7-Day Vietnam Budget Itinerary

Overview

Direct flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Kochi have made Vietnam one of the most accessible international destinations for Indian travellers. With flight times under five hours from eastern India and predictable costs on the ground, a week-long foreign holiday here often costs less than a peak-season trip to Kerala or Ladakh.

Executing a seamless trip on a budget requires understanding local logistics before landing in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This guide covers actual costs in Indian Rupees, the official e-visa process, a foolproof strategy for finding vegetarian and Jain-friendly food, and a tested seven-day route through North and Central Vietnam.

Understanding Costs: The INR to VND Reality

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) makes everyone feel like a millionaire, but calculating expenses in Indian Rupees is straightforward. As a rule of thumb, drop three zeros from the Dong amount and multiply by 3.3 to 3.5 to get the rough value in INR. For example, a 100,000 VND meal is approximately ₹330 to ₹350.

A realistic total budget for a 7-day trip per person, excluding personal shopping, sits between ₹42,000 and ₹55,000. Here is how that breaks down:

• Return Direct Flights: ₹18,000 – ₹25,000 (booking 60 days ahead on VietJet, IndiGo, or Air India).
• E-Visa: $25 USD (approx. ₹2,100).
• Accommodation (7 nights): ₹7,000 – ₹12,000 (shared double rooms in clean 3-star boutique hotels or high-rated homestays).
• Food & Drinks: ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 (combining local vegetarian spots and occasional Indian meals).
• Local Transport (Grab, trains, domestic flight): ₹5,000 – ₹7,000.
• Sightseeing & Activities: ₹4,000 – ₹6,000.

Securing Your Vietnam E-Visa Step-by-Step

Indian passport holders must apply for a Vietnam e-visa prior to departure. Do not use third-party agency websites charging double fees. Apply exclusively on the official government portal: evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn.

A single-entry visa costs $25 USD, while a multiple-entry visa costs $50 USD. Processing takes three to five working days, though applying at least ten days before departure accounts for unexpected delays.

Critical E-Visa Checks for Indian Passport Holders

• Name Matching: Enter your full name exactly as printed in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom of your passport page. If your passport combines your Given Name and Surname, do not split them incorrectly.
• Entry/Exit Checkpoints: Select your entry airport accurately (e.g., Noi Bai International Airport for Hanoi). While minor exit port changes are usually tolerated, entering through a different airport than declared can lead to boarding denial at Indian airports.
• Photo Requirements: Upload a clear, white-background passport photo without glasses. Selfies lead to application rejection and lost processing fees.

The Indian Vegetarian & Jain Food Survival Guide

The assumption that South East Asia offers little for vegetarians is incorrect when applied to Vietnam. Thanks to a deep-rooted Buddhist tradition, vegetarianism is widely practiced across the country.

The essential Vietnamese phrase to remember or save on your phone is "Ăn Chay" (pronounced roughly as "Un Chai"). When a dish or restaurant displays the word Chay, it signifies pure vegetarian food.

Top Local Veg Dishes to Order

• Phở Chay: The famous Vietnamese noodle soup made with rich vegetable, mushroom, and ginger broth, served with rice noodles, tofu, and fresh herbs.
• Bánh Mì Chay: A crusty baguette filled with fried tofu, mushrooms, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, and fresh cilantro. Specify "Không trứng" (no egg) if you do not consume eggs.
• Gỏi Cuốn Chay: Fresh, non-fried spring rolls packed with rice vermicelli, lettuce, mint, and tofu, wrapped in delicate rice paper and served with peanut dipping sauce.
• Cơm Bình Dân Chay: Budget Buddhist buffets found near local temples, offering rice with 5 to 6 vegetable, tofu, and mushroom dishes for 30,000 to 50,000 VND (₹100 – ₹165).

For Strict Vegans and Jain Travellers

Vietnamese Buddhist vegetarian cooking rarely uses garlic or onion in traditional Chay dishes. However, to be completely sure, download the HappyCow app. It lists verified plant-based spots in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang. Major cities also have dedicated Indian restaurants run by Indian expats—such as Zaika in Hanoi or Ganesh in Hoi An—where North and South Indian meals, including Jain preparations, are available for ₹350–₹600 per dish.

