Vietnam Holiday from India: The Complete 2026 Guide
- The Blueberry Trails
- May 14
- 8 min read
There Is a Moment in Vietnam That Gets You.
It happens differently for everyone.
For some, it arrives in Hanoi — in the quiet chaos of the Old Quarter, where the smell of pho drifts through narrow lanes, and motorbikes weave past century-old shophouses as if the city has been doing this forever. For others, it comes somewhere on Halong Bay, when the morning mist lifts from between the limestone karsts and the water turns from grey to jade and you realise no photograph has ever quite done this justice.
For many Indian travellers discovering Vietnam for the first time, the moment arrives unexpectedly — often at a table in Hoi An, eating bánh mì by the river, watching lanterns float across the Thu Bon and thinking: why did I wait so long to come here?
Vietnam is one of those rare destinations that gives you more than you expected, at a pace that actually lets you feel it. It is also — for Indian travellers in particular — one of the most accessible, rewarding, and underrated international holidays you can take in 2026.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your Vietnam holiday from India: the visa process, the best time to visit, how to structure your itinerary, what to eat, and what to do beyond the obvious.
Why Vietnam Works So Well for Indian Travellers
Vietnam has quietly become one of the most popular international holiday destinations for Indians — and for good reason.
It is geographically close. Direct and one-stop flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are well-connected, with flight times typically between 5 and 9 hours. No long-haul fatigue before the journey has even begun.
It is genuinely diverse. Within a single country, you can move between a buzzing, history-soaked capital, one of the world's most spectacular natural bays, a UNESCO-listed ancient trading town, and a coastline that stretches for kilometres. Vietnam is not one experience — it is several, layered into one journey.
It is welcoming to Indian palates. Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavourful, and far more varied than most first-timers expect. While not identical to Indian food, the abundance of rice, noodles, vegetables, and broth-based dishes means Indian travellers — including vegetarians — eat very well here.
It is culturally rich without being overwhelming. Vietnam's history is deep and its people are warm. The country has a way of drawing travellers in without feeling like a museum — it is alive, moving, and endlessly fascinating.
Vietnam Visa for Indian Travellers: What You Need to Know
As of 2024, Indian passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-Visa online — a straightforward process that removes the need for visa-on-arrival paperwork or embassy appointments.
Key details:
The Vietnam e-Visa is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry
It is processed entirely online at the official Vietnam government e-visa portal
Processing typically takes 3 working days
The fee is approximately USD 25
You will need a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, and a scan of your passport bio page
Apply well in advance of your travel dates, and always use the official government portal. At The Blueberry Trails, we guide every traveller through the visa process as part of our travel planning support.
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam from India
Vietnam is a long, narrow country, and its climate varies significantly between north and south. Understanding the seasons will help you plan the right Vietnam holiday at the right time.
October to April — The Sweet Spot
For most Indian travellers, this is the ideal window for a Vietnam holiday. The north (Hanoi, Halong Bay) is cool and clear, the central coast (Hoi An, Da Nang) is dry and beautiful, and the south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) is warm and accessible.
November to February is particularly popular for couples and families — cool evenings in Hanoi, perfect sailing weather on Halong Bay, and golden afternoons in Hoi An.
May to September — The Wet Season
Vietnam's rainy season varies by region, but this period brings heavier rainfall, particularly in the north and centre. The south remains relatively drier during this time. Travel is still possible and often less crowded, but some coastal activities and boat tours may be affected.
For Indian travellers departing from Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru, the October–April season aligns well with India's own holiday calendar — school breaks, Diwali travel, and the December–January peak make this a natural window for planning.
North Vietnam or South Vietnam: How to Choose
This is the most common planning question for first-time visitors — and the honest answer is that the best Vietnam holidays combine both.
North Vietnam — History, Drama, Depth
Hanoi is Vietnam at its most layered. The Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature offer a city that rewards slow exploration. Halong Bay — often described as one of the world's great natural landscapes — is accessible from Hanoi and is genuinely as spectacular as its reputation suggests.
The north also offers the possibility of extending to Sa Pa, the terraced rice field highlands near the Chinese border — an experience that feels entirely removed from the rest of Southeast Asia.
Central Vietnam — Culture, Coast, Character
Hoi An is arguably Vietnam's most beautiful town, and a destination that deserves more time than most itineraries give it. The Ancient Town, the tailors' lanes, the Thu Bon riverside, and the nearby My Son ruins create a destination that is both culturally rich and deeply atmospheric.
Da Nang, just 30 minutes from Hoi An, offers a modern coastal city with excellent beaches and the remarkable Marble Mountains.
South Vietnam — Energy, Food, Delta
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's commercial pulse — faster, louder, and more cosmopolitan than Hanoi, with a food scene that could occupy a traveller for days on its own. The nearby Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam's most vivid landscapes: a floating world of rivers, boat markets, and village life.
Our recommendation: A 7-day Vietnam holiday should cover north and central Vietnam at minimum. An 11-day itinerary allows you to add the south meaningfully, without rushing any of it.
7-Day vs 11-Day: Which Vietnam Package Is Right for You?
At The Blueberry Trails, we offer two carefully curated Vietnam itineraries, each designed for a different kind of traveller.
