Capital city, Vietnam
Hanoi for solo travelers
Is Hanoi good for solo travel?
Vietnam's old, characterful capital: Old Quarter street food, lakes, cafés and cheap living with four real seasons. Winters are grey and cool, traffic is intense and the air is poor.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Stares and a few persistent touts are normal; use Grab at night and watch your drink in Ta Hien bars. |
How to meet people in Hanoi
Old Quarter hostels with pub crawls, language exchanges, run clubs around West Lake, coworking events in Tay Ho, and street-food tour groups.
Good things to do alone
- Join a street-food tour in the Old Quarter
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn
- Try egg coffee at a hidden cafe
- Visit the Temple of Literature
- Watch water puppetry
Where to stay in Hanoi
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Quarter | Short stays: food, hostels, nightlife, loud and crowded |
| Hoan Kiem and French Quarter | Walkable, quieter, hotels, the lake and museums |
| Tay Ho (West Lake) | Expats and nomads: cafés, coworking, lake views |
| Ba Dinh | Calm, leafy streets near the Citadel and embassies |
| Cau Giay | Cheaper long stays, malls and young professionals |
Solo travel across Vietnam
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Phong Nha | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hanoi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Da Nang | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hoi An | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hue | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ninh Binh | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Da Lat | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ha Giang | 4/5 | Limited |
| Mui Ne | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cat Ba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Vung Tau | 4/5 | Limited |
| Quy Nhon | 4/5 | Limited |
| Can Tho | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cao Bang | 4/5 | Rare |
| Mai Chau | 4/5 | Limited |
| Ha Long Bay | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nha Trang | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Phu Quoc | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sapa | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Con Dao | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Hanoi good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Vietnam's old, characterful capital: Old Quarter street food, lakes, cafés and cheap living with four real seasons.
How do you meet people in Hanoi?
Old Quarter hostels with pub crawls, language exchanges, run clubs around West Lake, coworking events in Tay Ho, and street-food tour groups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Hanoi?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Hanoi safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Stares and a few persistent touts are normal; use Grab at night and watch your drink in Ta Hien bars.
More about Hanoi
Going to Hanoi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hanoi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.