# Vietnam Itinerary for 10–12 Days: Route, Budget & Tips from India By Prashant & Sunaina · 10 October 2026 · https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/vietnam-itinerary-10-12-days > Our self-planned 10–12 day Vietnam itinerary from India: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ha Long Bay. Visa, best time, apps and what it cost. 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. Watch the vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSG2gvJ8fcc ## 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. ## 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](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/vietnam-scams-how-to-avoid)). - **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. ### 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](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/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](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/ninh-binh-travel-guide). ### 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](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/da-nang-3-day-itinerary) · [Ba Na Hills](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/ba-na-hills-golden-bridge-guide) · [Hoi An](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/hoi-an-travel-guide). ### 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?](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/ha-long-bay-day-cruise-review). ## 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 1. **Carry US dollars in $100 notes.** They get the best exchange rate. Exchange in big cities like Hanoi, because small towns give poor rates. 2. **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. 3. **Know the scams** before you land. We lost money on day one: [here's how to avoid it](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/vietnam-scams-how-to-avoid). 4. **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](https://www.psvlogs.in/consult) and we'll plan yours together. ## 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.