The 7-Day North and Central Vietnam Itinerary

This route minimizes long transfer times while packing in UNESCO World Heritage sites, mountain landscapes, and coastal towns.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi & Old Quarter Exploration

Land at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Skip airport taxi hustlers and use the Grab app (the South East Asian equivalent of Uber) to book a car into the Old Quarter for around 250,000–300,000 VND (₹820–₹1,000).

Spend the afternoon walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and crossing the red Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. Wander the 36 historic streets of the Old Quarter. For coffee lovers, try the famous Coconut Coffee at Cong Caphe (made with coconut milk and condensed milk—ask for no condensed milk if avoiding dairy).

Day 2: Day Trip to Ninh Binh (Trang An & Mua Cave)

Book a group day tour to Ninh Binh, located two hours south of Hanoi (costs approx. ₹2,200–₹2,800 including transfers, guide, and lunch). Alternatively, take a morning limousine bus for 200,000 VND (₹660).

Take a 2-hour paddleboat ride through the limestone karst landscapes of Trang An, passing through natural water caves. Afterwards, climb the 500 stone steps of Hang Mua (Mua Cave) for panoramic views over the Ngo Dong River and rice fields.

Day 3: Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay Day Cruise

Head east to the coast. While overnight cruises take a large chunk of a tight budget, full-day cruises to Lan Ha Bay (starting from Tuan Chau Harbour or Cat Ba) offer identical scenery with fewer crowds for ₹2,800–₹3,800 per person, including transfers from Hanoi and a buffet lunch with vegetarian sections.

Kayak through dark and bright caves, swim in emerald waters, and return to Hanoi by 7:30 PM. Board an overnight train to Da Nang or take a late evening 1-hour flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.

Day 4: Da Nang to Hoi An Ancient Town

Take a 45-minute Grab or shuttle bus from Da Nang to the historic town of Hoi An. Check into a homestay near the Ancient Town. Motor vehicles are restricted in the centre, making it ideal for walking or cycling.

In the late afternoon, explore the yellow-walled merchant houses, tailor shops, and the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. As night falls, thousands of silk lanterns illuminate the streets. Rent a small wooden boat on the Hoai River for 150,000 VND (₹500) per boat to release paper flower lanterns on the water.

Day 5: Hoi An Cycling & An Bang Beach

Rent a bicycle from your homestay (often free or ₹100/day). Ride through peaceful rice paddies to An Bang Beach, located just 5 km from town. Eat lunch at one of the beachside cafes offering vegan bowls and fresh coconut water.

In the evening, visit the Hoi An Night Market across the river to buy affordable souvenirs, bamboo lanterns, and hand-painted pop-up cards. Grab dinner at Minh Hien Vegetarian Restaurant, known for local Hoi An specialties like Veg White Rose dumplings and Veg Cao Lau noodles.

Day 6: Da Nang Coastal Highlights & Marble Mountains

Move back to Da Nang for your final full day. Visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills filled with caves and Buddhist sanctuaries (entry ticket: 40,000 VND / ₹130). Take the glass elevator up or climb the stone stairs.

In the evening, head to My Khe Beach, walk along the coastline, and head towards the Dragon Bridge. If your trip lands on a Saturday or Sunday, watch the Dragon Bridge breathe real fire and water at 9:00 PM sharp.

Day 7: Local Souvenir Shopping & Departure

Spend your final morning at Da Nang's Han Market picking up local dried fruits, Vietnamese filter coffee sets (Phin), and roasted coffee beans. Ensure you have your luggage packed within your airline's baggage limit—budget carriers like VietJet strictly enforce the 7 kg carry-on rule. Catch your flight back home via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or direct to India.

Essential Logistics and Money-Saving Tips

• Currency Exchange Strategy: Do not exchange INR directly to VND at airports; rates are unfavorable. Carry US Dollars ( crisp $50 or $100 bills without marks) from India and exchange them at gold shops along Ha Trung Street in Hanoi or official bank branches for maximum value. Niyo Global or Scapia zero-forex debit/credit cards work reliably across Vietnamese ATMs (VP Bank and TP Bank charge zero or minimal ATM fees).
• SIM Card: Purchase a Viettel eSIM online before flying, or pick up a physical Viettel SIM card at Hanoi Airport for around 250,000 VND (₹820) for 4GB daily data valid for 15 days. Viettel offers the best coverage in rural areas like Ninh Binh.
• Tipping: Tipping is not traditionally expected in Vietnam, though small tips (20,000–50,000 VND) are appreciated by tour drivers, boat rowers, and spa staff.