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Have you been on a solo female travel Ho Chi Minh City trip before? If not, Iām calling all solo female travelers!
Honestly, I love Ho Chi Minh City. If youāre ready to experience the countryās most vibrant and diverse city, then pack your bags and plan your trip. I wanted to experience and test myself outside my comfort zone. It was a revelation. Letās start with the simple challenges, which are what make life enjoyable. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful. I always remember my first solo trip to Saigon.
If you are planning your first solo female travel to Ho Chi Minh City, this guide will help you feel more confident and prepared. If you are new to solo travel, read this first: Solo Female Travel Tips: Overcome Fear and Travel Confidently
With just a little preparation, your solo trip can be safe, fun, and unforgettable.
Why I Chose Vietnam for My First Solo Female Trip
Planning a budget trip to Vietnam is easy, as it has become the top choice for backpackers due to its affordable travel costs. Moreover, you can encounter footpaths and coastal roads that lead to remote villages, where all you need is a hammock and time for rest and reflection.
There are many budget-friendly solo travel destinations to choose from, but Ho Chi Minh City is perfect for those on a tight budget. With so many things to do and see, youāre sure to be delighted.
Are you planning a trip to Vietnam or another country? Before you plan, I recommend reading my solo travel destination guide, which shares all the trips I took. Surely, you will get more ideas for where to travel.
If you love traveling alone, consider visiting Vietnam. I was happy during my three-day tour in Saigon, and it made me fall in love with the city in a short period. My three-day solo budget trip will motivate you to visit the places Iāve shared in my travel experiences.
I chose solo female travel in Ho Chi Minh City because I wanted a mix of adventure and comfort. During my 3-day trip, I realized that my solo journey is not just about sightseeing. It is about confidence, freedom, and self-growth.
Letās find out all the solo travel tips and itinerary ideas to enjoy your first visit as a solo female traveler.
Are 3 days enough in Ho Chi Minh City?
There are numerous activities in Ho Chi Minh City, so I suggest visiting for at least 3 days, which is sufficient for a first-time solo female travel Ho Chi Minh City experience. In this tour program, I’ll show you the best way to experience the best of this bustling city and its surrounding regions in a short amount of time.
As a first-time solo female traveler, it’s essential to have a well-organized travel plan before embarking on your journey alone. Below is my recommendation for arranging tours with the best deals.
- Klook Travel ā Activities, tours, attractions
- Agoda ā Hotel
- Viator ā Tours & Activities
- TripAdvisor ā Real Reviews
- Trip.com ā Hotel, Flight & Car Rental
- GetYourGuide ā Tours & Attractions
For my blissful experience, you can join any day trip up to 24 hours before your action begins for a discount.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
One of the biggest questions people ask is: āIs Ho Chi Minh City safe for solo female travelers?ā
From my personal experience, yes.
Vietnamese people were incredibly welcoming and helpful during my trip. Most locals in tourist areas could speak basic English, and I never struggled much with directions or transportation.
My solo female travel Ho Chi Minh City was completely safe. I also enjoyed the Mekong Delta and Halong Bay tour, during which I met some solo female travelers. Theyāre backpacking and safely touring around Vietnam. However, as a solo female backpacker, itās essential to bear in mind some important considerations and tips.
What is the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh for Solo Travelers?
If youāre a first-time solo traveler in this city, I recommend staying in District 1. It is very convenient to access all major attractions, and there are plenty of food and accommodation options.
District 1 is close to:
- Ben Thanh Market
- Bui Vien Walking Street
- Cafes and restaurants
- Museums and attractions
- Budget hotels and hostels
If you prefer a backpacker atmosphere, Pham Ngu Lao Street is perfect. It is lively, affordable, and very convenient for solo travelers. However, if you prefer a more backpacker vibe, then Pham Ngu Lao Street (known as the Backpacker District) is where youāll find some of Ho Chi Minhās best hostels and budget guesthouses.
During my solo trip, I stayed at La Felix Hotel in District 1. I loved the location because it was within walking distance to restaurants, nightlife, and shopping areas. The room was clean, modern, and comfortable for a solo female traveler. I booked my accommodation through Agoda because I found better hotel deals there.
You can also compare prices on Klook and TripAdvisor.
My Honest Review
As my honest review, I recommend choosing a hotel in District 1. During my trip, I stayed two nights at La Felix Hotel, located in Pham Ngu Lao, within walking distance to Bui Vien Walking Street and Zen Plaza. Most of all, this hotel is ideal for enjoying street food, nightlife, and enjoying the city on foot.
