Vietnam has quietly become one of the most talked-about international trips for Indians — and it earns it.
Flights are 4–5 hours.
The country is genuinely affordable — mid-range 10-day trip under ₹1 lakh per person including flights is very doable.
And the experiences — Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, Hanoi’s Old Quarter — are the kind that stay with you.
But here’s what most people don’t realise when they start planning: Vietnam is a long, thin country. North and South feel like two completely different places.
Weather varies by region.
Which city you fly into completely changes your trip.
This guide covers the visa, flights, best places to visit, how many days you need, and real costs in INR — for Indian travelers planning their first time.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam from India?
This matters more than most guides admit — because Vietnam doesn’t have one uniform season.
North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh): Best from October to April.
December to February is cool and dry — perfect for a Ha Long Bay cruise.
Avoid June to August when it gets hot and humid with heavy rains.
Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue): Best from February to May. This window is warm and mostly dry.
Avoid September to November — Central Vietnam sits in a typhoon corridor and gets significant rainfall during these months.
South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): Best from December to April — warm, dry, and clear.
The rest of the year is manageable but wet season (May–November) brings regular afternoon showers.
The sweet spot for most Indian travelers doing a North-to-South trip is October–November or February–April.
You get good weather across all regions, and fares aren’t as high as December–January when everyone else is also traveling.
Vietnam E-Visa for Indians — Everything You Need
Yes, Indians need a visa for Vietnam.
But the e-visa process is genuinely simple — no embassy visit, no interview, nothing complicated.
What it costs:
- Single-entry e-visa: USD 25 (~₹2,100)
- Multiple-entry e-visa: USD 50 (~₹4,200)
How long it’s valid: Up to 90 days from date of issue.
This was extended from 30 days in August 2023 and is one of the more generous visa windows in Southeast Asia.
Single vs Multiple entry — which one do you need? For a straight India–Vietnam–India trip: single entry is enough.
If you’re planning Vietnam + Cambodia or Vietnam + Thailand in one trip and want to re-enter Vietnam: go for multiple entry.
How to apply: Go to the official government portal: evisa.gov.vn — this is the only official website.
You’ll need a clear passport scan, a passport-size photo, and your travel details.
The entire process takes about 15 minutes.
Processing takes 3–5 working days.
Apply at least 10 days before travel.
The approved visa arrives by email — print it and carry with your passport.
Many third-party websites charge ₹1,500–₹3,000 extra for the same process you can do in 15 minutes at evisa.gov.vn.
Just use the official government site.
Flights from India to Vietnam
This has improved a lot recently.
Four airlines now fly direct from India to Vietnam: IndiGo, Air India, VietJet Air, and Vietnam Airlines.
Direct flights operate from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) and Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport).
Flight time is about 4 to 5 hours — shorter than many domestic Indian routes.
If you’re traveling from Bangalore, Chennai, or Hyderabad, you’ll take a connecting flight via Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur. Total travel time adds about 3–5 hours depending on the layover.
What flights cost: Return fares in economy range from ₹20,000 to ₹45,000, depending on how early you book, which city you’re flying from, and the season.
Book 6–8 weeks in advance for the best fares on direct routes.
December–January fares are at their peak — expect to pay ₹35,000+ return during Indian holiday season.
Which city to fly into? If your plan is to start in North Vietnam: fly into Hanoi.
If you’re starting in South Vietnam: fly into Ho Chi Minh City.
For a North-to-South trip (the most popular route for first-timers): fly into Hanoi and fly out of Ho Chi Minh City.
This is called an open-jaw ticket, and most airlines allow it.
It saves you from backtracking.
Where to Go in Vietnam — 5 Places Worth Your Time
Vietnam has dozens of destinations. For a 7–10 day first trip from India, focus on these five.
Hanoi — 2 Nights
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and the best introduction to the country’s culture.
The Old Quarter is 36 streets of organized chaos — motorbikes, street food, colonial buildings, and temples crammed together in a way that somehow works.
