We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Mascha, to complement an earlier one from Gary. Both are members of the Solo Travel Society: Mascha is from Germany, Gary is from the United States. They both submitted reports from their solo trips to Hanoi, each from their own unique perspectives. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Languages spoken: Vietnamese, English, French
Reasons to Visit Hanoi
Mascha's Story
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Hanoi is the Paris of Southeast Asia. With its great pagodas and temples, cute little cafes, and prices which will definitely not bust your budget, you might even end up liking it more than Paris.
I would suggest that anyone who is going here wander around the city and not listen to what your guidebook is suggesting since Hanoi has way more to offer.
Majestic pagodas and temples can mainly be found outside of the city center. The area around the West Lake (Ho Tay) in particular, has lots to offer. One of my highlights is the Chùa Tảo Sách temple as I got lucky enough to visit it during a ceremony, where I was enjoying listening to beautiful chants while sitting next to the lake.
If you want to reward yourself with a nice treat (and air conditioning!) after spending hours walking in the sun, Hanoi will surely not disappoint you. There is Emi Coffee, which is a cute living room with a great view over the Ho Tay lake or Doric Coffee behind the Long Bien bridge (walking the bridge itself is another highlight). Doric is a place which is very alternative and seems more like a hipsters paradise like Berlin. If you are more up for a great Bia Hoi (Hanoi beer), try Beer 2KU, which is on the same street as Emi Coffee and thus, has the same great view.
Another highlight is the great art on the walls of Tran Nhat Duat Street, where one can spend hours walking around.
So if I can give you one tip when visiting Hanoi, it is certainly that you should throw away your guidebook and explore the city by getting lost in it. That's how you will find the real treasures of Hanoi.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 3 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
Gary's Story
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Hanoi is a pleasant shock to most westerners. The hectic streets of the Old Quarter provide for almost endless wandering. If you stay here in the tourist area, you will find plenty of restaurants, shops, bars, and tour companies.
I can recommend Hanoi 3B Hotel at 99 Ma May Street. I stayed there in August and found the staff very friendly and helpful. It is a budget hotel, so my costs ranged from only $16 to $24 for the rooms I stayed in, which were very clean. Air conditioning, WiFi, and a good breakfast were all included.
A few doors up the street you will find New Day restaurant. It was always full of both locals and tourists every time I went. They have a large menu, and good food.
There are many things to do and see in the city and lots of day trips available as well.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)