Vietnam is having a genuine moment among Indian travellers, arrivals are up roughly seventy percent this year alone, and Vietnam’s own tourism board has started talking openly about challenging Thailand for the Indian outbound market. What most of the coverage does not tell you, and what we get asked constantly once someone actually starts planning, is that Vietnam is not one trip. It is three distinct ones stitched into a single narrow country, and picking the wrong region for the days you have is the single biggest reason first-time visitors come back saying they only scratched the surface. This guide is built around that decision. Most pan-India Vietnam content either lists all three regions in a single generic itinerary without acknowledging the trade-off, or focuses on Delhi and Mumbai departure logistics that do not directly apply to a Chandigarh-based traveller routing through Delhi anyway. This version starts from the actual decision point, how many days do you have and which of the three feels right, then builds the flight routing, visa steps, and cost expectations around that answer.
Quick context: Vietnam runs roughly 1,650 kilometres north to south, and its north, centre, and south regions feel like genuinely different countries in climate, food, and pace. A week is enough for one region done properly. Ten to fourteen days is what it takes to see two or three without rushing.
Why the Timing Is Good Right Now
Vietnam’s Indian arrivals surge is recent enough that the destination still has the feel of a discovery rather than a well-trodden circuit, unlike Thailand or Bali where the main tourist areas have long since adjusted their pricing and pace around large-scale Indian tourism. That window narrows every quarter as more airlines add capacity and more Indian travellers follow the same search trend driving this guide. Booking now, while flight frequency is still growing rather than fully mature, means better availability on the Halong Bay cruise categories and Hoi An heritage hotels that tend to book out fastest once a destination fully arrives on the mainstream Indian travel radar.
Why “Vietnam” Is Really Three Trips
Unlike a compact destination such as Bali or Singapore, where a single itinerary can reasonably cover most of the highlights, Vietnam’s length works against that. The north around Hanoi and Halong Bay, the centre around Hoi An and Da Nang, and the south around Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta each have their own personality, and flying between them eats a meaningful chunk of a short trip. The honest advice we give every first-time client: pick a region and do it properly rather than trying to skim all three on a seven-day trip.
What’s Driving the Surge
The seventy percent jump in Indian arrivals is not a single-cause story. Vietnam’s tourism board has run targeted marketing at the Indian market for the past two years, direct flight capacity between Delhi and both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has expanded meaningfully, and the e-visa overhaul cut approval time from over a week to under two days. Layer on genuine word-of-mouth from Indian honeymooners and content creators who have visited over the past year or two, and Vietnam has crossed from a niche pick into a destination most first-time Southeast Asia travellers now actively consider alongside Thailand and Bali rather than after them.
Getting There from Chandigarh
There is no direct flight from Chandigarh, but the routing has genuinely improved this year. Delhi is now well connected to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with direct international legs, IndiGo, Vietnam Airlines, and VietJet all fly Delhi-Hanoi direct, while Air India, VietJet, and EVA Air connect Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City. That means a short Chandigarh-Delhi domestic hop followed by one direct international leg into whichever region you are starting from, with Air India also launching direct Delhi-Hanoi service from May 2026, adding further capacity and competition on the route.
The E-Visa: Simpler Than Most Assume
Vietnam’s e-visa process for Indians is genuinely one of the easier ones on offer right now, and this has been a real driver of the recent surge in Indian arrivals.
- Entirely online application, no embassy visit required for a standard tourist e-visa.
- Approval typically within 24 to 48 hours, a dramatic improvement from the seven-to-ten business day standard that applied only a couple of years ago.
- Multi-entry validity of up to 90 days, useful if your itinerary includes a side trip to Cambodia or Laos within the same visit.
- Modest fee, paid entirely online, with no separate identity verification step or unusual add-on requirement at the time of writing.
