{"id":858,"date":"2019-06-19T12:00:19","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T05:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/?p=858"},"modified":"2019-07-30T21:25:09","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T14:25:09","slug":"solo-female-traveling-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"Actionable safety tips for solo female travelers in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Although Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world for solo travelers, women traveling alone are still more likely than men to be a target for scams and other crimes. This article provides actionable advice that solo female travelers in Vietnam can use to stay safe.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5366 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Woman-travel-to-Vietnam.jpg\" alt=\"women traveling alone in Vietnam\" width=\"945\" height=\"756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Woman-travel-to-Vietnam.jpg 945w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Woman-travel-to-Vietnam-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Woman-travel-to-Vietnam-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note that we are not affiliated in any way with the brands we mention in this article.<span id=\"contents\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>(Click on the links below to jump directly to the section you would like to explore)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#1\">Is Vietnam a Safe Country for Females?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#2\">Theft and Other Crime<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#3\">Blending in as a Solo Female Traveler<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#4\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">Vietnam Safety: Getting around the cities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#5\">Finding Safe Accommodation in Vietnam&#8217;s Cities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#6\">To Sum Up<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5273 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Female traveler buying street food\" width=\"815\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img1.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/>There&#8217;s a ton for solo female travelers to do in Vietnam&#8217;s big cities. Learn to be safe in the process. (Source: Jetstar)<\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_Is_Vietnam_a_Safe_Country_for_Women\" >&nbsp;Is Vietnam a Safe Country for Women?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_Theft_and_Other_Crime\" >&nbsp;Theft and Other Crime<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_How_solo_female_travelers_in_Vietnam_can_blend_in\" >&nbsp;How solo female travelers in Vietnam can blend in<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_Vietnam_Safety_Getting_around_the_cities\" >&nbsp;Vietnam Safety: Getting around the cities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_Finding_Safe_Accommodation_in_Vietnams_Cities\" >&nbsp;Finding Safe Accommodation in Vietnam\u2019s Cities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/solo-female-traveling-vietnam\/#_To_Sum_Up\" >&nbsp;To Sum Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Is_Vietnam_a_Safe_Country_for_Women\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"1\">&nbsp;<\/span>Is Vietnam a Safe Country for Women?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several Vietnamese women were interviewed for this piece, and they all agreed: Vietnam is not a particularly dangerous country, even for solo female travelers. In fact, most big cities in the world, including those in Western countries, are more dangerous for women than Vietnamese urban centers. Part of this is due to the fact that Vietnamese generally do not have a heavily patriarchal view of society as much of the world unfortunately does.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many Westerners have a negative perception of how women are treated in Vietnam. They have seen war movies or documentaries about expectant Asian parents praying for male children that might lead them to believe women have it rough in this part of the world. But the reality of women\u2019s status in Vietnam could not be more different. In fact, women are extremely empowered in Vietnam. They are the cornerstones of productivity, and it is just as likely (if not more so) to see a business run by a woman as a man. The bottom line is that women here face little if any discrimination based on their gender, which means solo female travelers are rarely seen as possible targets of crime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">domestic violence is still quite common here. Angry men tend to throw chairs, bottles, and fists, but rarely at people they are not well acquainted with. Of course, there is the rare exception; some men will take advantage of certain women no matter where you are in the world. The best strategy is to blend in (see the \u201cblending in\u201d section below).<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5275\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5275\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5275\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A purse snatching in progress\" width=\"815\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vietnam is the 15th most populous country in the world, so of course, there is some petty crime. (Source: Corporate Travel Safety)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Theft_and_Other_Crime\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"2\">&nbsp;<\/span>Theft and Other Crime<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good news: the violent crime rates in Vietnam, whether against men or women, are far lower than in most large cities elsewhere. This can be attributed in part to the fact that guns are illegal (a ban that has, by and large, seemed to work), but also because the Vietnamese are just a non-confrontational people. Unfortunately, the same does not apply to non-violent crimes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pickpockets and other thieves are comparatively common, especially in the city\u2019s most touristy areas. Solo female travelers are perhaps the most common victim of crimes such as purse-snatching because they are often the most trusting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOne way to stay safe in Vietnamese cities is not to trust people too fast,\u201d says L\u00e2m Ph\u1ea1m Tr\u00e2m Anh, a 30-year-old Vietnamese woman. \u201cVietnamese people tend to be very friendly towards tourists,&#8221; Tr\u00e2m Anh adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It is easy to be lulled into a sense of security that thieves will take advantage of.