How to Plan Vietnam Trip from India: Step – by -Step Guide

Wondering How to Plan Vietnam trip from India? Don’t worry – you have landed at the correct page.

Vietnam is gradually becoming a top tourist destination for Indians, thanks to its incredible Instagram-worthy vistas, beautiful beaches, direct flights, Visa on Arrival, and, most crucially, incredible currency exchange rate.

we recently spent 10 days in Vietnam, and in this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about arranging your own vacation to this great country.

How many days you need to spend in Vietnam:
Vietnam is a huge country. A minimum of one week is required to gain a strong sense of Vietnam and explore significant points of interest. Two weeks is ideal. More if you have the time and money.

Important Information about Vietnam

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Vietnam in a Nutshell: Vietnam, located in Southeast Asia, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Vietnam has something for every type of traveler, with its magnificent beaches, Buddhist shrines, verdant mountains, peaceful rural villages, and bustling cities.

Covid Restrictions (As on Aug 2022): NO Quarantine / RTPCR Required. Carry Your final vaccination certification and fill up Air Suvidha Form while returning to India.

How to Apply E-Visa from India: Indians need to apply and get e-Visa for Vietnam- Valid for entry at select airports only- Upon arrival you must get a proper visa stamped on the passport before passing through immigration.

Link to Apply for E-Visa: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt

Visa Fees: USD 25 Per Person

Visa Processing time: 3 Working Day

Currency in Vietnam: Vietnamese Dong

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: There is no best time to visit Vietnam because it is a country of over 1000km in length, which means that you will experience varied climates depending on where you go. That is why you can travel through Vietnam all year round. If we had to pick a good season to visit Vietnam, we’d recommend spring (February to April) and fall (August to October). The dry season in the northwest begins in October and lasts until March.

How to Reach Vietnam: There are direct flights from several Indian cities to Vietnam.  You can choose to either reach Hanoi / Danang or Ho Chi Minh city.  Indigo has direct flights, and Vietnamese carrier Vietjet has recently begun direct flights from New Delhi to HCMC (South Vietnam) and Hanoi (North Vietnam), their two biggest cities.

Language: Vietnamese is the official language. They do speak a little English in the larger cities, but don’t expect people to chat in English outside of the major tourist spots.

Helpful Phrases: Vietnamese

• Hello = xin chào
• Thank you = Cám ơn
• Beer = bia
• Delicious = Thơm ngon
• Bathroom =  Phòng tắm
• How much? = Bao nhiêu?
• Too expensive = Quá đắt
• Don’t want = Không muốn

Route Summary:

Day 1: Landed in Hanoi in Morning, Checked in to Hotel

Day 2: Halong Bay Visit (Day Tour)

Day 3&4: Ninh Binh  

Day 5: Hoi An.

Day 6: Danang

Day 7: Hue

Day 8: Dalat

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Return to India

What to pack: Vietnam may be both hot and humid, as well as quite cold and rainy. That is why, when you’re heading to the north, we recommend carrying light clothing as well as clothing that will keep you warm in extremely cold weather. Because Vietnam has incredible mountain walking, bring a nice pair of trekking boots or trainers with you.

Transportation between the cities in Vietnam

Flights:

Day 5: Early Morning flight from Hanoi to Danang – Vietjet Air

Day 7: Late Evening flight from Danang to Dalat – Vietjet Air

Day 8: Late Evening Flight from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City – Vietjet Air.

You can utilize the Grab (Like Uber) app on your phone to roam around places within the cities. Almost all big cities have Grab facility.

Buses & Trains:

12GoAsia or Futa Buses is by far the greatest alternative for moving in Vietnam It boasts an easy-to-use platform and many trains and buses. Not to mention that it is the most affordable mode of transportation in Vietnam.

Hotels We stayed in Vietnam:

Hanoi: Diamond Nostalgia Hotel and Spa

Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh Mountain Side Homestay & Café

Hoi An: Hoian Royal Villa Homestay

Dalat: Q Center – Dalat

Ho Chi Minh City: Alagon City Hotel & Spa

Things to remember when visiting Vietnam:

1) Most people are quite kind but be wary of potential tourist scams.

2) Language Barrier is there 😊 Google Translate to your rescue.

3) Some day tours are weather dependent; for example, a Ha Long Bay cruise may be cancelled if the weather is unfavorable. Don’t leave it until the last minute and check the cancellation/refund policy.

4) Download Grab app for smooth commute within the cities.

5) Buy Local Sim card from the airport. The most popular tourist SIM cards are offered by Viettel, Mobiphone, Vietnamobile and VinaPhone.

6) Be wary of mosquitoes and health risks.

7) In Vietnam, keep cash on hand because most places do not take credit cards. You should bring some USD (or Euros) with you so you may exchange them in Vietnam, as ATMs are not widely available.

8)

Our Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Landed in Hanoi – Check in – Explore Hanoi.

Hanoi, The Capital City of Vietnam is considerably different from Ho Chi Minh City in that it is less contemporary and fought on the Communist side during the Vietnam War. There are a LOT of motorbikes in Hanoi, which is interesting to observe.

