Best Tours and Experiences in Hanoi for Solo Female Travellers
Whether you are going to Vietnam for a visa run from Bali or not, you should allow at least a week in Hanoi. That’s where you will immerse yourself in the deep Vietnamese culture and have a lot of fun on the way too! In this blog post, I will go through the best experiences to book in Hanoi for female solo travellers so that all you have to do is book your favourite one and show up! 🪄
Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
How To Book The Right Experience in Advance
There is so much to do in Hanoi for female solo travellers, it could be overwhelming. When it comes to booking experiences in advance, I would look into the time of the year you are visiting. Check out the best time to visit Hanoi here, however, this is what I would suggest:
- City tours and cooking classes are always enjoyable all year round. These are a safe bet!
- Cruise and boat trips are not advisable during winter (December to February) as the weather is not nice and it’s actually really cold! If you ask anyone locally, they would still encourage you to go, but based on my personal experience, it’s actually not enjoyable. It will rain a lot and temperatures will be around 10 degrees Celsius!
The Best City Tours in Hanoi for Solo Travellers
The city tour is always one of the first things we book when visiting a new place. In Hanoi, two excellent tour options provide a thorough exploration of the city’s highlights. Whether opting for a half-day tour that covers key attractions in a short time or a full-day tour that includes a traditional lunch and visits to iconic sites, these experiences will be a lot of fun and give you all you want to know about this incredible city! I also find these tours perfect for solo travellers because you really get the chance to interact with other travellers and make new friends during the walk!
Guided Half-Day City Highlights Tour with Transfers
Discover the charm of Hanoi with a half-day small group tour that highlights the city’s key attractions. This tour includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. Engage with Hanoi’s rich history and culture as your knowledgeable guide provides fascinating insights throughout the journey. This compact tour is perfect for travellers with limited time who still want to experience the essence of Hanoi.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 4 to 5 hours
💰 Price: Around $20 to $30 per person
Full-Day Small-Group City Tour with Lunch
Explore the vibrant city of Hanoi with a comprehensive full-day small group tour. This experience takes you through the city’s rich history and culture, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch, stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, and explore the bustling Old Quarter. This guided tour provides insightful commentary, ensuring a deep understanding of Hanoi’s heritage. The experience would also include a yummy lunch!
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 8 to 9 hours
💰 Price: Around $40 to $50 per person
Cruises In Hanoi for Solo Travellers
This is an absolute must if you have the time! Cruises around Halong Bay are insane! I listed down 3 options: 1, 2 or 3-day cruise from Hanoi. I love these experiences because they literally think about everything, including hotel pickup. So it’s a completely effortless experience, all you have to do is show up at the right time! For the 3-day cruise, I’ve listed 2 versions, one luxurious and one that is a bit more affordable.
Halong Bay, Titop Island, Sung Sot & Luon Caves
This is the classic Halong Bay cruise. A full-day tour that includes visits to Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave, and Luon Cave. Cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay, marvel at the limestone karsts and explore the breathtaking Sung Sot Cave. Enjoy a swim or hike on Titop Island for panoramic views, and kayak or take a bamboo boat ride around Luon Cave. This tour offers a comprehensive look at one of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 12 hours
💰 Price: Around $50 to $60 per person
2-Day Halong Sapphire Cruise with Balcony Cabin
Next, check out Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay with a 2-day cruise. This experience includes luxurious accommodations, delicious meals, and guided excursions. Explore the incredible landscapes of Lan Ha Bay, visit hidden lagoons and pristine beaches, and engage in activities such as kayaking and swimming. Discover the beautiful Sung Sot Cave and enjoy breathtaking views from the cruise deck.
🕑 Experience duration: 2 days
💰 Price: Around $160 to $180 per person
Lan Ha Bay: 3-Day Tour on a 5-Star Cruise
If 2 days are not enough, indulge in a luxurious 3-day cruise through the stunning Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. This 5-star experience features exquisite accommodations, gourmet meals, and a variety of guided excursions. Sail through emerald waters, visit picturesque islands, explore hidden caves, and relax on pristine beaches. Engage in activities such as kayaking, swimming, and squid fishing, or simply unwind on the cruise deck. This comprehensive tour offers a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and luxury in one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking regions.
🕑 Experience duration: 3 days
💰 Price: From $350 per person
3-Day Ninh Binh, Ha Long, & Lan Ha Bay 5-Star Cruise (cheaper version than the previous one)
This is an alternative to the cruise above. It’s a 3-day adventure combining the best of Ha Long, Ninh Binh, and Lan Ha Bay. This 5-star experience includes deluxe accommodations, gourmet meals, and guided tours. Discover Hanoi’s rich cultural heritage, explore the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh and cruise through the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay. Highlights include visiting ancient temples, rowing through stunning caves, and relaxing on your private balcony. Although this tour is more affordable than the previous one, it still looks like a lavish experience to me!
🕑 Experience duration: 3 days
💰 Price: Around $274 per person
Best Adventurous Experiences For Solo Travellers
If you are one of these people who enjoys an adventurous experience, then I’ve got a few options for you!
