Is Vietnam Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

What I Wish I Knew Before Going Alone and Slightly Unprepared

When I booked my solo trip to Vietnam, my biggest worry was staying safe. I searched “is Vietnam safe for solo female travelers” so many times I think Google started rolling its eyes.

The good news? After a few weeks exploring cities, mountains, and making questionable choices at parties, I can say: yes, Vietnam is mostly safe for women traveling alone.

But — this isn’t some fluffy Instagram fairytale.
I had two weird (and kinda scary) moments that I want to share — so you can avoid making the same mistakes.

So… Is Vietnam Safe for Women Traveling Solo?

Yes — for the most part.
I felt safe walking around cities like Hanoi, Hội An, and Đà Nẵng, even after dark in busy areas. Most people were friendly, polite, and left me alone. Vietnam has a low crime rate, and violent crime against tourists is very rare.

But.
There’s always a “but,” right?

Most of my trip was smooth, but two moments made me realize you still have to stay alert. Here they are.

Da Lat Trail Scare: Why Solo Hiking Isn’t Always Safe

Keyword: solo travel safety Vietnam

Da Lat is peaceful, green, and perfect for hiking. I stayed in a hostel where someone told me about a hidden trail up Lang Biang Mountain.

“Take the dirt path,” they said.
“It’s more fun! I know girls who did it alone!”

So obviously, I went.

A few minutes in, a man came out of the bushes — pants down, walking toward me.

Yes. That happened.

I grabbed a rock, screamed like I was auditioning for a horror movie, and ran back toward the main trail.
I didn’t see him again, but I was shaken.

No one else I met had experienced anything similar — maybe it was just bad luck.
Still, I’d say: don’t hike isolated, unmarked trails alone. Stick to the official path or go with someone.

Lesson learned:
If a trail looks empty and weird… maybe skip it. Especially if it has no entrance gate, no other hikers, and no witnesses.