Vietnam Tours from Bangalore 2025

Planning a Vietnam trip from Bangalore? Get ready for a kaleidoscope of green rice terraces, lively cities and coastal gems from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) all the way up to Hanoi.
Indian nationals need a visa for Vietnam (except visa-free entry on Phu Quoc island for ≤30 days). The easiest option is an e-Visa (up to 90-day, single/multiple-entry) applied online. Processing takes 5-10 working days, so apply at least a couple weeks ahead.
Personally for me it took only 2 working days but I have heard some people getting it after a week.
Alternatively, visa-on-arrival (with a prior approval letter) is possible for air travel.

Flights from Bangalore have just gotten easier: Vietnam Airlines now flies direct between Bengaluru and Hanoi (four times weekly as of May 2025). Other routes connect via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. For example, Air India starts Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City non-stop from June 2024, and IndiGo also serves India-Vietnam routes.

If you are looking for a low cost airline of Vietnam equivalent to Indigo - then Vietjet is perfect. There are times when you can book a return flight to Vietnam from Bangalore in less than $200 with a catch that you can only carry a cabin baggage!
Vietjet has 3 times a week flight from BLR to HCM (Mon/Wed/Fri).

Budgeting tips: Vietnam can be very affordable or quite luxurious. MakeMyTrip shows budget packages (e.g. a 5D/4N Hạ Long-Ninh Bình tour for ~₹18,500) and mid-range tours (8D/7N Hanoi-HCMC for ~₹50,000). Luxury experiences (private guides, 4-5★ hotels, Halong cruises) can run ₹1-2 lakh for ~10 days.
As a benchmark, Intrepid Travel’s 15-day “Classic Vietnam” trip (South-to-North) starts at about USD $1,950 per person. Many local operators (Flamingo Travels, Sai Shishir Tours, Vietnam-local companies) also offer private or small-group multi-city tours - just shop around.

Money & visas: Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) (₹1 ≈ 300 VND, USD 1 ≈ 23,500 VND). Carry some USD or INR to exchange at airports/banks; ATMs (Visa/Mastercard) are widely available for dong. Credit cards work in big hotels and restaurants. Pay most temple/museum fees in cash (see below).

Vietnam’s War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a must-see. It’s open daily ~7:30-17:30 and entry is just ~40,000 VND (free for kids under 6). The outdoor courtyard displays tanks and planes, and the hall's chronicle the Vietnam War’s aftermath. Nearby, the Reunification Hall (Independence Palace) is worth a quick visit (entry ~40k VND, opens daily).

Cu Chi Tunnels: Just outside Saigon, these famous Viet Cong tunnels let you duck through war-time passageways. The Cu Chi site is open 7:00-17:00 and adult entry is only ~35,000 VND (plus optional guide fee or exhibits). Plan half a day here. Other Ho Chi Minh highlights: the Notre-Dame Cathedral (free) and the eerie Jade Emperor Pagoda (Pho Quang) in Cholon. By night, explore Bùi Viện walking street or the landmark Bitexco Tower (Saigon Skydeck).

Mekong Delta: From Saigon, a day-trip cruise (Mekong River) is popular. Tours (₹1,500-3,000+) take you through floating markets (Cái Răng or Cao Lãnh), riverside orchards and villages. Tip: an overnight Mekong stay (in Can Tho or Vĩnh Long) is a fun offbeat option.

Central Vietnam: Hoi An, Hue & Highlands

Heading north, don’t miss Hoi An Ancient Town (near Đà Nẵng). This UNESCO heritage town requires a ticket (VND 120,000) to enter the old quarter each day. That single ticket covers entry to 5 small museums/temples (like the Japanese Covered Bridge and old merchant houses). Wander the lantern-lit streets at dusk, sample Cao lầu noodles and shop for tailors.

Nearby is Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, an impressive Champa temple complex. It’s open from 6:30 to 17:30 and the fee is ~150,000 VND (about $6.50). Guided tours or private drivers from Hoi An/Da Nang are easy to book.

A bit inland is the cool, mountain town of Da Lat (Lâm Đồng Province). Known for pine forests and French villas, it’s great for an overnight stay to escape the heat. Highlights include the quirky “Crazy House”, Valley of Love, waterfalls and lakes. Da Lat has a (dry, cool) winter climate year-round, so bring layers.

Farther north, Hue was Vietnam’s imperial capital. The Imperial Citadel (Hue Imperial City) is the star attraction. A ticket costs about 200,000 VND (combo tickets to tombs are more). The Citadel opens roughly 7:00-18:00; allow 2-3 hours to see the palace halls, temples and the Forbidden Purple City ruins. Nearby, the Perfume River and Thien Mu Pagoda (free entry) make for a relaxing cyclo tour.

North Vietnam: Hanoi and Beyond

In Hanoi, the capital, begin at Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling Old Quarter. Key historic sites include the Temple of Literature (11th-century Confucian temple, entry 70,000 VND, open 8:00-17:00) and the Hoa Lo Prison (Maison Centrale) (VND 30k). Enjoy street food in the Old Quarter (pho, bun cha, egg coffee) and sip bia hơi at Ta Hien.

A short drive from Hanoi is Hạ Long Bay (actually in Quảng Ninh Province). Most travelers take an overnight boat cruise (prices vary; include the national park fee ~VND 290,000 p.p. in high season). Alternatively, the less-touristy Bái Tử Long Bay (Cat Ba Island side) is quieter. Entrance fees are built into cruises.

