Field notes
Vietnam on a Budget: Cheapest Ways to Travel from India
Vietnam on a budget from India is genuinely achievable. A 7-night trip covering flights, visa, accommodation, food, and internal transport can cost under INR 50,000 per person. This article covers return flight prices from Indian cities, the e-visa process for Indian passport holders, daily cost breakdowns by city, internal transport options, and the cheapest months to travel.
How much does a Vietnam trip cost from India in total?
A 7-night Vietnam trip from India costs roughly INR 35,000–65,000 per person on a budget. This includes return flights, visa fee, accommodation, food, local transport, and travel insurance. Costs vary based on departure city and travel season.
Return flights from India to Vietnam form the largest single expense, typically INR 18,000–40,000 depending on departure city and booking lead time. The Vietnam e-visa costs USD 25 (approximately INR 2,100), valid for 90 days single entry. Budget guesthouses in Hanoi cost USD 8–15 per night. Street food in Ho Chi Minh City costs USD 1–2 per meal, making a daily food budget under USD 10 realistic.
According to Numbeo's 2024 cost-of-living data, the average daily spend for a budget traveler in Vietnam is approximately USD 30–40, which is lower than comparable destinations in Thailand or Indonesia.
| Cost Category | Budget Range (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return) | 18,000 – 40,000 | Cheapest from Kolkata or Chennai; book 6–8 weeks ahead |
| Visa fee (e-visa) | 2,000 – 2,200 | USD 25 fixed; processing 3 business days |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 4,000 – 9,000 | Dorm USD 5–10/night; private guesthouse USD 10–15/night |
| Food (7 days) | 3,500 – 7,000 | Street food USD 1–2/meal; sit-down restaurant USD 4–6/meal |
| Internal transport | 2,500 – 6,000 | Sleeper bus or train between cities; local rides USD 0.20–0.50 |
| Travel insurance | 500 – 1,200 | Standard India-Vietnam policy for 7–10 days |
| Miscellaneous | 1,500 – 3,000 | Entry fees, SIM card, tips, shopping |
The exchange rate for the Vietnamese Dong sits at approximately 1 INR = 280–290 VND as of mid-2024. This rate makes Vietnam one of the more affordable international destinations for Indian travelers. The sections below break down each cost category in detail.
Which Indian city offers the cheapest flights to Vietnam?
Kolkata and Chennai offer the cheapest one-way flights to Vietnam from India, typically INR 12,000–18,000 on IndiGo or AirAsia with one stop. Mumbai and Delhi departures cost INR 18,000–28,000 one-way. Bengaluru sits in between at INR 15,000–22,000 one-way.
IndiGo and AirAsia connect Indian cities to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Vietnam Airlines and VietJet operate connecting routes through these same hubs. Booking 6–8 weeks in advance consistently returns lower fares than last-minute searches across all departure cities.
Kolkata has the geographic advantage — it is the closest major Indian city to Vietnam. Chennai flights via Bangkok on AirAsia are frequently the lowest-priced option. Mumbai and Delhi travelers often find better value routing through Singapore on Scoot or through Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia. Checking both Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN) as arrival airports can also reveal price differences of INR 2,000–5,000 on the same travel dates.
Related: Andaman tour packages — if you are comparing affordable international options with domestic alternatives, Andaman packages offer a useful cost benchmark.
What is the Vietnam visa process for Indian passport holders?
Indian passport holders must apply for a Vietnam e-visa before travel. Visa on arrival is not available for Indian citizens. The e-visa costs USD 25, allows a single entry, and is valid for up to 90 days. Processing takes 3 business days on the official portal.
The application portal is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Documents required include a scanned passport bio page, a passport-size photo in JPEG format, and a valid debit or credit card for the USD 25 fee. Indian travelers must apply at least 5 days before departure to allow buffer time beyond the 3-day processing window.
Common mistakes include uploading blurry passport scans, entering the wrong intended entry port, or selecting the wrong visa type. The e-visa covers all official land, sea, and air entry points. There is no stamping fee on arrival. The approved e-visa is a PDF — print it or save it on your phone before flying.
Related: Adventure Activities in Vietnam for Indians: Complete Guide
What is the cheapest way to get around Vietnam once you arrive?
Sleeper buses and the Reunification Express train are the cheapest ways to travel between Vietnamese cities. A sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City costs USD 30–45 for the full 36-hour journey. Train travel on the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Da Nang starts at USD 12 in hard seat class.