Compared to a Schengen visa or even some Southeast Asian neighbours’ processes, this is about as low-friction as international travel documentation gets, and it is a large part of why Vietnam has become such an easy sell against destinations that require more planning lead time.
Pick Your Region
North: Hanoi and Halong Bay, 4 to 5 Days
Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with its chaotic scooter traffic and centuries-old shophouses, is the cultural and culinary heart of the trip, and this is genuinely one of the best street food cities in Asia. The unmissable add-on is Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where towering limestone karsts rise straight out of emerald water, best experienced on an overnight cruise rather than a rushed day trip. Ninh Binh, sometimes called Halong Bay on land for its similar karst scenery set among rice paddies, is a strong optional third stop if you have a full week rather than a long weekend.
Central: Hoi An and Da Nang, 3 to 4 Days
This is the region most likely to surprise people who only researched Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before booking. Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO site of yellow heritage buildings strung with colourful lanterns, is one of the most photogenic places in Southeast Asia, especially at dusk. Da Nang, a short drive away, adds modern beach resorts and the dramatic Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands, at Ba Na Hills. This region works particularly well for couples and honeymooners wanting a slower pace than the two big cities offer.
South: Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, 3 to 4 Days
Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly called Saigon by locals, is Vietnam’s commercial engine, faster-paced and more modern-feeling than Hanoi, with a genuinely moving War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels day trip for anyone interested in the country’s twentieth-century history. A Mekong Delta boat excursion, floating markets and riverside villages, is the natural add-on and a strong contrast to the city itself.
How Many Days Do You Actually Need
| Trip Length | Recommended Shape |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 days | One region done properly, North (Hanoi plus Halong Bay) is the most popular first-timer choice |
| 8 to 10 days | Two regions, most commonly North plus Central, connected by a short domestic flight |
| 12 to 14 days | All three regions, the classic north-to-south or south-to-north route, genuinely enough time to see the country’s range without feeling rushed |
The domestic flights between regions are frequent, cheap by Indian standards, and short, typically under two hours, so combining two regions is far more realistic in Vietnam than it would be trying to combine two similarly distant regions in a country with weaker internal connectivity.
Vietnam vs Thailand vs Bali
This is the comparison we get asked about most, since all three sit in a similar price and flight-time bracket from North India.
| Factor | Vietnam | Thailand | Bali |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa process | Fast e-visa, 24 to 48 hours | Visa-free for up to 60 days for Indians | Visa on arrival, straightforward |
| Best for | Culture, dramatic landscapes, history, still relatively under-the-radar for Indian travellers | A tested first-timer mix of beaches, nightlife, and city energy | Beaches plus a strong wellness and honeymoon culture |
| Crowds (Indian travellers specifically) | Growing fast but still noticeably thinner than Thailand or Bali | The most established, can feel touristy in peak season | Well established, particularly busy in the Seminyak and Canggu belt |
| Food | Distinct and lighter, built around fresh herbs and broths | Familiar spice profile for Indian palates, widely loved | More Western-leaning in tourist areas, though local warungs offer genuine Indonesian food |
Our honest read: if this is someone’s first Southeast Asia trip and they want the safest, most tested option, Thailand still wins. If they have already done Thailand or Bali and want something that feels genuinely different without stepping up to a harder visa process, Vietnam is currently the strongest pick, and it is why we are seeing repeat Southeast Asia travellers choose it specifically.
Best Time to Visit
| Window | Conditions |
|---|---|
| December to May (North) | Cool and dry, the best window for Hanoi and Halong Bay specifically |
| February to May (Central) | Warm and dry, ideal for Hoi An and Da Nang before the summer humidity builds |
| December to April (South) | Dry season, most comfortable for Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta |
| June to August | Hot and humid nationwide, with the north also seeing its wettest months; workable but not the peak experience |
Because the three regions have slightly different ideal windows, a trip covering all three is best planned for the December-to-April overlap, which works reasonably well across the whole country.
