Vietnam in 5 Days: Complete Itinerary from India Under ₹70,000 [2026]

Category: Itineraries

Quick answer: The best 5-day Vietnam itinerary from India covers Hanoi (2 days), a Ninh Binh day trip, and Ha Long Bay (1 day cruise), costing ₹55,000-70,000 per person including return flights, e-visa (USD 25, about ₹2,200), hotels, food, and tours. Direct flights operate from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Best months for north Vietnam: October to April.

Last updated: July 2026

Vietnam has quietly become one of the best-value international trips an Indian traveler can take. Flights cost less than a Delhi-Goa peak weekend fare, the e-visa takes minutes to apply for, and once you land, your rupee stretches further than almost anywhere else in Asia.

This is a complete, day-by-day 5-day plan for the north of Vietnam, built for a first visit. If you want the full picture of the country first, read our Vietnam travel guide for Indians, then come back here for the plan.

🇻🇳 Get Your Ready-Made 5-Day Vietnam Itinerary (Under ₹70,000) →

Before You Go: Visa and Flights

Visa: Apply for the Vietnam e-visa on the official government portal. It costs USD 25 (about ₹2,200) for single entry, takes 3-5 working days, and is valid for up to 90 days. No agent needed, no embassy visit.

Flights: VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and IndiGo fly direct from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Book 4-6 weeks out and you will usually find return fares between ₹14,000 and ₹22,000. Flight time to Hanoi is about 4.5 hours from Kolkata and 5.5 from Delhi.

Money: Vietnam runs on cash more than cards outside big hotels. Withdraw Vietnamese Dong from ATMs on arrival and use Grab (their Uber) for all city travel.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Old Quarter Evening

Land in Hanoi, check in near the Old Quarter, and spend the evening on foot. Walk the chaotic, wonderful streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, watch the lake light up at dusk, and try an egg coffee at a cafe overlooking the water. End the night at Train Street, where a working railway line squeezes between cafes barely an arm's length away.

Where to stay: Old Quarter or the French Quarter. Good 3-star hotels run ₹1,800-3,000 per night.

Day 2: Hanoi's Big Sights

Start early at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, then the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's thousand-year-old first university. After lunch (find a bun cha spot, the grilled pork noodle dish Hanoi is famous for), explore the Vietnamese Women's Museum or Hoa Lo Prison. In the evening, catch the water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake, a uniquely Vietnamese art form that needs no translation.

Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Trip ("Ha Long Bay on Land")

Take a day tour (₹2,500-3,500 with lunch and transfers) two hours south to Ninh Binh. You will row through the limestone karst scenery of Trang An or Tam Coc on a sampan boat, climb the 500 steps of Mua Caves for the single best viewpoint in northern Vietnam, and cycle through rice paddies between the cliffs. Many travelers rate this day above Ha Long Bay itself.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay Cruise

The classic. A full-day cruise from Hanoi (₹3,500-5,000 including transfers, lunch, and kayaking) covers the emerald bay and its 1,600 limestone islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If your budget allows, upgrade to an overnight cruise (₹8,000-12,000) and wake up anchored among the karsts. If you do the overnight option, this becomes Days 4 and 5, and you fly out on the morning of Day 6.

Day 5: Last Morning and Fly Home

Souvenir shopping in the Old Quarter (coffee, silk, lacquerware), one last bowl of pho, and out to the airport. Most India-bound flights leave in the afternoon or evening, so you get a relaxed final morning.

The Southern Alternative

Prefer city energy and war history over karst scenery? Fly into Ho Chi Minh City instead: 2 days in the city (War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, rooftop bars), a Cu Chi Tunnels half-day, a Mekong Delta day trip, and a final shopping day. Same budget, same 5 days.

Full Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Mid-Range)

  • Return flights: ₹14,000-22,000
  • E-visa: ₹2,200
  • Hotels (4 nights, 3-star): ₹8,000-12,000
  • Food (street food + restaurants): ₹4,000-6,000
  • Ninh Binh + Ha Long day tours: ₹6,000-9,000
  • Local transport (Grab, airport transfers): ₹2,500-3,500
  • Shopping and buffer: ₹5,000

Total: ₹42,000-60,000, comfortably under ₹70,000 even with an overnight cruise upgrade.

Plan It Your Way

Every traveler tweaks this plan: more food, fewer museums, a different budget. Open the ready-made 5-day Vietnam itinerary on TripVexa, then just type what you want changed ("make it 6 days", "add Sapa", "cheaper hotels") and the AI rebuilds it with INR costs and bookable hotels. Deciding between Vietnam and Thailand? Read our Vietnam vs Thailand comparison for Indian travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 5-day Vietnam trip cost from India? Around ₹55,000-70,000 per person on a mid-range budget, including return flights (₹14,000-22,000), e-visa (about ₹2,200), 4 nights in 3-star hotels (₹8,000-12,000), food (₹4,000-6,000), and day tours to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay (₹8,000-12,000). Backpackers can do it under ₹45,000.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam? Yes, but it is one of the easiest visas in Asia. Apply online for the Vietnam e-visa at the official government portal, pay USD 25 for single entry (USD 50 for multiple entry), and you typically receive approval in 3-5 working days. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Is 5 days enough for Vietnam? Five days is enough to properly experience one region. This itinerary covers the north: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay. If you prefer the south, swap in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta. Doing both ends in 5 days means spending most of your time in transit, so pick one.

What is the best time to visit north Vietnam? October to April is the sweet spot for Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: dry, cool, and clear. May to September is hot and rainy but noticeably cheaper and less crowded, with rain usually limited to short bursts.

Are there direct flights from India to Vietnam? Yes. VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and IndiGo operate direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with fares typically between ₹14,000 and ₹22,000 return if booked 4-6 weeks ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 5-day Vietnam trip cost from India?

Around ₹55,000-70,000 per person on a mid-range budget, including return flights (₹14,000-22,000), e-visa (about ₹2,200), 4 nights in 3-star hotels (₹8,000-12,000), food (₹4,000-6,000), and day tours to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay (₹8,000-12,000). Backpackers can do it under ₹45,000.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes, but it is one of the easiest visas in Asia. Apply online for the Vietnam e-visa at the official government portal, pay USD 25 for single entry (USD 50 for multiple entry), and you typically receive approval in 3-5 working days. The e-visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Is 5 days enough for Vietnam?

Five days is enough to properly experience one region. This itinerary covers the north: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay. If you prefer the south, swap in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the Mekong Delta. Doing both ends in 5 days means spending most of your time in transit, so pick one.

What is the best time to visit north Vietnam?

October to April is the sweet spot for Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: dry, cool, and clear. May to September is hot and rainy but noticeably cheaper and less crowded, with rain usually limited to short bursts.

Are there direct flights from India to Vietnam?

Yes. VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, and IndiGo operate direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with fares typically between ₹14,000 and ₹22,000 return if booked 4-6 weeks ahead.

Plan your trip on TripVexa — India's AI-powered travel planner with hotel booking and INR budgets.