Is Hanoi Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Hanoi is generally safe for solo female travelers. The residents are often friendly and willing to help, and crime rates are relatively low. Still, it's important to stay vigilant, especially at night, and keep an eye on your belongings at all times as petty theft can occur. Public transportation is reliable but can get crowded, which may lead to unwanted attention. Always be clear and firm with taxi drivers to avoid overcharging issues. Overall, most travelers have a positive and safe experience in Hanoi.

Safety rating

4.2 /5

Based on 3 experiences

4 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

As a solo female traveler, Hanoi offers a generally safe environment during nighttime. People are often seen out late and there's a vibrant night market and street food scene. However, like any big city, one should maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid dark or deserted areas. Some occasional instances of petty crimes like bag snatching may happen, so keep your belongings secure when walking around. Walking alone at night in populated, well-lit areas tends to be okay, but it's always smart to use caution and common sense.

Public transportation: Safe

Public transportation in Hanoi, is generally safe. There is a noticeable police presence in major areas, which deters most major crimes. However, one should still be cautious of their belongings due to occasional reports of pick-pocketing. Buses are the most common form of public transportation and are typically crowded. As an alternative, Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely available, reliable and safe. While traveling after dark, it's safer to use a taxi or Grab rather than the local buses. Always follow basic safety precautions such as not showing off expensive items, being aware of your surroundings, and keeping firm hold on your personal belongings.

Street harassment: Low

Street harassment in Hanoi, is relatively low compared to many other cities around the world. The general Vietnamese culture is one of respect. Any perceived rudeness is usually due to cultural differences or misunderstandings. But of course, occasional catcalling or relentless vendors can sometimes be an issue. Still, it's not common to encounter overly aggressive or endangering behavior. Always take personal safety measures that you would take while traveling to any other city in the world.

Petty crimes:Low

Hanoi is relatively safe when it comes to petty crimes. Pickpocketing and purse snatching incidents are not unheard of, particularly in crowded markets and tourist areas. However, if you practice vigilance and common-sense precautions such as not displaying flashy jewelry or electronics in public, you can significantly reduce the chances of becoming a target.

Tap water:Unsafe

The tap water in Hanoi, is not recommended to drink even for locals. While it undergoes treatment, it can fall short of international health standards by the time it reaches your tap due to old and inconsistent quality of water pipes. It's advisable to stick to bottled or purified water instead. Complimentary drinking water is usually provided by almost all accommodations in the city.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 3 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5
Maria

Maria

Romania

Solo travel experience

Hanoi is such a vibrant city! People here are friendly but also pretty chill compared to other places. Traffic is also not that crazy. The food is amazing and the city comes alive at night during weekends - especially in the old quarter area when they close some streets for vehicles. I strongly recommend checking out the French quarter as well and going further South to experience some local things. I went to Complex 1 for a watercolor workshop and open mic night where Vietnamese locals came together to sing. It was a truly amazing experience!

Posted: August 28, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Hanoi is amazing. Let yourself get lost in the chaos and smells. Meet as many locals as you can. Sit on the little plastic stools and eat bun cha. Get a higher view of the more popular intersections and watch as the motorbikes wiz by each other but never touch.

Posted: November 3, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Ninh Binh is wonderful. The Women's Museum was amazing but very emotional & I loved Madam Huong's cafe nearby - like being in Paris. Highly recommend the coconut coffee. The Lo Hoa prison is very interesting too. Walk around Lake Hoan Kiem at dawn for Tai Chi and in the evening for dance groups. Book food and walking tours as well as cooking courses early as they book out quickly. There are some amazing places to eat. Try the Banh Mi. I would check Lonely Planet guides or Trip Advisor for up to date info.

