Hanoi is in the top 10 world destinations for solo travelers with a safety score of 4/5, chosen by a British newspaper.
The list of 10 best and worst destinations for solo travelers selected by Telegraph is based on criteria including safety, amenities for solo travelers, culture and community, accessibility, and language barriers.
Hanoi is introduced as an affordable destination with hospitable people. The British newspaper rated Hanoi as having 4/5 safety, 5/5 facilities for solo travelers, 5/5 culture and community, 5/5 accessibility and 3/5 language barrier.
“You can come to Hanoi alone and leave with new friends,” the newspaper commented. Wifi is available almost everywhere in the city and tourists can easily buy cheap SIM cards to use the mobile network. Tourists also do not face many language barriers when coming to Hanoi because English is quite popular.
In terms of attractions, visitors have many options from museums, temples, the old town, night markets or even Ha Long Bay for a day trip. Hanoi cuisine is diverse and cheap, a hearty meal costs less than 7 USD.
Despite being on the safe side, visitors to Hanoi should still be wary of pickpockets and other tricks like driving around in circles to ask for more money. If using a taxi, the Telegraph writer recommends booking through an app and making sure the driver’s information matches.
Foreign tourists experience the train in Hanoi in 2023. Photo: Ngoc Thanh
Many solo travelers to Hanoi enjoy the experience of riding motorbikes, but the British newspaper warns that travel insurance may not cover accidents. Female travelers can confidently travel to Hanoi alone, but should pay attention to dress simply and appropriately. Facebook groups will be useful for independent travelers.
Other spots in the top 10 include Stockholm, Sweden; Mendoz, Argentina; Oman; the Arctic or Antarctic; the Austrian Alps; Honshu, Japan; Lisbon, Portugal; New Zealand.
The top five destinations to avoid when travelling alone include Egypt, India, Morocco, Porto and Ibiza. Many travellers like Egypt because English is widely spoken, but harassment, especially of female travellers, is common. Female travellers to Egypt should avoid taking taxis alone and not allow hotel staff to enter their rooms when no one is around.
Meanwhile, India is considered “not for the inexperienced solo traveler” due to its high crime rate, frequent harassment and scary road traffic. Morocco is increasingly popular but pickpockets and scams are common and women must adhere to local dress codes.
Porto is a popular destination for solo travelers, with many couples and groups of friends having bachelorette parties. Ibiza is a similar destination, as it is a party island and not a great place for solo travelers, despite its low crime rate.