Is it culturally acceptable for a woman to sit alone at a restaurant?

Yes. Vietnam has a very active street-food culture where eating alone is normal. You will not be bothered.

Are night buses safe for solo women?

Generally yes, but choose the top bunk if you have a choice, and keep your valuables in a small bag that stays inside your sleeping space with you.

Solo-reisen in Vietnam als Frau: Sicherheit und Strategien

Traveling solo as a woman in Vietnam is safe and rewarding if you stick to well-traveled routes and practice common-sense street awareness. Prioritize booking reputable sleeper buses and taxis via apps like Grab to avoid overcharging and ensure your route is tracked.

Use digital ride-hailing apps. Download the Grab app before you arrive. Use it for all motorbike taxis and cars. It removes the need to negotiate fares, provides a paper trail of your driver, and allows you to share your real-time GPS location with family.
Master the street crossing. Traffic in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is chaotic. When crossing the street, keep a steady, slow pace and do not stop or change direction. The motorbikes will flow around you like water.
Manage your bag security. Pickpocketing can happen in crowded tourist areas. Wear a crossbody bag with a zipper and keep it on the side away from the street to prevent 'snatch and grab' motorbike thieves.
Vet your transport. When taking long-distance buses, opt for 'Limousine' vans or reputable companies like FUTA (Phuong Trang). Avoid booking the cheapest, unbranded buses from random street-side kiosks.

Is it culturally acceptable for a woman to sit alone at a restaurant?: Yes. Vietnam has a very active street-food culture where eating alone is normal. You will not be bothered.
Are night buses safe for solo women?: Generally yes, but choose the top bunk if you have a choice, and keep your valuables in a small bag that stays inside your sleeping space with you.