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Driven by a dream of traveling to every corner of Vietnam, Mai Linh (Hanoi) particularly loves places with simple, rustic beauty, those that preserve unique cultural features and possess majestic natural landscapes. And Hoi An, the ancient city on the banks of the romantic Thu Bon River, is the next destination on this young woman's journey of discovery.
Mai Linh - a female tourist from Hanoi.
Hoi An - An impressive "solo" destination for young people.
For her birthday, Mai Linh gave herself a special gift: her first solo trip to Hoi An. This was not only a journey to explore a new place, but also a milestone marking the young woman's maturity and independence.
Driven by a desire to step outside her comfort zone and experience something new, Mai Linh chose Hoi An as her destination for this special trip. According to her, Hoi An not only boasts a peaceful and romantic beauty but is also considered a safe travel destination, suitable for solo trips.
Hoi An is peaceful in its own unique way.
For this first trip, the female traveler was well-prepared. She meticulously planned everything from booking flights and hotels to researching tourist attractions and local cuisine. As a result, her journey went smoothly and provided many enjoyable experiences.
Mai Linh shared: "From the preparations to the expenses and unexpected costs, I planned everything in advance. Throughout my trip to Hoi An, I followed that plan and didn't encounter many unexpected expenses. I even saved on food costs because Hoi An food was cheaper than I expected."
Make sure you prepare thoroughly to ensure the trip is as perfect as possible.
A land for hearts to connect.
Immersed in the slow pace of life in Hoi An, Mai Linh was particularly impressed by the warmth and thoughtfulness of the local people.
"My most memorable experience in Hoi An was how lovely, enthusiastic, and hospitable the people were. Especially for a solo traveler like me, everyone was even more enthusiastic and helpful. I was very lucky to have met a local friend, so I had her help throughout my trip," Mai Linh said.
Mai Linh with her new friend.
She recounted that because she arrived in Hoi An on a weekday, her friend had to work all day. However, in the afternoon, her friend still came to the bus station to pick her up to help her feel less disoriented upon arriving in this new place. Not only that, her friend also took her out to eat and experience interesting activities in Hoi An at night, such as rowing a boat and releasing lanterns on the Hoai River...
This new acquaintance also took Mai Linh to the best Cao Lau restaurant in Hoi An, a place only known to locals. There, she learned about the origins of this specialty dish and found it incredibly interesting.
"The next morning, even though you had to go to work early, you still woke up to pick me up for a stroll through the old town so I could fully appreciate the simple beauty of Hoi An in the early morning. We cycled around the town together, admiring the houses with their unique traditional architecture, and took photos to capture memories. Afterwards, you took me to have breakfast at a Quang noodle shop on the sidewalk nearby, and we talked about countless things as if we had known each other for a long time. The owners of the Quang noodle shop were also enthusiastic in striking up a conversation when they heard I was from the North and visiting Quang Nam," Mai Linh recounted.
This place evokes fond memories because of its many charming aspects.
Afterward, they said goodbye and promised to meet again in Hoi An. However, just 15 minutes later, her friend returned and gave Mai Linh a bag of Hoi An mung bean cakes, saying she bought them for her to have for breakfast because she was worried about her getting tired from walking in the morning sun.
"I was really impressed by her cuteness and enthusiasm. Even now, more than a week after I returned to Hanoi, we're still in touch and talking through social media. That's probably the most memorable thing about my time in Hoi An," she emphasized.
Discover the joys of solo travel.
For those who love solo travel, Hoi An is the ideal destination to discover yourself and experience new things. Traveling alone in Hoi An, you will have moments of leisure and freedom, the freedom to plan your own itinerary, or explore the city's nooks and crannies in your own way.
Mot juice - a specialty of the Old Quarter.
However, traveling alone also comes with its own set of difficulties.
"As people often say, traveling alone is a rather dangerous decision, especially when you're a girl. Family or friends won't be at ease about your safety," Mai Linh said.
In addition, the female tourist also faced difficulties taking souvenir photos herself: "Although I brought a tripod and was lucky to have a local friend I met in Hoi An who helped me with filming, I was mostly alone and had to set up the shooting angle on the tripod myself."
Familiar corners of Hoi An.
Ignoring difficulties and obstacles, solo travel opens a door for travelers to connect with themselves, listen to their innermost feelings, and understand their true desires. And who knows, in those moments of wandering, they might easily find themselves filled with childlike joy.
Just like how the young woman from Hanoi fell in love with Hoi An at first sight: "A land of simplicity, peace, and poetry. Hoi An, to me, is as beautiful as a painting. From the moment I stepped into Hoi An early in the morning, I exclaimed, 'Wow, so Vietnam has such a beautiful and peaceful Hoi An!'"
