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Insights gleaned from Thao Nguyen's solo journeys, invaluable for fellow female travelers.
Solo Female Travel: 10 Essential Tips from an Adventure Enthusiast
1. Prioritize Optimal Health
Embarking on solo expeditions entails utilizing various modes of transportation such as airplanes, trains, buses, ferries... with a backpack weighing around 10 kg on your shoulders, along with a camera bag, water, snacks, documents... If one's health isn't robust, managing all essential items becomes challenging.
Moreover, prolonged journeys to unfamiliar territories with constantly shifting weather conditions, where mornings are chilly, afternoons scorching, and evenings rainy, heighten susceptibility to illness. While you needn't possess athlete-level fitness, it's advisable to engage in regular physical activities to bolster immunity, and supplement essential vitamins and minerals. Individuals with medical conditions such as heart ailments, asthma, fluctuating blood pressure, calcium deficiency, epilepsy... are advised against solo travel.
2. Essential Gear Checklist
Depending on your destination, purpose, and duration of travel, you should prepare accordingly. For beach trips, essentials include sunscreen, hats, common medications like paracetamol, berberine, mosquito repellent, personal bandages, lighter... However, for cross-country adventures in Vietnam, lightweight and quick-drying clothing, jackets, scarves, raincoats, self-defense tools, and even bike repair kits whether you know how to use them or not, are essential.
3. Thorough Research on Your Destination
Understanding the culture, history, customs, living conditions, weather, transportation, attractions, specialties... of your upcoming destination will help you navigate obstacles on the road smoothly, avoid culture shock, seize attractions, and avoid offending locals. However, sometimes self-researched information may be slightly off. This is an opportunity for you to verify what you previously knew through books, etc.
4. Outline a Flexible Itinerary
While you'll have complete control over your time when backpacking, having a basic framework itinerary outlining where to go, what to do, and then progressing based on that frame is necessary. If you stumble upon an interesting spot and wish to stay an extra day, adjusting the itinerary slightly is no big deal.
This is one of the most crucial issues for female travelers. If you are traveling solo, it's not advisable for female travelers to camp alone in remote areas due to safety concerns. Besides worries about insects, snakes creeping into the tent in the middle of the night, or suddenly falling ill after a long day of travel, other risks such as theft, assault... are also very concerning. However, if you are confident enough to set up a tent alone, it's essential to carefully consider choosing a camping spot. Avoid areas prone to landslides, rocks, flash floods... in mountainous regions. It's best to consult with local residents to gather necessary information.
It's recommended to stay in dormitories because there are many people around keeping an eye on each other. You can also ask to stay with local families and pay attention to choosing households with multiple generations, preferably with women in the house. Spend some time exploring, researching in advance about the house you intend to stay in for peace of mind.
6. Always have at least one person know your whereabouts
'A distant water does not put out a nearby fire', however, when traveling alone, and if you are someone who doesn't like to share much on social media, doesn't check-in on Facebook while traveling, then choose a friend and regularly send messages to update them on your location, situation so that in case of any mishap, family members, friends, or even authorities can easily locate you. If communication is difficult, before leaving, send your rough itinerary to that person. Each day, choose a fixed time to send a report, at the end of the day, message your friend about your specific itinerary for the next day, where you will go, which route you will take, by what means of transportation, who you will meet (if prearranged)...
7. Equip yourself with certain skills
Communication skills are crucial because you are not escaping the world but stepping out of your comfort zone to enter a new land. Being good at communication will help you easily handle minor issues such as train or bus tickets, food, accommodation... or bigger matters like understanding the culture, customs, and traditions... of the destination you haven't fully grasped yet.
You might not know how to fix a car, but having some understanding of vehicles when traveling by motorbike can help you get assistance from others when your bike breaks down, or avoid being overcharged at repair shops.
Self-defense skills are crucial when you decide to embark on solo travel. Before setting off, you can participate in short-term self-defense courses to prepare well for the journey.
8. Stay calm at all times
When unforeseen situations arise, it's essential to remain calm; only a clear mind can think of solutions. Being prepared to face risks, having a resilient spirit is essential for embarking on the journey, otherwise, it's best not to risk challenging oneself.
9. Avoid being complacent
Never think that being young, having enough skills, and courage means pushing yourself into dangerous situations. Riding at night, especially on unfamiliar roads, is very dangerous. You don't know what the road conditions are like, if there are any landslides, subsidence, unexpected bends, and if there are any robbery-prone areas... Not to mention, nighttime is for resting, recuperating health, and beauty after a long day of travel. Overexerting yourself, you won't be able to go far. Also, never let yourself be tempted by challenges like racing or drinking contests... because losing awareness in the midst of strangers is very dangerous, especially for female travelers.
10. Give before receiving
Firstly, you must open your heart, be open-minded, trust your instincts, greet people warmly, help locals, and naturally you will be welcomed and assisted when needed.
By Thao Nguyen Le Bui/Ngoi Sao
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Reference: Travel handbook from Mytour
MytourJanuary 8, 2018
