After spending months on a 90-day multiple-entry tourist visa in Vietnam, I came to view it as one of my favorite countries in Southeast Asia. From its breathtaking landscapes and inviting beaches to its low cost of living and delicious food, Vietnam offers a rich experience for travelers and expats alike. But what stood out most were the people—especially the grace, beauty, and kindness of Vietnamese women.
That said, dating in Vietnam as a foreigner isn’t without its challenges. Compared to other countries in the region like Thailand, Cambodia, or the Philippines, Vietnam tends to be more conservative. Cultural differences, language barriers, and visa limitations can all make it more difficult for Western men to connect romantically.
Still, with the right approach, the rewards are worth it. Vietnamese women are known for their elegance, loyalty, and family values—making them ideal partners for meaningful, long-term relationships.
Overview of Dating Vietnamese Women
Compared to neighboring Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia, Vietnam poses greater difficulties for English-speaking foreigners. English proficiency remains low, even in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. And Vietnam’s more reserved, subtle culture means building romantic connections requires time, effort, and patience.
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Pros of Dating In Vietnam For Foreigners
- The grace and natural beauty of Vietnamese women: Vietnamese women are typically slender and carry a graceful, youthful look that’s admired throughout the region.
- Traditional Gender Roles – If you are coming from the Western dating culture, you will be relieved to know Vietnamese women fully embrace the traditional masculine and feminine roles in relationships. Men are expected to be ambitious, hard-working, and financial supporters, while women take care of household duties like cooking and cleaning. Be prepared though, as my Vietnam veteran buddies have told me – their wives are in charge of the house!
- Outdoor adventure activities – You won’t get bored in Vietnam. If you find a Vietnamese girlfriend, you’ll be taking exciting trips to go hiking, swimming in waterfalls, and motorbike trips in the jungles.
- Delicious Food – The Vietnamese food is incredibly delicious and cheap. Vietnamese women love to cook so you won’t have to worry about having an empty stomach. Eating at local Vietnamese restaurants often costs around $2. If you prefer Western food, then I typically spent $5-$7 per meal.
- Affordability – Housing and transportation are quite affordable, and I found them even lower than in Thailand and the Philippines. My apartment in Da Nang was $270 for one month. This was a one-bedroom with a laundry machine and full kitchen and was five blocks from the beach. That’s unbelievably cheap! Also, flights to Bangkok and vice versa can cost as little as $55 for a one-way ticket to Da Nang, for example.
- Conservatism – Generally, the women tend to be more conservative when it comes to relationships. This means that they have not been intimate with very many men if any at all. This is a huge plus if you are pursuing a long-term relationship.
Also see: Dating Women In Laos: A Guide For Expats & Visitors
Cons of Dating In Vietnam For Foreigners
- Conservatism – I put conservatism on both the pros and cons because it depends on what you are looking for. Casual relationships are less common in Vietnam and often frowned upon, especially outside major cities. They generally prefer to be “just friends” for a while before getting involved intimately, which makes it necessary to consider your long-term visa options.
- Visa Challenges – Staying in Vietnam for the long term is difficult for many foreigners. Combined with the conservative nature of Vietnamese women, this can make establishing a relationship very difficult. Many countries, including the United States and Canada, require a visa to enter Vietnam and cannot just enter the country on a visa-on-arrival stamp. It is recommended to apply several weeks in advance because both myself and my Canadian friend had our visa applications initially denied for small reasons (they were accepted when we fixed the errors). If you have trouble, ask for help in the Facebook Community – Vietnam Visa Advice.
- Cultural Differences – The cultural differences in Vietnam are strong, just as they are in many SouthEast Asian cultures. It is recommended to become studious about Vietnam and explore the cultural nuances. Learn about the concept of “saving face”, family values, and the Vietnamese language.
- Language Barrier – Personally, I found the language barrier in Vietnam even harder than Thailand and Cambodia. Very few people appeared to speak English outside of hotel receptionists and a few restaurant workers. In Ho Chi Minh, the English proficiency was a little higher in the business districts.
- Vietnamese Women Prefer Dating Vietnamese Men – It varies from woman to woman, but many Vietnamese women aim to please their parent’s expectations when it comes to dating, and that means staying within their own culture. Also, they may prefer men from their culture because of the language barrier. In major cities, being a foreigner may not automatically grant the same attention or curiosity you might experience in other Southeast Asian countries. In more rural areas where foreigners are less common, I noticed locals were very curious and friendly towards me.
- Age-Gap Relationships Frowned Upon—While relationships with modest age gaps are common, larger age differences tend to attract more social scrutiny in Vietnam compared to countries like the Philippines.