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tr\u00e2m Anh also points out that you should avoid wearing gold jewelry on the streets or bringing too much cash around with you. That way, you can minimize the damage if something bad does happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5276\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5276\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5276\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img3-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"A traveler fanning his money\" width=\"815\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img3.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5276\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is an example of being a bit too flashy with your dong &#8212; the name for the Vietnamese currency. (Source: Jason Billum Travel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another interviewee, 27-year-old Tr\u1ea7n Thi\u00ean Kim, notes that a little vigilance and common sense can go a long way for female travelers. For example, \u201cnever use your phone when you\u2019re standing by the street. If you have to use your phone, check your surroundings first, face your back to the street and hold the phone with both hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22-year old L\u00ea Kh\u00e1nh Vy adds that you should abide by the safety rules solo females stick to in any city. For instance, don\u2019t hang around late at night&#8211;Vy cited midnight as a good cutoff point for Vietnam\u2019s big cities. Stay out of dark alleyways, a tip especially pertinent to travelers in Vietnam because the country has a ton of alleys (called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ng\u00f5<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">h\u1ebbm<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Northern and Southern Vietnam) in its urban areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_How_solo_female_travelers_in_Vietnam_can_blend_in\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"3\">&nbsp;<\/span>How solo female travelers in Vietnam can blend in<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our interviewees agreed the best method of all for solo female travelers to avoid trouble is to blend in. Here are some Vietnam-specific tips for doing just that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Clothing<\/b> \u2013 Although traveling to Vietnam by yourself is not inherently dangerous, it is common for female travelers to be less covered up, due to the heat. Keep in mind to dress down respectfully, though; low-cut shirts are not a good idea in Vietnam.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vietnam is by no means a place where women have to be covered from head to toe. In fact, local women can be quite stylish!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, local residents are usually not skimpily dressed and travelers should follow suit. As we said earlier, aggression or assault from men is not common here and we are not implying that a woman\u2019s clothing choices should provoke any ill behavior. But making smart clothing choices is the easiest way to not attract unwanted attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, women should be particularly respectful with clothing choices when visiting a pagoda or temple. At these places of worship, short shorts, tiny skirts, low cut tops or bare shoulders are not considered appropriate attire.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5278\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5278\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5278\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img4-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnam travel clothing\" width=\"815\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img4-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img4-768x449.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img4-1024x599.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5278\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Light clothes are fine in most places &#8212; Vietnam is a tropical country, after all. If a piece of clothing is &#8220;sexy,&#8221; though, it&#8217;s probably a no-go. (Source: Student Exchange Vietnam)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Personal belongings<\/b> \u2013 We have said this before in this blog and here we reiterate. In order <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/how-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-scams-in-vietnam-part-2-south-vietnam\/\"><b>to stay safe and avoid scams,<\/b><\/a> please be careful with your purses, phones, and jewelry. Thieves will go to great lengths to snatch purses or other valuable items. We have read all too many stories where thieves on motorcycles have tried to grab a woman\u2019s purse and dragged the poor woman until the purse was freed from her.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a situation such as this arises and the perpetrator is stronger than you, the last thing you want is to be physically hurt. We would advise leaving your purse at your accommodation if possible and instead wear a small backpack. Bag snatchers are much more likely to target a woman carrying a purse over someone wearing a backpack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>PDA (public displays of affection)<\/b> \u2013 Vietnam is a rapidly developing country and western trends are quickly influencing both pop culture and everyday culture. Many couples are seen holding hands and being affectionate. Although holding hands is fine, other public displays of affection are not deemed respectful. It is not advisable to kiss excessively in public.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5279\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5279\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5279\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img5-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnamese couple\" width=\"815\" height=\"1018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img5-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img5-768x959.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img5-820x1024.jpg 820w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img5.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5279\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It&#8217;s normal to see couples like this one walking the streets arm-in-arm. Public kissing is definitely a taboo, though. (Source: Icaut.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Personal Questions<\/b> \u2013 In Vietnam, it is quite common to ask about the marital status of a woman. There is also a fair chance that some lifestyle choices may not be fully understood or supported. Many women travelers have reported that they wore a wedding band or said that they were married simply to avoid these questions.