Vietnam is widely regarded as a country that is totally safe for solo female travelers. The biggest worry here? Potentially a pickpocket in a busy market, but that’s pretty common in big cities everywhere and can be easily avoided with some simple precautions. This blog post will dig intoco why Vietnam is a great destination for any type of travel, including solo travel.
Tl;dr I actually felt safer walking around during our 3 days in Hanoi than many other large cities, especially many cities in the US.
On one of our last days in Vietnam, my husband and I realized there hadn’t been a single time where we were concerned about our safety or even worried about pickpockets while we’d been in the city. We genuinely couldn’t recall a single remotely sketchy situation whatsoever.
Why Vietnam is Safe for Solo Female Travelers: Cultural Norms and Respect
Vietnam has strong cultural norms around respect and politeness. When I was walking around, I didn’t get catcalled a single time. I didn’t walk by anyone who made crude comments. I genuinely don’t think I walked by anyone and even turned any heads. People were very respectful and completely minded their own business everywhere.
If you’re a solo female traveler, you will likely find that adhering to local customs and dressing modestly helps avoid unwanted attention and ensures you have respectful interactions with locals.
Vietnamese culture values modesty and discretion, which is especially true if you’re spending time in the villages or rural areas that ascribe to more traditional ideologies. If you’re following one of my Northern Vietnam itineraries, that would be villages in Sapa and the Ha Giang Loop.
In general, I saw very few women in short shorts and tank tops while we were visiting, even though the temps of 85+ would have certainly warranted it. Most people had their knees and shoulders covered regardless of the temperatures.
I wore longer dresses, skirts, and flowy rompers while I was there. I had tank top sleeves and my shoulders were visible just about everywhere we went (with the exception of the Hoa Lu temple on our day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh) and I didn’t run into any issues. Had we spent more time in any of the rural areas, I would have chosen at least t-shirts to cover my shoulders though.
Why Vietnam is Safe for Solo Female Travelers: Low Crime Rate
Vietnam has a relatively low crime rate compared to many other countries, particularly regarding violent crime. Petty crimes like pick pocketing and bag snatching can occur in busy areas, but violent incidents against women are exceedingly rare.
According to the US State Department Vietnam is a Level 1 Travel Advisory, which is the lowest level the state department assigns. Level 1 means “exercise normal precaution.” Other Level 1 countries include: Canada, Iceland, Ireland, and Aruba. Nearby Thailand and Cambodia are also Level 1 countries.
In terms of comparison against the United States as a whole, Vietnam routinely ranks better for crime levels in the world vs. the United States.
Why Vietnam is Safe for Solo Female Travelers: Strong Tourism Infrastructure
Vietnam’s tourism industry is rapidly growing and is well-suited for solo travelers as a result. There is a ton of super affordable accommodations, excellent guided tours, and decent transportation services. This infrastructure provides a safety net for solo travelers, making it easier to navigate and find support if needed.
I traveled with my husband to Vietnam, but on both our Hanoi street food tour and Hanoi cooking class we chatted with solo female travelers who were visiting the city. In each instance, they also commented about how safe they felt and how good a location it was for them to be traveling alone.
Many of them were touring Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos and some were traveling to Hanoi from Ho Chi Minh City.
Crime in Vietnam
Petty theft is the most common type of crime for tourists in Vietnam. Most commonly, the would-be thieves often operate on motor scooters in the most crowded parts of the largest cities and target tourists’ cell phones, purses, cameras, and backpacks.
The State Department recommends you hold onto your phones and purses tightly. An additional level of security would be to invest in a shoulder bag or backpack with cut-proof straps. I had a cross body bag just because that’s all I wanted to carry. I never felt worried about my phone, wallet, or purse. I never felt like anyone even gave us much of a glance at all.
If you’re traveling in Vietnam, I would use the same precautions as in any city I visit in the US.
- While Vietnam is safe at night, don’t walk alone after 10pm or before 5am.
- Stick to well-lit areas and don’t go down dark alleys on your own
- Tell hotel staff where you’re going – they’re super friendly and happy to assist you
- Be alcohol- and drug-smart as with anywhere you’re going to visit
There are scams to avoid in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City just like in any other city. A taxi or Cyclo driver might try to upcharge you from what is considered the fair rate. Really for us, the only “scam” we ran into was a woman selling donuts who gave us 6 instead of the 2 we wanted and charged us more. We didn’t really care and ended up eating them, but we could have argued more to not pay the extra (we’re talking like $2 USD).
If you’re traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, the only safety precautions that I would really adhere to would be making sure you’re going on a cruise with a reputable tour company. The beautiful bay has spots where there are dangerous whirlpool currents that could be deadly if you’re swimming in the wrong place. All of the reputable companies will ensure you stay away from those spots and have adequate flotation devices.
Is Vietnam Safe for American Tourists?
Yes. I know our grandparents were surprised when we told them we were traveling to Vietnam, and a little bit concerned. (We got that same reaction with our trip to Cuba a couple of years ago). But the Vietnamese people we interacted with held no animosity towards us as Americans.
They also had no interest in talking about the American War as they call it, but the population there is eager to continue moving Vietnam further into the 21st century, into international markets, and out of the 20th century. Neither of us had any connection to the Vietnam War (as we call it) and were more than happy to spend the trip enjoying the wonderful Vietnamese culture and landscapes.
Vietnam’s low crime rate, excellent tourism infrastructure, and friendly culture make it a fantastic choice for solo female travelers. You’ll find a safe environment, friendly locals and fellow travelers, and plenty of support for your adventures. Just stick to common travel safety tips, like staying in well-lit areas and using trusted transportation, and you’ll have an amazing time exploring this vibrant country.
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