
Solo Travel Musts for Vietnam
The hottest spots to visit on your trip or gap ‘yah’
Solo travel is an incredible experience and everyone should try it in their life. Be you a male or female, bold and brave or shy and timid, the big unknown shouldn’t put you off. There are a plethora of destinations that are super safe and solo travel friendly and one of those such destinations is the country of Vietnam.
Vietnam is known for its friendly and welcoming people, making it an excellent destination for first-time international travellers. There is a language barrier, but given the touristy nature of most of its towns and cities, it’s very easy to get around and communicate and see all of the beautiful sites on offer. On In London recently visited this great country and have pulled together some trip highlights and tips for each destination along our two week route.
Take a guided food tour in Hanoi
Vietnam is certainly famed for its food, and the bustling capital of Hanoi is a melting pot of Vietnamese cuisine and specialities. The vibrant and busy streets, littered with mopeds and people from all walks of life are the perfect spots to try street food dishes. You can’t really go wrong and can pick up full meals with a beer for less than £3.00, which, when you’re used to London prices, is exceptional!
For the more discerning foodie, it’s highly recommended to take a guided food tour with a local, and I teamed up with Forever Vacation to give one of their highly rated tours a try. On this private walking tour they will take you to some of the best local food spots in the Old Quarter, which is considered the ‘real’ Hanoi! The Old Quarter is an intriguing neighbourhood, home to a mix of Vietnamese architecture, green spaces, ancient shops and fresh-as-it-gets street food — all of it easily explored on foot. You’ll be rewarded with delicious food, hidden alleyways, secluded pagodas, and cosy coffee shops!
It was on this tour I made best chums with my guide and got to try some of Vietnam’s most famed dishes in the most authentic of places, including at one point, someone’s living room! Dishes tried included Pho, Banh Mi, Vietnamese Egg Coffee, Banh Cuon and Bun Cha. Each was delicious and the helping hand of the tour guide allowed you to discover the foodie route less travelled. To book the tour visit: www.forevervacation.com/a-taste-of-hanoi-the-ultimate-food-tour

Visit the world’s cutest cat café in Hue
Huế is a natural stop off when taking the coastal tourist route of Vietnam. It’s famed for its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls, which is absolutely stunning and a must visit. This destination encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theatre.
I found Huế one of the less touristy places, meaning there weren’t a lot of sites to visit. Instead, I decided to track down an adorable cat café, to get my furry fix and was so pleasantly surprised! Cat Café Mocha is a very cute and quirky café situated in a popular shopping mall. I’ve been to many cat cafes in my life, but this was by far the best one. The cats were diverse, friendly and interactive, as well as very happy and clearly well looked after. The drinks are also authentic and you can get your fix of Vietnam’s famous coffee. To book the cat café, visit: www.catmocha.jp

Indulge in a Michelin Star Meal in Da Nang
Da Nang is the midway point between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the perfect place to stay a few days with many tourist attractions nearby such as Bana Hills and The Marble Mountains. A holiday hot spot in its own right, Da Nang is also famed for its beautiful beaches, seafood restaurants and bars.
A culinary hot spot, Da Nang is one of the best cities to try out the Michelin guide recommended dining in the country, for a mere fraction of the price you would pay here in the UK. A beautiful restaurant that I discovered was called The Temptation.
The Temptation is set in a cosy corner of the most beautiful area of Da Nang. Shaded by the lush gardens of the courtyard, the spacious yet intimate dining area provides air-conditioned seating for 70 in gracefully ornamented comfort. Within this elegant ambiance, guests will be treated to a menu that offers dishes created with the sumptuous sophistication of French cuisine, highlighted by the piquant freshness of Vietnamese ingredients and culinary culture.
It was here I trialled one of the impressive Gorumand Set Menu and wine pairing. Designed by Chef An, a Vietnamese born, French-influenced chef, I got to try a range of delicacies including French Fois Gras and Japanese Hokkaido Sea Scallops. The meal was exceptional, beautifully presented and as mentioned, a fraction of the cost you would pay in the UK with unmatched quality, precision and taste. To find out more, visit: www.thetemptation.com.vn

Learn to cook Vietnam’s highlight dishes at the top cooking class in Hoi An
For many, Hoi An is a clear highlight on the trip. Though it is touristy, the beautiful lakeside setting, famous and atmospheric decorative lanterns and famous landmarks make Hoi An is an absolute must-visit.
Cam Thanh village is a great spot to visit to participate in an authentic Vietnamese cooking class. We highly recommend the Hoi An Eco Cooking Class which is a lovely and authentic, family run business. You start by leaving the hotel with an English speaking guide by van to go to the hustle and bustle of the local market where we you have a chance to see and experience the noise as well as chat directly to sellers.
On arrival at the cooking school, you are shown how to ride a round bamboo boat and fish for purple crabs, before heading into the kitchen to learn how to make several dishes including: Fresh Spring Rolls, Aubergine with Soya Sauce, Phở Bò, Banana Flower Salad, Bánh Xèo and Sweet and Sour Fish Sauce. You get to leave with the recipe book also so you can impress your friends at home. Be aware of many copycat tours in the area also, many are trying to rip off this families format and unique offering. To find out more, visit: www.hoianecocookingclass.com

Escape the Ho Chi Minh City noise with a standout spa day
Ho Chi Minh City is the epitome of ‘busy city’. With incessant traffic, neon lights and buzzy crowds, it’s the perfect place to shop and learn a little more about the history of Vietnam. After a couple of days of throwing yourself into the noise, you may feel a little burned out. The perfect antidote to this is a visit to the stunning Ukiyo Spa for an indulgent spa day.
Situated a tiny bit out of the hustle and bustle (but on the way to the airport, so a great activity to do before you leave), you’ll find the secluded and beautifully designed spa. Alongside a relaxing sauna and steam room experience, there is a full plethora of treatments to choose from, but we can’t recommend the 12-step Ukiyo® Signature Facial more!
The 75-minute treatment combines, tools, product and massage to ensure the skin is perfectly cleansed, extracted, hydrated and at the heart of the treatment, is full, deep relaxation. The treatment which was superb and easily one of the best facials I’ve ever had, is very similar to 12-step London facials. Whilst these are typically priced at £200.00 – £300.00 in the capital of England, in this spa, the treatment is costed at under £20.00 – you simply can’t go wrong! To find out more, visit: www.ukiyo-spa.com

Overall Vietnam is not only affordable and welcoming to solo travellers, we simply can’t explain the vibrancy and pick of incredible things to do in this beautiful country. A trip to Vietnam is not to be missed, get planning your trip now!
