Your complete pre-trip checklist — visa, flights, money, health, and what to pack.
Indian citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam. The good news: the Vietnam e-visa is straightforward to apply for online, and most approvals come within 3 working days.
Important: Apply only on the official Vietnam government portal — evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Avoid third-party agents who charge inflated fees for the same service.
Visit the official e-visa portal
Go to evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — this is the only official government website.
Fill in your personal details
Enter passport details, travel dates, entry/exit points, and accommodation details.
Upload your documents
Digital passport photo (4×6 cm, white background) and scanned passport bio page.
Pay the visa fee
Fee is payable online by credit/debit card. Check the portal for current fee — approximately $25 USD.
Receive approval and print
Approval arrives by email within 3 working days. Print the e-visa and carry it along with your passport at immigration.
Pro tip: Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date. If you're travelling during peak season (December–January), apply 3–4 weeks ahead to avoid last-minute stress.
There is no single "perfect month" for all of Vietnam. The country stretches 1,650 km north to south — so the best time depends on which region you're visiting.
Best: Oct–Apr for cool, dry weather. Mar–May is ideal — warm without the humidity. Avoid Jul–Aug (heavy monsoon, humid, flooding risk in Sapa).
Best: Feb–Jun for dry, sunny weather. Oct–Nov brings heavy rain and typhoon risk along the central coast — avoid for beach-focused trips.
Best: Nov–Apr for the dry season. Phu Quoc and beaches are at their best. May–Sep brings the south's monsoon — short heavy showers, still manageable in HCMC.
The safest window for a North-to-South itinerary. Dry in most regions, comfortable temperatures, and festivals like Tết (Vietnamese New Year) in Jan–Feb.
Shoulder season — lower hotel rates, fewer crowds. March–April is particularly excellent for Hanoi, Ha Long, and the Central coast simultaneously.
Vietnam's biggest festival. Beautiful to witness but hotels fill up months ahead, domestic transport is crowded, and many shops close for 3–5 days. Book very early.
Vietnam is well-connected from major Indian cities. Direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore — making it one of Southeast Asia's most accessible destinations from India.
For peak season (Dec–Jan) and school holidays, prices surge. Book 3+ months ahead for best fares and to avoid sold-out flights.
Fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) — you get maximum Vietnam coverage without backtracking. Often no premium over return fares.
VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways offer cheap domestic hops — Hanoi to Da Nang or HCMC from ₹1,500–3,000. Book on their apps after you arrive.
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Don't let the large numbers confuse you — ₹1,000 gets you roughly 285,000–300,000 Dong. Cash is king in markets, smaller restaurants, and rural areas.
Quick conversions: ₹500 ≈ 145,000 VND · ₹1,000 ≈ 290,000 VND · ₹5,000 ≈ 1,450,000 VND. Screenshot this or download a currency app before you land.
Budget
Backpacker
₹2,500–4,000 / day
Hostel dorm beds, street food, local buses, shared tours, self-guided sightseeing.
Mid-Range
Comfortable
₹7,000–14,000 / day
3-star hotel, sit-down restaurants, Grab rides, guided tours, day cruises.
Premium
Luxury
₹20,000–40,000+ / day
4–5 star hotels, fine dining, private transfers, luxury Ha Long cruise, premium experiences.
Vietnam is generally safe for Indian travellers. A few sensible precautions before and during your trip go a long way in keeping you healthy throughout.
No vaccinations are mandatory for entering Vietnam from India. However, these are recommended by most travel doctors:
See a travel doctor or your GP at least 4–6 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccine courses to complete.
ORS sachets / electrolyte powder · Antidiarrheal (Lopramide/Imodium) · Antihistamine (Cetirizine) · Paracetamol · Cold & flu tablets · Antacid · Band-aids and antiseptic cream · Personal prescription medicines (3-day buffer beyond trip)
Vietnam is hot and humid most of the year. Pack light, breathable fabrics and plan for frequent washing. Luggage storage is available at most hotels if you're moving between cities.
