Flights
There are nonstop flights from Delhi to Hanoi (about 4½ hours) and to Ho Chi Minh City (about 5 hours). Flying into one and out of the other saves a day of backtracking. Da Nang, for Hoi An, is an hour's domestic flight from either city.
How many days
Nine days covers the north and centre comfortably: Hanoi, a night on Ha Long Bay or in Ninh Binh, then Hoi An. Twelve to fourteen days adds Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, or a few beach days in Da Nang or Phu Quoc.
A first route
Hanoi (2–3 nights): the old quarter, street food and a water-puppet show. Ha Long Bay (1 night aboard): limestone islands, kayaking and caves. Ninh Binh (optional, 1 night): rowing boats through the karsts at Trang An. Hoi An (3 nights): the lantern-lit old town, tailors and a nearby beach. Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights): markets, history and a day on the Mekong.
Visa and arrival
Indians need a visa. The e-visa costs US$25 for single entry and is applied for only at evisa.gov.vn; allow three to five working days. Vietnam's digital arrival card is filled in online within 72 hours before landing. Full details: Vietnam visa for Indians.
Money and connectivity
The currency is the dong. Cards work in hotels and most restaurants in cities; carry some cash for markets and small cafés. A local eSIM or SIM is inexpensive and makes ride-hailing apps easy to use.
Food
Vegetarian food is easy to find — Buddhist 'chay' restaurants are in every city, and hotels arrange Indian or Jain meals with notice. Fish sauce is common, so we brief guides and restaurants in advance.
How we help
We plan the route around the season, book flights from Delhi, hotels and a private Ha Long Bay cruise, handle domestic flights and the e-visa paperwork, and arrange vegetarian meals throughout. Tell us your dates for a free day-by-day plan.
