Vietnam Travel Journal: Planning a Vietnam Trip from India

Vietnam, from lantern streets to limestone bays. Everything you need to plan a Vietnam trip from India: what's trending, how the seasons work, the myths that put people off, how it compares with Thailand and Bali, and the itineraries we'd book ourselves.

Trending now: Hoi An lantern nights · Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills · Ninh Binh by sampan · Phu Quoc sunsets · Egg coffee in Hanoi · Ha Giang Loop · Tet 2027 (6 February)

Why Vietnam is the trip everyone's posting about

It's close, affordable and still feels like a discovery. Here's why it's filling up Indian travel feeds.

Scroll through travel reels this season and you'll keep seeing the same places: a gold footbridge held up by two giant stone hands, a river town glowing with silk lanterns, and wooden boats sliding between green limestone towers. All three are in Vietnam, and getting there from India is now easier than ever.

What changed for Indian travellers

• Direct flights. Non-stop routes from cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata land in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in roughly 4 to 6 hours.
• Simpler visas. Vietnam's e-visa is applied for online and can be valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Phu Quoc island also allows visa-free stays of up to 30 days if you fly in and stay on the island.
• Value for money. Good hotels, street food and domestic flights cost noticeably less than in many Southeast Asian hotspots.

One country, many trips

Vietnam stretches about 1,650 km from north to south, so one trip can cover very different worlds. The north has misty mountains and the karst bays of Ha Long and Ninh Binh. The centre has beaches, imperial Hue and the old trading port of Hoi An. The south has the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, the canals of the Mekong Delta and the beaches of Phu Quoc.

Did you know? Vietnam has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, the Trang An landscape in Ninh Binh and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to some of the world's largest caves.

If you've been to Thailand, Dubai or Singapore and want somewhere that feels new without being hard work, Vietnam is a natural next stamp in your passport.

Vietnam has three climates. Plan for the right one

"When is the best time to visit Vietnam?" depends on which Vietnam you mean.

Because the country is so long, the north, centre and south each have their own weather. Most trips that go wrong on weather were planned as if Vietnam had one season.

North: Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Sa Pa

• Best months: October to April
• Watch out for: December to February can drop to 10–15°C in Hanoi and near freezing in Sa Pa. Summer is hot and humid.
• Highlights: cruises, rice terraces, Old Quarter food walks

Centre: Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue

• Best months: February to August
• Watch out for: September to December brings heavy rain and the risk of typhoons and floods.
• Highlights: beaches, Ba Na Hills, lantern nights

South: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc

• Best months: December to April
• Watch out for: May to October has short, heavy afternoon showers.
• Highlights: island hopping, Mekong boats, Cu Chi Tunnels

So what should you book in winter?

From November to March, a north-plus-south route works best: Hanoi and Ninh Binh (pack a jacket), then fly south to Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc for sunshine. If you want Da Nang and Hoi An, February to April is the sweet spot.

Mark Tet in your calendar

Tet, the Lunar New Year, is Vietnam's biggest festival. In 2027 it falls on 6 February. Streets fill with peach blossoms and kumquat trees, but many shops and restaurants close for several days and domestic flights get booked out. Travel a week either side, or book very early.

Good to know before you go

• Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND). Notes run into the hundreds of thousands, so check zeros carefully.
• Time zone: Vietnam is 1.5 hours ahead of India.
• Power: 220V. Most Indian two-pin plugs fit, but carry a universal adapter.
• Getting around: Use Grab (ride-hailing app) in cities and domestic flights between regions.

9 moments every first-timer in Vietnam has

If you've been, you'll nod along. If you haven't, consider yourself warned.

