While the popular resorts of Thailand and Bali suffer from congested beaches and queues, tourists in 2026 are increasingly looking for “quiet Asia” – places where an atmosphere of solitude is still preserved and there are no crowds of vacationers.
“Bali before the tourism boom”
One of the main discoveries of the year was the Indonesian island of Lombok. It's been called “Bali before the tourism boom”: it has less noise, cleaner beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere. Russian travelers especially praise the turquoise water, the Rinjani volcano and small bays without mass tourism.
Bloggers are no less actively discussing the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. In 2026, it became especially popular among Russians thanks to direct flights, more affordable prices and long beaches without dense buildings. Many tourists call it “the new Thailand for those who are tired of crowds,” writes tourdom.ru.
“It feels like time is slowing down”
Russian travel blogger Anton Ptushkin has repeatedly said in his videos and interviews that tourists are increasingly choosing not “promoted” destinations, but places with a sense of freedom and real nature.
“People are tired of the same tourism and are looking for emotions that cannot be obtained in crowded places,” says the blogger.
This trend is particularly noticeable in the Philippines and Malaysia. For example, tourists call Langkawi one of the most underrated resorts in Southeast Asia. Here travelers are attracted by:
- jungle;
- quiet beaches;
- absence of noisy parties;
- nature without skyscrapers.
This is why travel bloggers are confident that the main tourist discoveries in the coming years will take place not at the most famous resorts, but in places that still retain the feeling of “unspoiled paradise.”
Previously, we wrote about the TOP 7 beaches where it seems like you are on another planet – worth any money.
