In an article entitled "The best places for solo female travel in 2024", the UK's leading travel magazine, Time Out, has suggested the safest destinations for female travelers who want to explore the world on their own.
| Hanoi is an ideal destination for female solo travelers. Photo: Manh Hoang/ Yeu Ha Noi Group |
“Women everywhere are jetting off to explore new cultures, and these are the easiest, safest, and coolest places to do so,” www.timeout.com stated.
Safest countries for solo female travelers
According to India-Jayne Trainor, a staff writer for the online newspaper, more than half of Gen Z women would consider traveling abroad on their own. This means that more women than ever are heading to far-flung destinations in search of new friends, different cultures, and memorable experiences. This makes Time Out's article a good read for female travelers looking for the safest destinations for themselves.
“A few countries are known to be relatively safe and easy to navigate for women looking for an adventure, with well-trodden backpacker routes, friendly locals, and the chance to meet new people – or spend some good quality alone time,” she wrote.
Vietnam ranks sixth on Time Out's list of the top nine destinations for female solo travelers around the world. Notably, when comparing two well-known Southeast Asian destinations, Vietnam remains more attractive than Thailand as the safest destination for women backpackers in the region.
As well as Vietnam, other interesting destinations on Time Out's list include Sri Lanka, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Japan, Guatemala, Australia, Greece and New Zealand.
| A corner of Hanoi in early summer. Photo: Giang Trinh |
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Convenient transportation
What makes Vietnam an ideal destination for women traveling alone is its convenient and well-developed transport network, according to the Time Out writer. Whether travelers choose to travel by train, bus, or motorbike, they have easy access to the destinations they want to explore.
“With a well-trodden tourist route, stretching from the capital of Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh in the south, the country encompasses mountains, beaches, islands and ancient villages like Hoi An and Hue,” Trainor wrote.
“Whether you make the journey by train, sleeper bus, or scooter, thousands of other solo travelers will be making the same trip,” she added.
| St Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Hanoi. Photo: Tu Pham |
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Fascinating indigenous culture and stunning natural scenery
Vietnam is renowned for its rich culture, thanks to the diversity of its 54 ethnic minorities. Wherever they go, foreign travelers can immerse themselves in the chic and unique culture of each region.
Travelers can learn about the iconic Kate Festival of the Cham group who are living in the southern province of Ninh Thuan; enjoy a folk singing performance of the Tho group who live in the central province of Thanh Hoa, and join ethnic minority Thai women from the mountainous province of Son La for a Xoe Dance - one of the elements of humanity's intangible cultural heritage inscribed by UNESCO.
In addition, the stunning scenery of the mountainous provinces of northern Vietnam, such as Ha Giang, Son La, and Lao Cai, seems to have captured the hearts of many foreign travelers. The peach and flower blossom seasons from January to April are great for sightseeing and trekking, with beautiful colorful flower-filled valleys and mountain slopes.
Diverse cuisine
| Young sticky rice- a specialty of Hanoi. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi Group |
As well as attracting tourists with its colorful indigenous culture and beautiful wild natural scenery, Vietnam is also famous for its delicious cuisine. There's no denying that Vietnamese gastronomy has won the hearts of every visitor to the country. In TripAdvisor's top choice for travel in 2024, Vietnam is one of the most interesting destinations in Asia.
With an area of more than 300,000 square kilometers and a wide variety of climates, soil types, and altitudes, Vietnam boasts an enormous abundance of herbs, vegetables, poultry, and seafood.
Divided into three regions - the North, Central, and South - each of these places in Vietnam offers a diverse range of food options, from street food to regional cuisine to exquisite specialties.
From the comforting pho or traditional Vietnamese beef or chicken noodle soup to the fusion wonder of banh mi or Vietnamese baguette, to the vibrant flavors of bun cha or grilled pork and vermicelli, to the refreshing pleasures of goi cuon or fresh spring rolls, diners can enjoy the richness and diversity of Vietnam's street food scene.
Spices are also a factor in making Vietnamese dishes aromatic and delicious. Herbs have been used in cooking for thousands of years and also play a major role in giving Vietnamese cuisine its unique character. Spices can be found in every Vietnamese dish and help to add flavor to even the simplest dish.
