How to Solo Travel Vietnam: Tips, Safety, Itinerary, & More

Vietnam is chaotic, rough around the edges, and sometimes challenging to travel. But that shouldn’t scare you away from tackling it solo.

I spent 1.5 months solo traveling all throughout Vietnam. I started in Hanoi, the capital city located in northern Vietnam, and made my way south to Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, I met many other (solo and non-solo) travelers, took a three-day motorbike ride through the mountains, visited beautifully ornate temples, had some of the best coffee ever, and learned about the Vietnam War.

My experience traveling alone in Vietnam was fantastic. Despite the language barrier, it was fairly easy to navigate the country and there was so much to see and do. Even after1.5 months, there were still so many things that I didn’t get to do.

If you want to visit Vietnam but are hesitant to go alone, this Vietnam solo travel guide will help you confidently navigate the country. In return, you’ll be rewarded with some of southeast Asia’s most stunning views, exciting stories to tell, and deliciously cheap eats.

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Why you should solo travel Vietnam

Google Translate is commonly used

I was surprised at how willingly locals used Google Translate in Vietnam. Everywhere else I’ve traveled, locals would never take out their phone and use the app to overcome the language barrier. I was used to pointing and gesturing as a way to communicate when I didn’t know the language.

Even when locals knew a bit of English, they would use Google Translate for more complex communication. When I was in Cat Ba with a stomach bug, I used the app to describe what was wrong to the pharmacist. Although it took some time to type things in and the translations don’t always make perfect sense, we were able to understand each other and I got the medicine I needed.

With how widespread Google Translate is, you don’t need to worry about communication.

Well-traveled backpacker route

Vietnam attracts a lot of backpackers and solo travelers because of how easy it is to travel, its cheap prices, and its gorgeous landscapes. Because of that, there’s an established route to follow. Everyone travels the country from north to south or south to north. There are also clear tourist hotspots, like Hanoi, Ha Giang, Halong Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh, that’ll take you through the highlights of Vietnam. Whether you travel during high or low season, you’ll meet plenty of other travelers along the way.

Easy to travel around the country

There are many transportation options in Vietnam, and places along the tourist route are well connected. You can quickly hop between major cities in north, central, and south Vietnam by plane. There’s also day and night buses, trains, and boats. Within cities, motorbike taxis (mototaxis) are popular, and you can easily order one with the Grab app. Or rent your own motorbike.

Solid infrastructure for tourism

Vietnam feels like it’s been developed the right amount for tourism. It’s not as touristy as Thailand, but not as much of a wild adventure as Laos. No matter what your travel style is, you’ll be able to find it in Vietnam.

There’s fancy hotels, affordable Airbnbs, and cheap hostels. Splash out for elevated meals or eat for a few dollars on the streets. When traveling by bus or train, upgrade to a comfier seat or stick with the cheapest, most basic option.

In popular tourist destinations, many signs and menus are translated in English. And if not, you can always pull out Google Translate for help.

Wifi is offered everywhere, including most cafés. If you’ll be in Vietnam for an extended amount of time, it’s better to buy a SIM card. They’re cheap and easy to buy, with good data coverage throughout the country.

Incredibly cheap to travel

Vietnam is a very cheap place where your budget’s going to last longer compared to other places in southeast Asia, like Thailand and Indonesia. You can eat for $2 or $3 USD, and a hostel dorm bed runs as little as $1 USD per night. You might think you get what you pay for, but that isn’t always true in Vietnam. Despite such low prices, you’re gonna eat well and live pretty comfortably.

Hospitable homestays

If you’re not familiar with a homestay, it’s a type of accommodation where you live with a local family. In Vietnam, homestays take all shapes and sizes. The most authentic ones truly feel like you’re living with a family. They’ll show you around and you’ll join them for meals. Other homestays are more like guesthouses and hostels, hosting multiple travelers and offering dorms and private rooms. Even though these are larger, more commercial operations, your money goes directly to supporting the family that runs the homestay.

Homestays also offer a more personal experience. When I stayed at Tam Coc Rice Fields Homestay, I chatted with the owner every day and he made us breakfast. I even got to drink with him and try his homemade happy water.

Has two of the safest cities in southeast Asia

Vietnam has two of the safest cities in southeast Asia, according to Numbeo, the world’s largest cost of living database. Within the top 20, Hanoi comes in at number five and Ho Chi Minh at number 14.