For mountain scenery, Sapa (Lào Cai Province) is about 5-6 hours north of Hanoi by shuttle-bus or overnight train (an increasingly popular rail trip). Sapa is cold in winter - great for trekking and ethnic village homestays. Nearby Fansipan mountain has a cable car (ticket ~850,000 VND including summit tram).

Off the Beaten Path & Hidden Gems

Vietnam is full of surprises off the main trail. In the extreme south, consider a few nights on Phú Quốc Island (no visa required if you fly in/out there). Its beaches and resorts are less crowded than Thai islands. In the Mekong, Cà Mau’s wetlands or Trà Sư Forest (An Giang) boat tours are local favorites.

Mid-country, the Tràm Chim bird sanctuary or Lan Ha Bay (south of Halong) are less-touristed alternatives. Adventure travelers rave about Phong Nha-Ke Bang (Quảng Bình) caves - Paradise Cave (250,000 VND entry) and Phong Nha Cave (boat tours). In the hills of Central Vietnam, Ba Bể Lake and the limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh (“Halong Bay on land”) are gorgeous - Tam Cốc boat rides (~VND 120k) and the newly open Múa Cave Viewpoint (tiger boats VND 250k/car) reward the effort. In the far north, epic Bản Giốc Falls (Cao Bằng) and remote Ba Bể National Park are true wilderness.

Travel advice from locals: Use Grab or official taxis in cities (watch for taxis trying to add fake “fees”). Beware of motorbike rental scams (take photos of damage). Always negotiate or confirm taxi fares (meter is cheap; a ride across HCMC should be under VND 150k). Tap water is not potable (stick to bottled water). Vietnam is generally safe - street crime is rare - but carry photocopies of your passport and use hotel safes.

Sample Itinerary and Tours

A typical 10-14 day itinerary might be:

1. HCMC & Mekong Delta (3 days) - city tour and Cu Chi tunnels (self-tour or group; entry VND35k), then overland to My Tho/Ben Tre in the Delta.

2. Da Lat (2 days) - fly/drive to the Central Highlands; explore waterfalls, Crazy House, coffee farms.

3. Hoi An / Da Nang (3 days) - see Mỹ Sơn temples (150k VND) and Hoi An (120k VND ticket), enjoy beaches and Marble Mountains in Da Nang.

4. Hue (1 day) - visit the Imperial Citadel (200k VND) and tombs.

5. Hanoi (2 days) - city tour (Temple of Literature 70k VND, museum visits) and evening train south to Hạ Long.

6. Halong Bay (1 day) - overnight cruise in the bay, back to Hanoi or train to Sapa.

7. Sapa (2 days) - trek hill tribes or take the cable car.

You can book independent or package tours for each leg. For example, Intrepid’s “Classic Vietnam” 15-day tour (south-to-north) covers the above sights. For Indian travellers, domestic agencies also tailor private/group tours; e.g., MakeMyTrip and local operators offer 7-10-day Hanoi-Saigon itineraries in various price ranges.

FAQ

• What’s the best time to visit Vietnam? Generally, the dry season is Nov-Apr in the north and Nov-Apr in the south (slightly different peaks). February-March is ideal for a full South-to-North trip. Summer (May-Aug) can be very hot and wet (typhoons hit central Vietnam in Oct). If traveling during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Jan/Feb), be aware many businesses close.

• How do I exchange currency? Major cities have ATMs dispensing dong. You can bring some USD or INR to exchange at banks (the official rate is around 23,000-24,000 VND per USD as of 2025). Carry small notes (1 USD or 100,000 VND) for minor purchases. Most places accept cash only; credit cards aren’t common outside hotels and big restaurants.

• Is Vietnam safe? Vietnam is relatively safe for tourists. Petty theft can occur in crowded markets - use hotel safes and keep an eye on belongings. Drinking water should be bottled (avoid ice from unknown sources). Motorbikes are everywhere - cross streets carefully. Overall, crime is low compared to many places.

• How about the phone/internet? SIM cards (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone) are cheap and quick at airports (VND ~200k for 10-15GB data). 4G coverage is excellent in cities and most tourist areas. Wifi is free in most hotels/cafes.

• What should I pack? Light clothes for the heat, plus layers for cooler north/highlands. A rain jacket is wise (especially July-Oct). Good walking shoes or sandals are a must. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) is important year-round. Respectful clothing (covering shoulders/legs) is needed for temples.

• Any travel scams to watch? Common ones include overpriced “tailor shops” or “gift shop” detours on tours. Always agree on taxi fares/meter ahead. Decline free necklaces offered by roadside vendors - they often demand “donations” after.

• Connectivity from Bangalore: Thanks to new routes, travel is easy. Besides the direct Bangalore-Hanoi flights, you can fly via Singapore (Singapore Airlines, Scoot), Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia), or Bangkok (Thai/VietJet). From India, note SpiceJet (Delhi-HCMC) and Air India (Delhi-HCMC) also fly Vietnam.

This itinerary and advice will help Bangalore travelers enjoy Vietnam’s highlights and hidden treasures, from budget backpacking to luxury tours. The country’s friendly people, diverse landscapes and rich history make it a fantastic adventure. Chúc bạn đi chơi vui vẻ! (Have a great trip!)