A Sample 10-Day Itinerary: North Plus Central
This is the combination we build most often for Chandigarh clients with ten days available, since it pairs Vietnam’s most iconic natural sight with its most photogenic old town without the trip feeling rushed.
- Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, settle in, evening walk through the Old Quarter, street food dinner
- Day 2: Full Hanoi day, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
- Day 3-4: Overnight Halong Bay cruise, kayaking among the limestone karsts, cave visits, sunrise on the water
- Day 5: Return to Hanoi, optional Ninh Binh day trip if energy allows, or a rest day
- Day 6: Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, evening in the lantern-lit ancient town
- Day 7: Full Hoi An day, tailoring shops, cooking class, My Son ruins as an optional half-day add-on
- Day 8: Da Nang day, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, or beach time at Da Nang’s own coastline
- Day 9: Slower final day, markets and cafes, or a Marble Mountains visit near Da Nang
- Day 10: Departure from Da Nang
This routing avoids doubling back, flying into Hanoi and out of Da Nang rather than returning to the same city twice, which most airlines and travel agents can arrange as an open-jaw ticket without a significant cost penalty.
What to Eat
Vietnamese food is a genuine highlight of the trip and worth planning around rather than treating as an afterthought.
- Pho, the beef or chicken noodle soup most people already know, but noticeably different and generally better in Hanoi, its city of origin, than anywhere else in the world
- Banh mi, a baguette sandwich left over from French colonial influence, filled with grilled meat, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, sold everywhere from street carts to sit-down cafes
- Bun cha, grilled pork patties served with rice noodles and a tangy dipping broth, a Hanoi speciality worth seeking out specifically
- Cao lau, a Hoi An speciality noodle dish found almost nowhere else in the country, made with water drawn from a specific local well according to tradition
- Vietnamese coffee, strong and served with condensed milk, either hot or over ice, distinct enough from Indian filter coffee to be worth trying rather than skipping in favour of a familiar cafe chain
Vegetarian travellers do reasonably well in tourist areas, particularly in Hoi An, though it helps to know a few key phrases or carry a translation app for smaller local eateries where English menus are not guaranteed.
Who Vietnam Genuinely Is Not For
Worth saying plainly rather than oversimplifying. If beach resort infrastructure at a Bali or Maldives level is the priority, Vietnam’s beaches, while genuinely pleasant around Da Nang and further south in Phu Quoc, are not the country’s strongest card and would be a secondary reason to visit rather than the main one. If a traveller wants everything pre-packaged with minimal on-the-ground decision-making, the three-region structure does require some upfront planning choices that a single-resort Maldives trip simply does not. And Hanoi’s traffic, while navigable, is genuinely chaotic by Indian metro standards in a way that catches some first-time visitors off guard for the first day or two. For travellers drawn to culture, food, and dramatic natural scenery who are comfortable with a bit more on-the-ground movement than a beach-resort trip requires, it delivers exactly what the recent surge in Indian interest suggests.
Practical Notes
- Vietnamese Dong is the local currency; cards are widely accepted in cities but carry cash for street food stalls and smaller towns like Hoi An.
- Domestic flights between regions should be booked alongside your international ticket, not left to arrange locally, since peak-season seats on the Hanoi-Da Nang and Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City routes do sell out.
- Pack for humidity even in the cooler December-to-May window, particularly in the south, where temperatures stay warm year-round regardless of season.
- Hoi An’s tailoring shops are a genuine highlight for many visitors, custom clothing made and fitted within 24 to 48 hours, but build at least one extra day into that leg specifically if this is on your list.
Cost Shape, Without Fixed Numbers
We are not publishing fixed price tags, since cost varies with season, hotel category, and number of regions covered, but the relative shape is worth knowing.
- Generally comparable to or slightly below Thailand for an equivalent standard of hotels and guided tours, and meaningfully cheaper than a comparable Bali honeymoon package once flight costs are factored in.
