Hoi An, Vietnam
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Hoi An.
Hoi An's main tourist area with pedestrian streets, lanterns, and strong police presence. Lots of cafes, high safety levels, and common to see people traveling alone. Gets crowded but manageable. Good base for first-time visitors.
The Ancient Town is the main draw - a UNESCO World Heritage site covering about 2 square kilometers of pedestrian streets with mustard-yellow buildings, Chinese temples, and tailor shops everywhere. Every evening, thousands of silk lanterns light up the streets. It's touristy, yes, but the crowds are manageable and the atmosphere works. Solo travelers are common here, sitting in riverside cafes or wandering around with cameras. The cafes all have WiFi and welcome people working on laptops. The Japanese Covered Bridge and assembly halls are the main sights during the day. Street vendors will approach you selling souvenirs, but they take no for an answer - just keep walking. Tourist police are visible, and the area feels safe walking around at night with all the lighting from the lanterns.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
ModerateScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
Very HighHomelessness Visibility
Very HighGetting By in English
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"Felt safe walking around late at night with all the lanterns and people around"
"Lots of solo travelers here, eating alone didn't feel awkward at all"
"Tailor shops will approach you but they're not pushy - easy to decline"
"Good for slow travel if you like cafe culture - spent hours reading and working"
"The lanterns at night are nice, gets crowded with tourists taking photos though"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Beach town vibe with beach bars and cafes, popular with expats. Safe and social during the day, quiet at night. Good for daytime visits, 15 minutes by bike from the Ancient Town.
Local residential island across the river from Ancient Town. Riverside cafes, Vietnamese street life, safe during the day. Quiet after 9pm.
Rural village with basket boat rides through coconut forests. Half-day trip from Hoi An. Safe, family-friendly. Daytime only.
Help other women stay safe in Ancient Town (Old Town)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.