest island and its most popular. It’s also one of the most accessible with many direct long haul flights. Sadly, the Pearl has become a perfect example of a tourist trap with over development, inflated prices and over commercialisation.
The island is perhaps best known for its raucous nightlife, and if that’s your thing, Patong is the place to be! But, be warned, along with the crowded bars, prostitution, petty crime and drugs are also rife in this area.
“Quite a few places in Thailand have definitely been gentrified due to tourism. Koh Phi Phi pretty much in its entirety. Phuket’s beaches [too]. The biggest difference I noticed between my latest visit and earlier visits is just the prolific number of 🥦[marijuana] shops now. You can’t go anywhere without smelling it now if you’re in a ‘tourist town’ … It’s definitely tourism that is to blame for how many have popped up. I can see why the government was talking about banning it again.” – Jaimee Smith, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
On a positive note, Phuket does have a couple of things going for it. It’s one of the few places you can surf in Thailand, plus its Old Town is surprisingly pretty and pleasant!
Best Alternatives to Phuket: Koh Lanta, further south in the Andaman Sea, is much quieter with a more relaxed nightlife. North of Phuket, Koh Phayam is another Thai island that has surf.
6. Kuta, Bali, Indonesia 🏄🏽♀️
Indonesia welcomed 13.9 million foreign tourists in 2024 and almost half of those (6.33 million) visited Bali! The Island of Gods holds a global reputation as one of the planet’s most idyllic locations. While it’s true that the island does have a rich culture, amazing landscapes and friendly locals, the reality of some places may come as a shock to starry-eyed wanderers.
Overtourism on this Indonesian island has been an increasing problem for years with intense development, particularly in the south. This is straining infrastructure and erasing the countryside, the beauty of which is one of Bali’s biggest draws. Plastic pollution on Bali’s beaches and waste management are real issues as is the erosion of local culture.
“The southern part of Bali for sure [has been ruined] … there’s nothing Balinese about it anymore, just feels like Costa del Australia.” – Gem Swan, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Nowhere is this more apparent than Kuta, the birthplace of Bali’s tourism boom. Once a haven for beach-loving travellers, Kuta is now full of shopping malls, overpriced Western restaurants, plastic-strewn sands and an excessive number of bars and clubs (and the rowdy party-goers that come with them).
Best Alternatives to Kuta, Bali: If you’re craving bustling Bali vibes, head up the coast to Canggu, a thriving hub popular with expats, digital nomads and backpackers. For a more relaxed experience, Kuta’s namesake on Lombok offers a much more chilled night scene plus great surf spots to boot!
7. Boracay, The Philippines 🌴
The tiny island of Boracay was once touted as one of the most idyllic tropical islands in Asia, and the magazine Travel + Leisure named it the best island in the world in 2012.
These accolades led to a major surge in tourism. The famous White Beach became overwhelmed by crowds, and the 10-kilometre square island struggled to cope with the huge swell in visitors. Waste disposal was a big problem, and after footage emerged of sewage being pumped into the crystal waters the island was shut down to tourists in 2018 for a period of rest and regeneration.
It reopened after six months: too soon according to some. There are now restrictions in place to help curb the impacts of tourism, but Boracay is not what it once was. Prices remain heavily inflated and beachside development still blights the natural beauty of White Beach.
Best Alternatives to Boracay: Palawan is known for its outstanding natural beauty, which is saying something in a country known for its paradise islands! Siquijor is a less developed island that offers stunning beaches and natural beauty.
Maya Bay, Thailand: A Success Story 💚
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Lee shot to fame as the filming location of The Beach. Overtourism devastated the small island and, thankfully, Thai authorities took action. In 2018, Maya Bay was closed to tourists to allow the island a chance to recover from the environmental damage caused by mass tourism. It reopened after almost four years under strict new rules to protect the environment. Today, marine life has returned to the waters and Maya Bay has some of the cleanest seawater in Thailand! This success story shows that action can reverse the negative impacts of mass tourism.
What Causes Overtourism in Southeast Asia? 🤳
What is Overtourism?
Tourism can bring a much-needed boost to local economies. However, too much tourism can be detrimental as it strains local infrastructure. The popularity of the destinations listed here has created an influx of visitors. In some cases, this has led to problems that the local community and environment aren’t equipped to manage, meaning that visitors can be negatively impacting the local people and place.
As well as being damaging for the local community and environment, overtourism is also bad for tourists themselves and inevitably leads to a decline in authentic experience. Over-commercialisation and an uncomfortable amount of people deters from the beauty or culture that drew visitors there in the first place.
What Causes Overtourism?
This is a complicated issue and many factors contribute to overtourism. Some of the major ones are affordable air travel, an increasing Chinese tourist market and the rising popularity of cruise travel. Another big problem is governments’ focus on increasing tourism before developing the necessary infrastructure to support the rise in numbers.
Perhaps the biggest contributing factor in recent years is the proliferation of social media. The use of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to highlight and promote particular destinations has led to major surges in tourism. Instagram alone has more than 2 billion users — that’s 1 in 4 people on the planet! With an audience that big, and the rise of travel influencers, it’s little wonder the platform is having such an impact on tourism.
Some would argue that promoting destinations can be a good thing. It can bring tourism to lesser known places that will reap the economical benefits. By highlighting under-the-radar places it can also help ‘spread the load’ by diverting travellers from already heavily touristed places to quieter spots.
However, the headline is that social media is doing more harm than good in the tourism industry, driving an influx of travellers to places that are not prepared to manage such increases in visitors.