1. You become a millionaire at the ATM. Withdrawing 2,000,000 dong feels incredible until you work out what it is in rupees.
2. You learn to cross the road. Walk slowly and steadily, don't stop, and the scooters flow around you. It works. Your heart rate takes longer to agree.
3. You order "just a coffee" and get dessert. Hanoi's egg coffee is thick, sweet and nothing like the filter coffee at home.
4. Your phone storage gives up in Hoi An. Every lantern-lit lane looks like a better photo than the last.
5. You sit on a tiny plastic stool. Some of the best meals in Vietnam are served at knee height on the pavement.
6. You realise pho is a breakfast food. And you have it for breakfast, lunch and once at midnight.
7. You queue for the Golden Bridge. Then you stop minding, because the view from Ba Na Hills is that good.
8. You go quiet in Ninh Binh. Your rower steers with their feet, the only sound is the oars, and limestone cliffs rise straight out of the rice fields.
9. You start planning trip two on the flight home. Sa Pa, Hue, Da Lat and the Ha Giang Loop are still on the list.

Vietnam this winter, without the planning headache

You pick the dates. Trace World handles the rest, from Indore to Hoi An.

Planning Vietnam yourself means juggling e-visa forms, three regions' weather, domestic flights, cruise bookings and a new currency. Our packages bundle it into one itinerary with one point of contact.

What's taken care of

• Hotel stays, airport transfers and guided sightseeing on every package
• Help with your Vietnam e-visa application
• Domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City where the route needs them
• Ha Long Bay cruises, Ba Na Hills cable car tickets and Ninh Binh boat rides
• Vegetarian and Jain meal arrangements on request
• Honeymoon, family and group versions of each itinerary

Winter dates fill fast. November to March is peak season for north and south Vietnam, and Tet week (early February 2027) books out early. Enquire now to lock in hotels and cruise slots.

See the itineraries further down this page, or call or WhatsApp +91 82693 05636.

7 Vietnam myths that are costing you a great holiday

Some of what people "know" about Vietnam is years out of date. Some was never true.

Myth 1: Vegetarians will struggle

Fact: Vietnam has a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition. Look for restaurants marked chay, which means vegetarian. Big cities have Indian restaurants, and Jain meals can be arranged in advance. Ask for no fish sauce (nuoc mam) in regular eateries.

Myth 2: It's all about war history

Fact: The War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels matter, but they're a small part of a trip with beaches, theme parks, caves, cruises, cafés and some of Asia's best street food.

Myth 3: It's expensive to get there

Fact: With direct flights from major Indian cities and modest costs on the ground, Vietnam often costs less than a Europe trip of the same length, and is close to Thailand or Bali.

Myth 4: You can see the whole country in five days

Fact: Vietnam is 1,650 km long. In 5 or 6 days, choose two regions. Allow 8 days or more for north, centre and south.

Myth 5: Nobody speaks English

Fact: Basic English is common in hotels, tourist areas and among younger people. Translation apps cover the rest, and a guided tour removes the issue.

Myth 6: It's unsafe for tourists

Fact: Vietnam is generally considered safe for travellers. Keep your phone away from the roadside, where bag snatching can happen, and agree prices before you buy or ride.

Myth 7: You must carry US dollars everywhere

Fact: The dong is what you'll use daily. Dollars are accepted in some tourist places, cards work in larger hotels and malls, and ATMs are easy to find in cities.

Vietnam vs Thailand vs Bali for Indian travellers

Three favourites, three very different holidays. Here's how to choose.

Vietnam at a glance

• Flight from India: about 4–6 hours direct
• Entry: e-visa online (Phu Quoc is visa-free for up to 30 days)
• Best for: scenery, culture, food and variety
• Signature sights: Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, the Golden Bridge
• Vegetarian food: good with a little planning
• Feels like: a fresh discovery

Thailand at a glance

• Flight from India: about 4–5 hours direct
• Entry: check current rules; visa-exempt entry has been offered to Indians
• Best for: nightlife, shopping and beaches
• Signature sights: Phi Phi Islands, the Grand Palace
• Vegetarian food: easy
• Feels like: familiar and easy

Bali at a glance

• Flight from India: usually one stop
• Entry: visa on arrival or e-VOA
• Best for: villas, honeymoons and wellness
• Signature sights: rice terraces, temples, clifftops
• Vegetarian food: easy
• Feels like: slow and romantic

Choose Vietnam if…

You want real variety: a cruise, a mountain cable car, an ancient town and a beach, all in one week. It's also the pick for travellers who've done Thailand and want somewhere less crowded with Indian tourists, for now.