- Domestic flights between regions are inexpensive relative to what a similar internal hop would cost in many other international destinations, which is part of why covering two or three regions in one trip stays realistic on a mid-range budget.
- Halong Bay overnight cruises vary widely by boat category, from simple shared cruises to premium private-cabin junks, and this is usually where a Vietnam budget has the most flexibility to flex up or down.
Reach out and we will put together a real, region-specific itemised quote for your dates within 24 hours, no obligation.
Vietnam for Families and Groups
Beyond the honeymoon and repeat-Southeast-Asia-traveller crowd currently driving the search growth, Vietnam works well for family trips and larger groups too. Halong Bay cruises come in family cabin configurations, Hoi An’s flat, walkable old town suits older travellers and young children alike far better than a hilly or beach-scattered destination would, and the food, while distinct, tends to be mild enough that fussy eaters generally adjust within a day or two. For larger friend groups, the country’s affordability relative to Bali or a Western beach destination means splitting costs across a bigger group stretches further without sacrificing the quality of hotels or guided experiences. The one planning note for families specifically: keep domestic flight connections to a minimum, one region done well beats three regions rushed, especially with young children or older relatives in the group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, a standard e-visa, applied for entirely online with approval typically within 24 to 48 hours and multi-entry validity of up to 90 days.
Is there a direct flight from Chandigarh to Vietnam?
Not from Chandigarh directly, but Delhi has direct flights to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on multiple airlines, so the trip is a short domestic hop to Delhi followed by one direct international leg.
How many days does a first Vietnam trip need?
Five to six days is enough to properly cover one region, most commonly the north with Hanoi and Halong Bay. Ten or more days is worth planning if you want to cover two or three regions in a single trip.
Is Vietnam better than Thailand or Bali?
Not strictly better, but genuinely different. Thailand remains the safer first-timer choice, while Vietnam suits travellers who have already done a Thailand or Bali trip and want a destination that feels distinctly different in food, culture, and pace, without the visa complexity of a Western European alternative.
Is Vietnam good for a honeymoon?
Yes, particularly the central region around Hoi An and Da Nang, which offers a slower, more romantic pace than the two larger cities and has become an increasingly popular honeymoon pick among Indian travellers over the past two years.
Is Vietnamese food suitable for Indian travellers?
Generally yes, though it is a different flavour profile from Thai food, lighter, herb-forward, and less spice-heavy. Vegetarian options are widely available in tourist areas, particularly in Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, though it helps to learn a few key phrases or carry a translation app for smaller local eateries.
Which region should a first-time visitor choose if only doing one?
The north, specifically Hanoi combined with a Halong Bay cruise, is the most commonly recommended first-timer choice, since it delivers both a strong cultural city experience and Vietnam’s single most iconic natural landmark within a manageable four-to-five day trip.
Can Vietnam be combined with Cambodia or Laos in one trip?
Yes, and the 90-day multi-entry e-visa validity makes this genuinely convenient for travellers with two or more weeks available. Siem Reap in Cambodia, home to Angkor Wat, is the most common add-on, reachable by a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
Plan the Right Region for Your Days, Not a Generic Template
A copy-pasted “Vietnam in 7 days” itinerary pulled off an OTA listing page will try to cram all three regions into a week and leave you exhausted rather than genuinely seeing any of them properly. That is the real value of talking to someone before booking rather than clicking through a generic package. Explore more international tour packages from Chandigarh, compare it against our Singapore guide or Bali guide if you are weighing Southeast Asia options generally, or call us directly at +91 99143 10333 for a region-matched itinerary built around your actual leave and budget, whether that is a five-day north-only trip or the full fourteen-day north-to-south route. Flywings team since 2005.
Sukhjinder Kaur is a premium travel content writer specialising in the tourism industry. She writes Flywings' destination guides, fare-saving playbooks and visa explainers — every piece researched with the agency's ticketing and visa desks before it is published.
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