A few small islands in the Ha Long Bay and the sun during sunset between two peaks.

Vietnam Solo Travel Guide: What to Expect and Essential Tips

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Are you thinking of going to Vietnam solo? Do you want some tips and tricks from someone who has been to Vietnam? Then you’re in the right place.

I’ve been travelling solo for many years now and Vietnam was one of my favourite destinations. And I want to give you the information that I learned during my travels.

This guide will provide you with all the information you need to plan your amazing Vietnam trip.

If you’re also thinking of going to Cambodia (a lot of people combine the two countries), then head over to Cambodia: Solo Travel Itinerary – The Best Travel Guide for Solo Travel in Cambodia.

Hanoi flag tower with Vietnamese flag on top. Part of Hanoi Citadel. Blue sky with red parasol in the lower right corner.

Vietnam Solo Travel – Your Perfect Guide

Let’s start with a few common questions that people have before they travel to Vietnam.

Is Vietnam Safe for Solo (Female) Travellers?

Absolutely. Vietnam is safe for any solo traveller. The locals are friendly and if you stay within the main tourist areas, then there are plenty of other tourists to keep you safe. 

There is the chance of pickpocketing, but you have that in any country with a lot of tourists.

When I was travelling through Vietnam, I felt safe the whole time.

But I did stick to the common safety rules. Check out my guide for staying safe on solo travels, Safety Tips for Solo Travellers: How to Stay Safe.

Is Vietnam Good for Solo Travel?

Yes. Vietnam is a great country to explore on your own. The infrastructure is well established. There are many touristy destinations within the country which makes exploring it a breeze.

There are many hotels to choose from for every budget, and you can book a lot of tours if you need some support with your journey.

Ha Long Bay with the small islands scattered around during a misty golden hour after sunrise.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

This is actually a bit of a difficult question to answer. You probably know that Vietnam is a very long country. It stretches over 1650 kilometres (or 1025 miles) which means there are varying climates throughout the country.

Vietnam has a rainy and dry season. The dry season usually goes from November to April. This is for Northern Vietnam including Hanoi as well as Southern Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City. 

However, January to August is the dry season in Central Vietnam which includes Hoi An and Hue.

So, a good recommendation for the best time to visit is probably March to May if you prefer to travel during the dry season.

Do they speak English in Vietnam?

Yes. Mostly in tourist areas where many people, especially in hotels and restaurants, speak English well enough to understand you.

In rural areas, English is less common and the native language, Vietnamese, is spoken. However, more and more students learn English in school, so the level will only get better.

If you stick to the tourist areas though, then English is common enough for you to not worry.

Night Market in Hanoi. People walking between stalls on both sides of a wide road. Large white building on the left side.

Can I use USD in Vietnam?

Mostly no. Some establishments in popular tourist areas might take USD, but you will probably get Vietnamese Dong, the local currency, back.

You should get some VND (Vietnamese Dong) to pay for your shopping. 

Vietnam is still a very cash-based country, especially in the markets around the country, so have enough cash on you.

Hotels and restaurants usually take credit cards.

Do I need a Visa for Vietnam?

It depends on your country of residence. Some countries need to at least apply for the e-visa, other countries only need to apply for a visa if the stay is longer than 45 days.

Check your government website for the latest information.

Is there free Wi-Fi in Vietnam?

Mostly yes. Many urban areas, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces throughout Vietnam offer free Wi-Fi. 

However, I wouldn’t rely on it. If you go out for a day trip to more remote areas, you might not get free internet.

I always recommend getting a local SIM card or an e-SIM card, so you know you’ll always have internet.

Smartphone with eSIM written on the screen

If you want to be easily connected, choose Airalo e-SIM Card. Easy to work with, immediately usable, and no physical SIM card is needed.

Can I drink tap water in Vietnam?

No. It is not advised to drink tap water in Vietnam. You should stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. 

Ensure that the seal on the water bottle is not broken before you drink.

If you do drink tap water, it could lead to stomach problems. 

When I was in Vietnam, I didn’t eat much street food from street vendors, so I can’t say if that has an impact. However, if you’re sensitive, I would stick to restaurant food. Or choose stalls that are busy and have a high turnover.

That means the food isn’t sitting in the heat for too long and should be good.

I stayed healthy during my travels in Vietnam.

How to Get Around in Vietnam?

The infrastructure in Vietnam is really good. This means you can rely on planes, trains, and buses without any problem.

A friend of mine did a 14-hour train ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. He did it during the day, I wouldn’t recommend that if you’re not a train aficionado, but they also have night trains.

