August 31, 2026, 5:22 am | Read time: 6 minutes

If you were to ask me which countries a woman can travel to relatively safely, Vietnam would almost certainly be on my list. In fact, “Frankfurt – Hanoi” was my first long-haul flight, and landing there marked the start of my first long journey.

In my opinion, Southeast Asia is generally a perfect starting point for discovering the world, especially for women. Let’s be honest: Traveling to many countries requires a certain level of know-how and strong nerves. Southeast Asia can feel chaotic and overwhelming, but it also feels relatively safe.

Reliable Infrastructure

Before I traveled to Vietnam for the first time in 2019—and I’ve been there a second time in 2023—I did my homework. Guidebooks, blog posts, experiences from friends. Looking back on that time and my two trips, I can say: Planning and executing a trip to Vietnam is very pleasant, mainly thanks to the infrastructure. Buses, trains, flights—all work relatively smoothly. Websites like “12Go Asia,” where you can book buses or ferries, and apps like “Grab,” where you can order car or scooter taxis for little money, are invaluable and get you reliably from A to B.

In terms of language, getting around the country is also easy. English is widely spoken, and in any region that is even remotely touristy, you can find someone to help you. This is good because Vietnamese is one of the most difficult languages for German speakers to learn. Even small changes in tone can give a word a completely new meaning. Although I usually try to learn a small vocabulary on my travels, it didn’t quite work out here. Fortunately, I could order Pho and other dishes without Vietnamese knowledge and still enjoy small chats with taxi drivers or people in cafes.

If you’re wondering where in Vietnam I’ve been, here are the highlights of my two trips.

Hanoi as Start or End

I would definitely start or end in Hanoi every time. The city, like Ho Chi Minh City, is relatively easy to fly into from anywhere and was the perfect starting point for my two trips through Vietnam. Hanoi is quite crowded and chaotic, yet somehow always charming. I was particularly taken with the Old Quarter, with its colonial-style buildings, narrow alleys, and street vendors. I would always choose a hostel or room there again, especially if you plan to go to a restaurant alone in the evening or walk home from a bar. A little “insider tip”: I once took a food tour through Hanoi and had a local student show me the Old Quarter and especially the food. It’s an experience I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone.

The next stop I can confidently recommend is Sa Pa. The region in northern Vietnam is best known for its bright green rice terraces. Sa Pa is easily accessible from Hanoi by night train or sleeper bus. Once there, the district’s capital offers several homestays, which I find almost better than hostels. The operators can also provide trekking tips, as Sa Pa is best explored in hiking boots, aside from individual scooter trips. I was part of a small group led by locals who guided us through the hills and rice terraces.

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Insider Tip: Cát Bà

The island of Cát Bà in the famous Halong Bay, which has been an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and is one of the “new seven wonders of nature,” is not only worth seeing but also experiencing. Quite impressive titles—but deservedly so! The bay is home to thousands of rainforest-covered limestone islands, best experienced by booking a boat tour from Cát Bà. Depending on your mood and time, you can choose a night or day tour, where you can sail, swim, snorkel, and kayak through the bay with a group. A tip from me: The boat tour is a must, and I would definitely stay on the island rather than on the mainland in Haiphong. Cát Bà is not only much more beautiful, but you also feel safer.

Da Nang and Hoi An Are Worth It

I have two more tips that you should definitely include during a trip through Vietnam, and they are quite close to each other. One tip is Da Nang, a coastal city known for its big-city flair and sandy beaches. I almost got a bit of Miami vibes, with the skyscrapers right next to the promenade, palm trees, and beach. Da Nang is a paradise for digital nomads and expats, making it easy to meet people or find nice cafes with Wi-Fi. Everything feels very modern, yet the city is also not far from My Son, an ancient Hindu temple complex that you can visit.

Last but not least: Hoi An, better known as the “tailor city.” With its colorful house facades, many small boutiques and shops, restaurants, and lanterns everywhere you look, it’s a true paradise. It didn’t earn its name for nothing, as you can have almost anything custom-made here. Shoes, skirts, dresses, pants, suits—walk through the streets, and you’ll find tailors on almost every corner who can create the perfect outfit in often under 48 hours. Because the city thrives on tourism, it’s quite safe at any time of day or night, and you don’t have to worry about walking alone as a woman.

Would I generally recommend Vietnam as a travel destination for women? Yes! Is it a good country to start in the backpacker business? Also yes. And especially if you’re still a bit unsure, this article might be a little nudge in the direction that says: You have to start somewhere—so why not in Vietnam?