More and more women like to travel alone

Some "solo travelers" share that they like to travel alone because they "don't want to miss opportunities or waste time".

In 2023, Ms. Dieu Hong, 42 years old in Hanoi, took two solo trips to Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa and Y Ty, Lao Cai. At the end of March, she plans to go to Mai Chau, Hoa Binh . Ms. Hong does not want to go on all trips alone, sometimes she invites friends but the time and location are not suitable. Going out with the whole family requires careful preparation, usually only in the summer.

"I didn't want to miss the opportunity or waste time. I asked myself, why don't I go alone? So I became a solo traveler for a few years now," said Ms. Hong.

Ms. Hong's trip to Ham Lon mountain, Soc Son, Hanoi , 2023. Photo: NVCC

Women traveling alone is no longer a new phenomenon in Vietnam and around the world. Jessica Nabongo, an American, has traveled to 151 countries around the world, 47 of which were solo trips. In her effort to become the first woman of color to travel to every country, she sometimes had to travel alone.

Jessica believes that traveling with others doesn't encourage us to meet new people. When I travel alone, "I tend to meet more new people and make new connections in the countries I visit," Jessica Nabongo told National Geographic .

Solo travel is becoming more common among women like Dieu Hong and Nabongo. Brian FitzGerald, CEO of Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT) and Solo Traveler, told Forbes that the trend of solo travel was more popular than a decade ago and continues to grow. In 2017, 27% of the company's travelers traveled alone, 39% in 2019, and 47% in 2021. By January 2024, that number will be 50%.

"After the pandemic, many travelers don't want to waste time. They decide if they can't go with someone, they'll go alone," Mr. FitzGerald said.

Among those who choose to travel alone, women dominate. According to a survey by Booking.com, 72% of American women prefer to travel alone. And research by Astute Analytica shows that solo travel is expected to grow the most by 2027, with women accounting for 55%. In Vietnam, according to 2019 data from Ho Chi Minh City-based market research firm Outbox, 60% of solo travelers in Vietnam are women. They prioritize experiences and making friends.

Explaining why women travel alone more than men, American psychologist Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby said this is related to relationships. When men talk about traveling, they think of it as a group activity and they are often passive.

"When left alone, men do nothing, and women pack their bags and go," said Lisa Marie Bobby, adding that more and more women, especially those in their 50s, are interested in exploring the outside world. Such vacations make women feel more special. They are more independent, proactive in controlling their lives and enjoy more. When choosing to travel alone, they also have many options, from domestic vacations, foreign exploration, or even driving and climbing mountains.

Jessica Nabongo in Afghanistan in 2018. Photo: Elton

Linh Huong

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