Leave room in your bag: Vietnamese silk, lacquerware, lanterns from Hoi An, and tailor-made clothing are popular souvenirs. Most can be packed flat or shipped home affordably.
Vietnam has excellent transport options for every budget. For multi-city itineraries, domestic flights are the smartest choice. Within cities, Grab is safe, reliable, and removes all fare negotiation stress.
Download the Grab app before you leave India. Available in all major cities. Fixed metered fares — no haggling. Accepts cash and cards. The safest, easiest way to move around cities.
VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, and Vietnam Airlines connect Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and more. Fares from ₹1,500–4,000 if booked ahead. A 1-hour flight vs 13-hour bus is worth every rupee.
Budget-friendly option for multi-city travel. Open-tour buses like The Sinh Tourist connect Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and HCMC with reclining sleeper seats. Rough but remarkably affordable.
Connects Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (~30 hrs total). Best for scenic leg routes — Hanoi→Hue (~12 hrs, overnight) or Da Nang→HCMC. Book via baove.vr.com.vn. Soft sleeper berths are comfortable.
Traditional motorbike taxi — cheap and fast. Always agree on the fare before you get on. Useful for short distances in areas where Grab coverage is limited.
For family trips and luxury travelers, pre-booked private cars are excellent value. We arrange airport pickups and inter-city transfers — everything confirmed before you arrive.
Vietnamese people are warm, hospitable, and patient with visitors. A few cultural basics go a long way in making your interactions respectful and memorable.
Enter quietly and respectfully. Remove shoes at the entrance. Dress modestly — no shorts or sleeveless tops. Some pagodas offer sarongs to borrow at the entrance. Don't point cameras directly at worshippers.
Vietnamese is tonal and difficult for newcomers. Learn a few words — "Xin chào" (Hello), "Cảm ơn" (Thank you), "Không" (No) — locals love when you try. Google Translate with camera mode is excellent for menus.
Expected at Ben Thanh Market (HCMC), Dong Xuan Market (Hanoi), and Hoi An's tailors. Start at 40–50% of the asking price and settle in the middle. Never bargain aggressively or walk away rudely — keep it friendly.
Staying connected in Vietnam is easy and cheap. Pick up a local SIM on arrival for seamless data throughout your trip — it's far more affordable than Indian international roaming plans.
SIM cards are available at kiosks inside arrival halls at all major Vietnamese airports — Hanoi (Noi Bai), Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. You can also buy from convenience stores (Circle K, GS25) in the city.
Best nationwide coverage including remote areas, Sapa mountain roads, and Mekong Delta. First choice for travellers exploring beyond city centres.
Excellent coverage in cities and tourist zones. Fast 4G data. Good choice for city-focused itineraries (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang).
Budget option with adequate city coverage. Data plans are cheap but speeds can be slower than Viettel or Mobifone.
Save these numbers before you travel. In a genuine emergency, the first call should be to your travel insurer's 24-hour emergency line — they coordinate medical evacuation, hospitalisation, and translation.
Police (Vietnam)
Emergency Police
113
Ambulance (Vietnam)
Medical Emergency
115
Fire (Vietnam)
Fire Department
114
Free Tourist Helpline
Vietnam Tourism
1800 599 927
Indian Embassy — Hanoi
Embassy of India
+84-24-3824-4989
Indian Consulate — Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate General of India
+84-28-3823-3348
Travel insurance emergency line: Save your insurer's 24-hour international emergency number in your phone before you board. This is your most important contact for medical emergencies — they coordinate everything.
Carry physical copies: Keep a printed copy of your passport, visa, and insurance details separately from your originals (e.g. hotel safe vs wallet). Email copies to yourself and a family member in India.
We handle everything — visa guidance, flights coordination, hotels, transfers, and ground support throughout Vietnam.