The hotel rates are also affordable. I loved the elegant interior, and my room was equipped with all modern amenities. They offer complimentary Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast for all guests. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City Alone
The best way to get around Ho Chi Minh is by walking. If walking is too strenuous, the next best option is to easily get around the city by taxi, motorbike, or even bicycle. For longer distances, I used the Grab App almost every day. Grab motorbikes are cheap, fast, and convenient for solo travelers in Vietnam.
If you want to explore by yourself, you donāt need to worry about the language barrier because most of the people there know how to communicate with foreigners. One of the advantages of Ho Chi Minh City is that it has limited car traffic and significantly better air quality than in other major cities.
What should I do in Vietnam for 3 days?
Here is my solo travel plan and recommendation; it is hassle-free, and you will definitely enjoy it.
On the first day, I spent time getting to know the city and tasting Vietnamese food, so I booked a Saigon student-guided city tour with a motorbike in advance and enjoyed Vietnamese coffee in the evening.
On day two, you’ll take a full-day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta tour to see how locals live on the water, followed by experiencing Ho Chi Minh City’s thriving nightlife.
On your final day, consider taking the Discover Saigon’s Local Sites and Culture by Motorbike tour, which is an excellent option if you have time before leaving.
Klook.comLet’s break down the complete itinerary:
Day 1: Explore Saigon Like a Local
On arrival day, I joined the Saigon Student Volunteer City Tour with OneTrip, which was incredible and offered the best travel experience. You can read the full review of a motorbike student tour with popular tourist attractions.
Not only will you find Vietnamese dishes here, but also a variety of delicacies from around the world, including Korean, Indian, and Thai Cuisine. However, we chose a street food shop and chit-chatted. They made my night perfect in Vietnam, and it was one of my most enjoyable moments during the solo trip.
Later that evening, I explored Bui Vien Walking Street with local friends. We visited the street food market and enjoyed Vietnamese dishes while chatting about travel and life in Vietnam. The nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is lively but still enjoyable for solo travelers. There are many cafes, rooftop bars, and food stalls to explore.
For activities and tours, I recommend:
Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Tour
For the second day, I booked a full-day tour on TripAdvisor, which takes you from Ho Chi Minh City to two popular attractions: the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Highly recommended.
Solo female travel – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
This tour was one of the highlights of my solo travel itinerary in Vietnam. We traveled by VIP car from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where I learned more about Vietnamās wartime history. Seeing the underground tunnels and hidden traps was both emotional and fascinating. Since itās an early morning tour, I suggest you have a big breakfast or bring some snacks.
Solo female travel – Mekong Delta tour
It was worth appreciating and loving all the simple things during the Mekong Delta tour. A tour guide, boat trip, lunch, bicycle ride, or horse cart ride are all included with the tour. It takes 2 hours to reach the Mekong River Delta from the Cu Chi tunnels. On the way to get there, we stopped at a local restaurant to enjoy a lunch of Vietnamese Cuisine.
We took a boat ride from Cai Be and explored lush vegetation and floating markets. It is also lovely to see the bright rice paddies from the boat.
Another exciting moment for me is taking a rowboat to paddle along the small canals. Afterward, we rode the horse cart to cruise to the coconut island. We visited the coconut candy workshop and enjoyed seeing the traditional process of making candy, puffed rice, and grated coconut in Ben Tre province.
Then, we disembarked at a local familyās residence to enjoy tropical fruits, savor honey tea and wine, observe how local products are made, and experience a live local music performance by the villagers.
Try Local Food: Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho)
On the way back to the hotel, I asked the guide to drop me off at District 1 to find local food and try a Vietnamese foot massage.
I heard about the famous Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho) from my local friends. If you are a Muslim traveler, it is not hard to find halal food in District 1. I had my second dinner alone at Halal Saigon, and it was worth the price; the food was delicious, and the price was reasonable. Vietnamese iced coffee and pho refreshed.
After that, I went to “Massage QuĆŖ HĘ°Ę”ng” to get a foot massage, which was one of the challenges I faced during my solo travel. Later, I took a Grab motorbike back to my hotel.
Day 3 ā Discover Hidden Saigon by Motorbike
The most exciting thing about visiting Vietnam is discovering Saigon on the back of a motorbike, like a truly local, and joining the thousands of other motorbikes on the street.
So, I booked a motorbike tour through GetYourGuide, a last-minute booking on my departure day.
Highlights
- Visit local sites
- Navigate small streets and alleyways by motorbike
- Experience the local life and culture,
- Enjoy a delicious special dish and a local drink
Let’s discover how I explored and created exciting moments during my solo tripā¦
Due to my late-departure flight to Singapore, I decided to book an afternoon tour at 1 pm that lasts 4 hours. However, you can choose either a morning or an afternoon tour, depending on your schedule. The tour guide picked me up at the La Felix Hotel on a motorbike, and I got ready to discover Vietnamese culture on the back of one, just like a true local.