Best Boat Tour: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Hang Mua Day Tour
Discover the natural and historical treasures of Ninh Binh with a full-day tour featuring Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Hang Mua. Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, explore the breathtaking Trang An landscape complex with a boat ride through its scenic waterways, and hike up to Hang Mua for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. This tour provides a comprehensive look at the beauty and cultural significance of Ninh Binh, making it an ideal day trip from Hanoi.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 10 to 11 hours
💰 Price: Around $50 to $60 per person
Army Jeep Tour in Hanoi Through Historic Sights
Explore Hanoi’s rich culture and historic sights in style with a sightseeing tour in a vintage GAZ-69 Jeep. This unique experience takes you through the bustling streets of Hanoi, showcasing landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the vibrant Old Quarter. Enjoy insightful commentary from your guide while riding in a classic military jeep, offering a distinctive way to see the city’s highlights.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 4 hours
💰 Price: Around $55 to $65 per person
Bike Tour Through Hidden Gems and Banana Island
Discover the hidden gems and vibrant backstreets of Hanoi with an engaging bike tour. This experience takes you off the beaten path to explore lesser-known areas of the city, including local markets, residential neighbourhoods, and historical sites. Ride through the bustling streets with a knowledgeable guide who provides fascinating insights into Hanoi’s culture and daily life. This tour offers a unique and immersive way to see the city from a local’s perspective.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 4 hours
💰 Price: Around $30 to $40 per person
Best Food Tours in Hanoi
Food in Hanoi is very unique and delicious so you will want to try some street food or famous restaurants with a local guide. I’ve done that despite my allergies, and I had the best time. I also found the street food here very safe! Here are the best food tours to try out:
Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter
This experience is a walking tour of Train Street and the Old Quarter’s street food scene. This tour takes you through the narrow, bustling streets where trains pass just inches from local homes and shops. Explore the Old Quarter’s culinary delights, sampling authentic street food from various vendors. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into Hanoi’s history and food culture, making this a must-do for food enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 3 hours
💰 Price: Around $30 to $40 per person
Try The Best Food Hanoi Can Offer With a Local Guide
This is an alternative to the previous tour just in case that one gets sold out. Quite similarly to the previous one, this tour takes you through bustling markets and hidden alleys to discover authentic street food. You will sample a variety of traditional dishes and learn about the ingredients and preparation methods from your knowledgeable guide.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 3 hours
💰 Price: Around $30 to $40 per person
Vietnamese Coffee Workshop!
If you love coffee, you need to sign up for this workshop because it will blow your mind! It takes place at Su Quan Roastery in Hanoi and here you will learn about the rich coffee culture of Vietnam. This hands-on experience allows you to discover the unique brewing techniques and flavours of Vietnamese coffee. Guided by expert baristas, you’ll get to roast, brew, and taste different coffee varieties, gaining a deep appreciation for this beloved beverage. Perfect for coffee enthusiasts, this workshop offers an authentic and educational experience.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 2 hours
💰 Price: Around $25 to $35 per person
Half-Day Foodie Tour Of Hanoi By Motorbike
Go for a half-day foodie tour of Hanoi by motorbike to explore the city’s culinary delights. This guided tour takes you through bustling streets and hidden alleys, allowing you to sample a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes at local eateries. Experience the vibrant food culture of Hanoi while riding on the back of a motorbike, with expert guides leading the way. This tour offers a unique and exciting way to taste the best of Hanoi’s street food.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 4 hours
💰 Price: Around $45 to $55 per person
Best Cooking Classes In Hanoi For Solo Travellers
If you’re interested in cooking classes, you should check these ones out! I’ve listed 2 hands-on and exceptional classes. One is located in a local villa, and the other is a completely vegan cooking class in a traditional village! Prices start from $40 and will take up at least 4 hours of your day!
Cooking Class In A Local Villa
Immerse yourself in Vietnamese cuisine with a local market tour and cooking class in a charming Hanoi villa. Start with a guided visit to a bustling local market to select fresh ingredients, followed by a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes. Under the guidance of a skilled chef, you’ll create and enjoy a delicious meal in a beautiful villa setting. This experience offers a deep dive into Vietnamese culinary traditions and flavours.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 5 hours
💰 Price: Around $55 to $65 per person
Vegan Vietnamese Cooking Class
Join a vegan Vietnamese cooking class in a local Hanoi villa to explore the flavours of plant-based Vietnamese cuisine. Begin with a guided tour of a local market to pick fresh, vegan ingredients. Then, participate in a hands-on cooking class led by an expert chef, where you’ll learn to prepare a variety of traditional vegan dishes. Enjoy the meal you’ve created in a beautiful villa setting, gaining insight into the culinary traditions of Vietnam.
🕑 Experience duration: Approximately 5 hours
💰 Price: Typically $40 to $50 per person
Conclusion
I hope you found this blog post useful and managed to book a thing or two in Hanoi! If you have limited time, I would suggest taking the half-day city tour and a one day cruise for sure. Anything else would be a great addition to the trip, but only if you can!
Ciao for now,
Silvia x
Related Blog Posts
- Best Lunch Spots In Hanoi For Solo Female Travellers
- Best 5 Hotels in Hanoi for Female Solo Travellers
- 6 Things To Do In Hanoi For Solo Travellers
- Best Experiences To Book In Ubud for Solo Travellers
✍️ Solo Travel Planning Guide 🌴
Before you start your unforgettable adventures to a new country, here are the essential tips every solo traveller should know:
📱 Should I get an eSIM?
✅ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. 👉 Check current plans here
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance when travelling alone?
✅ 100% YES! — My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit. I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!
🏩 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
My go-to for hotels or hostels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets ❤️
✈️ Where can I book my flight?
Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark into a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!
🚕 How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?
I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook.com. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car instead, use DiscoverCars, they have cars available to pick up right at the airport!
🐒 What’s the best way to book my activities?
Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!
🏄🏽 Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?
Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Bookyogaretreats.com is my go-to for the best yoga retreats worldwide.
💰 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: The best debit card to use when travelling worldwide is Wise! It’s easy to apply for and you save lots of money when travelling alone.
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