I solo traveled Vietnam for nearly two months and always felt safe, even when I was walking the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh alone at night. In touristy areas, like the Old Quarter in Hanoi, there are usually people around – no matter what time it is. It feels safer when you know there are people around if something does happen. However, you should still be aware of your surroundings and avoid any dodgy-looking areas.

Best places for solo travelers in Vietnam

Honestly, I don’t think there’s a bad place for solo travel in Vietnam. Since the country is safe, I think you’d be fine going off the beaten path and into small or rural towns. However, the places below are some of the most well-known and touristed places in the country. This means you’ll have good infrastructure, a fair amount of locals will speak English, there’s lots to do, there are plenty of hostels, and it’s easy to meet other travelers.

Hanoi

Many travelers either start or end their Vietnam trip in Hanoi, as most people either travel the country from north to south or south to north. As the country’s capital city, Hanoi is busy, exciting, and filled with history.

There’s lots of things to see in Hanoi that can either be done solo or with other people. Top attractions include the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hoa Lo Prison, and Train Street. Hanoi is also a paradise for foodies. Try the famous egg coffee that originated here and well-known Vietnamese dishes from restaurants or street vendors.

The center of tourist activity is the city’s Old Quarter, which is filled with restaurants, hostels, and hotels. I recommend staying in this area and booking a hostel so that you can easily meet people.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam, with its green-blue water and striking limestone peaks. It’s a popular day trip from Hanoi, or you can take a multi-day cruise through the bay.

If you’re short on time, it’s best to take a day trip. It’ll be a long day, but it’s the perfect opportunity to meet other people since you’ll be spending an entire day on a boat and doing activities, like kayaking and swimming, with them.

If you have more time though, I recommend taking at least a two-day Halong Bay cruise. There are longer options, but I thought two days was perfect for seeing the highlights without feeling rushed. These cruises are also ideal for meeting others since you’ll be doing everything together, from kayaking to sharing meals.

It’s important to know that different cruises have different vibes. The more expensive ones will typically attract families, groups, and older travelers, while the cheaper ones will typically be made up of younger or budget travelers. There are also some party cruises that are geared toward younger travelers who want to drink.

If you’re like me and want a social but not party cruise with mostly people in their 20s to 30s, I recommend the two-day Halong Bay cruise that I took with Cat Ba Ventures.

Ninh Binh

Although Ninh Binh is no longer the under-the-radar backpacker destination that it used to be, I found that it still gets skipped over by some people. Ninh Binh was one of my favorite places that I visited when solo traveling Vietnam due to its laidback, small-town vibes and incredible landscapes. There are plenty of activities that center around the outdoors and historic/cultural sites.

Despite staying at a quiet homestay, there was a small group of solo travelers who I hung out with for my entire time during Ninh Binh. The owner of the homestay was also friendly, kind, and sociable, which made it one of the best places that I stayed in Vietnam.

Although the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh are outside the town of Tam Coc where most people stay, it’s still easy to get around on your own. You can take a long walk to the closest attractions: Bich Dong Pagoda and Hang Mua. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle or a scooter to get there and reach attractions that are farther away from Tam Coc. Compared to cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh has less traffic. Because of that, I didn’t have any concerns biking around and sharing the road with cars and motorbikes.

Hoi An

Hoi An’s iconic yellow buildings and colorful paper lanterns make it the prettiest town that I visited in Vietnam. There’s so much to see in Hoi An’s Old Town, from buildings that have been converted into museums to cute cafés. Once you’re done visiting the Old Town, you can get custom clothes tailored and walk through the night market. Hoi An also has beaches that you can easily reach via bike, motorbike, or Grab.

Solo travelers usually stay around the Old Town or by the beach. Both areas have plenty of hostels to choose from.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is best known as the jumping off point to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, but there’s also many other things to see besides that. You can visit the pink Tan Dinh Church, discover all the businesses in The Cafe Apartment, see a show at the Saigon Opera House, party at Bui Vien Walking Street, and more.

Like Hanoi, most travelers either begin or end their time in Vietnam here. This means there are many opportunities to meet people. Stay at one of the many hostels, join a group tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, or strike up a conversation with travelers that you run into while walking around or at restaurants or cafés.