Walk Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn.
Visit the Temple of Literature (₹100 entry).
At night, Bia Hoi Corner in the Old Quarter is where locals and travelers sit on plastic stools drinking fresh draft beer for ₹35 a glass. Don’t miss it.
Ha Long Bay — 1 to 2 Nights (Overnight Cruise)
Ha Long Bay — about 3,200 limestone islands rising out of emerald-green water — is the kind of place that actually looks like the photos.
Do an overnight cruise, not a day trip.
Sunrise on the water is something else entirely.
A mid-range cruise with meals, kayaking, and cave visits costs ₹5,000–₹12,000 per person per night. Read recent reviews before booking — budget cruises vary a lot in quality.
Hoi An — 2 Nights
The Ancient Town (UNESCO Heritage Site) is all yellow-walled shophouses, silk lanterns, and wooden bridges. Entrance: ₹400 (120,000 VND).
The Cao Lau noodles and White Rose Dumplings are dishes you can only eat in Hoi An — try both.
The night market along the Thu Bon river is perfect for an evening walk.
Reached from Da Nang airport in 30 minutes by Grab (₹300–₹400).
Ho Chi Minh City — 2 Nights
Vietnam’s largest, most modern city. Less charming than Hanoi but full of energy and the country’s best nightlife.
Don’t skip the Cu Chi Tunnels (₹443 entry) — an underground wartime network 70 km outside the city — and the War Remnants Museum (free), which is one of the most powerful museum experiences in Southeast Asia.
Ninh Binh — Bonus Day from Hanoi 2 hours from Hanoi.
Called “Ha Long Bay on Land” — limestone cliffs, rice fields, and rivers navigable by rowboat.
The Trang An boat trip is ₹600 per person. Add it if you have an extra day in Hanoi.
Not Sure How to Sequence Your Vietnam Cities in 7 or 10 Days?
The order in which you visit Vietnam can save you hours of travel and reduce the cost of internal flights. Share your travel dates, trip duration, and group size on WhatsApp, and we'll create a personalised day-by-day itinerary with the smartest route, helping you make the most of your time in Vietnam.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Visit each destination in the most efficient order.
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How Many Days Do You Actually Need?
Vietnam is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Here is what you can realistically cover based on your trip length.
| Duration | What You Can Realistically Cover |
|---|---|
| 6–7 days | North Vietnam: Hanoi + Ha Long Bay OR South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong Delta + Phu Quoc |
| 8–10 days | North + Central: Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Hoi An (via Da Nang) |
| 12–14 days | Full North-to-South: Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Hoi An + Ho Chi Minh City |
6–7 days
8–10 days
12–14 days
Real Budget Breakdown for Indians
Here's what a Vietnam trip from India actually costs, broken down honestly.
| Expense | Budget Trip (7 days) | Mid-Range Trip (8–10 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return, economy) | ₹20,000–₹25,000 | ₹28,000–₹40,000 |
| Vietnam e-visa | ₹2,100 | ₹2,100 |
| Hotels (per night) | ₹2,000–₹3,500 | ₹5,000–₹8,000 |
| Food (per day) | ₹500–₹800 | ₹1,200–₹2,000 |
| Internal flights | ₹0–₹3,000 | ₹4,000–₹8,000 |
| Ha Long Bay cruise | ₹5,000–₹6,000 | ₹10,000–₹15,000 |
| Activities & entry fees | ₹3,000–₹5,000 | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
| Total per person | ₹50,000–₹65,000 | ₹80,000–₹1,10,000 |
Flights (return, economy)
Vietnam e-visa
Hotels (per night)
Food (per day)
Internal flights
Ha Long Bay cruise
Activities & entry fees
Total per person
Confused About the Total Budget for Your Vietnam Trip?
