Da Nang
Vietnam's most liveable city, and the gateway to Ba Na Hills and Hoi An
Destination
Vietnam
Limestone bays, motorbike cities and a coastline that changes every few hundred kilometres
- Packages
- 7
- Places we go
- 6
- Trip length
- 5–10 nights
- From
- ₹40,900 pp
Vietnam runs 1,600 km north to south, and the three ends of it feel like different countries. Hanoi is dense, old and northern; Da Nang and Hoi An are the beach-and-heritage middle; Ho Chi Minh City is the fast commercial south. Most first trips from India take two or three of them.
For Indian travellers Vietnam has become the default first Southeast Asia trip that is not Thailand — it is close, it is inexpensive once you land, and the e-visa is genuinely straightforward. The north gives you Hanoi's Old Quarter and the limestone islands of Halong Bay. The centre gives you Da Nang's beaches, the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An an hour away. The south gives you Ho Chi Minh City and, an hour's flight further, the beaches of Phu Quoc. Domestic flights between these are short and cheap, which is why almost every itinerary here includes one.
Where we go
Places in Vietnam
Every place below appears in at least one Tourbodies itinerary. Open one to see what happens there, which hotels we use, and how many nights we normally allow.
For Indian passport holders
Getting in
Visa requirede-Visa, applied for online
Indian passport holders need a visa. The e-visa is applied for entirely online with no embassy visit, and is accepted at 83 airports, seaports and land crossings.
- Cost
- USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry (roughly ₹2,100 and ₹4,200). Paid online, non-refundable.
- Length of stay
- Valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
- Processing
- Apply well ahead of travel; processing is not instant.
- Passport
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
Apply at evisa.gov.vn
Worth knowing
- You need a 4×6 cm portrait photo on a plain white background, no glasses, facing the camera.
- A single-entry e-visa cannot be re-used. If your itinerary leaves Vietnam and returns — a Cambodia or Thailand combination — you need the multiple-entry visa.
- Apply on the official government portal. Numerous look-alike sites charge a markup for the same application.
Checked on 8 September 2026 · Vietnam Tourism — visa guide for Indian citizens, Official Vietnam e-visa portal. Entry requirements change without notice. Always confirm with the relevant mission before booking flights.
Practical
Travelling from India
Airports we use
- Hanoi (HAN)
- Da Nang (DAD)
- Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Roughly 5–6 hours direct from Delhi or Mumbai; 8–9 hours with one stop from most other Indian metros.
When to go
The country is long enough that there is no single answer. For the north (Hanoi, Halong Bay), October to April is dry and cool — December and January can be genuinely cold. For the centre (Da Nang, Hoi An), February to May is the clear window; October and November bring the heaviest rain. For the south and Phu Quoc, November to April is dry. A north-plus-centre itinerary works best February to April.
Money — Vietnamese Dong (VND)
The dong runs in large numbers — a normal lunch is six figures. Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets, boat trips and taxis. Indian debit cards often work poorly at Vietnamese ATMs, so tell your bank before you travel.
Eating, and vegetarian food
Vietnamese food is heavily meat- and fish-based, and fish sauce is in most things. Vegetarians manage well in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, where there are dedicated vegetarian and Buddhist restaurants, but should say 'khong nuoc mam' (no fish sauce) explicitly. Jain travellers should plan meals in advance; Indian restaurants exist in all three cities.
- Domestic flights (Hanoi–Da Nang, Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh) are short and inexpensive, which is why most itineraries fly rather than drive between regions.
- Halong Bay is a long day trip from Hanoi — around four hours of driving in total on top of the cruise.
- Nusa-style island days involve significant walking on uneven ground; worth knowing if you are travelling with parents.
Ready to personalise
7 packages in Vietnam
Questions
Vietnam, answered
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa, and the e-visa is the usual route — applied for entirely online at evisa.gov.vn, USD 25 for single entry and valid for up to 90 days. Verified 8 September 2026; confirm current rules before you travel.
How many nights do I need in Vietnam?
Five nights covers one region properly. Seven to eight lets you pair the north with the centre — typically Hanoi plus Da Nang — without spending the holiday in transit. Ten or more is where a north-centre-south itinerary starts to make sense.
Is Vietnam suitable for a family trip with children?
Yes, with one caveat: the distances are real. Halong Bay and Ninh Binh are full-day excursions with several hours of driving. Da Nang and Phu Quoc are the easiest bases with young children because the beach is on your doorstep.