Hanoi, Vietnam questions

Another option is the Hoan Kiem area.
Both Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho area are cheaper than Old Quarter area.

We were in Hanoi in April, we stayed at the Sheraton using Marriott points at the end of a 6wk trip. It is very easy to get around Hanoi, we walked and used GRAB (very inexpensive). We liked the area of the hotel, there was lots of restaurants and some great shopping. There were also a number of small hotels in the area. It was definitely not as touristy as the Old Quarter. Personally, I don't think you will miss anything by not staying in the Old Quarter. I found that distances were not as far as they seemed when planning our time in Hanoi. We were surprised that we quite enjoyed our time in Hanoi (3N) but if you have time I would definitely recommend a trip to Tam Coc (Ninh Binh) for one day and night.

Thank you for your replies.

In late October, I will spend 3 days in Hanoi. I will return to the city some time in mid- to late- March 2024 for a slightly longer stay (approx 5 nights). During this longer trip, I want to explore the coast a bit. Many say Halong Bay has been ruined by over-tourism and trash. I am thinking of Lan Ha Bay. Should I stay on Cat Ba island for 1-2 nights?

Cat Ba island is a good place to stay overnight, but if you have 2 nights, you may consider doing 1 night on junk and 1 night on island.
Also, Lan Ha Bay is less touristy than Halong Bay.
Otherwise, Bai Tu Long Bay is an option for 2 nights cruise.
It is your plan!

BTW, I will travel solo as a single female. I don't go to bars or clubs at night and don't drink or use substance.

Is Hanoi a safe destination for me for 2-3 days? I am a pretty seasoned traveler, though I usually go with my spouse.

FWIW I stayed with a tour at the Sunway Hotel - it felt like it was a fine, safe area. I also stayed with a friend at her apartment near Truc Bach lake and it was also fine area. Since you won't be there long, I'd go with something that has good reviews on Booking.Com (you can filter reviews for those specifically provided by solo travelers).

It's been a few years, but I really loved my walking tour with Hanoi Kids. It is a volunteer group of students who practice their English while taking you around town. You just pay for their food / admission at places. We went to several museums and historic places and ate at local restaurants (OMG had the very best noodles I've eaten in my life, I still dream about them). It looks like maybe they've structured the tours a bit differently than when I went (we didn't have a set itinerary), but it might be worth checking out. https://hanoikids.org/

We also did an overnight to Ninh Binh which was a fine side trip. The tour went to Halong Bay and it was busy but also busy for a good reason - it's stunning (even in the pouring rain).

While Hanoi is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, it's still best to exercise precautions like avoiding late-night outings and alcohol, staying aware of your surroundings, and using reputable transportation. Enjoy and stay safe!

We stayed at the Sofitel Metropole In the beautiful Embassy area and recommend the hotel and location. Plenty of good dining options, safe area.