Is it safe for a woman to travel alone in Vietnam?

Question

Any tips what I should or shouldn't do/avoid/keep in mind.

I would appreciate any tips at all.

Anybody had bad experience at all?

Answer 1

I have never traveled in vietnam, but I have traveled all over Europe when I was a very young woman.  While traveling through europe, I experienced having a man follow me through several countries and ultimately entering my couchette on a train to steal several hundred dollars from under my head!!  I don't know how that happened, but once it did, I felt so scared that someone was watching and maybe touching me in the middle of the night.  I experienced a lot of loneliness as well.  Not many vietnamese speak english and most of the country is impoverished...so I don't believe it is completely safe.  I was born in vietnam, but since I was young, I have not been back.  I would try and bring a buddy.

Answer 2

Lots of great advice from previous replies. I would just reiterate that Nah Trang is NOT a safe place, it is the only place in Asia I have ever felt unsafe (and I'm 6ft 4in, 100kg) and that includes places like Phnom Penh etc. Everywhere else in Vietnam was okay, just use common sense tactics (only take out with you what you can afford to lose and dont flaunt wealth or sexuality!).

You will meet many other travellers as you go, dont worry about it too much, you will have a ball....

Answer 3

well it may be safe just don't bring a lot of money with you the only thing i dont like about going somewhere alone is guys would hit on you and bug you but otherwise its ok to go alone

Answer 4

i would steer clear of the region of nha trang, and dalat as its quite sleezy and wouldn't be great for you alone

i would actually say the rest of vietnam is ok...HCM, hanoi, hue, hoi an, mekong delta, halong bay, sapa and so on you should be fine.

dont wander around alone at night, and be careful of your bag at all times. perhaps take a money belt to wear inside your clothes, where you can keep passport and currency.

the more clothes you can wear the better, as they believe in covering flesh. especially shoulders, cleavage and knees. though i appreciate it gets very hot.

be VERY careful crossing the roads in the big cities. stay close to locals until you get the hang of it.

if you are doing long train journeys from place to place i'd suggest you make sure you aren't walking around late to your accomodation once you are off the train.

i'd check out some info from gapyear.com, its got loads of solo travellers giving advice. here's a good start...

http://boards.gapyear.com/index.php?op=v...

Answer 5

safe or not, it's up to you, every where has good and bad person, if you come to Hanoi, should be more careful.the most improtant , you should keep your pocket . Becasue has God- he doesn't like Money only.. but Man loves money more than himself.

Answer 6

Hi,you have recieved sound advice,most of it common sence,being a girl traveller is much easier here than being a single male traveller,they get many problems from the working girls,where as a Vietnamese male would be to shy to aproach you.One thing not mentioned,you are much more likely to get problems from your fellow back packers than the Vietnamese.

Answer 7

no not really unless she knows and trust the ppl there

Answer 8

I think it would be okay because it is really safe. But don't bring too much money in your hand when go outside. However, it is more good when there is a partner with you.

Answer 9

as usual smiler has the best advice,,, i don't know where you're from, but you probably outweigh the average viet male by 30 pounds. worry about theft, not violent attack by s*x-crazed viets. there are many friendly, good looking woman here who are in the "entertainment" profession. I really doubt you'll have those kinds of problems except from your fellow travellers.

to resond to oasisnic, i crawled thru the gutters of nha trang one time, drunk off my *** and looking for a fight,,, i got a ride to my hotel instead and made a lot of appoligies the next day. lol

Answer 10

Vietnam is a really safe travel destination. Most travelers that have problems do so with pick pockets, being ripped off occasionally and the traffic.

Like else where in the world, common sense goes a long way!

Vietnam has it's fair share of issues and problems, but for the traveler you never really see it.

Book your ticket and get to Vietnam! It's an amazing place.

Answer 11

This is what i heard from someone on yahoo:

Yes, VN is safe. I worked in Hanoi for more than a year and didn't have any problems whatsoever.

Today, VN is a major backpacker/tourist destination.

But be warned that traffic on the narrow country roads is high risk.

I also did hear that some "working girls" may slip some knock-out stuff into the drink of inexperienced s*x tourists who'll then wake alone and out without a penny.

But you should anyway stay away from WGs as it is illegal to bring VN women to your hotel room even for a "chat".

Check it out here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Answer 12

I would say yes if she is traveling in the big cities and tourist attraction places. I traveled alone last year and that was my first time in Vietnam.