Key factors driving Vietnam's tourism boom include visa liberalization (visa-free access for dozens of countries), budget airline expansion throughout Southeast Asia, strong tourism marketing, and the rise of digital nomad culture. Cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have become remote work hubs, with Nomad List data showing average living costs under $1,000/month.

Colombia's Safety Turnaround

Perhaps no country has undergone a more dramatic perception shift than Colombia.

In the 1990s, the country was synonymous with drug cartels, civil war, and violent crime. Tourism was virtually non-existent outside business travel. By 2000, Colombia received fewer than 600,000 international visitors — less than Iceland, a country with just 360,000 residents.

The 2016 peace agreement with FARC rebels, combined with decades of security improvements, changed everything. Today, Colombia receives 6.6 million visitors annually and is projected to become South America's top destination within the next few years.

Cities like Medellín — once the world's murder capital — now market themselves as digital nomad havens. Cartagena's colonial center attracts luxury travelers. Bogotá's restaurant scene rivals anywhere in Latin America. And destinations like Salento and Tayrona National Park offer the natural beauty that previously only adventure travelers risked visiting.

The perception shift has been remarkable. A generation ago, announcing a Colombia trip would elicit warnings and concern. Today, it's a mainstream choice for gap year travelers and retirees alike.

What Other Countries Made the List?

Commenters in the thread identified several other countries that have seen explosive tourism growth:

Croatia: War in the 1990s decimated tourism. Today, Dubrovnik faces overtourism problems, and the country receives over 20 million visitors annually.

Albania: Closed to tourism until 1990, the country now receives 10 million visitors — an infinite percentage increase from zero.

Myanmar: Tourism surged after opening in 2011, though political instability has since reversed those gains.

Rwanda: From genocide in 1994 to gorilla-tracking luxury tourism today, with visitor numbers rising from near-zero to over 1.5 million.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai barely existed as a city in 1995. Today, the UAE receives over 20 million visitors, making it one of the world's top tourism destinations.

The Overtourism Question

With explosive growth comes a critical question: at what point does popularity destroy the qualities that made these destinations appealing in the first place?

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and Hoi An already face overcrowding. Colombia's Cartagena old town can feel more like a theme park than a living city. These are the early warning signs of overtourism — the same pattern that's already damaged destinations across Europe and Southeast Asia.

For travelers seeking less-crowded alternatives in 2026, the lesson is clear: look for tomorrow's Vietnam and Colombia — destinations currently undergoing similar transformations but not yet saturated.

Commenters suggested Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Albania as countries in the early stages of tourism development, offering the adventure of discovery without the crowds that now define once-hidden gems.

The best travel isn't about the destination — it's about what you learn along the way. And the data shows what savvy travelers have known for years: yesterday's "too dangerous" destinations often become tomorrow's tourist hotspots. The question is whether growth can be managed sustainably — or whether success will inevitably lead to the overcrowding that's already plaguing established destinations.