| Topic | Key point |
|---|---|
| Area | Old Quarter or French Quarter: lively and well lit |
| Transport | Grab rather than a two-wheeler hailed in the street |
| Crossing | Walk at a steady pace, without stopping or running |
| Bags | Wear across the body, on the side away from the road |
| Evening | Stay on busy streets; watch your drink |
Where to stay
Choose a hotel or hostel with very good reviews from women travellers, in the Old Quarter or the French Quarter. In a dorm, ask for a female dorm if the hostel has one: see Hanoi hostels and where to stay in Hanoi.
Getting around
Use Grab for evening rides: the price and route are recorded. Avoid renting a scooter without a licence valid for Vietnam and insurance: see motorbike rental in Hanoi. An eSIM helps with maps and translation: see eSIM and SIM in Vietnam. On taxi scams, read Grab and taxi scams.
Day to day
- Money and phone: keep them out of sight, especially at pavement tables near the road.
- Friendly strangers: near tourist sites, people who approach you are most often selling a tour or an item.
- Dress: shoulders and knees covered in pagodas and temples; in town, usual summer clothes are common.
- Alcohol: never leave a drink unattended and be wary of suspiciously cheap branded spirits; see alcohol rules in Vietnam.
- Health and insurance: see travel insurance for Vietnam.
Group tours: an easy way to meet people
A guided city tour or food tour is a good way to see the neighbourhoods in the evening without improvising, and to meet other travellers. Pick a small group with recent reviews.
FAQ
Is Hanoi safe for a woman alone? Generally yes; the problems are mostly petty theft, scams and traffic.
Can I go out alone at night? On the lively Old Quarter streets, yes; go home by Grab.
What should I wear? Free in town, shoulders and knees covered at places of worship.
