Vietnam Travel Guide for Indians 2026 — e-Visa, Cost, Best Time & Itinerary
Vietnam has surged to the top of many Indian travellers’ wish lists, and it richly deserves the attention. This long, slender country packs in emerald rice terraces, the dramatic limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, atmospheric old towns, buzzing cities, beautiful beaches and a food culture that is fresh, varied and remarkably cheap. It offers an enormous amount of experience for a modest budget, which is exactly what makes it so appealing.
From the cultural depth of Hanoi in the north to the energy of Ho Chi Minh City in the south, with the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An in between, Vietnam rewards travellers who give it time. This guide covers the e-visa process for Indians, realistic trip costs in rupees, the best time to visit, the highlights of each region, food and vegetarian options, transport and a sample itinerary to tie it all together.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa, and the simplest route is the official Vietnam e-Visa applied for online. It costs around USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry, is valid for up to 90 days, and typically takes about three working days to process, though it is wise to apply 7–10 days before travel to allow for any delays.
Apply only through the official government e-visa portal to avoid overpriced agents, upload a passport scan and photo, pay online and download your approved e-visa to print and carry. A visa-on-arrival option also exists for those flying in with a pre-arranged approval letter, but for most tourists the straightforward e-visa is the best and cheapest choice.
How Much Does a Vietnam Trip Cost from India?
Vietnam is outstanding value. Return flights from India usually range from ₹18,000 to ₹35,000, often via a regional hub. For a 7–10 day trip, budget travellers can manage on ₹50,000–₹75,000 per person including flights, mid-range travellers ₹85,000–₹1.3 lakh, with plenty of room to spend more on private tours, domestic flights and upscale stays.
Daily costs are low: comfortable mid-range hotels run ₹2,000–₹4,500 a night, a delicious bowl of pho costs a couple of hundred rupees, and intercity buses and trains are inexpensive. The main budget decisions are how much you fly versus take overnight trains and buses, and how many guided tours and cruises you book. Even so, your money goes a very long way here.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km, so the weather varies dramatically by region and season. Broadly, the best times to visit the whole country are the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is moderate across most regions.
The north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long) has a cool winter from December to February and hot, humid summers; central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang) is driest from February to August; and the south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) is warm year-round with a wet season from May to November. If you are touring the whole country, the spring and autumn windows give you the most balanced conditions.
The Three Regions of Vietnam
Vietnam is best understood as three regions, each with a distinct character. The north is the cultural and scenic heartland, home to the capital Hanoi, the iconic Ha Long Bay, and the terraced mountains of Sapa, with a cooler climate and a more traditional feel. It is the place for dramatic landscapes and history.
Central Vietnam centres on the UNESCO-listed old town of Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue, and the beach city of Da Nang, blending heritage with coastline. The south is anchored by fast-paced Ho Chi Minh City, the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta and the island beaches of Phu Quoc. Most itineraries travel the length of the country, sampling all three.
Top Cities and Highlights
Hanoi charms with its chaotic Old Quarter, lakeside temples, French-colonial architecture and superb street food. From here, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay among thousands of limestone islands is a bucket-list experience, while the mountain town of Sapa offers trekking through rice terraces and ethnic-minority villages.
In the centre, Hoi An enchants with its lantern-lit streets, riverside setting and tailor shops, with the beaches of Da Nang and the historic Hue nearby. In the south, Ho Chi Minh City buzzes with markets, war-history museums and nightlife, the Cu Chi Tunnels make a striking day trip, and the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc island add nature and beach time to round off a trip.
Top Things to Do in Vietnam
Beyond the cities, Vietnam is full of memorable experiences. Cruise overnight through Ha Long Bay or the quieter Lan Ha Bay, trek the rice terraces of Sapa, cycle through the countryside around Hoi An, and explore the floating markets and waterways of the Mekong Delta by boat. Adventure seekers can visit the vast caves of Phong Nha, among the largest in the world.
Cultural highlights include water-puppet shows, coffee culture (Vietnamese egg coffee is a must-try), tailor-made clothing in Hoi An, and poignant history at the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum. Add beach time in Da Nang, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc, and Vietnam easily fills a week or two with variety few destinations can match.
Food for Indian Travellers
Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, light and aromatic, built around rice, noodles, herbs and broths. Signature dishes include pho (noodle soup), banh mi (baguette sandwiches), fresh spring rolls and the famous Vietnamese coffee. Street food is a highlight and is generally cheap, fresh and delicious, making it a joy to eat your way across the country.
Vegetarian travellers are well served thanks to Vietnam’s strong Buddhist tradition — look for “com chay” (vegetarian) eateries, common near temples and in cities. Be aware that fish sauce and meat broths are widely used, so specify your needs clearly. Indian restaurants exist in the bigger cities, and carrying a few familiar snacks helps on long travel days or in smaller towns.
Getting Around Vietnam
Given the country’s length, most travellers combine modes of transport. Domestic flights are cheap and save time between the far north and south, while the scenic reunification railway and comfortable overnight sleeper buses and trains are budget-friendly ways to cover long distances and see the landscape. Booking ahead is wise during peak periods and holidays.
