Vietnam Itinerary from India: 7-Day Trip Plan & Visa

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Hanoi + Old Quarter

Morning.Arrive Hanoi (most flights via Bangkok or Singapore). Check in around Old Quarter.

Afternoon.Walk the Old Quarter — narrow streets, food stalls, motorbikes everywhere.

Evening.Sunset at Hoan Kiem Lake. Dinner at Bun Cha Ta or a veg place like Veggie Castle.

Day 2 — Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

Morning.Drive to Ha Long Bay (~2.5 hours from Hanoi). Board your overnight cruise by noon.

Afternoon.Kayaking and cave exploration. The famous emerald-blue limestone karsts everywhere.

Evening.Sunset on deck. Dinner on board with seafood + veg options.

Day 3 — Ha Long morning + back to Hanoi + train to Hoi An

Morning.Cruise breakfast + last kayak. Disembark by 11 am.

Afternoon.Drive back to Hanoi. Quick lunch.

Evening.Fly to Da Nang (1.5 hr) + 30-min cab to Hoi An. Check in at a heritage hotel.

Day 4 — Hoi An lanterns + Ancient Town

Morning.Walk the Hoi An Ancient Town (Unesco World Heritage). Yellow walls, tailor shops, riverside cafes.

Afternoon.Try a half-day cooking class — most teach a veg version on request.

Evening.After dark, the Old Town turns into a lantern festival — magical. Boat ride on the river with floating lanterns (~₹150).

Day 5 — Hoi An beach + temple side trip

Morning.My Son temples (Hindu temples, ancient Champa kingdom — feels like a mini Hampi). 1-hour drive.

Afternoon.Beach time at An Bang or Cua Dai beach.

Evening.Last Hoi An evening — final lantern walk.

Day 6 — Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Morning.Fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Check in District 1.

Afternoon.War Remnants Museum — sobering but important. Walk Notre-Dame Cathedral and Post Office.

Evening.Bui Vien walking street for dinner. Loud, fun, lots of veg + Indian restaurants nearby.

Day 7 — Cu Chi Tunnels or shopping + fly home

Morning.Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour (~2 hours away) — underground war network.

Afternoon.Last lunch in Saigon. Try a veg pho.

Evening.Fly home.

Customize this Vietnam plan with AI →

Top things to do in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay overnight cruise. The classic Vietnam experience — sleep on the blue water.
Hoi An lanterns at night. The whole Old Town glows; one of the most beautiful nights in Asia.
Hanoi Old Quarter food walk. Pho, bun cha, banh mi — cheap and exceptional.
Cu Chi Tunnels. Underground war network — easy day trip from Saigon.
My Son temples (near Hoi An). Ancient Hindu temples in the jungle — small but special for Indian visitors.
Cooking class in Hoi An. Most schools offer a veg track on request.

Food in Vietnam

Vietnamese food is light, fresh, and herb-heavy. Veg is doable with effort — many Buddhist veg restaurants exist. Indian options are limited but growing.

For vegetarians

Veg-friendly: Veggie Castle (Hanoi), Hum Restaurant (Saigon and Hanoi), Loving Hut (multiple branches — fully veg). Indian: Khazaana, Tandoor (Saigon).

For Jain travelers

Indian restaurants in Saigon can make Jain meals on request. Vietnamese veg restaurants are usually Buddhist-veg (no onion, garlic) which is closer to Jain by default.

Must-try dishes

Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup — veg version exists)
Banh mi (sandwich — order without meat/egg/mayo for veg)
Fresh spring rolls (often tofu and veggies)
Vietnamese drip coffee with condensed milk

Budget estimate (INR)

~₹55,000 to ₹95,000 per person for 7 days (everything-in)

Flights from India (return, via Bangkok or direct)

₹22,000 – ₹42,000

e-Visa

₹2,100

Stays (6 nights, mid-range)

₹12,000 – ₹22,000

Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

₹6,000 – ₹12,000

Internal flights (Hanoi-Da Nang, Da Nang-HCM)

₹6,000 – ₹10,000

Food + cabs + activities

₹7,000 – ₹12,000

Estimates. Costs vary by season, group size, and booking choices.

Practical tips

Don’t hire scooters — Vietnam traffic is rough; use Grab or local cabs.
Carry small bills — local sellers often don’t have change for big notes.
Currency: 1 VND ≈ ₹0.003; 100,000 VND ≈ ₹340. Big numbers, don’t panic.
Sleeper buses are okay budget-wise but slow + uncomfortable; trains and flights are better.
Hoi An is best after sundown — daytime is hot.
Pack: light cottons, sandals, mosquito repellent, light raincoat.

FAQs about Vietnam

How many days are enough for Vietnam?

Seven days for a Hanoi-Ha Long-Hoi An-Saigon loop. Five days if you skip Saigon. Ten days if you also want Sapa rice terraces or Phu Quoc beach.

How much does a Vietnam trip cost from India?

A 7-day Vietnam trip is ₹55,000 to ₹95,000 per person all-in. Going via Bangkok with a layover saves on flights.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes — apply for an e-Visa online. Cost: USD 25 (~₹2,100) single-entry. Issued in 3-5 working days. Valid for 30 days.

Is Vietnam good for vegetarians?

Manageable — Buddhist-veg restaurants exist and are excellent (no onion/garlic by default). Indian restaurants in Saigon and Hanoi. Local food often has fish sauce, so confirm.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

February to April is the safest window for all three regions. November to January is great for the south, foggy in the north. May to October is hot and rainy.

Vietnam Itinerary from India: A 7-Day Plan

Best time to visit Vietnam