Vietnam loses out to most Southeast Asian neighbors in solo travel ranking

By Hoang Phong November 19, 2024 | 06:31 pm PT

A foreign tourist (L) attends a bamboo handicraft making class in Hoi An on Oct. 25, 2024 Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh

Vietnam ranked 47th out of 89 destinations in this year's list of best countries for solo travelers, trailing behind most Southeast Asian neighbors such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Thailand was the best country in Southeast Asia for solo travel, securing 7th place globally. It was followed by Singapore (22nd), Malaysia (29th), the Philippines (33rd), and Indonesia (35th), according to the rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

Vietnam outperformed only Cambodia (72nd) and Myanmar (84th) within the region.

The country ranked 49th out of 87 destinations last year.

The rankings were determined through a global survey of over 17,000 people based on factors such as cultural accessibility, fun, friendliness, pleasant climate, safety, scenic landscapes, and approachability.

European countries dominated the list, with Spain ranked first, followed by Greece and Italy.

Vietnam is often regarded as a friendly destination for solo travelers, thanks to its affordable cuisine, stunning natural landscapes, and low levels of violent crime and terrorism.

However, its visa policies remain less accommodating compared to regional competitors.

Vietnam currently offers visa waivers for citizens of 25 countries, while Malaysia waives visas for 162 countries, and Thailand for 93.