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The locals\u2019 exposure to tourists has grown substantially over the past few years but it is possible that you will encounter some people who do not agree or understand why a woman is unmarried past a certain age or is in a common law relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another question you may encounter often is about your age. It is very common to establish your age in comparison to the person asking because it denotes how they address you in the Vietnamese language. For a westerner, this notion can be a bit strange because one never asks a woman\u2019s age unless you\u2019ve reached a certain comfort level! Though these questions may come across as offensive, it is not the intention, notes Vy.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;In Vietnamese culture, expressing interest in details of another&#8217;s life is seen as friendly, even if you are not close already. It&#8217;s definitely a cultural difference.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other common personal questions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is your monthly salary?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many people live in your family?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many kids do you have?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where are you staying?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t let these questions worry you. They are normal things to ask in Vietnamese culture. Answering them in detail is a good way to become friends with locals. Of course, you are free to ignore them or simply make up a fantasy narrative for your own life instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5306\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5306\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5306\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img6-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Street food with a local\" width=\"815\" height=\"611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img6-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img6-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img6-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Vietnamese tend to be extremely friendly, and making friends is easy. Know that you may be asked some personal questions, though. (Source: fisher.osu.edu)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Vietnam_Safety_Getting_around_the_cities\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"4\">&nbsp;<\/span>Vietnam Safety: Getting around the cities<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ride-hailing apps have changed taxi services in most places the world over, and Vietnam is no exception. Grab Bike and Grab Car have replaced the motorbike taxis known as \u201cxe om\u201d and traditional cabs as the safest, cheapest, and most reliable ways for tourists to get around. Tr\u1ea7n Ti\u00ean Kim recommends all tourists, whether solo female travelers or not, to get a 4G-enabled SIM card when they arrive in Vietnam just for this reason. The Grab app is easy to navigate, even for English speakers. There are also several other apps that include reliable car and bike-hailing services, such as Be and GoViet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot use a ride-hailing app, you\u2019ll have to go with one of the old-fashioned options. You can identify xe om drivers because they tend to be parked on corners. Look for the bikes with two helmets, and ask the driver \u201cxe \u00f4m?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5280\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5280\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5280\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img8-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Xe om driver on his bike\" width=\"815\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img8-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img8.jpg 1023w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5280\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A xe om driver relaxing on his bike. We&#8217;d recommend instead calling a Grab Bike if you have mobile internet. (Source: Spiderum.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019d rather take a taxi, make sure you catch one of the cars from a reliable brand. In Saigon, the safe ones are \u201cMai Linh\u201d and \u201cVinasun.\u201d In Hanoi, stick to \u201cMai Linh\u201d and \u201cTaxi Group.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traveling alone as a woman in Vietnam is fairly common at all ages so a foreign woman will not raise any eyebrows for simply being a solo female traveler. Some women may have a difficult time getting on a bike with a stranger, but the bike-hailing apps in Vietnam are very safe. Just remember t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">o check the license plate of your driver against the one shown in the app before you get on the bike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cXe \u00f4m\u201d translates literally to \u201chug machine.\u201d Like xe oms themselves, though, hugging your motorbike driver is rarely seen anymore. Although it is acceptable for women to put their hands around their driver\u2019s waist, it is more common for people to hold onto the rail sticking out from behind the seat if they want something to hold onto.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At night, however, we highly advise women to take cars rather than bikes to get around. Even local women take this advice. Bikes are more exposed than cars, and a female on a bike at night is an enticing target for a potential purse-snatching. An added reason is that drinking and driving is becoming an increasing concern in Vietnam, and it is more likely that drivers behind the wheel of a car (which is much more expensive than a motorbike) will drive responsibly.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5281\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5281\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5281\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img7-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Inside a Grab Car\" width=\"815\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img7-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img7.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5281\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Calling a Grab Car is the very best option, and cheap compared to Western taxis. (Source: FT.