Vietnam is the rising value pick for Indian travellers — a simple e-visa, very low on-ground costs, and a string of unforgettable sights from Halong Bay to Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town. This guide covers a north-to-central route, costs in ₹, vegetarian food (Buddhist "chay" restaurants are a gift for Jains), and the e-visa steps for Indians.
A sample 6-day Vietnam itinerary
A realistic, low-backtracking route. Generate your own — shaped to your dates, budget and pace — in ~45s.
Hanoi
Old Quarter wander, egg coffee, street food.
Halong Bay cruise
Overnight cruise — kayaking, caves, sunset on deck.
Back to Hanoi → fly Da Nang
Disembark, return to Hanoi, evening flight to Da Nang.
Hoi An
Ancient town, tailor a garment, lanterns at night.
Ba Na Hills
Golden Bridge and the French village, cable car.
Return
Beach morning, then fly home from Da Nang.
Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam is long, so weather varies by region. Overall, the best months are February to April and August to October. The north (Hanoi/Halong) is best in spring and autumn; the centre (Hoi An/Da Nang) is driest February–May; avoid the central October–November flood season.
| When | Weather | Crowd | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb–Apr | Mild, dry (esp. centre) | High | Best all-round window |
| May–Jul | Hot, humid | Medium | Good for the north; central beaches sunny |
| Aug–Oct | Variable; central rain late | Medium | North fine; avoid central Oct–Nov floods |
| Nov–Jan | Cool north, dry south | Medium | North can be chilly/misty |
Vietnam visa for Indians
Indian citizens need an e-visa for Vietnam, applied for online before travel. Since 2023 the e-visa allows up to 90 days and single or multiple entry, which is plenty for a 1–2 week trip. Apply only on the official government portal to avoid agent mark-ups.
- 1Use the official portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (avoid copycat sites)
- 2Upload a passport photo and passport bio page scan
- 3Pick single or multiple entry and your entry date/port
- 4Pay the fee online and save the application code
- 5Download the approved e-visa PDF and print a copy to carry
Visa rules change — always reconfirm on the official portal before booking. We re-verify these pages regularly (updated June 2026).
Vietnam trip cost from India
Vietnam is the cheapest of the popular SE-Asia trio on the ground. Per-person, per-day excluding international flights:
Hostels, street pho, buses/trains
4★ stays, a Halong cruise, private transfers
Luxury cruises, resorts, fine dining
Ballpark for a 6-day trip: ₹42,000–68,000 per person incl. return flights (comfort).
Veg & Jain food in Vietnam
Vietnam is a quiet win for vegetarians and Jains thanks to Buddhist "chay" (vegetarian) restaurants in every town — fully meat-free, and many avoid pungent roots too. Watch for fish sauce in street stalls; "ăn chay" means "I eat vegetarian".
Safety & scams
Vietnam is safe for tourists including solo travellers; the biggest hazard is chaotic traffic. Petty scams cluster around taxis, cyclos and currency.
- ⚠Taxi meter tampering — use Grab or reputable Mai Linh/Vinasun taxis
- ⚠Cyclo "agreed price" jumps — fix the price in writing first
- ⚠Currency confusion (lots of zeros) — count notes carefully
Vietnam FAQs
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes — Indian passport holders need an e-visa, applied online before travel. It allows up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Apply on the official government portal.
How many days do you need in Vietnam?
6–7 days covers a north-central highlights loop (Hanoi, Halong, Hoi An, Da Nang). Add the south (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong) for 10+ days.
Is Vietnam cheap for Indian travellers?
Very — it is the best value of the popular SE-Asia trio on the ground. A comfortable 6-day trip is roughly ₹42,000–68,000 per person including flights.
Is vegetarian food easy in Vietnam?
Yes — Buddhist "chay" restaurants are everywhere and fully meat-free; say "ăn chay". Great for Jains too as many avoid pungent roots.