“Social media, specifically Instagram, has ruined so many places worldwide.” – Vee, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
A Delicate Balancing Act ⚖️
Tourism is essential to economies all around the world and a severe drop in visitors can have a devastating impact, as the travel bans during Covid illustrated all too well. Just as overtourism can cause major issues, so too can undertourism. It is a delicate balancing act, and as travellers we need to be mindful of the impact we are having on the places we visit.
Responsible Travel Tips 🌱
As responsible travellers, it’s our duty to do all we can to help mitigate overtourism and the negative effects it can have. Here are a few tips to consider when planning your travels:
- Don’t just go for the photo. It is not uncommon to see long lines of visitors queuing to take a selfie at an iconic tourist destination. Instead, consider all the other beautiful places in the surrounding area where you could go to take photos.
- Support the local economy. Pay a local tour guide, eat at a local restaurant, or book a night in a family-run guesthouse. These things all help to keep money in the local community.
- Travel at off-peak times. This can mean travelling during the low season or simply adjusting the time of day or week you visit an attraction. Visiting during quieter times causes less stress on the local infrastructure and will also be a more enjoyable experience for you. You may also find things are cheaper at off-peak times — win-win!
- Be conscious of how much you share. Don’t underestimate your power as a traveller. If you bring attention to a specific place, consider also suggesting a few things like where to eat and sleep locally. You can also let people know what else there is to do instead of focusing solely on the main tourist attraction.
- Visit lesser-known destinations. Spread the love and tourist dollar by visiting less popular places. There are countless beautiful places waiting to be discovered in Southeast Asia. Visiting a more off-the-beaten-track location or attraction will help balance the economic benefits for locals and almost certainly result in a more rewarding and authentic experience for you.
Where’s next? ➡️
Several places in Southeast Asia are already heading down the slippery slope towards overtourism. Here are some of the places we and our readers think are at risk of being ruined.
Vang Vieng, Laos
Having worked hard to turn around its debauched party-town reputation, Vang Vieng has reestablished itself as an eco-tourism destination. However, with the Laos–China railway now making northern Laos more accessible than ever, is this small riverside town about to start receiving more visitors than it can handle?
“Laos will be [ruined] soon, if not already, thanks to the Laos–China railway” – Sharon Cheung, South East Asia Backpacker Community Member
Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia
Anyone who’s visited Koh Rong’s little sister, Koh Rong Samloem, lately will surely have noticed that big change is happening. Huge roads are being carved through this small speck of land just off Cambodia’s south coast, which stick out like a sore thumb on an island previously known for having no cars! Major development is underway and it seems likely that Koh Rong Samloem will end up suffering the same fate as its mainland neighbour, Sihanoukville.
Pai, Thailand
The Pail Hole has long been sucking in travellers to the once-quiet northern Thai village. Many people who intend on visiting for just a few days end up staying for weeks on end. In a place where ‘tipsy tubing’ has become a popular tourist activity, the rising number of visitors has started causing tensions with the local population.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
The Indonesia government is promoting five ‘super priority destinations’ in an effort to steer travellers to islands other than Bali. The project (previously known as the 10 New Balis and since downgraded to five places) includes Labuan Bajo, the gateway to the magnificent Komodo National Park. Now with international flights direct from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, this small fishing town on the eastern tip of Flores is sure to see a major uptick in visitors, as will inevitably the nearby national park.
Lombok, Indonesia
Chilled Lombok has long provided a haven for travellers seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of its sister island, Bali. As the Island of Gods continues to develop at pace, more and more tourists are making their way to laidback Lombok instead. However, the government are promoting Lombok as a major tourist destination with The Mandalika International Street Circuit (a motorsports race track) opening in November 2021 bringing with it a surge in tourism. The Mandalika area, a stone’s throw from popular surf town Kuta, is set for more major development (it’s another of the government’s super priority destinations). Sadly, this seems likely to include the building of huge hotels and resorts along Tanjung Aan beach, a hitherto mellow beach and home to one of the island’s most popular surf breaks.
Siargao, Philippines
The surfer’s paradise island of Siargao in southeast Philippines has seen a surge in tourism over the past decade. Locals now call the famous Cloud 9 surf break Crowd 9 thanks to the number of people flocking to the area. With development happening apace and a new international airport due to open in the coming years, will Siargao be able to retain its charm and deal with its increasing popularity?
Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Some would say it’s already too late for Nusa Penida, the small Balinese island home to one of the most photographed landmarks in the country — the T-Rex cliff at Kelingking Beach. While huge crowds jostle for space on the clifftop to get the famous shot, the beach itself has so far remained largely untouched as few venture down the precarious rocky track to reach it. However, a new glass elevator is being constructed to transport people down the cliff face to the sands below. This controversial development is set to ruin both an iconic view and a pristine beach in the process.
Where do you think might be the next place ruined by overtourism in Southeast Asia? Let us know in the comments below!
Contributors
South East Asia Backpacker is a ‘travel diary for everyone’. This article has been written with the help of backpackers and local experts. We would like to thank the following for their input to this article…
🙏 Lisa Barham | Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
🙏 Daryl | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Mustapha | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Owen | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Chris | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Jaimee Smith | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Sharon Cheung | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Gem Swan | South East Asia Backpacker Community
🙏 Vee | South East Asia Backpacker Community
Cherie Julie | Travel For Change Collective
Cherie founded a responsible tourism blog, Travel For Change, in 2016 with the desire to encourage other travellers to wander with purpose. Today the blog has transformed into a copywriting business for mindful brands where Cherie writes on a variety of topics such as the environment, human rights, animal welfare and sustainable travel.
Find her on: Instagram