I wanted to take a night bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, but I changed my mind in the end and took a short flight. I thought it would save time and be more comfortable. 

Plane tickets within the country are not that expensive. However, trains or sleeper buses are even cheaper. So it depends on the level of comfort you want and how much time you want to spend.

Vietnamese Sleeper bus. Beds visible from elevated position. Bus parked on side road.

It is also quite common to hire scooters to have a look at the surrounding areas of the big cities. I have to admit that I didn’t do that as I wouldn’t feel safe, but that’s another way to get around.

What to wear in Vietnam?

It does get fairly hot in the country, so do bring some short clothes. However, if you plan on visiting any temples, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered.

This applies to men and women. 

I had to wear a rain jacket as a skirt because I didn’t think of wearing long trousers when I visited the Thien Mu-Pagode in Hue. Don’t make the same mistake as I did. It wasn’t that comfortable walking around like that.

How Do I Cross the Roads in Vietnam?

Well, this is a bit of a tricky one. Or not. You just have to do it. Walk in a slightly slow manner – but not too slow. And people will usually drive around you. 

Do pay attention to the traffic but keep on moving. After a while, I got used to it quite well and it wasn’t too scary anymore. 

You can also try to glue yourself to a local and follow their guidance. And by glue, I mean, be close but not too close and don’t let them out of your sight 😉

Roundabout in Hanoi with many cars, motorbikes and pedestrians. Surrounded by restaurants and stores.

Places to Visit in Vietnam

This is not a detailed Vietnam itinerary, but it will give you an idea of which places to visit and how long you want to stay.

Vietnam has two large airports, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. You can start and end your journey on either end if the flight prices are not too bad, or choose one of the two as your hub.

Both cities should be visited while you’re there.

1. Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. It still has the feel of a quintessential Southeast Asian country. Busy streets with many scooters whizzing around; street food stalls on every corner; night markets and other markets around the city centre. 

It is a wonderful city to visit. You can also get nice bargains here of brand clothes (as well as in Ho Chi Minh City). So pack light, if you want to have enough space in your suitcase.

Hoan Kiem Lake by night with an illuminated pagoda on the water.

What to do in Hanoi?

  • Explore the Old Quarter – known for its bustling markets, traditional architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. I also recommend booking accommodation here as it’s very central and there’s plenty to explore.

    There is also the Hanoi Train Street in the Old Quarter. The train passes there twice daily and it’s so close to the buildings that locals need to move their things out of the way for the train to pass.

  • Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum  it is an incredibly impressive building, definitely worth a visit. 
  • Go to Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda – very close to the mausoleum are the museum and the pagoda which should also be visited.
  • Enjoy Hoan Kiem Lake – this lake is a beautiful tranquil oasis in the heart of Hanoi. I used to sit there in the evenings with a (non-alcoholic) drink and enjoy the bustling around me. If you’re lucky, you might see a dance class around the lake.
  • Shop Dong Xuan Market – one of the largest covered markets in Hanoi. No need to say more 🙂
  • Visit the Hanoi Opera House – beautiful French architecture can be seen here. The opera is in the French Quarter which was built during the French colonial period. There are many beautiful buildings here.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from afar. Green field in the bottom half of the photo with a Vietnamese flag on the field.

Many central areas including the Old Quarter are very walkable, so I recommend enjoying a lot of the city on foot to take everything in.

2. Ho Chi Minh City

For me, Ho Chi Minh City is almost the polar opposite of Hanoi. HCMC is a metropolis that always made me feel like I was in a Japanese city.

Very modern with many high-rises. There are also many markets where you can buy brand clothes. I may or may not have bought a few The North Face items which I think are genuine as they’re being produced in Vietnam.

The city was formerly known as Saigon and some people still use the name.

Ho Chi Minh City from the Bitexco Financial Tower Observation deck. Overcast day with two prominent high rises in the middle.

What to do in Ho Chi Minh City?

  • Visit Ben-Thanh-Market – a huge market where you can buy anything from clothes to fruits and flowers.
  • Enjoy Saigon Skydeck at Bitexco Financial Tower – if you see the tower and think, ‘hey, that looks familiar’, then you’re probably a Marvel fan. Bitexco Financial Tower served as an inspiration for Tony Stark’s Tower.

    There is an observation deck on the 49th floor. You’ll get amazing views of the city. When I was there, I was incredibly lucky. I wanted to see the city in daylight but also at nighttime, so I waited for an hour or so and a singer was blessing me with live music while I was waiting. It was perfect.

