Decoding the appeal of solo travel for women

No need to wait for a companion, no need for too many plans - many young girls today choose to travel alone. A small suitcase, a few books, a pair of headphones and an open mind - that's all it takes for a journey. For them, traveling alone is a rare time to get away from the busy routine, to listen, heal and find themselves.

From "fear of being alone" to the courage of freedom

Once very afraid of the feeling of being alone, Nguyen Ha Vi (CocoVie) - a tiktoker with more than 400 thousand followers, shared: "Before, going out to eat or go out alone was unthinkable. But when going to work, everyone is busy, it's not easy to invite friends to travel . After a few missed appointments, I suddenly thought: if I keep waiting, I don't know when I'll go. So I packed my suitcase and went on the road." That first trip, which was supposed to be just to escape procrastination, opened up another journey: a journey of freedom and self-discovery.

"When I travel with friends, I often plan very carefully. But when I travel alone, everything happens more naturally. When I see a small shop on the side of the road, I stop by, when I see a strange place, I explore . That feeling is very interesting and liberating," Ha Vi said. For her, every solo trip is a lesson in peace. "Once I had a picnic alone under an old tree, no social media, no books, just listening to birds chirping and watching the clouds drift by. I realized that peace is not something to be found far away, it comes when I am quiet enough to listen to myself, to blend in with nature."

Of course, freedom does not mean carelessness. CocoVie always prepares carefully for each trip: "For each solo trip, I plan important and fixed things, choose to stay in the center, return before 8 pm, and bring small self-defense items. Being careful is necessary, but don't let that ruin the fun. As long as you prepare enough, you will find the solo trip very worthwhile."

Unlike Ha Vi, Nguyen Thi Thu Hien (25 years old), currently living and working in Ta Xua, Son La, unexpectedly embarked on a solo journey with a 56-day cross-Vietnam trip, traveling over 5,600km. "At first, I had a companion, but she had to stop in Da Nang . I cried a lot because I had never traveled far alone. But I had been waiting for this trip for a long time, so I decided not to stop anymore," Thu Hien said.

The first days of traveling alone were full of anxiety, but along the way, she realized: traveling alone is not as lonely as she imagined. "If I go with friends, I rarely communicate with strangers. But when I go alone, I start talking to everyone: from coffee shop owners, vendors, to fellow tourists. And then I realized: if you can't find a companion, just go because when you get there, you will find them there."

After nearly two months of traveling alone, Hien returned with a completely different mindset: "I am stronger and more confident. If I had chosen to return to Hanoi at that time, I certainly would not be the person I am today. Solo trip is not just about going far away but also about daring to overcome the psychological barrier of 'being alone'. The world out there is so big, you just need to dare to step out."

Journeys to find yourself

Not just a personal story, this trend is being recognized by travel experts as a big change. According to Ms. Annie Vu, CEO & Founder of TUBUDD - a company specializing in providing local companion services for tourists, more and more Vietnamese women choose to travel alone as a way to enjoy and heal. "Women today are more liberal and proactive in enjoying life. They are not afraid to travel solo, even those from traditionally conservative countries like the Middle East or Asia," she shared.

According to her, the group of women traveling alone is very diverse, from creative young people, freelancers, to successful women who want to find a 'new breeze' after a long time working. "They travel alone not because they are lonely, but because they want to have their own quiet time to understand and renew themselves," she said.

Travel companies are also adjusting their products to better suit solo female travelers. "We prioritize hotels in safe areas, choose female tour guides, and carefully check the itinerary and means of transportation. The goal is to ensure a safe experience while still maintaining the personal nature of the trip," Annie said. According to data from TUBUDD, the most popular destinations for solo women today include Sa Pa, Ta Xua, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang - places that are beautiful, friendly and easy to travel to.

From the story of CocoVie, Thu Hien and the perspective of a tourism worker, it can be seen that "being alone" is no longer a fear, but a choice of maturity. This is the journey that modern women step out of their comfort zone - not only to explore the world, but also to find freedom, tranquility and confidence in their own souls. As CocoVie said: "Sometimes, the best plan is a plan that is not too specific so that we have space for surprises and for ourselves."

Luggage for women traveling alone

A fully charged phone, offline maps, a few small self-defense items, and most importantly, initiative and calmness - that is the experience shared by many female "solo travelers". Travel experts advise that when traveling alone, prioritize safe destinations, choose central accommodation, inform relatives of your schedule and keep an open but vigilant mind. Careful preparation helps your free journey become more complete and secure.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/giai-ma-suc-hut-tu-trao-luu-du-lich-mot-minh-cua-phu-nu-20251111162025292.htm