If you want to go deeper exploring the challenges and solutions when dating Vietnamese women, also see: The Big Challenges Foreigners Face When Dating In Vietnam
Best Dating Apps in Vietnam
Dating apps have become increasingly popular in Vietnam as more people gain access to smartphones and mobile data. Some of the most commonly used dating apps by foreigners include:
- VietnamCupid – I am a huge fan of the Cupid brand dating apps and have used several of their websites all across the world (FilipinoCupid, ColombianCupid, ThaiCupid). My favorite feature of VietnamCupid is that it is designed to connect foreigners with Vietnamese singles. However, you’ll compete with many other Vietnamese men on other apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Badoo. VietnamCupid is free to join and browse, but you must pay to message the women.
- Badoo – This app has been growing in Vietnam and now has millions of users. My tennis buddy Sean personally recommended Badoo to me, and he showed me pictures of his beautiful Vietnamese girlfriend. You can chat, match, and arrange meetups with Vietnamese singles. Badoo utilizes your location so you can connect with people nearby and meet up shortly thereafter.
- Tinder – The popular swipe-based dating app has a decent user base in Vietnam. Tinder in Vietnam has fewer transgender profiles compared to other countries I’ve visited, making it easier to filter matches based on your preferences. There are still some, but it didn’t get frustrating to the point where I quit using it. If you are willing to upgrade, setting your location to anywhere in Vietnam to start swiping and matching with locals is easy. Tinder also has a passport feature that allows you to connect with Vietnamese users before arriving.
- Bumble – This female-focused dating app is slowly gaining traction in Vietnam. After matching, women have to initiate a conversation within 24 hours. Bumble offers date, friendship, and business networking modes. It’s more prevalent in the major cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, but less so in Da Nang and Hoi An.
- AsianDating – Great for travelers exploring multiple Southeast Asian countries. With one account, you can connect with women in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and more—making it perfect for region-wide dating.
For a more in-depth review of dating websites in Vietnam, check out my article: The 7 Best Dating Apps in Vietnam For Foreigners | Ranked
How To Meet Vietnamese Women In Public
Vietnamese women tend to be more conservative and reserved than women in some other parts of Asia. The most important thing is to demonstrate that you respect Vietnamese culture and the woman as an individual. The best approach is to be super respectful and polite and show genuine interest in her and a willingness to be patient.
Remember, I found most Vietnamese women to be incredibly reserved and conservative. Therefore, when approaching them, err on respect and politeness over being bold. Here are some tips for respectfully approaching Vietnamese women:
- Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases. Even just “hello” or “thank you” in Vietnamese shows you’re making an effort. Ask her to teach you some Vietnamese words.
- Compliment her in a polite way. Comment on her dress or hairstyle. Just avoid anything too personal or sexual early on.
- Try to be friends first. Ask questions about her family, background, and interests. Don’t pry too much initially, but showing interest in her life is essential.
- Offer to introduce her to your culture. For example, you could cook a meal from your home country or take her to a Western restaurant. This exchange of cultures is a great bonding experience.
- Don’t be too touchy or use overt body language. Maintain a respectful distance until she’s more comfortable with you.
- Patience and taking it slow are key. It may take several dates before a Vietnamese woman opens up to you emotionally, but the reward is a meaningful cross-cultural relationship.
- If you’re invited to meet her family, she really likes you. Be very polite and formal. Bring a small gift for the parents and show utmost respect.
- Public displays of affection (PDAs) are taboo in Vietnam. While light hand-holding and hugging is okay, save kissing or fondling for when in private.
In Vietnam, I preferred online dating over in-person approaches. I made about ten approaches in Vietnam, and the women are usually open to exchanging Instagram profiles. However, not a single one of the women was able to speak English fluently. One benefit of online dating is that you can filter through women who can speak English and use built-in translators.
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Best Places to Meet Vietnamese Women In Public
- Shopping malls – Similar to many other Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam has plenty of shopping malls with beautiful women working or hanging out.
- Language exchanges—Many Vietnamese women I met were desperate to practice their English skills. Consider going to language exchanges or offering to tutor one-on-one during a date night.
- Cafes – Vietnam has delicious coffee, although it’s very strong. Along with that are many little cafes scattered around the city with women hanging out.
- On the street – Da Nang has a long sidewalk covering its entire beach. You’ll notice plenty of people—locals and travelers alike—enjoying the views along the beach promenade, including many friendly women open to casual conversation.
Best Cities for Dating in Vietnam
Vietnam offers several great cities for foreigners to visit and potentially find a partner. And to highlight the affordability of Vietnam, flights from Bangkok to Vietnam can be found for as little as $55, and about the same from city to city within Vietnam. I even saw some flights listed at 45 euros from Bangkok to Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City!
Da Nang, Vietnam
I spent the majority of my time in Da Nang, a port city along the coast in central Vietnam. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with nearly 1.5 million residents. In addition to a bustling downtown, Da Nang is surrounded by beautiful beaches, rivers, and mountains. Destinations like My Khe Beach and Marble Mountains make it a popular tourist spot.
