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If you're planning Vietnam from India and don't want to pay a travel agent, this is the exact route we followed. We planned everything ourselves, nothing went wrong, and we saved a lot of money doing it.
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How long do you need?
Think of Vietnam like India: going from north to south takes time. If you give each city two or three days, you need at least 10–12 days. Travel time is the hidden cost, which is why we followed one direction, north to south, and never doubled back.
Flights from India
Direct flights to Vietnam leave from most major Indian airports: Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. We flew Pune → Delhi → Hanoi, and returned Hanoi → Kolkata → Pune.
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Open Trip.com →Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam's weather changes a lot by region, so plan around it:
- North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long): October to April. Monsoon is roughly June to August.
- Central (Da Nang, Hoi An): February to August. Avoid September to November (rain and typhoons).
- South (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc): December to April. May to October is very rainy.
- Golden window for the whole country: March to April.
We went in early summer and the heat was our biggest problem everywhere except Sapa. It changed our plans more than once.
Visa for Indians
Skip the agent. Apply for the e-visa directly on the official Vietnam immigration website, fill in your passport details, and it arrives in about 5–7 days. It cost us roughly US$25.
Apps to download before you go
- Grab: taxis and bikes. Add your card so you never pay cash (see our Vietnam scams guide).
- Google Translate: English isn't widely spoken.
- Google Maps: essential.
- Klook: for every attraction, train, bus and cruise. Use our code SUNNSHANT for 10% off.
- An eSIM: buy it before you fly and activate it on the airport Wi-Fi.
Our route, day by day
Hanoi: day 1
Most flights land early in the morning, so book a room in the Old Quarter to freshen up. Spend the day on Train Street, local cafés and Old Quarter wandering. Honestly, Hanoi itself doesn't need much time. The best things are around it.
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Open Agoda →Sapa: 2–3 days
We took the overnight sleeper train at about 10 pm and arrived around 5:30–6 am. The station is in Lao Cai, about 1.5 hours from Sapa town, but there are plenty of cabs outside. Check the Grab price first, and if a local driver offers less, it's usually fine.
You can also go straight from the airport by limousine bus or van (about 6 hours). Do that and two days in Sapa is enough.
The must-dos: Fansipan (the highest point in Vietnam), Cat Cat Village (keep 3–4 hours), Moana Café (go by 3:30 pm, it closes around 6:30–7 pm), and a day trip to the Glass Bridge, Heaven's Gate and Silver Waterfall. Don't miss the hotpot or the Stone Church.
Full guide: Sapa travel guide.
Ninh Binh: 1–2 nights
We took an overnight HK Bus Line bus from Sapa that picked us up from our hotel and dropped us at our Ninh Binh hotel. Do the Trang An boat ride (we recommend Route 2), climb Mua Cave (not at midday!) and visit the lotus pond below it when it's in season. Stay at least one night rather than doing a day trip.
Full guide: Ninh Binh in 2 days.
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See Sapa → Ninh Binh on 12Go →Powered by 12Go system
Da Nang, Ba Na Hills & Hoi An: 3 days
Another overnight bus took us to Da Nang. We stayed between Da Nang and Hoi An so Ba Na Hills, Hoi An and the city were all close, like points of a triangle.
- Ba Na Hills takes a full day. Get the Wow Pass to skip queues.
- Hoi An takes a full day too, ideally two. Do the coconut basket boat and the evening lantern boat. We regret not staying the night there.
- Dragon Bridge at night is optional; you won't miss much if you skip it.
Guides: 3 days in Da Nang · Ba Na Hills · Hoi An.
Optional: Phu Quoc & Ho Chi Minh City
If you have more days, fly from Da Nang to Phu Quoc (2–3 days: the world's longest over-sea cable car, VinWonders, island hopping), then Ho Chi Minh City (1–2 days: shopping, Cu Chi Tunnels, cafés). We skipped both because of the heat and flew back to Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay: 1 day
Our return flight was from Hanoi, so we ended with Ha Long Bay. We chose a day cruise over an overnight one. Overnight cruises bring you back the next morning, so you mostly pay for one extra night on the boat. Full breakdown: Is Ha Long Bay worth it?.
What it cost
Our 12 days cost about ₹1 lakh per person, all in. We were four people, which made cabs and private boats cheaper.
Pro tips
- Carry US dollars in $100 notes. They get the best exchange rate. Exchange in big cities like Hanoi, because small towns give poor rates.
- International driving permit? If you're a couple, renting a scooter is the cheapest way around. For a family of four, cabs work out fine.
- Know the scams before you land. We lost money on day one: here's how to avoid it.
- Watch the weather. Heat ruined parts of our trip more than anything else.
Want our full day-by-day sheet with every bus and train? DM us on Instagram and we'll send it, or book a call with us and we'll plan yours together.
📶Our picks for Vietnam
FAQs
How many days do you need for Vietnam?
At least 10–12 days if you want to go north to south at a relaxed pace. Vietnam is long, and travel days between regions take a lot of time.
How much does a Vietnam trip cost from India?
Our 12-day trip cost about ₹1 lakh per person, including flights. We were a group of four, which made cabs cheaper to split.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, but it's a simple online e-visa on the official Vietnam immigration website. It cost about US$25 and arrived within a week. You don't need an agent.
TAGS: VIETNAM · ITINERARY · HANOI · SAPA · NINH BINH · DA NANG · HOI AN · HA LONG BAY · BUDGET
💬 Questions & answers
NO QUESTIONS YET. ASK US ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TRIP.
Prashant & Sunaina
A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.
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