Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi has recently been listed among the best places for traveling alone.
American website BuzzFeed’s writer Hannah Loewentheil rounded up responses from a travel forum on Reddit of the best and worst destinations for those who consider solo travel.
In her list, Loewentheil named Hanoi along with other places across the globe as the best for solo travelers, including Japan, Ireland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Guatemala, Argentina, New Zealand, Portland and New York City in the U.S., Thailand, Crete in Greece, Mexico, Malta, Iceland, Georgia, and South Korea.
"I would say Hanoi is one of the best cities for solo travel, and it's the best option in Southeast Asia,” Loewentheil cited a comment from dubz12 on Reddit.
“The city has charm, culture, hospitality, and affordable prices, whereas other urban hubs like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are very heavily modernized.
“In Hanoi, there are many vibrant hostels filled with backpackers near the French Quarter and beautiful architecture.
It's really easy to meet fellow travelers here to travel to the northern reaches of Vietnam (Sa Pa, Ha Giang) or head down to Saigon.”
A file image shows people visiting the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre
In August 2020, Vietnam was also listed among the 20 best countries for solo travelers by American travel magazine Travel + Leisure.
In the list compiled by Skye Sherman and Elizabeth Preske which recommended “countries ideal for both first-time and experienced solo travelers - safe destinations where you can expect a warm welcome,” the magazine introduced “endless adventure awaits in Vietnam.”
According to Travel + Leisure, Vietnam is a country where solo travelers can explore Hanoi’s historical and cultural sites and leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, “hop on a boat that departs from Ha Long and cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, home to some of the world’s most striking blue water and natural landscapes," or “take a guided tour of Son Doong Cave, the largest natural cave in the world.”
Visiting the ancient city of Hoi An on the central coast during the full moon to be welcomed by the awe-inspiring sight of hundreds of lanterns floating down the Thu Bon River was also what the American magazine suggested its readers to do while in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, heading south of the country, solo travelers may find Ho Chi Minh City attractive through street food at Ben Thanh Market and experiences at the War Remnants Museum as well as the Cu Chi Tunnels.
After a two-year-halt due to COVID-19, the Vietnamese government has agreed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s proposal to fully reopen tourism to foreign visitors in its ‘new normal’ period starting from March 15.
Under the current regulations, Vietnam unilaterally waives visa requirements for citizens of 13 countries, namely Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
In addition, Vietnam and 88 other countries and territories have reached an agreement on visa exemptions.