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, the transportation provided in organized tours like <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/tours\/vietnam-food-tour.html\">The XO Foodie Tour<\/a> or any of the tours included in our round-up of the <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/best-city-tours-vietnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best city tours in Vietnam<\/a> is always 100% safe, no matter what time it is. It is for this reason many solo female travelers opt for tours to explore Vietnam\u2019s big cities by night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Finding_Safe_Accommodation_in_Vietnams_Cities\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"5\">&nbsp;<\/span>Finding Safe Accommodation in Vietnam\u2019s Cities<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agoda and Airbnb are the safest and most reliable choices for finding safe accommodation. Agoda is extremely trustworthy and convenient, but its listings are often a bit more sterile and \u201ctouristy.\u201d Airbnb provides more authentic, friendly accommodations, but it is a bit more of a gamble in terms of quality than a hotel site like Agoda. Both options are safe and can be extremely affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5282\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5282\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5282\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img10-300x154.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel reception at Cantho Hotel Saigon\" width=\"815\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img10-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img10-768x394.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img10-1024x525.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img10.jpg 1366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vietnamese hostels, homestays, and hotels are available for very good prices on sites like Airbnb and Agoda. (Source: Saigoncantho.com.vn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the 1-3 star hotels in Vietnam are not listed online and can only be booked in person. Unfortunately, this kind of last-minute booking is not a good idea for tourists, especially solo female travelers. This is because staying somewhere without any online record of checking into that place leaves you vulnerable to theft by the hotel staff. Foreigners, especially those staying alone, are a prime target for this kind of scam. I have lived in Vietnam for five years, in fact, and the only time I have been the victim of a crime was when I had several hundred dollars stolen from the hotel room I had booked on arrival in a new city.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_To_Sum_Up\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span id=\"6\">&nbsp;<\/span>To Sum Up<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few safety tips for solo female travelers in Vietnam sourced from our lovely interviewees. Some of them are mentioned elsewhere in this post and some are not.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to avoid using your phone near the street or in crowded areas. If you must, face away from walkways when you use it and remain wary of your surroundings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to only carry with you the amount of cash you think you\u2019ll need.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t be too trusting. Like in most touristic areas, some people in central Saigon will try and use friendliness to take advantage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If possible, research a destination before traveling there.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Befriend some English-speaking Vietnamese in case you need their help in an emergency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t go into dark alleys at night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always keep your valuables in your pockets\/bag while you are walking.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5283\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5283\" style=\"width: 815px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5283\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img9-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A female traveler with two Hmong women\" width=\"815\" height=\"611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img9-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img9-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img9-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img9.jpg 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5283\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vietnamese cities are a fantastic place for solo female travelers to meet locals and delve into the culture. (Source: Tribesandminorities.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"#contents\"><strong>[BACK TO CONTENTS]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with this inconvenience, Vietnam is a relatively safe country for solo female travelers. Still, it is important to keep your wits about you, and it would behoove anyone coming to Vietnam to familiarize themselves with the safety protocol beforehand. Check out our posts on avoiding scams in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/scams-north-vietnam\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Northern<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/scams-south-vietnam\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vietnam, or peruse our piece on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/how-to-avoid-getting-sick-in-vietnam-while-eating-and-traveling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eating and drinking safely<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world for solo travelers, women traveling alone are still more likely than men to be a target for scams and other crimes. This article provides actionable advice that solo female travelers in Vietnam can use to stay safe. Note that we are not affiliated in [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Actionable safety tips for solo female travelers in Vietnam","_seopress_titles_desc":"Unique challenges face solo female travelers in Vietnam so we put together a cultural guide with actionable safety tips for women traveling alone.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[435,28,84],"tags":[142,143,144,145],"class_list":{"0":"post-858","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-vietnam-travel-tips","9":"category-vietnamese-culture","10":"tag-safety","11":"tag-women-travellers","12":"tag-vietnamese-culture-2","13":"tag-cultural-sensitivity"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=858"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5679,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858\/revisions\/5679"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}