Choose Thailand if…

It's your first international trip, you want the easiest vegetarian food, or the group wants shopping and nightlife in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Choose Bali if…

You're honeymooning and the dream is a private pool villa, sunsets and spa days rather than a full sightseeing schedule.

Can't decide? Visa rules change often. Check the latest entry requirements for all three before booking, or ask us when you enquire.

Our picks for where to go, eat and stay in Vietnam

Shortlists from our destination team, sorted by who you're travelling with.

For couples and honeymooners

• Hoi An at night: release a paper lantern on the Thu Bon river and have a dress or suit tailored in a day.
• Overnight Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise: sunset on deck, kayaking at dawn.
• Phu Quoc: the Hon Thom cable car over the sea and sunset at Sunset Town.

For families

• Ba Na Hills: cable cars, the Golden Bridge, a French-style village and indoor rides.
• VinWonders and Vinpearl Safari, Phu Quoc: a theme park plus an open safari park with hundreds of species.
• Mekong Delta day trip: boats, coconut workshops and fruit orchards that kids enjoy.

For food lovers (vegetarian options included)

• Banh mi: ask for banh mi chay for a vegetarian version.
• Egg coffee in Hanoi and coconut coffee anywhere.
• Pho chay and fresh spring rolls at vegetarian restaurants.
• Cao lau, Hoi An's local noodle dish (ask for a veg version).

For first-timers

Keep it simple: Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long in the north, then fly to Da Nang for Ba Na Hills and Hoi An, or to Ho Chi Minh City for the Mekong. Two regions, one domestic flight, no rush.

For the adventurous (trip two)

Ride the Ha Giang Loop in the far north with an experienced local driver, trek the rice terraces of Sa Pa, or explore the caves of Phong Nha.

The best Vietnam tour packages for every trip length

Four ready-made itineraries. Each one can be customised for dates, hotels and meals.

Wonders of Vietnam: Hanoi to Da Nang (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Our top pick for first-timers.

• Route: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Da Nang → Ba Na Hills → Hoi An
• Best for: first-timers, couples and families
• Includes: a Hanoi city tour, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc in Ninh Binh with local lunch, a flight to Da Nang, the Golden Bridge with buffet lunch, Marble Mountains and Hoi An's lantern streets.

Phu Quoc Island Tour (6 Days)

• Route: southern islands, Vinpearl Safari, VinWonders and Grand World
• Best for: families with kids, beach lovers and visa-free short breaks
• Includes: a speedboat trip around the southern islands, a full day at Vinpearl Safari, a full day at VinWonders and an evening at Grand World.

Vietnam Highlights: Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh (7 Nights / 8 Days)

• Route: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta
• Best for: seeing all three regions in one trip
• Includes: Mua Cave views, a Ha Long Bay day cruise with lunch, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, then the Mekong Delta at My Tho and Ben Tre.

Vietnam Discovery: Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc & Ho Chi Minh (8 Days)

• Route: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Da Nang → Phu Quoc → Ho Chi Minh City
• Best for: honeymooners and families who want a beach finish
• Includes: Hanoi's Old Quarter, Tam Coc caves, the Ba Na Hills cable car, then Phu Quoc beaches, Vinpearl Safari and VinWonders before Ho Chi Minh City.

Which one should you pick?

• Short on leave? Wonders of Vietnam (6 days) or the Phu Quoc Island Tour.
• Want the whole country? Vietnam Highlights (8 days).
• Want to end on a beach? Vietnam Discovery (8 days).

Plan your Vietnam trip with Trace World

Tell us your dates, group size and food preferences, and we'll send a custom quote. Call or WhatsApp +91 82693 05636, browse all Vietnam tours or send an enquiry.

Visa rules, flights and weather change. Check current details before you book.