City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City for solo travelers
Is Ho Chi Minh City good for solo travel?
Vietnam's fastest, most international city: great food, cafés, nightlife, a new metro line and a large expat scene. Heat, traffic, noise and snatch theft are the trade-offs.
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 | Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect staring and the odd persistent tout; watch drinks in backpacker bars and use Grab late. |
How to meet people in Ho Chi Minh City
Social hostels in Pham Ngu Lao, run clubs, language exchanges, coworking and Meetup events, and rooftop-bar nights. Expat groups are very active in Thao Dien.
Good things to do alone
- Eat dumpling and banh mi crawls in District 4
- Take a street-food scooter tour with a local guide
- Visit the War Remnants Museum
- Walk Nguyen Hue at night
- Day-trip to Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| District 1 (Ben Nghe, Ben Thanh) | First-timers: sights, nightlife, hostels, walkable core |
| District 3 | Quieter streets, cafés and local food near the center |
| Thao Dien (Thu Duc) | Expats and nomads: cafés, gyms, river views, restaurants |
| Binh Thanh | Cheaper long stays, local life, 10–15 minutes from the center |
| District 4 | Budget apartments and street food just across the river |
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 Ho Chi Minh City good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Vietnam's fastest, most international city: great food, cafés, nightlife, a new metro line and a large expat scene.
How do you meet people in Ho Chi Minh City?
Social hostels in Pham Ngu Lao, run clubs, language exchanges, coworking and Meetup events, and rooftop-bar nights. Expat groups are very active in Thao Dien. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Ho Chi Minh City?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect staring and the odd persistent tout; watch drinks in backpacker bars and use Grab late.
More about Ho Chi Minh City
- Solo travelacross Vietnam
- Safetyin Ho Chi Minh City
- Cost of livingin Ho Chi Minh City
- Weather & best timein Ho Chi Minh City
- Air qualityin Ho Chi Minh City
- Internet & coworkingin Ho Chi Minh City
- Getting aroundin Ho Chi Minh City
- Tap waterin Ho Chi Minh City
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Ho Chi Minh City
- Healthcare & insurancein Ho Chi Minh City
Going to Ho Chi Minh City solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Ho Chi Minh City 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.