A corner of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in autumn, 2022. Photo by Hoang Long
Hanoi is one of five most ideal places in the world for solo travel based on votes from 50,000 readers of Dutch online travel agency Booking.com.
Four other destinations were Liverpool in the U.K., Ko Ngai Island in Thailand, Buzios Town in Brazil and Yaeyama Islands in Japan.
“Solo travelers would soon get a taste of the city as they set foot on the busy traffic streets, and begin to appreciate the culture and mix of architectural styles, and of course, the exquisite yet affordable local cuisine,” Booking.com said.
It suggested visitors hop on a full-day city tour to visit several of the capital’s hidden gems like Tran Quoc Pagoda along the West Lake built in the 6th century, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Museum of Ethnology.
Street food is also part of Hanoi’s global reputation.
Food-lovers should join a guided street food tour, a private tour that walks you through the city’s most iconic restaurants and taste egg coffee, a signature drink that has several times garnered global attention from international travel sites.
If you are on a solo tour, Hanoi Prime Center Hotel, set in Hoan Kiem District and only a walk away from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, is worth consideration.
The Booking list was based on a survey of nearly 50,000 respondents across 31 markets.
In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months or plan to travel in 2022.