Many Indian couples and families either overspend or cut out experiences because they do not know what a Vietnam trip really costs. Share your group size, travel dates, and approximate budget on WhatsApp, and we'll prepare a personalised cost estimate covering flights, hotels, Ha Long Bay cruise, transfers, sightseeing, and more, so you can plan with confidence.
Personalised Budget
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Complete Cost Breakdown
Includes flights, hotels, cruises, transfers, and major sightseeing costs.
Ha Long Bay Included
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Free WhatsApp Estimate
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Practical Tips for Indian Travelers in Vietnam
Money and currency ₹1 = approximately 285–290 VND.
You’ll deal in hundreds of thousands for small purchases — this sounds confusing but you adjust after a day.
Carry USD to exchange on arrival; airport rates are decent.
Don’t bring INR — most exchange counters in Vietnam don’t accept Indian Rupees.
ATMs in major cities work fine with international debit/credit cards.
Getting around Use Grab for everything — it’s Vietnam’s Uber, price shows upfront, no surprises.
Avoid unmarked taxis at airports, especially drivers who approach you before you reach the official taxi queue.
SIM card Get a Viettel SIM at the official counter inside arrivals — 30 days of unlimited data is ₹700–₹900.
If your phone supports eSIM, Airalo or Holafly (₹800–₹1,500) are good options to activate before landing and skip the queue.
Food for vegetarians The word for vegetarian is “chay” — look for “com chay” (veg rice) or “pho chay” (veg noodles).
Buddhist-run veg restaurants are common in all major cities.
Indian restaurants exist in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An.
Watch out for fish sauce (nuoc mam), which sneaks into many dishes that look vegetarian — ask “khong nuoc mam” to leave it out.
Scams to avoid Use Grab (not unmarked airport taxis).
Apply visa only at evisa.gov.vn (not third-party sites charging 3x the fee).
Agree on any photo-with-props price before the photo.
Book Ha Long Bay cruises through your hotel or a reputed agency — not from street touts.
India to Vietnam Tour FAQs
Responsive, Elementor-ready FAQ section for Indian travellers planning a Vietnam tour.
1. Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam in 2026?
Yes. Apply online through the official e-Visa portal. A single-entry visa costs USD 25 (about ₹2,100) and a multiple-entry visa costs USD 50. It allows stays of up to 90 days and usually takes 3 to 5 working days.
2. Which is the best time to visit Vietnam from India?
October to April is ideal. For a North-to-South trip, February to April offers pleasant weather across most regions.
3. What is the total cost of a Vietnam trip from India?
A budget 7-day trip costs around ₹50,000 to ₹65,000 per person. A mid-range 8 to 10-day trip typically ranges from ₹80,000 to ₹1,10,000 per person.
4. Should I fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
For a North-to-South itinerary, fly into Hanoi and depart from Ho Chi Minh City for the most efficient route.
5. How many days are enough?
Plan 8 to 10 days for the highlights, or 6 to 7 days if focusing on one region.
6. Is Vietnam safe for Indian tourists?
Yes. Vietnam is considered safe for tourists. Use Grab for transport and stay alert in crowded areas.
7. Is vegetarian food available?
Yes. Look for 'Com Chay' restaurants. Indian restaurants are available in major cities.
8. What is the best way to travel between cities?
Domestic flights are affordable and fast. Tourist buses and private cars are common for Hanoi to Ha Long Bay.
9. Can I use Indian Rupees?
No. Exchange to USD before departure or withdraw Vietnamese Dong from ATMs in major cities.
10. How early should I book flights?
Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead for normal travel periods and 10 to 12 weeks ahead for peak season.
11. Is Ha Long Bay worth it?
Yes. An overnight cruise offers the best experience with kayaking, caves, and sunrise views.
12. What is the Vietnam currency conversion?
₹1 is roughly equal to 285 to 290 VND. Prices use large numbers, but visitors adjust quickly.
13. Is Vietnam good for a honeymoon?
Absolutely. Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, and Phu Quoc are among the most popular romantic destinations for Indian couples.
