Hanoi tops Southeast Asia’s safest destinations for solo female travelers

Hanoi is among the top five safest destinations in Southeast Asia for female solo travelers, according to a report released by the Singapore-based travel magazine Tripzilla.

“Although travel should be both easy and accessible for everyone, the sad reality is that the world remains a dangerous place for women. With the increasing number of Asian women taking solo trips, choosing a destination that is safe and female-friendly is essential,” Tripzilla said.

Tripzilla revealed that 85% of solo travelers registered with Overseas Adventure Travel are women and that more than 60,000 females in the United States have chosen to travel alone in the last three years.

“Though it is often overlooked when discussing the best solo trips for women, Vietnam’s capital is generally a safe place for travelers. Violent crimes against tourists are rare and most locals are friendly,” the magazine stressed.

Noting that Hanoi boasts a wealth of cultural tourist attractions, thus, Tripzilla suggested that visitors should take time to delve into them.

“The city’s Old Quarter exudes an eccentric charm with its narrow alleys, quaint shop houses, and medieval architecture. The late Gothic St. Joseph Cathedral is also found here. The church is dedicated to Vietnam’s patron saint and resembles Notre Dame in Paris,” the magazine wrote.

Australian female tourists visit Hanoi Old Quarter by double-decker bus. Photo: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times

It recommended several popular destinations in Vietnam's capital city for female tourists, including the ancient Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's first university built in 1070, and the Ngoc Son Temple at the center of Hoan Kiem Lake, which honors three important figures in Vietnamese history.

Hanoi's historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where tourists can view the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh, is also a must-see attraction, Tripzilla said, while reminding travelers that they can enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee whilst in the city.

Hanoi also ranks as one of the most "budget-friendly" destinations for solo travelers. According to Tripzilla, a night in a luxury hotel in Vietnam's capital costs as little as US$200, and meals cost around US$14 per day. "So visitors can comfortably pamper themselves when they come to this beautiful city," it added.

“Feel free to pamper yourself while staying in this beautiful city, which is undoubtedly one of the best places to travel alone as a woman in Southeast Asia,” Tripzilla concluded.

In addition to Hanoi, four other safe destinations in Southeast Asia include Singapore, Bangkok, Thailand, Yogyakarta (a city on the island of Java, Indonesia), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To create a list of safe destinations for female solo travelers, Tripzilla considered many factors, including safety ratings from travelers who had experienced Hanoi, crime rates, the incidence of violence against tourists, and the friendliness of locals.

The destinations on Tripzilla's list are guaranteed to provide women travelers with safe, enjoyable and memorable travel experiences.

Previously, in February, Hanoi was ranked as one of the top five places in the world to travel alone, based on the votes of 50,000 readers of the Dutch online travel agency Booking.com.

"Solo travelers would soon get a taste of the city as they set foot on the busy traffic streets, and begin to appreciate the culture and mix of architectural styles, and of course, the exquisite yet affordable local cuisine," Booking.com said.

The Booking List was based on a survey of nearly 50,000 respondents in 31 markets. To participate in the survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, have traveled at least once in the past 12 months for business or leisure, or plan to travel in 2022.

Four other destinations were Liverpool in the United Kingdom, Ko Ngai Island in Thailand, Buzios City in Brazil and the Yaeyama Islands in Japan.