The perfect 12-day solo traveler blueprint: 100 % freedom with optional Legend Travel Group small-group adventures (max 12) whenever you want company. Hanoi → Ha Long → Ninh Binh → Phong Nha → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh – all with zero single supplement.
Day 1: Freedom begins (Source: Internet)Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 international travelers across Vietnam & Cambodia. This itinerary is the exact route used by thousands of happy solo guests on Legend Travel Group Vietnam Tours since 2008.
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Solo doesn’t mean sharing with strangers (Source: Internet)You want total independence.
You also want to jump into a ready-made group when you feel social.
This 12-day itinerary gives you both.
Core plan = 100 % solo with hostels, trains, buses.
Optional Legend Travel Group small-group extensions = instant friends whenever you want them.
70–80 % of Legend guests travel solo and use this exact system.
Stay: Mad Monkey or Nexy Hostel ($10–$25)
Do: Old Quarter wandering, Train Street coffee, Hoan Kiem Lake
Optional Legend Extension: Evening Street Food Tour (max 12) – instant friends on night 1
Solo option: Castaway Island dorm bungalow ($45 all-inclusive)
Legend option: Private junk boat 2D1N (max 12, private cabin) – jump on with other solos
Meet people: 90 % solo travelers – friendships guaranteed
Stay: Hidden Charm or Limestone View Homestay ($15–$25)
Do: Trang An boat ride, Mua Caves, bicycle villages
Optional Legend Extension: Full-day boat + bicycle tour (max 12)
Stay: Easy Tiger Hostel ($10–$25)
Do: Paradise Cave + Dark Cave zip-line & mud bath
Optional Legend Extension: Full-day cave expedition with other solos
Stay: Tribee Edee or Under the Coconut Tree ($12–$30)
Do: Ancient town, An Bang Beach, lantern release
Optional Legend Extension: Cooking class + lantern boat (max 12) – best night ever
Stay: The Hideout or City Poshtel ($10–$25)
Do: War Remnants, Ben Thanh Market, Bùi Vien nightlife
Optional Legend Extension: Mekong Delta day trip or Cu Chi Tunnels
Jumped on for the day. Stayed for the friends. (Source: Internet)|
Extension |
Duration |
Price (USD) |
Why Solos Love It |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ha Long Bay Private Cruise |
2D1N |
$249 |
Private cabin, 70 % solo travelers |
|
Ninh Binh Boat & Bicycle |
Full day |
$59 |
Instant friends on the boat |
|
Phong Nha Cave Expedition |
Full day |
$89 |
Mud bath + zip-line crew |
|
Hoi An Cooking Class + Lanterns |
Half day |
$49 |
Best ice-breaker in Vietnam |
|
Mekong Delta Homestay |
2D1N |
$119 |
Family dinner with other solos |
All extensions: max 12 travelers • 70–80 % solo • cancel free up to 48 hrs
Book first 2 nights + Ha Long in advance – everything else walk-in
Use Baolau for trains/buses – English & real-time
Join Legend’s “Vietnam Solos 2025” WhatsApp – instant crew nationwide
Keep plans loose – best adventures happen spontaneously
Say yes to at least one Legend extension – zero regrets
Some days are just for me (Source: Internet)|
Item |
Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
|
Hostel dorm / private |
$10–$25 |
|
Street food & coffee |
$6–$12 |
|
Local transport (Grab/bus) |
$2–$6 |
|
Activities & entrances |
$10–$30 |
|
Sleeper bus/train |
$15–$25 |
|
Total per day |
$30–$55 |
With 3–4 Legend extensions: still under $80/day
40–55 L backpack only
Quick-dry everything
Reusable water bottle + LifeStraw
Universal adapter + power bank
2 pairs shoes (flip-flops + trainers)
Small combination lock
Earplugs (sleeper buses)
Peace before the crew wakes up (Source: Internet)|
Location |
Safety Level |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Hanoi |
Very Safe |
Tourist police everywhere |
|
Ha Long Bay |
Extremely Safe |
Life jackets mandatory |
|
Ninh Binh |
Extremely Safe |
Rural & peaceful |
|
Phong Nha |
Extremely Safe |
Backpacker haven |
|
Hoi An |
Extremely Safe |
One of Asia’s safest towns |
|
Ho Chi Minh City |
Safe |
Watch bags in District 1 crowds |
Can I really do it all solo?
Yes – thousands do every month.
When should I join a group?
Ha Long Bay & Hoi An cooking class = solo favorites.
Best direction?
North → South (this itinerary) = most popular.
How do I meet people without group tours?
Hostels + Legend café meetups – never alone.
Safe for solo females?
Yes – 98 % rate Vietnam “very safe” or “extremely safe”.
You don’t have to choose between solo freedom and instant friends.
You can have both – exactly when you want them.
Join thousands of solo travelers who used this exact itinerary + Legend Travel Group extensions and created their perfect Vietnam story.
Only 10 % deposit – change dates free – max 12 travelers – daily extensions.
Start your adventure now → https://www.legendtravelgroup.com
By Legend Travel Group – Where solo travelers write their own rules since 2008
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