Open Bus tickets let travelers hop between cities — Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City — on a single flexible pass. These passes cost USD 35–55 for the full north-to-south route. VietJet and Bamboo Airways domestic flights can cost USD 15–30 when booked early, which is worth considering for long legs like Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City if time is limited.
Within cities, local buses and ride-hailing apps like Grab cost USD 0.20–0.50 per ride. Motorbike rentals run USD 5–8 per day in most tourist cities and suit travelers comfortable riding in traffic. The north-to-south route logic works well for a 7–10 day trip: fly into Hanoi, travel south by train or bus, and fly home from Ho Chi Minh City.
Related: Best Time to Visit Singapore from India: Month-by-Month Season Guide
How can Indian travelers keep daily expenses low in Vietnam?
A budget traveler in Vietnam can manage daily expenses of USD 25–35 per day by staying in dorm beds or budget guesthouses, eating at street stalls, and using public or shared transport. Hoi An and Da Nang are the most cost-efficient cities for this daily budget range.
Accommodation tiers work as follows. Dorm beds in major tourist cities cost USD 5–10 per night. Private rooms in budget guesthouses cost USD 10–18 per night. Mid-range hotels with air conditioning and breakfast start at USD 25–35 per night. For a 7-night trip, choosing dorms for 4 nights and a private room for 3 nights keeps accommodation under INR 7,000 total.
Street food is the single biggest lever for keeping daily costs low. A bowl of pho costs USD 1–1.50. Banh mi sandwiches cost USD 0.50–1. Sit-down restaurants in tourist areas charge USD 4–7 per meal. Eating two meals from street stalls and one from a local restaurant keeps daily food spend under USD 8.
Free and low-cost activities vary by city. The Hanoi Old Quarter walk costs nothing. Hoi An Ancient Town entry costs VND 120,000 (approximately USD 5). A Halong Bay day trip costs USD 35–50; an overnight cruise costs USD 80–120. Choosing day trips over overnight cruises saves USD 40–70 per person.
| City | Budget Per Day (USD) | Budget Per Day (INR approx.) | Cheapest Accommodation Option | Cheapest Meal Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 25 – 35 | 2,100 – 2,900 | Dorm bed USD 6–9/night in Old Quarter | Pho or bun cha at street stall, USD 1–1.50 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 28 – 38 | 2,350 – 3,200 | Dorm bed USD 7–10/night in Pham Ngu Lao area | Banh mi or com tam, USD 0.80–1.50 |
| Da Nang | 22 – 32 | 1,850 – 2,700 | Guesthouse private room USD 10–14/night | Mi Quang noodles at local stall, USD 1–2 |
| Hoi An | 25 – 35 | 2,100 – 2,900 | Guesthouse outside Ancient Town USD 9–13/night | Cao lau or white rose dumplings, USD 1.50–2 |
| Nha Trang | 28 – 40 | 2,350 – 3,350 | Dorm bed USD 6–10/night near beach road | Bun bo or seafood rice at market, USD 1.50–2.50 |
Related: If you are weighing Vietnam against a domestic option, our Andaman tour packages page has comparable cost data — also see our Andaman vs Vietnam comparison for Indian travelers.
When is the cheapest time for Indians to book a Vietnam trip?
April–May and September–October are the cheapest months for Indians to book Vietnam trips. Flights and accommodation cost 20–40% less than the December–March peak season. June–August has the lowest flight prices but brings heavy rain to northern and central Vietnam.
The December–March peak season sees the highest demand from Indian and international travelers. Prices for flights and hotels rise sharply during this window. The Tet festival period — typically late January to mid-February — is the worst time for budget travel. Domestic transport books out weeks in advance and guesthouse rates double in popular cities.
April and early May offer the best value for travelers targeting central and southern Vietnam. Weather in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City remains manageable. September and October suit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta well. Travelers flexible on dates should run flight searches across the full April–May window to find the lowest fares.
Related: Budget Travel from India: Complete Guide to Travelling Cheap
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Tripstor's consultants can put together a Vietnam itinerary within your budget, including flights from your departure city. We handle e-visa guidance, accommodation shortlisting, and internal transport planning. Call us to get a cost estimate specific to your travel dates and group size.
For package booking assistance, call us at +91 98253 43323