  • Visit the Central Post Office – designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the Eiffel from the tower), it’s a beautiful building that still operates as a post office. 
  • Visit the War Remnants Museum – this museum provides a lot of information about Vietnam’s history, especially, the Vietnam War.
  • Look at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – a stunning French colonial-era church. Maybe not quite as stunning as the one in Paris but still worth a visit.
  • Go to the Củ Chi Tunnels – the tunnels are not directly located in the city, usually 1.5 hours from the city. It’s a day or half-day trip to the tunnels but I definitely recommend it.

    You learn some things about the history and can then go into one of the tunnels. If you’re claustrophobic, then this is not for you. I was getting a little bit panicky at the end and I usually don’t have any problems.

  • Take a cruise on the Saigon River – I always recommend going onto the water if you have a chance, and HCMC is no different.
Employee from the Cu Chi tunnels demonstrates how the Vietnamese hid in the very narrow tunnels with a fake grass top to cover their tracks.

Just like in Hanoi, there is plenty to do in Ho Chi Minh City. If you can only do one of the cities due to time limitations, then you have to decide whether you prefer a more modern city (HCMC) or a more traditional one (Hanoi). Both a worth a visit.

3. Ha Long Bay

The Ha Long Bay is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many pictures showcasing Vietnam show the limestone karsts and islands from this area.

A few small islands in the Ha Long Bay and the sun during sunset between two peaks.

I had one of the best Vietnam experiences in the Ha Long Bay, so I can only recommend going there.

There are many cruises you can choose from that show you the area which include kayaking, a visit to a pearl farm, and exploring limestone caves.

I had the most wonderful time kayaking during sunset the day I arrived. I, unfortunately, left my phone in my room because I was worried it get wet – I have regretted it ever since.

It was such a wonderful atmosphere. I would love to do it again.

I’ve booked the cruise on booking.com.

That might have not been the cheapest option, but I knew that I had my spot reserved. However, you can also book a cruise on getyourguide.com. I would always recommend staying for 2 nights. Otherwise, you miss out on some lovely activities.

The bay is around 2.5 hours from Hanoi city centre. Many of the cruises offer shuttle services for an additional charge. 

I would always book that, so you know you’re going to the right boat. There are so many and you don’t want to miss it.

The tip of a kayak during a blue sky day within the small islands of Ha Long Bay.

4. Hue

Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam. It is still a very impressive place to visit. It is located in Central Vietnam which makes it a good stop between Hanoi and Hoi An.

I initially planned to take a sleeper bus to Hue but decided on a flight on short notice. There are many domestic airports, so that wasn’t a problem at all. And it gave me all day to explore the city.

Being the former capital, there are many historic sites that can be visited. I wanted to see as much as possible, so I hired a cab driver for the day, who brought me to all the different places.

There is a saver ticket if you want to visit all the historic sites. The price difference is not that much, so you can just decide how you feel on the day.

Buddhist Temple in Hue with overcast sky.

What to do in Hue?

  • Explore Hue Imperial City (The Citadel) – this site was originally destroyed in the Vietnam War, but has been beautifully rebuilt. It is massive.
  • Visit the tomb of Minh Mang – a vast mausoleum complex.
  • Marvel at the Thien Mu Pagoda – another historic site that is an iconic piece of architecture.
  • Visit the Royal Tombs – so many tombs here (due to the fact that it used to be the capital). An incredible site again with beautiful views and lots of history.

There are many more historic sites to see showcasing a lot of the history. To be honest, I got a little bit bored after a while even though it was different, it was still somewhat similar.

So, I suggest picking your favourites and then visiting those.

Old, battered gate within the Royal Palace grounds in Hue. Paint is chipping off. Red tiles in front of the gate.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An is a lovely town near Hue. I have to admit that I never made it to Hoi An, even though it was on my itinerary. 

When I arrived in Hue, it had been raining for a while and while I was sleeping it didn’t stop raining. That meant that all the roads were flooded and the trains had stopped.

Luckily, I met a German couple that was going to Da Nang via car (very windy side roads, it wasn’t the most pleasant drive). And from Da Nang, I flew back to Hanoi as there was the safest bet.

I would still like to go back to Hoi An and see the beauty for myself. 

However, I can still from my research, suggest what you should check out.

Covered Japanese Bridge in Hoi An

What to do in Hoi An?

