Solo travel has been a popular trend in Vietnam since 2019. Interestingly, this trend attracts a large number of women who have social standing, are tech-savvy, and have ample financial resources.

About a decade ago, solo travel by backpacker was still a rare phenomenon for women. Close friends and family often expressed worry and skepticism upon hearing about someone's solo travel plans, sometimes even harboring negative thoughts. Today, with the majority of Vietnamese women having access to diverse sources of information, solo travel has become much easier.

According to the 2019 report "Solo Travel: An Emerging Trend in the Vietnamese Travel Community" by The Outbox Company, the number of women traveling solo is double that of men, mainly belonging to the 80s and 90s generations. Those who travel solo do so to relax, reduce stress, and meet new friends.

Earlier this year, Cecilia Anh Vân, a Personal Branding Coach (ACC/ICF) based in Hanoi, arranged her schedule and embarked on a solo journey from Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) to Dat Mui (Ca Mau), traveling through 28 coastal provinces and cities on her father's Honda Dream motorcycle, a gift from her father, over a period of three months. Traveling across different regions, admiring unprecedented scenery, and meeting strangers was a dream she had cherished since turning 18. It took her about six months to prepare all the necessary funds according to her plan, which she had developed in 2017.

The pressures of a busy modern life have made it difficult for many families and groups of friends to schedule time and agree on costs for a trip together. Therefore, many Vietnamese women choose to travel alone (solo travel), independent and not having to wait for others. Even traveling alone, they can still share their journey and interact with others through various social media platforms.

Reader Nguyen Thu Thao, a communications specialist at a real estate company in Da Nang, shared that she traveled solo for the first time at the age of 25, exploring the Southwestern region of Vietnam in late 2021. During the trip, she took photos, conducted interviews, and wrote articles for various travel and lifestyle magazines. For Thu Thao, solo travel allowed her time to reflect on her work and social relationships in a peaceful atmosphere, free from the usual pressures of everyday life.

"Traveling solo in a spontaneous way, I can meet like-minded travel companions. We proactively connect with locals to experience the culture in the best way possible. I think that if I can overcome feelings of loneliness in many situations, then nothing can stop me anymore," said Thu Thảo.

Of course, it cannot be denied that solo travel carries many risks. On online forums, many female travelers are aware of the potential problems that can arise when traveling anywhere. They dedicate time and effort to meticulously planning, outlining contingency plans for worst-case scenarios, and accepting the challenge of stepping outside their comfort zone. There are many popular travel websites such as...Solo Traveller, Women on the Road, Ha is Strange - A Travel Storyteller, Nhi Dang… provides detailed information for solo travelers. BothTripAdvisor- The leading global travel review platform also opened a separate forum on the topic of what to do when traveling solo.

In Vietnam, the Covid-19 pandemic has spurred the strong growth of online travel platforms (OTAs) serving small groups of solo travelers such as Traveloka, Klook, Tubudd, etc. The success of OTAs stems from their significant advantages in abundant data resources, consistent promotions, and modern technology in optimizing products and services to personalize and localize the travel experience for tourists.

For female solo travelers, meeting new friends is a desire to gain a genuine understanding of the people and culture of the places they visit. This is the motivation behind the founding of Tubudd in 2017 by Ms. Vu Thi Thai An (Annie Vu) and her colleagues. Their goal was to create a travel platform connecting travelers and local guides (buddies), personalizing trips to meet individual needs and providing authentic local experiences. Through Tubudd, if travelers already have an itinerary, the buddy can arrange it accordingly. Alternatively, if they don't have an itinerary, the buddy can design a trip tailored to their preferences at a reasonable cost.

Solo travel also motivates travelers to become more aware of their responsibilities towards the environment and local people at their destination."No one will be left behind"Issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, political tensions, and global warming have significantly impacted the psychology and behavior of female solo travelers. They are increasingly interested in purchasing local products and goods directly from people without going through any intermediaries. This allows artisans to maximize their economic benefits from tourism.

Many Vietnamese female travelers strike a good balance between their preference for solo travel and a vegan lifestyle. Beyond just food, vegan travelers limit their use of cosmetics and fashion products that are tested on animals, avoid accommodation, and refrain from entertainment involving animal exploitation.

"When traveling alone, I can easily prepare vegetable-based meals or shop for vegan products at establishments owned by local people. That's a practical way I can reduce my carbon footprint and make a sustainable contribution to the destination's economy," said Nguyen Bao Ngoc, a lecturer at a university in Ho Chi Minh City who often travels alone.

In short,

Now, alongside OTAs, many traditional travel companies have quickly joined the race to cater to the rapidly growing community of female solo travelers. This is because the post-Covid-19 trend of living life to the fullest and enjoying life sustainably promises that solo travelers are willing to spend more on new and personalized experiences. Another interesting commonality observed by Travellive among the randomly interviewed female travelers is that they are successful and have high social standing, high awareness, and ample financial resources. Although traveling alone, they are not entirely alone, as they meet many people with similar circumstances, habits, and life perspectives throughout their trip.