What to see in Hanoi:  

• Visit the Hanoi Old Quarter
• Temple of Literature
• Hoan Kiem Lake, night markets (beware of pickpockets)
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Ho Chi Minh Museum
• Hanoi Opera House
• Visit pagodas and Cathedrals and Thong Nhat Park.
• Hanoi Train Street
• You can also go to the Opera House to enjoy a show, see a water puppet show in Hanoi, and shop at the famed Dong Xuan Market.

Getting Around in Hanoi:

Getting around Hanoi is simple because many sites, restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels are nearby to one another. Grab App is the cheap option to choose than private taxis. You can also rent the motor bikes which would cost USD 2-5 per day.

Indian Vegetarian Food in Hanoi:

Namaste Hanoi: Address: 46 P. Thợ Nhuộm, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Zaika Restaurant: Address: 13 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Dalcheeni Hanoi: Address: 100 Đ. Xuân Diệu, Tứ Liên, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Maazi Restaurant: Address: ngõ 40 Đ. Xuân Diệu, Tứ Liên, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 10000, Vietnam

Day 2: Day Tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi

Enjoy a magnificent drive through northern Vietnam’s rural countryside, followed by a Halong Bay cruise. This full-day tour from Hanoi includes kayaking and an on-board seafood lunch. Admire the towering limestone karsts as you cruise around Halong Bay’s World Heritage-listed waters and explore caves like Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave) .

We booked our Day tour Locally in Hanoi with @Blue Asia Tour company.

Contact number: Mr. Lucas – +84 975468252

Day tour cost is around USD 50 Per Person.

Usual Itinerary for Day Trip to Halong Bay:

Itinerary

08h00- 8h30 AM: Picking up from your hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi
10:30 Overstop on the way to stretch the legs

12:15 Arriving in Ha long bay harbor

12:30 Boarding cruise with welcome drink

13:00 Safety briefing

13:15 Lunch with Vietnamese cuisine

14:00 Visiting Thien Cung cave (the cave of the heavenly palace – famous for its stalagmites and stalactites, the cave has only opened to the public since 1998 )

15:00 Cruising to Ba Ham Area . You are free to choose one of two options as below:

Option 1 : Free time to seat on cruise’s sundeck to relaxed and gazing Halong Bay Sunset

Option 2 : Do kayaking to discover small islands , small caves

16:30 :Visit Ti Top Island.

17:15: Board back the ship for return.

18:00 Short Overstop to stretch your legs

20:30 Drop at your hotel or by the side of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Day 3: Check out from Hanoi Hotel – Transfer to Ninh Binh  – Overnight Stay in Ninh Binh

We were picked up by the driver (booked at cab with Blue Asia tours) from our Hanoi hotel in the morning and after 2 hours on the road, we got to Ninh Binh. We checked in our hotel, freshened up and we were ready to explore this beautiful place.

Ninh Binh is dubbed as “Halong Bay on Land.” It is a rice paddock area with the Ngo Dong River running through limestone caverns and mountains. It’s 90 kms from Hanoi, yet it’s far less crowded than Hanoi or Halong Bay.

Ninh Binh is a small province in Vietnam, yet it offers several attractions. A two-day journey will cover the greatest ground, with a mix of historical, religious, and natural features.

What to see in Ninh Binh:

Day 3: Visit Bich Dong Pagoda & Visit Hang Mua Caves .

Day 4: Explore Ninh Binh – Check out from Ninh Binh – Transfer to Hanoi – Overnight Stay in Hanoi

Visit Trang An boat Tour/Tam Coc Boat Tour (you can choose any). Boat tour will take 3-4 hours. Visiting this place, you will find yourself wondering between various and harmonious creatures, mountains, caves, water.

Bai Dinh Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

We took shared Limo Bus to get transfer back to Hanoi from Ninh Binh. Costed us around INR 650 Per Person.

Getting Around in Ninh Binh:

The best way to get around Ninh Binh is by motorcycle tour or taxi. Cycling is a great option for visitors staying in Tam Coc.

Indian Vegetarian Food in Ninh Binh:

Curry King Indian Restaurant: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.

Day 5: Land in Danang – Transfer to Hoi An – Overnight Stay in Hoi An

We took early flight from Hanoi To Danang. The distance between Da Nang and Hoi An is 29 kilometres. We booked a grab to reach Hoi An from Danang Airport.

If you book your accommodation in Hoi An, you can request a car to pick you up for a fee. Depending on whether the car is a 4-seater or a 7-seater, the total might range from VND $300,000 to $400,000 (USD $15.00 to $20.00). However, splitting the cost of renting a private car makes it worthwhile.

What to see in Hoi An:

• Hoi An Ancient Town
• Hoi An Riverside Lantern Boat
• Japanese Bridge
• An Bang Beach
• Chuc Thanh Pagoda
• Café Hopping
• Visit Coconut Village & Basket Boat Ride

Getting Around in Hoi An:

Because of its small size, numerous pedestrian lanes, and inexpensive public transit, getting around in Hoi An is easier than in other cities in Vietnam. Popular sites, restaurants, bars, and shops in Hoi An Ancient Town can be reached on foot, by cyclo (motorbike taxi), or by bicycle. Motorized vehicles are forbidden from entering Hoi An Ancient Town for several hours each day for the safety of visitors.