Thich Quang Duc Monument
Begin the tour by visiting the venerable Thich Quang Duc Monument. There is a roadside memorial worth visiting to learn more about the Thich Quang Duc Monument. Next, continue to District 3, the oldest district of Saigon, where you will visit an old apartment to experience the local life of Vietnamese people and observe their daily activities.
Then, continue to District 3, the oldest district of Saigon, where you will visit an old apartment to experience the local life of Vietnamese people and observe their daily activities.
“CHEO LEO” Local Vietnamese Coffee Shop
We stopped at a local coffee shop to enjoy a typical Vietnamese coffee with coconut milk. It is the oldest coffee shop named “CHEO LEO”. I learned how Cheo Leo is brewed, and it was pretty interesting. The price of the coffee is cheap, and the taste is excellent, which is included in the tour package. You don’t need to spend a single cent on the food. So, don’t miss a chance to try Vietnamese coconut coffee there. It’s a must.
We continue to the largest flower market in Saigon, before heading to Chinatown in District 5, where we venture around ghost buildings, a motorbike market, a pet market, an electronic market, and a Chinese medicine market. We passed small alleys and explored local areas to experience a different side of Saigon, hidden in the daily life of the Saigonese.
Vietnamese Pancake, Banh Xeo
Nice taste of culture through food.
Before we visited a typical Chinese temple, the guide brought me to try a Vietnamese pancake, which was yummy and pretty good, even though I had ordered a vegetarian one. Banh Xeo refers to a sizzling pancake that contains different ingredients, including shrimp, oil, onion, and bean sproutsāmug beans.
I tasted the southern-style Banh Xeo, which is wrapped in lettuce or mustard leaves and accompanied by fish sauce and mint. Then, it is dipped in their local sauce before eating. One more thing is that you can watch the restaurant cook the dish. It’s one of the most popular street foods that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Vietnam for the first time.
Afterward, we visited a typical Chinese temple, the Thein Hau Temple. It is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea god. My guide explained to me about the history, and I also took many photos there š
The next spot was to explore a floating market, a miniature version of the Mekong Delta in Saigon. It’s the witness of the slum areas and old mafia areas in districts 4 and 7. To keep your strength and refresh, we filled your stomach with special cold coconut water. After that, we walked around to explore the hidden daily life of the Saigonese. Finally, we drive through the Saigon River Tunnel in District 2, the new urban area in Saigon, and enjoy the spectacular scenes of District 1.
You can book a Saigon Motorbike Tour here.
Solo female travel – How to explore Ben Thanh Market
At the end of the motorbike tour, before being dropped off at the hotel, I asked him to take me to Ben Thant market instead. Booking through Viator, GetYourGuide, or Klook is flexible, and we can make slight changes. Personally, I recommend checking reviews on TripAdvisor, where real traveler feedback is based on their experiences.
The aim of going there is to buy some souvenirs, such as t-shirts and hats, to bring back to my hometown. Before you purchase, it is crucial to negotiate the price they offer, as they tend to raise it if you seem like a tourist. So you’ll need negotiation skills.
My Departure
After that, I returned to the hotel and packed my belongings. Then, I had dinner alone near the hotel and booked a Grab taxi to the airport. There was less traffic, and I enjoyed a four-hour motorbike tour with the guide before my departure. That amazing tour was well-conducted the whole trip. This motorbike tour included travel insurance, entrance tickets, lunch, and coffee, ensuring a safe experience.
Klook.comAs an independent female traveler, I love to check, experience, taste, walk, and sometimes get lost ā¦ but I enjoyed my long way. By evening, I left the city with all good memories of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and my first solo travel went well and was terrific.
Ho Chi Minh, you gave me a wonderful experience, filled with excitement, joy, self-awareness, and bravery during my short trip. I hope to come back again. See you, Vietnam!
FAQ – My Honest Answers
How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?
Three days are enough to explore the city highlights, try local food, visit historical attractions, and enjoy a Mekong Delta day trip.
Where should solo travelers stay in Ho Chi Minh City?
District 1 is the best area for first-time solo travelers because it is convenient, lively, and close to major attractions.
What is the best way to get around Saigon?
Walking and using Grab motorbike taxis are the easiest and most affordable ways to get around the city.
Is Vietnam good for first-time solo travelers?
Yes. Vietnam is affordable, welcoming, and easy to travel around, making it a popular destination for first-time solo travelers. I recommend solo female traveling Ho Chi Minh City.