Da Nang has a laidback feeling, and the Vietnamese women there do, too. This is especially true around the My An tourist area, where I stayed and highly recommend it. On a side note, many Russian, Ukrainian, and European women living and working remotely in Da Nang appeared to be single and willing to date foreigners.
Also see: 5 Countries to Meet Beautiful Ukrainian Women in 2024
While smaller than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang still offers opportunities to meet single women as an expat. English ability may be lower than in the bigger cities, but it is improving. But the relaxed seaside lifestyle can appeal to many.
Hoi An, Vietnam
Located on the coast near Da Nang, Hoi An is a historic town known for its old architecture, craft shops, tailors and lantern-lit streets. Like Da Nang, it’s smaller and more laid-back compared to Vietnam’s major cities. The nice thing about staying in Hoi An or Da Nang is that it is like getting two cities for the price of one because they are so close to each other (30km distance).
Hoi An attracts more expats and tourists than Da Nang, so I preferred the latter. But it can be an ideal spot for a more relaxed dating scene in atmospheric surroundings. The pace of life is slower in Hoi An. Meeting locals and practicing your Vietnamese language skills can go a long way here. Hoi An offers a unique experience compared to the bustling energy of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
🔥 By the way, although the risk is moderate, pickpockets and bag snatchers do occur in Vietnam. Therefore, I highly suggest getting an over-the-shoulder sling bag like this one: WATERFLY Crossbody Sling Backpack Sling Chest Bag For Travel and Hiking (Amazon)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Still referred to as Saigon by locals, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest and most international city in Vietnam. Over 13 million people live in the metropolitan area, which is also the country’s economic center.
Ho Chi Minh City offers an exciting mix of old and new. District 1 has French colonial buildings, luxury hotels, and shopping malls. Beyond the urban core, you’ll find historic sites, markets, temples and modern suburbs.
With a large expat population, English levels tend to be higher in Ho Chi Minh City compared to other parts of Vietnam. The dating scene is vibrant, with many women more modernized and open to dating foreigners. The drawback is that many foreigners that I met, including myself, don’t find Ho Chi Minh to be the best city to live in Vietnam. As far as nature and adventurous things to do, it doesn’t even compare to Da Nang and Hoi An, but it does have the most women from a numbers standpoint.
Ho Chi Minh does have a red-light district street located on Bui Vien walking street. There you will find many bars and women very similar to what you would see in Soi Cowboy (Bangkok), Street 130 in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Angeles City (Philippines).
Hanoi, Vietnam
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is a bustling metropolitan area in the north. With over 8 million residents in the greater metro area, it’s the second largest city in the country. Hanoi offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, commerce, and nightlife.
While not as modern and international as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi still attracts many expats and tourists. The Old Quarter is popular for its street food, markets, pagodas and French colonial architecture. West Lake is a scenic area surrounded by upscale neighborhoods and restaurants.
The dating scene in Hanoi is more traditional, as women tend to be more conservative. But you can still find many opportunities to meet single women interested in foreigners.
Smaller Cities & Provinces in Vietnam
Like many foreigners have experienced and also recommend, don’t neglect the provinces for finding some of the best women for relationships. This is true in Thailand and the Philippines. The biggest drawback is that in the Vietnamese provinces, English proficiencies tend to be 0%.
On my motorbike trips around Vietnam, where I spent nights in various cities like Hue, A Luoi, and Que Son, for example, I came across countless friendly and attractive women while traveling through small towns—often in places where tourists rarely go. Therefore, consider going to places where not so many foreigners travel to get a better understanding of Vietnam.
Common Dating Scams in Vietnam
Vietnam is generally a very safe country, but visitors should be aware of some common scams targeting foreigners. I never had one issue, but on some of the Vietnam Facebook communities there were a few instances of theft, mostly from leaving valuables unattended.
- Spiked Drinks – Although very rare in Vietnam, there have been a few reports of drinks being spiked to rob or scam foreigners. Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers. Be extra cautious in nightlife areas.
- Asking For Money – Some scammers, including women, will pretend to befriend tourists in public or online and then ask for money for school, family issues etc. Use caution with new friendships, especially those asking for financial help.
- Catfishing exists on online dating in Vietnam, so take precautions to verify identity with video calls and seek to meet in person.
- Pickpockets & Snatchers – Pickpocketing is likely the most common safety risk in Vietnam. It tends to occur in crowded areas like tourist attractions and public transport, so stay alert and keep valuables secure. Keep valuables secure and be alert in busy areas. Distractions like someone spilling something on you may be used to pickpocket.
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Thanks for reading! If you’re also exploring international dating across Southeast Asia, check out my guides to Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.