Indian Restaurants in Hoi An:

Ganesh Indian Restaurant – Address: 99 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam

Babas Kitchen Indian Restaurant: 115 Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam.

Day 6: Explore Danang – Overnight Stay in Hoi An

Da Nang is located around midway between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It is Vietnam’s fourth largest city.

Several centuries-old pagodas, French colonial structures, serene beaches with azure waves, and lush national parks are among Da Nang’s top attractions. With its west coast location and stunning sunsets against a stunning backdrop of green mountains, Da Nang is renowned as the tourism hub of South-Central Vietnam.

What to see in Danang:

• My Khe Beach
• Sun Worls Ba Na Hills  & Ride the Cable Car
• Golden Bridge
• The Marble Mountains
• Dragon Bridge
• Phap Lam Pagoda

Getting Around in Danang:

Local buses connect the city centre to nearby tourist attractions like Fantasy Park, Ngu Hanh Son District, and Marble Mountain. Hiring a motorbike is a great way to explore Da Nang on your own schedule. However, travelling to Da Nang by motorbike from far away is more suitable for adventure seekers.

Indian Restaurants in Danang:

Mumtaz Indian Restaurant: 69 Hoai Thanh,my Anh Ward,ngu Hanh Son District My An 5, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang 550000 Vietnam

Maharaja Indian Restaurant: 09 An Thượng 2, Bắc Mỹ Phú, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng, Da Nang 550000 Vietnam

Indian Curry: 30, An Trung Dong 1 Sơn Trà,, Da Nang 550000 Vietnam

Day 7 – Checkout from Hoi An – Explore Hue City – Flight from Danang to Dalat  – Overnight Stay in Dalat

Hue: Vietnam’s capital during the Nguyen Dynasty at the start of the 19th century was the historic city of Hue in central Vietnam. Some of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam-US War took place in this area. The magnificent riverside Hue Citadel, also known as the Royal Palace of the Imperial City, was constructed with feng shui principles. The city is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site because of its historical importance.

You can reach Hue from Danang/Hoi An by Train, bus or Private Taxi. We booked a cab for full day as we were to get down at Danang Airport in the evening.

What to see in Hue City?

• Hue Imperial City
• Thein Mu Pagoda
• Thanh Toan Bridge
• Perfume River
• Hai Van Pass

Getting around in Hue: You can rent bikes or book a grab/ Private taxi.

Day 8: Explore Dalat – Evening Flight to Ho Chi Minh City – Overnight Stay in HCMC

Dalat: Since the French colonial era, the hill town of Da Lat has long been the most well-liked destination in the area for holidays.  This getaway town, which is 1,500 metres above sea level, offers a welcome change of scenery and a delightfully mild environment compared to other Vietnamese towns, which can get quite hot and muggy, especially in the summer. From November to early March, temperatures in Dalat are typically about 10°C (50°F), thus visitors should dress in pants and sweaters.

What to see in Dalat:

Elephant Falls

Valley of Love

Linh Phuoc Pagoda

Fairtale Land

The Crazy House

Alpine Coaster ride to Datanla Falls

Pongour Falls

Clay Tunnel

Getting around in Dalat: You can rent bike or hire a private cab. You can also book taxis using Grab app.

Indian Restaurants in Dalat:

India Gate Indian restaurant – 19 Đường Bùi Thị Xuân

Day 9: Explore Ho Chi Minh City – Overnight Stay in HCMC

HCMC: The largest city, commercial, and financial centre in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City. It also goes by the name Saigon and has a long and illustrious history. There are numerous museums that highlight the nation’s sombre history of conflict and the traditional colonial architecture constructed by past French overlords.

What to see in HCMC:

• Binh Tay Market
• War Remenant Musuem
• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Cao Dai Temple
• Jade Emperor Pagoda
• Independence Palace
• Saigon Central Post Office
• Pink Church

Getting Around in HCMC: You can rent bike or hire a private cab. You can also book taxis using Grab app.

Indian Restaurants in HCMC:

Banana Leaf: 46/6 Phạm Hồng Thái, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

Ganesh Indian Restaurants: 38 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Tandoor Indian Restaurant: 38A-39A Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

Baba’s Kitchen: Address: 274 Bui Vien Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Checkout from HCMC – Half Day tour to Mekong Delta – Night Return Flight to India.

Take a trip of the Mekong Delta for half a day to visit this amazing region of Vietnam. Visit a pagoda, a market, a temple, and a shrimp farm while riding a bicycle through the nearby towns and rice fields. After sampling tofu and rice wine, have a quick meal with a local family & Return to HCMC for your return flight.

Conclusion:

On our recent trip to Vietnam, we had the pleasure of experiencing a tranquil life filled with modest pleasures and excellent coffee, as well as views that were simply breathtaking everywhere you turned. our heart already knew that our time in the fascinating nation of Vietnam would be one to remember and treasure for years to come.