How to meet other travelers

• Stay at a hostel. Whenever I’m solo traveling and want to meet people, the easiest way to do so is by staying at a hostel. Some hostels are more social than others though, which you can figure out by reading the reviews. Hostels that have common areas or organize activities are usually better for socializing. If you book through Hostelworld, you’ll also get access to the chats on the Hostelworld app. They’re convenient for finding other people who want to grab a meal or visit an attraction together. Check out the best hostels that I stayed at while solo traveling Vietnam.
• Join a group tour. Aside from hostels, group tours are the other easy way to meet people. For a couple of hours or even multiple days, you’ll hang out with the same group. It’s a great time to get to know them by asking questions or talking about what you’re experiencing on the tour.
• Look for travel groups online. There are many destination-specific or traveler-specific online groups. For example, groups for Vietnam travel or female travelers. Many are hosted on Facebook, but I’ve also found groups on WhatsApp and Discord. Before or during your trip, search for and join these groups to connect with other travelers. If you’re meeting someone, remember to always meet in a public setting where other people around.

How to get around Vietnam on your own

Walk

When you’re in major cities or places where the tourist attractions are located near the town center, walking is the best way to get around. I was able to see most things on foot when I was in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Hoi An. I found these places easy to walk, as there’s usually sidewalks.

The only thing you need to be careful of are motorbikes, which have the right of way in Vietnam when there aren’t any crossing lights.

Grab mototaxi or car

If you’re not familiar with Grab, it’s a transportation app that’s widely used across southeast Asia. Similar to Uber, you can request a ride via the Grab app (iOS and Android). In Vietnam, you can choose between requesting a mototaxi or car.

I used Grab all the time to get around cities and towns when the distance was too far to walk. For example, I got a mototaxi via Grab to take me from my Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City to the airport.

Motorbike/scooter

If you know how to drive a motorbike or scooter, this will be your primary transportation method. It’s easy and cheap to rent a scooter in Vietnam, although you should always inspect and take photos of your scooter before driving off. Renting a scooter is the easiest way to reach tourist attractions that are too far to walk to.

If you don’t know how to drive one, you may be able to make friends with other people who do and hitch a ride. This is what I usually do when I’m traveling solo in a country where the main way that locals get around is by scooter. Most of the time, travelers who know how to drive one are happy to have you join because it means they can split the cost of the scooter and gas with you. I also always offer to navigate to make driving easier for them.

Bus/van

Vietnam has an extensive network of buses and vans. Large buses are used to cover long distances, and there are many overnight buses if you don’t want to waste time. Vans are used for shorter distances between cities, such as Da Nang to Hoi An.

Buses and vans can be easily booked on 12Go.Asia.

Train

Taking the train is a more scenic option than taking the bus. However, the train is usually more expensive and slower. When taking the train, you’ll be able to choose from different classes of seats or beds. Nicer seats or beds cost more, but they may be worth it if you have a long journey.

You can book train tickets on 12Go.Asia.

Plane

Depending on where you’re going, taking the plane might be the best option in terms of time and cost. Vietnam has several airlines that make domestic flying pretty cheap. Vietjet, Vietnam Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, and Bamboo Airways are the ones you’ll typically see. Flight prices are usually under $100 USD.

Group tour

When you want to visit an attraction but you don’t know how to drive a motorbike, can’t find someone who does know how to drive a motorbike to join, or it doesn’t make sense to get a mototaxi or private driver through Grab, join a group tour.

Vietnam saw more than 17.5 million international visitors in 2024, so there’s likely a guided tour to any attraction that you want to see. Tours will usually include pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, so they require the least amount of effort on your part.

Although taking a tour is more expensive than going on your own, you get the benefit of a knowledgeable guide. Plus, tours are a great way to meet others.

How to stay safe as a solo traveler in Vietnam

Is Vietnam safe for solo travelers?

Yes, Vietnam is a very safe place to visit for solo travelers. Violent crime is rare, although petty crime sometimes happens. Be aware of pickpocketing, common scams, and your surroundings. Lots of solo travelers have a great time in Vietnam without running into any problems, and you can too.