The 7-Day Vietnam Holiday — Whispers of Vietnam: A Trail Through Time
Built for those with limited time but a genuine curiosity. This itinerary moves with purpose through Vietnam's most iconic destinations — Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Hoi An — without feeling rushed. Every experience is chosen to give you a real sense of the country, not just a highlight reel.
This works best for first-time visitors, couples on a holiday break, and travellers who want to experience Vietnam meaningfully without committing to a longer trip.
The 11-Day Vietnam Holiday — The Slow Unfold
Designed for the traveller who wants to go deeper. The 11-day itinerary extends the journey to include more time in the north, a fuller experience of central Vietnam, and a meaningful exploration of the south. It is slower, richer, and gives destinations the time they actually deserve.
This works best for culturally curious travellers, couples celebrating a milestone, and anyone for whom Vietnam is a destination they want to understand — not just see.
Experiences That Define a Vietnam Holiday
There is a version of Vietnam travel that moves too fast — ticking boxes between cities, spending more time in transit than in the places themselves. Then there is the version that stays with you.
Here is what a well-designed Vietnam holiday actually looks and feels like:
Waking Up on Halong BayA night on a traditional junk boat, anchored between limestone islands, with nothing but water and karsts outside your cabin window. Watching the bay come alive at dawn — before the tour boats arrive, before the light gets loud — is one of travel's genuinely extraordinary experiences.
Walking Hoi An Before the CrowdsThe Ancient Town in the early morning, before the heat and the tourists, is an entirely different place. Lanterns catch the low light, shopkeepers set up their stalls, and the streets feel exactly as they have for centuries. This is not sightseeing. This is immersion.
A Cyclo Ride Through Hanoi's Old QuarterHanoi's 36 ancient streets are best experienced at street level and slow pace. A cyclo ride through the Old Quarter — past silk merchants, paper makers, and pho sellers — is one of those simple experiences that somehow becomes unforgettable.
Cooking with a Local Family in Hoi AnVietnam's cuisine is best understood from a market stall and a home kitchen. A cooking class in Hoi An — starting at the morning market and ending at a table of dishes you have made yourself — is the kind of experience that changes how you think about a destination.
The Mekong Delta by BoatIf your itinerary extends south, a day on the Mekong is essential. Floating markets, river villages, coconut candy workshops, and the particular rhythm of life on the water — the delta is unlike anything else in Southeast Asia.
What to Eat in Vietnam: A Guide for Indian Travellers
Vietnamese cuisine is built on freshness, balance, and depth of flavour. It is also surprisingly navigable for Indian palates — including vegetarians.
Pho — Vietnam's national dish. A deeply flavoured broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and your choice of protein. The vegetarian version (phở chay) is widely available and genuinely excellent.
Bánh Mì — A Vietnamese baguette filled with pickled vegetables, herbs, and your choice of filling. One of the great street foods of the world, available everywhere and incredibly good.
Cao Lầu — A Hoi An speciality. Thick noodles, pork, and crispy rice crackers in a light broth. Made with water from a specific local well, it technically cannot be authentically recreated anywhere else.
Fresh Spring Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn) — Rice paper rolls filled with vegetables, herbs, and shrimp or tofu. Light, fresh, and a vegetarian-friendly staple.
Cơm Tấm (Broken Rice) — A southern dish built around fragrant broken rice served with grilled proteins and pickled vegetables. A Saigon institution.
For vegetarians: Vietnam has a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition, particularly in central Vietnam. Vegetarian restaurants (quán chay) are common in Hoi An and Hanoi, and most restaurants can accommodate requests.
A note on spice: Vietnamese food is generally milder than Indian cuisine in terms of chilli heat, though condiments and sauces allow you to adjust to your preference.
Planning Your Vietnam Holiday from India: Practical Notes
Flights: Vietnam is well-connected from Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), and Bengaluru (BLR). IndiGo, Air India, Vietnam Airlines, and Singapore Airlines operate popular routes with one or two stops. Flight time is typically 6–9 hours depending on layover.
Currency: The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted at hotels and larger restaurants. ATMs are readily available in cities. Carry some local currency for street food and markets.
Getting Around: Vietnam is long and narrow. Domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City are efficient and affordable. Within cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab) are reliable and inexpensive.
Language: English is spoken in most tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. In smaller towns and markets, some basic Vietnamese phrases go a long way — locals appreciate the effort.
Safety: Vietnam is considered one of Southeast Asia's safest destinations for tourists. Standard travel precautions apply.
Ready to Plan Your Vietnam Holiday?
Vietnam is a destination that rewards the traveller who approaches it with curiosity and time. The right itinerary does not just connect you to the country's landscapes — it connects you to its rhythms, its flavours, and its stories.
At The Blueberry Trails, our Vietnam itineraries are designed exactly that way. Whether you choose the 7-day journey or the 11-day slow unfold, every experience is curated to let you truly experience Vietnam — not just pass through it.
→ Explore our Vietnam 7-Day Holiday Package
→ Explore our Vietnam 11-Day Holiday Package
→ Get in Touch to plan your personalised Vietnam journey
The Blueberry Trails designs curated international holiday packages for Indian travellers. From Vietnam and Europe to Lapland, Japan, Bali, and beyond — every journey is crafted around the traveller, not the other way around.
(C) Author: Vishal Hanmattekar
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