How Much Does a Vietnam Trip From India Cost?
- Vietnam
- Budget
- Planning
A Vietnam trip from India is one of the better-value international holidays: flights are short, food and hotels are reasonable, and the biggest single extras are a Ha Long Bay cruise and domestic flights between the north, centre and south. Here is how the budget breaks down.
A Vietnam trip from India is one of the better-value international holidays. Flights are relatively short, hotels and food are reasonably priced, and the biggest single extras are a Ha Long Bay cruise and domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Your choice of cruise and hotel class moves the total more than anything else.
Vietnam can be comfortable on a moderate budget or quite luxurious with boutique hotels and private cruises. This guide breaks the cost down by component, explains what moves the price and shows where to save. We do not quote exact prices, which change by season and exchange rate; use this as a framework when you compare quotes.
Where the money goes
| Component | Share of the budget | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights | Large | Month, booking window, non-stop or one-stop |
| Hotels | Medium to large | City, hotel class, Tet and holidays |
| Ha Long Bay cruise | Medium | Day trip or overnight, cruise class |
| Domestic flights | Medium | Number of flights, booking time |
| Sights and tours | Small | Ba Na Hills, Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta tours |
| Food | Small | Street food, cafés, Indian and vegetarian restaurants |
Flights
Non-stop flights have linked Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities, with one-stop options via Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Fares rise around Indian holidays, Christmas and Tet, the Lunar New Year. An open-jaw ticket, into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City, avoids backtracking.
Hotels
Hotels in Hanoi's Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 are good value by international standards. Hoi An's boutique hotels and Da Nang's beach resorts range from moderate to luxurious. Phu Quoc's island resorts can be pricier. Prices rise during Tet and Vietnamese holiday weekends.
Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
A day cruise from Hanoi is the cheapest option but involves a long drive each way. An overnight cruise gives you sunset, sunrise and calmer waters, and costs more depending on the boat. Lan Ha Bay is often quieter. Our Hanoi and Ha Long Bay trip includes a cruise.
Domestic flights and transport
Domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc in one to two hours and are inexpensive when booked early, though low-cost fares charge separately for luggage. Overnight trains and buses are cheaper but slower. In cities, app-based cars and motorbike taxis are cheap and convenient.
Sights and tours
Ba Na Hills near Da Nang, with the Golden Bridge, has one of the higher entry tickets. The Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta tours from Ho Chi Minh City, Hue's imperial city and Hoi An's old town are moderately priced. Many experiences, such as walking Hoi An at night, are free.
Food
Food is excellent value. Vegetarian (chay) restaurants, often run by Buddhist communities, are common, and Indian restaurants exist in Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Ask for no fish sauce in noodle and rice dishes. Jain travellers should plan meals ahead.
Shopping and tailoring
Hoi An is known for tailors who make clothes to measure in a day or two, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have markets for silk, lacquerware, coffee and handicrafts. Agree prices and fittings clearly before ordering, and leave enough time for adjustments. Set a separate shopping budget, as tailoring can quickly add up when you order several pieces.
Tipping and small costs
Tipping is not compulsory, but it is appreciated for guides, drivers and cruise staff. Small daily costs, such as bottled water, coffee and short rides, are low but add up over a week, so keep small notes handy.
Budget, mid-range and luxury styles
| Style | Hotels | Transport and tours |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Simple hotels in the Old Quarter and District 1 | Day cruise, sleeper trains or buses, street food |
| Mid-range | Four-star hotels and boutique stays | Overnight cruise, domestic flights, guided tours |
| Luxury | Five-star resorts in Da Nang and Phu Quoc | Premium cruise, private guides and transfers |
How the season changes the bill
| Period | Prices | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| October to April | Moderate to high | Cooler north, dry south |
| Tet (late January or February) | Highest | Festive, but many businesses close |
| May to September | Lower in the north and south | Heat and rain; good beach season in the centre |
| October and November | Moderate | Typhoon risk in central Vietnam |
How your route changes the cost
A north-and-south trip with Hanoi, Ha Long and Ho Chi Minh City is efficient. Adding central Vietnam — Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue — adds a flight and hotels but is good value. Phu Quoc adds a beach stay, as in our Phu Quoc, Hanoi and Ha Long trip.
Package or do-it-yourself
A package makes the budget predictable and lines up flights, cruises and transfers. Our Hanoi, Ha Long and Ho Chi Minh City trip covers north and south. When comparing, list what each option includes: hotels, breakfasts, cruise class, domestic flights, transfers, tours and taxes.
Eight ways to bring the total down
- Avoid Tet and Indian holiday peaks.
- Book domestic flights early and check luggage rules.
- Choose an overnight cruise in a mid-range boat rather than a day trip plus extra hotel.
- Stay in the Old Quarter and District 1 to save on transport.
- Eat street food and at vegetarian restaurants.
- Use app-based rides in cities.
- Limit expensive attractions to one or two.
- Carry a low-fee forex card and some dollars.
For families and parents
Children enjoy the cruise, Ba Na Hills and Hoi An's lantern-lit evenings. Parents may prefer flights over long road journeys and hotels with lifts, as some Old Quarter buildings are narrow with stairs.
For couples and honeymooners
Honeymooners often spend on a premium cruise or a beach resort in Da Nang or Phu Quoc, and save on city hotels and food.
How to compare quotes
Line up offers item by item: nights in each city, hotel class, cruise type and cabin, domestic flights and luggage, transfers, tours, meals and taxes. A lower price often means a day cruise or no flights included.
Visa, insurance and forex
Indian travellers usually apply for an e-visa on the official Vietnam e-visa portal; see our Vietnam visa guide. Travel insurance is recommended.
Next steps
Read our 7-day Vietnam itinerary and Vietnam trip guide from India, then price each component. A BagPackerMe planner can build a line-by-line quote privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.
Your questions, answered
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand for Indian travellers?
Vietnam is often similar to or slightly cheaper than Thailand for hotels and food, though a good Ha Long Bay cruise and domestic flights add to the total. Both offer good value compared with Europe.
What is the biggest single cost in Vietnam?
After international flights, an overnight Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise is usually the largest single item, followed by domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Are there direct flights from India to Vietnam?
Yes. Non-stop flights have connected Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities. Check current schedules, as routes change.
Should I carry dollars or dong?
Carry some US dollars or exchange rupees before travel, then use dong locally. Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants, but cash is useful in markets and small towns.
Join Our Newsletter
Get destination guides, tips, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
Plan it privately
A Vietnam budget that holds
We price your trip line by line — flights, hotels, the Ha Long cruise and domestic flights — and show where to save.
Written by
BagPackerMe Editorial Team
Read More
Continue exploring
Vietnam GuidesOctober 14, 2026•6 min read
Vietnam Trip From India: A Complete Planning Guide
Vietnam suits Indian travellers who want food, landscapes and history in one trip. Here is who it suits, how many nights, the best months, the entry checklist, flights, budget levers and a sample route.
Vietnam GuidesOctober 20, 2026•6 min read
Vietnam in 7 Days: An Itinerary From India
Seven days in Vietnam is enough for Hanoi, a night on Halong Bay and either Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang and Hoi An. Here is a day-by-day route with realistic transfers, what to cut and variations for families, couples and parents.
Vietnam GuidesOctober 24, 2026•6 min read
Vietnam Visa for Indians: What to Check Before You Apply
Indian passport holders visiting Vietnam as tourists usually apply online for an e-visa on the official government portal, a few weeks before travel. Here is what to check: validity, entry type, documents, ports of entry and common mistakes.