Within cities, ride-hailing apps like Grab (including affordable motorbike taxis) are cheap and convenient, and walking covers compact old towns. Renting a motorbike is popular but requires confidence and the correct licence, given busy traffic. Plan your route logically along the country’s length — north to south or vice versa — to avoid wasteful backtracking.
Suggested Route and Where to Stay
A classic first-timer route runs the length of the country: a few days in Hanoi with a Ha Long Bay cruise, a flight or train to the centre for Hoi An and Da Nang, then south to Ho Chi Minh City with a Mekong Delta day trip. With more time, add Sapa in the north or Phu Quoc’s beaches in the south.
Accommodation is excellent value, from stylish budget hostels and family-run homestays to boutique hotels and beach resorts. Base yourself in the Old Quarter in Hanoi, near the Ancient Town in Hoi An, and in District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City for the best access to sights, food and transport. Book the Ha Long cruise through a reputable operator for the best experience.
Money, SIM and Safety
The currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), which has many zeros, so double-check amounts to avoid confusion. Cards are accepted in cities and hotels, but carry cash for street food, markets and rural areas, and withdraw from ATMs noting per-transaction fees. A local SIM or eSIM is cheap and gives reliable data for maps and ride-hailing.
Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, including solo and female travellers, with petty theft and overcharging being the main concerns. Agree prices in advance, use ride-hailing apps for transparent fares, keep valuables secure in crowds, and be cautious crossing the busy roads — move steadily and predictably so traffic can flow around you, as locals do.
What to Pack for Vietnam
Pack light, breathable clothing for the heat, plus warmer layers if visiting the north in winter or trekking in Sapa, where it gets genuinely cold. Comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat and a reusable water bottle are essentials, along with modest clothing for temple visits.
Bring a universal power adapter, any personal medication, motion-sickness tablets for boats and winding mountain roads, and a daypack for excursions. A waterproof cover for electronics is useful on cruises and in the rainy season. Vietnam’s shops and pharmacies are well stocked, so pack the essentials and pick up anything else easily once you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam cheap for Indian travellers? Yes, Vietnam is excellent value, with cheap food, affordable transport and budget-friendly accommodation. It is one of the best-value destinations in Asia for Indians.
How many days do you need in Vietnam? Seven to ten days lets you cover the north, centre and south at a reasonable pace. Two weeks allows a more relaxed, comprehensive trip.
Is the Vietnam e-visa easy to get? Yes. Apply online through the official portal, pay the fee, and receive approval in about three working days. Apply 7–10 days ahead to be safe.
Is vegetarian food available in Vietnam? Yes. Vietnam’s Buddhist tradition means “com chay” vegetarian eateries are common, though you should specify your needs as fish sauce is widely used.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam? March–May and September–November offer the most balanced weather across all regions, making them ideal for a full-country tour.
Vietnam delivers extraordinary variety and value, from misty northern mountains to southern beaches, with some of Asia’s best street food along the way. Give it at least a week, travel logically along its length, sort out your e-visa early, and you will discover why Vietnam has become one of the most loved destinations among Indian travellers.
Tips for First-Time Vietnam Travellers
Vietnam is long and varied, so the biggest mistake first-timers make is trying to see everything in a short trip and spending most of it in transit. Pick a logical north-to-south or south-to-north route, use a cheap domestic flight or two to skip the longest hauls, and give each region enough time to breathe — a rushed itinerary leaves you exhausted and shortchanges the very places you came to see. Booking your Ha Long Bay cruise and any sleeper trains or buses a few days ahead during busy periods will also save stress and secure better options.
Embrace the street food, which is where Vietnam truly shines, but choose busy stalls with high turnover for freshness, and carry small denominations of cash since many of the best eateries and markets don’t take cards. Learn the rhythm of crossing the famously busy roads — walk slowly and predictably so motorbikes flow around you rather than stopping suddenly — and download a ride-hailing app like Grab for transparent fares on both cars and motorbike taxis. With a little planning, Vietnam rewards you with an enormous amount of experience for a very small budget.
Budget-Saving Tips for Vietnam
Vietnam is already one of Asia’s cheapest destinations, but a few habits stretch your money even further. Travel overland by sleeper bus or train for the longest journeys instead of flying everything, eat at busy street stalls and local “quan” eateries rather than tourist restaurants, and stay in family-run homestays and guesthouses that often include breakfast for a fraction of hotel prices. Buying a local SIM for cheap data, drinking bottled or filtered water, and using Grab for transparent fares all help you avoid the small overcharges that add up over a multi-week trip.
Book intercity transport and the Ha Long Bay cruise a few days in advance for better prices, and consider travelling in the shoulder season when both flights and accommodation are cheaper and the weather is still pleasant across most of the country. Many of Vietnam’s best experiences — wandering Hanoi’s Old Quarter, watching the lanterns light up in Hoi An, strolling beaches in Da Nang and exploring markets in Ho Chi Minh City — cost little or nothing, so a smart mix of free sightseeing and a few paid highlights keeps the whole trip remarkably affordable.
Visa rules, fees and travel costs change frequently. The details here are 2026 estimates from public sources; apply for your e-visa only through Vietnam’s official government portal and verify current requirements before you travel.
