is vietnam safe for solo female travellers? our honest 2026 guide
We launched our gals who travel vietnam trip in 2025 and it’s already one of our communities favourite trips and for got reason!!! There’s lots of reasons vietnam ends up on so many travellers' "best trip ever" lists...maybe it’s jaw dropping views of sailing halong bay, maybe it's the lantern-lit streets of hoi an maybe it's sitting on a tiny plastic stool eating the best meal of your life for less than the price of a coffee back home. who knows, we think it’s a mixture of all of it!!! We’re here to spill all the tea of our first experiences as women exploring vietnam.
is vietnam actually safe for solo female travellers???
short answer? Yes!!! We felt very safe. in fact, we'd go as far as saying vietnam is one of the best countries in the world for women taking their first solo adventure!!! it's affordable, welcoming, easy to get around and packed with other travellers doing exactly what you're doing. Of course that doesn't mean things never go wrong.
like anywhere in the world, there are things that can be dangerous and overwhelming but with a little preparation and an open mind, vietnam can be one of the most rewarding trips you'll ever take!!
so here's our honest take...
so, is vietnam safe for solo female travellers?
Yes .really. vietnam is widely considered one of the safest countries in southeast asia for solo travellers.
the biggest challenges travellers usually face aren't safety concerns.
they're things like:
- crossing the road for the first time
- figuring out sleeper buses
- avoiding the occasional tourist scam
- becoming completely obsessed with vietnamese coffee
trust us on that last one...
overall, vietnam feels adventurous, safe and welcoming which is why so many of our gals fall in love with it!
the places that made us fall in love with vietnam
one of the things we love most about vietnam is how every stop feels completely different from the last.
one day you're navigating the energy of hanoi, the next you're waking up surrounded by limestone mountains. a few days later you're cruising through one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth on the hai van pass. it somehow feels like multiple countries rolled into one incredible adventure.
hanoi
hanoi is usually where the vietnam love story begins. it's busy, chaotic, loud, colourful and completely captivating. scooters fill the streets, cafés spill onto pavements and every corner seems to have another incredible food spot waiting to be discovered.it feels overwhelming for about five minutes...once you’re settled it’s an amazing experience. If you travel south to north vietnam, you’ll already have sussed out vietnamese cities and the calm but chaos nature.
ninh binh
if vietnam had a screensaver, it might be ninh binh. It was on our pinterest travel board long before we visited!!
think towering limestone mountains, winding rivers, rice fields stretching into the distance and viewpoints that make you stop and stare. it's peaceful, beautiful and one of those places that never quite looks real in photos. A must visit and a staple on our gals who travel trip!!!
ha long bay
if there's one place you've probably seen on instagram, it's ha long bay. and honestly??? it lives up to the hype. thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald water. sunrises on deck. swimming in hidden spots.and those moments where you just sit there thinking..."wow. i'm actually here."
hoi an
Our personal favourite, many of our gals highlights and the perfect town to ride a bike around and take a break from backpacker lifestyle. the lantern-lit streets.the riverside cafés. the colourful buildings. the slower pace. it's impossible not to fall in love with this place. it's the kind of destination where you plan to stay two nights and immediately wish you'd booked four.
ho chi minh city
fast-paced, energetic and constantly evolving, ho chi minh city offers a completely different side of vietnam and is a great place to start your trip! Rich with history, culture, and humble truths, learn about the history of vietnam before travelling up the coast.
things to be aware of
the traffic!!! - Okay. let's talk about the roads. because everyone asks. yes, crossing the road can feel terrifying the first time. the trick? walk slowly. walk confidently. don't run. don't stop halfway. the scooters will usually flow around you.it feels impossible on day one. by day five you'll be crossing roads without even thinking about it. Stay safe, be vigilant and be aware.
keep an eye on your belongings - petty theft can occasionally happen in busy tourist areas. the same advice we'd give in london, paris or barcelona applies here. keep valuables secure, stay aware of your surroundings and don't carry more cash than you need.
is vietnam safe at night? - generally yes!!!
most tourist areas remain busy, social and lively well into the evening. you'll see travellers out eating, exploring and enjoying the atmosphere long after sunset. as always, trust your instincts, avoid isolated areas late at night and use trusted transport if you're travelling longer distances. most women find vietnam feels incredibly comfortable to explore.
the easier way to experience vietnam
we'll be honest...
vietnam is one of those destinations that works brilliantly both solo and with a group.
but travelling with a group means you get all of the adventure without worrying about the logistics. no figuring out overnight transport, trust us we’ve been there. no organising multiple internal transfers.no wondering whether you've booked the right thing.
instead, you can focus on what really matters.
- cruising through ha long bay.
- exploring the lantern-lit streets & basket boats of hoi an.
- eating incredible food at street markets!
- making memories!!
- and making with the gals!!
- around 90% of the gals who join our vietnam trips book solo, solo doesn’t have to mean alone.
quick answers: vietnam solo travel faqs
is vietnam safe for solo female travellers in 2026?
yes!!! vietnam is widely considered one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in southeast asia for women travelling alone.
is vietnam good for first-time solo travellers? absolutely.
in fact, we'd argue it's one of the best destinations in the world for first-time solo travellers. it's affordable, friendly and easy to navigate compared to many other destinations.
what are the safest places in vietnam for solo women?
hanoi, ninh binh, ha long bay, hoi an and ho chi minh city are all incredibly popular with solo female travellers!! You can visit all of them on our gals who travel tour!
is vietnam safe at night?
generally yes. particularly in tourist areas and major cities. just use the same common sense you'd use anywhere else, stay with the group and share your location just to be on the safe side.
is vietnam expensive?
not at all. vietnam is one of the best-value destinations in the world, which is one of the reasons travellers love it so much.
is it easy to make friends in vietnam?
Very!!! between cruises, hostels, cafés, tours and the huge backpacking community, it's one of the easiest countries to meet like-minded travellers.
is vietnam better solo or with a group?
both can be amazing. solo travel gives you freedom and flexibility!! group travel gives you a built-in friendship group and removes the stress of organising everything yourself. Many of our gals book the group trip at the start of their travels before heading off solo! Best of both worlds!
final verdict: is vietnam safe for solo female travellers?
We say yes! From our personal experience vietnam is a bucket list destination full of rich culture, incredible food and jaw dropping views. Booking a group tour takes away a lot of safety fears as all your travel and activities is sorted, even the restaurants you visit and the best coffee places in town. We’ll give you all our recommendations for where to visit and when!
