Hanoi most sought city in the world for solo travel

Hanoi tops the world’s 20 trending cities for solo travel, while Ho Chi Minh City is sixth in a report just released by U.K-based adventure travel company Explore Worldwide.

Solo travel searches for Hanoi have jumped a massive 946% year-on-year, followed by Bangkok (816%) and Taipei (700%).

"The city that is capturing the interest of solo travellers the most is the capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi," the report says.

It adds: "In this ancient and vibrant city, solo travellers can dive into the colorful busy streets of the Old Quarter, rubbing shoulders with the locals in a maze of narrow streets filled with shoppers, traders, cafes and restaurants. Then, when you’re ready to reconnect with your solitude, take a mindful walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, exploring the pretty gardens and temples at your own leisure.

"Hanoi explodes with history and culture, from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which allows visitors to pay respects to the man who led the country to independence, through to the Temple of Literature dedicated to the teachings of Confucius. Solo travellers can while away hours browsing the Dong Xuan Market, packed with fresh produce and souvenirs, or revel in entertaining shows at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre or the Hanoi Opera House."

The capital cities of South Korea and Cambodia, Seoul and Phnom Penh, are fourth and fifth on the list, respectively.

They are followed by Ho Chi Minh City in sixth position with a solo travel search increase of 480%.

The other cities in the list in order are: Kuala Lumpur, Perth, Singapore, Sydney, Guangzhou, Zurich, Melbourne, Nice, Manila, Geneva, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv, Oslo and Brisbane.

In a list of 12 best destinations for solo female tourists released this March by Southeast Asia's leading travel magazine Tripzilla, Hanoi was ranked fourth.

"Violent crimes against tourists are rare and most locals are friendly," the magazine noted.

It advised: "Hanoi has a wealth of cultural attractions, so take your time to delve into them. The city’s Old Quarter exudes an eccentric charm with its narrow alleys, quaint shophouses, and medieval architecture. The late Gothic St. Joseph Cathedral is also found here. The church is dedicated to Vietnam’s patron saint and resembles Notre Dame in Paris.

"To understand Vietnam’s pre-colonial past, visit the Temple of Literature, an 11th-century Confucian temple dedicated to the nation’s scholars, and the Ngoc Son Temple at the center of Hoan Kiem Lake, which honours three important figures in Vietnamese history. Afterwards, stop by one of the best cafes in the city to relax and enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee," it added.

According to Tripzilla, Hanoi is a budget-friendly destination and visitors won’t need to worry about costs as a solo traveller.

"A stay in a Hanoi luxury hotel can cost as little as S$200, and meals cost around S$14 per day. Feel free to pamper yourself while staying in this beautiful city, which is undoubtedly one of the best places to travel alone as a woman in Southeast Asia," it stressed.