  • Explore Hoi An Ancient Town – a beautiful town with lights in the evening. 
  • Enjoy Hoi An Night Market – over 50 vendors selling delicious and beautiful things. A night market is always worth a visit.
  • Take pictures of Chùa Cầu bridge – a covered Japanese bridge which is often seen as the representation of Hoi An’s beauty.
  • Relax at An Bang Beach – a beach near Hoi An town centre. Be aware if you cycle there, that there are a few bike parking scams in operation. Men tell you to pay for having your bike parked there. 
    If you want to avoid any hassle, pay the VND10k or use a bus shuttle that many accommodations offer.

6. Sapa

Sapa is a town in Northern Vietnam that invites you for a visit if you like mountains. 

View of rice fields  from the Fansipan funicular

It’s a beautiful area with a 3,143m high mountain, Fansipan. You can take a funicular up there and the views are spectacular – if you have good weather.

I was less lucky and ended up with a lot of fog but on the way there, I was able to see the possible views.

Sapa is a good excursion destination from Hanoi. I just booked a trip via my hotel reception and stayed in a hotel for two nights.

You can also do a homestay, but my introverted heart couldn’t deal with that. 

If you don’t want to book this trip via a reception, then there are also very nice trips on getyourguide.com.

There are usually several activities included in this trip. Like a visit to a local village where you can see how people live in the countryside. Or a tour of Sapa’s markets. 

As this is a mountainous region, the temperatures are usually a bit cooler, so prepare yourself before you go. I might have bought a nice The North Face jacket and hiking trousers, and some other knicknacs to keep me warm.

Sapa from a mountain. Many houses, hotels and restaurants and the tip of a lake.

7. Da Nang

Da Nang is a coastal city near Hoi An. It’s mostly known for its beaches. 

There is also the Golden Bridge where it seems like hands are holding a golden bridge. 

When I was in Vietnam, I didn’t go to Da Nang as I’m not really a beach vacation person. I prefer to explore other areas, but if you’re into relaxation at nice beaches, then Da Nang is for you.

Solo Travel In Vietnam – Recap

Vietnam is perfect for solo travellers as you hopefully saw in this guide. There are many things to do in Vietnam and all of them can be done while you’re travelling alone.

The best time to visit Vietnam is probably from March to May, the local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (which I still find funny – I’m sorry), and you can experience different climates in such a long country.

There are many cities that are worth visiting like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An and English is widely spoken in the tourist areas.

Be careful of tap water and if you want to enjoy the street food, stick to stalls that have a quick turnaround.

Vietnam Solo Travel Guide FAQ

1. How to plan your solo trip to Vietnam?

When planning your solo trip to Vietnam, start by researching the best time to visit, obtaining necessary visas, and booking accommodation in advance. Make sure to create a detailed travel itinerary that includes the destinations you want to visit, transportation options, and activities you’d like to experience.

2. What are some important travel tips for solo travellers in Vietnam?

Some essential travel tips for solo travellers in Vietnam include learning basic Vietnamese phrases, respecting local customs and traditions, staying alert in crowded areas, and keeping a copy of your passport and important documents. It’s also recommended to inform someone trustworthy about your whereabouts. Check out this general safety guide.

3. Is it safe to travel solo in Vietnam?

Vietnam is generally considered a safe destination for solo travellers. However, it’s important to take necessary precautions such as avoiding isolated areas at night, using reputable transportation services, and being cautious with your belongings. Stay informed about your surroundings and trust your instincts.

4. Do I need travel insurance for my solo trip to Vietnam?

It’s highly recommended to purchase travel insurance before embarking on your solo trip to Vietnam. Travel insurance can provide coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings, and other unforeseen circumstances, offering you peace of mind during your journey.

5. What is the best way to travel around Vietnam?

The best way to travel around Vietnam depends on your preferences and budget. You can explore the country by using a combination of trains, buses, domestic flights, and motorbike rentals. Each mode of transport has its advantages, so consider your itinerary, budget and comfort level. 

6. Where is the best to visit in Vietnam for solo travel?

As a potential first-time solo traveller, I suggest sticking to the main tourist areas as the infrastructure is well-established there and English is widely spoken.

The main tourist areas are Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Sapa and Hue.

7. Is it safe for a girl to travel alone in Vietnam?

Absolutely. If you stick to the common sense rules about travelling alone, e.g., staying alert, always keeping an eye on your belongings, and not mentioning to anyone that you’re travelling alone, then Vietnam is definitely a safe place for female solo travellers.

8. How many days in Vietnam is enough?

Is any number enough, really? 😀 If you want to see all three areas, i.e., Northern, Central, and South Vietnam, then 14 days is probably a good length without rushing too much.

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