Safety tips

• Leave your valuables in your accommodation or carry them in a secure place on you, like in a zippered pocket on the inside of your jacket or in a crossbody bag or sling. When taking a train or bus where you’ll stow your luggage out of sight, keep your valuables in a smaller bag that stays with you for the entire ride.
• Don’t carry a lot of cash. You’ll want to take out large amounts at the ATM to minimize transaction fees, but don’t carry all that cash on you. Take a little more than what you think you’ll need and leave the rest locked up in your luggage or room. If you get pickpocketed or misplace your wallet, you won’t lose all your money.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. Whether you’re driving or riding on the back, you should always wear a helmet. Although locals are experts at navigating on motorbikes, accidents do happen.
• Use common sense and stay away from places that give you a bad feeling. If you ever feel uncomfortable, listen to your instincts.
• Don’t wander the streets alone at night when you’re drunk. You’re the perfect target for theft. Instead, get a mototaxi to take you home. Grab is widely available throughout Vietnam, so there’s no excuse for not choosing the safer option.
• Be careful when crossing the street. Traffic in Vietnam can be crazy, especially in large cities. Some streets don’t even have crosswalks or traffic lights. Whenever you cross the street, scan the road as you cross and keep an even pace. It’s best to go with the flow. When you suddenly stop or speed up, you’ll throw off drivers and that’s when accidents happen.

How to avoid getting ripped off or scammed

• Shop around when buying things. Go to multiple vendors and see how low they’ll go. Haggling is a common practice in Vietnam and vendors expect you to haggle, so don’t worry about being rude. It’s okay to haggle with multiple vendors and then return to one when you’ve made a decision.
• Never take incense when it’s offered at a temple. When visiting a temple, you might run into a woman who offers you incense sticks. Many tourists take the sticks and are then asked for money. It’s usually a few dollars. Even though it’s not much, politely say no unless you want to pay.
• When taking a mototaxi, order it via Grab. It’s the best way to avoid getting ripped off, since the app calculates a fair price that both you and the driver can see.
• Always agree on a price before you hop into a taxi or on a mototaxi. In Vietnam, you don’t pay the driver until you’ve arrived at your destination. If you don’t agree to a price upfront, the driver can make up any amount at the end and insist that you pay it. This is why it’s important to negotiate a price upfront. And if you can’t reach an agreed price, you can simply walk away and find another driver.
• Do your research before going to a tourist attraction or taking a tour. Official tourist attractions are either free or require a ticket. Avoid paying for something that’s free or a higher ticket price by looking it up ahead of time. Also, some vendors or locals will say whatever it takes for you to buy something. For example, saying your cabin on the boat has air conditioning when it doesn’t. Know exactly what you get by looking up reviews before buying.
• When renting a motorbike, inspect it and take photos before leaving the shop. Note whether the bike has scratches, dents, or any other issues before taking off. You want to catch serious problems early, like if a brake doesn’t work, and prevent being charged for damages that you weren’t responsible for.

My experience solo traveling Vietnam as a female

I’m going to preface this by saying I’m an Asian-American female. I’m able to blend in in Vietnam and did have a few instances where locals thought I was Vietnamese.

Going into Vietnam, my biggest concern was the language barrier. There were only a few times where I had to pull out Google Translate in order to communicate. Ultimately, we were able to understand each other, so this ended up being a minor inconvenience.

During the one and a half months I was in Vietnam, I was never concerned about safety. Of course I didn’t leave my luggage unattended, kept my valuables on me at all times, always wore a helmet when riding a motorbike, and used common sense. But outside of those typical precautions, I wasn’t worried or afraid.

Petty theft does happen occasionally, but it’s not as rampant compared to places like Barcelona. Many Vietnamese people believe in karma, which is maybe why stealing isn’t a big problem. As you go around Vietnam, you’ll notice locals even keep their gates and doors open during the day.

I felt comfortable walking alone at night. In large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, there’s usually locals and other tourists out late at night. If you don’t want to go out alone, I recommend staying at hostels where you can find other people to join you.

Overall, Vietnam felt like a very safe place wherever I went. If you’re a female solo traveler, take your typical precautions and you should be fine. The worst that happens to most people is getting scammed or ripped off. You can prevent this by doing your research beforehand and asking your accommodation or other travelers.

More resources for solo traveling Vietnam

• 5 Best Hostels and Homestays I Stayed at in Vietnam
• 5 Complete Itineraries for Seeing North Vietnam in 7 Days
• Complete Hoi An Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Three-Day Ha Giang Loop Tour With Cheers Hostel: Tour Review & Recap
• Two-Day Halong Bay Cruise With Cat Ba Ventures: Tour Review & Recap