Vietnam has become one of the easiest foreign holidays to plan from north India. Flights are short, the e-visa is simple, and the country packs limestone bays, old towns, beaches and busy food streets into one trip. The winter months are a good time to go, but Vietnam is long and thin, so the weather depends on which end you are in. Here is what to know before you book.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Vietnam?
Yes. India is not on Vietnam's visa-exemption list, so most Indian travellers apply for an e-visa online before they fly.
- Where to apply: the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn. Many look-alike websites charge extra service fees, so check the address carefully.
- How long it lasts: up to 90 days, for a single or multiple entry.
- Government fee: US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, paid by card on the portal.
- Processing time: usually about three to five working days. Apply at least two weeks before you travel to be safe, and longer in the Diwali, Christmas and New Year rush.
- Passport: valid for at least six months from your date of entry, with blank pages.
You will need a scan of your passport photo page and a recent passport-style photo. Fill in your name exactly as it appears in your passport, and choose the correct airport or border gate you will enter through. A small typing mistake can mean a fresh application.
Print the approved e-visa and carry it with you. Immigration staff may ask to see a paper copy.
One exception: Phu Quoc island lets foreign visitors stay up to 30 days without a visa if they arrive there directly from abroad. If you plan to visit the mainland as well, apply for the e-visa anyway.
Getting There from Kanpur and Lucknow
There are non-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and several other Indian cities to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, run by Indian and Vietnamese airlines. The flight from Delhi to Hanoi takes around four and a half hours. From Kanpur or Lucknow, the usual way is a domestic flight to Delhi or Kolkata and a connection from there.
Schedules and airlines on these routes change often, so check what is flying on your dates before you fix the plan. A useful trick is to fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City (or the other way round). You avoid travelling back up the country and gain a day.
Best Time to Visit: It Depends on the Region
Vietnam stretches about 1,600 km from north to south, and the three regions have quite different weather.
- The north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa): November to April is dry and pleasant. December and January can be cool, especially in Hanoi and properly cold in the mountains around Sapa. Pack a light jacket and a warm layer.
- The centre (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue): autumn, roughly October to December, is the rainy season here, with a risk of heavy rain and storms. The best months are usually February to August.
- The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): the dry season runs from about December to April. It stays warm all year.
So for a trip between November and January, the north and south are the safer bets. If you are set on Hoi An, February onwards is usually the better time. If your dates are fixed, build some flexibility into the central part of the trip.
A Simple 7-day First Trip
This route suits couples and families on their first visit. It keeps hotel changes to a minimum.
- Day 1: Hanoi. Arrive, rest, and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter in the evening.
- Day 2: Hanoi. The Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, and a water puppet show.
- Day 3: Ha Long Bay. Drive to the bay and board an overnight cruise among the limestone islands.
- Day 4: Ha Long to Ninh Binh. Morning on the water, then on to Ninh Binh, where boats take you through rice fields and caves.
- Day 5: Fly south. A morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Spend the evening on the main boulevards and at the Ben Thanh area markets.
- Day 6: Mekong Delta. A day trip to the delta for boat rides, orchards and village life. History lovers can choose the Cu Chi tunnels instead.
- Day 7: Fly home.
With more time, add two or three nights on Phu Quoc for a beach finish. This works well for honeymooners. In the drier months, you could add Da Nang and Hoi An between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Vegetarian Food in Vietnam
Vietnamese food uses a lot of meat, seafood and fish sauce, so vegetarians need a plan. It is easier than it sounds.
- Learn the word "chay". It means vegetarian, and you will see it on menus and shop signs. Many Buddhist vegetarian restaurants serve the whole menu without meat or fish.
- Ask about fish sauce. Even vegetable dishes and dipping sauces can contain *nuoc mam* (fish sauce). Ask for food "without fish sauce", or eat at a *chay* restaurant where this is not a worry.
- Easy dishes to look for: vegetarian spring rolls, tofu with tomato, stir-fried morning glory (ask for it without fish sauce), vegetarian pho, and plenty of fresh fruit and coffee.
- Indian food: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have Indian restaurants, and many have pure-veg options.
- Jain travellers: carry some ready-to-eat food from home, and ask your planner to send dietary notes to hotels and cruises ahead of time. Overnight Ha Long Bay cruises can usually arrange vegetarian meals if you tell them when you book.
Money and Practical Tips
- The local currency is the Vietnamese dong. Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants, but carry cash for markets, small eateries and taxis.
- Carry some US dollars to exchange, and keep small notes handy.
- Ride-hailing apps are widely used in the big cities and save you haggling with taxi drivers.
- Traffic is full of motorbikes. Cross roads at a slow, steady pace and let the riders move around you.
- Buy travel insurance before you leave, as you would for any trip abroad.
Planning Your Vietnam Trip
Vietnam rewards a bit of planning: the right region for your month, a sensible flight route in and out, and hotels and cruises that understand vegetarian meals. If you would like us to put it together, with the e-visa paperwork checked, see our international holidays page or build a draft route yourself on the Adios trip planner.