Posted: August 21, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Meet locals in Hanoi

Pexi

Pexi

Speaking

About Me

Chilling and open minded, have a cute dog, I like Riding bikes, Dancing and Fire spinning .. been in Vietnam for 3+ years…

Countries I’ve Visited

🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Trang

Trang

Speaking

About Me

Hi, my name is Trang. I was born in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have been living in Singapore since I was 15 years old. About myself: - I am inquisitive, sensitive, reflective and introspective. I care about being thoughtful, considerate, truthful, sincere, understanding, accommodating, and sharing authentically. - To me, it comes down to inner peace, being your natural self, expressing your essence and potential, engaging, connecting, caring, and sharing. These are the moments that would flash back and warm the heart. - I appreciate having personal space to retreat to and recharge when needed. - These days, nothing instills in me more peace and nourishment than nature and greenery, and when watching videos of gardening and life in the countryside. My story: 2 years ago, I quit my full-time corporate job in Singapore to take a personal break. Many things did not feel right at that point, with work and personal relations, and I felt stuck in, living by the design of a modern life that became personally unfulfilling. “How can I have such a big chunk of my life that feels so impersonal?” was what I felt with work. It had been a process internally to reach that point of decision to break out of the “secure” and familiar template and blueprint, but it was freeing and absolutely needed for my life. At that time of leaving, I needed to leave Singapore and go back to my own country. It was in the middle of the pandemic. The new journey started with a rescue flight and a 3-week quarantine, right into the culmination of the summer heat in a basic facility. That made for a personal story. Currently, I have been on a 2-year break. It had definitely not been my original plan, but natural progression brought me here. In the beginning, I generously gave myself a 7-month timeframe, made possible by tagging the deadline to my birthday. My key intention was to have a safe personal space to resolve my feelings and shift my path. It has been a journey of still taking needed time and space to explore further what I feel compelled to, in order to arrive at somewhere and something suiting for myself. It is also a freeing experience to enable myself to spend my time naturally, how I feel like and need, which manifests in a lot of singing and journalling among other personal interests. Along the way were many instances of forfeiting the urges of settling myself into “comfort” options like a “safety” master's degree or regular employment, and the anxious urges of family members, such as “Aren’t you afraid of a lapse in your CV?”. But continuity in the CV doesn’t matter for my life. I guess the drive that sustained me was how much I hadn’t felt right when I left, so I kept on the journey of following what I felt I needed at each stage. The 2-year break was invaluable to me because I feel like I live my life. I went to search for what I needed and had a lot of needed space to feel and be myself. I have had many new exposures grounded in reality, and so real-life experiences, being back home and venturing out to new environments. It is not trite to say it is life-opening to go out there. My takeaway has been more inner grounding and the capacity to make choices for myself and to go back to living more naturally (less forced engagement and less self-pressure). I also get to be informed about living in my home country and the state of its inhabited environment, and how it is not for me.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary

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Tran

Tran

Speaking

About Me

I’m Dung. I’m a nurse. I love traveling and exchange language

Countries I’ve Visited

🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Stay with locals in Hanoi

Tran

Tran

Speaking

You can stay for:

1 day

About me

I’m Dung. I’m a nurse. I love traveling and exchange language

Countries I’ve Visited

🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Pexi

Pexi

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

About me

Chilling and open minded, have a cute dog, I like Riding bikes, Dancing and Fire spinning .. been in Vietnam for 3+ years…

Countries I’ve Visited

🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

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Hồng

Hồng

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Xin chào mọi người, mình là Hồng. Rất vui khi được gặp mọi người.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇸 American Samoa, 🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇦🇽 Åland, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇶 Antarctica, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇧🇿 Belize, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇶 Bonaire, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda, 🇦🇴 Angola, 🇦🇼 Aruba, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇮 Anguilla, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇯 Benin, 🇧🇻 Bouvet Island, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇧🇴 Bolivia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇲 Bermuda, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇨🇳 China, 🇨🇨 Cocos [Keeling] Islands, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇨🇽 Christmas Island, 🇹🇩 Chad, 🇨🇫 Central African Republic, 🇨🇲 Cameroon, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso

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Upcoming visitors to Hanoi

Rosalie

Rosalie

Speaking

About Me

Hi, I‘m Rosalie, born and raised in Berlin. I‘m traveling South East Asia and will be in North Vietnam / Laos from November 27th till December 19th. Let‘s connect :)

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇭🇺 Hungary

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Johanna

Johanna

About Me

Hello! My name is Johanna, 28 years old from Sweden. I love to travel, explore new places and see different cultures. I am up for trying new things and meeting new people.

mode_comment 0

Safety in Vietnam