Table of Contents
1 Basic Information
- Vietnam is a long, narrow country in Southeast Asia, often described as having an “S” shape on a map, stretching from north to south along the Indochina peninsula1.
- Vietnam is commonly divided into three main regions: Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam, and Southern Vietnam, each with distinct geographical, cultural, and historical characteristics.
2 Visa requirements for Vietnam for Indian citizens
- Vietnam is not visa-free for Indian citizens.
- They require a visa for entry and can apply for an e-visa online, which is valid for up to 90 days and valid for multiple entry.
3 Flights from India to Vietnam
| City (From) | Direct Flight Connections (To) | Duration (Hrs:Mins) |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 1. Hanoi 2. Ho Chi Minh City | 1. Hanoi – 4:15 (VietJet, Vietnam Airlines) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 5:25 (Air India) |
| Mumbai | 1. Hanoi 2. Ho Chi Minh City | 1. Hanoi – 4:45 (Vietnam Airlines) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 4:45 (VietJet) |
| Bengaluru | 1. Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City | 1. Hanoi – 4:45 (Vietnam Airlines) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 4:55 (VietJet) |
| Kolkata | 1. Hanoi 2. Ho Chi Minh City | 1. Hanoi – 2:55 (IndiGo) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 3:30 (IndiGo) |
| Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Surat, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Goa | No direct connections | 6:30 to 12 hours with layover in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata or Singapore |
| Ahmedabad | 1. Hanoi 2. Ho Chi Minh City 3. Da Nang | 1. Hanoi – 4:15 (VietJet) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 5:10 (VietJet) 3. Da Nang – 5:00 (VietJet) |
| Hyderabad | 1. Hanoi 2. Ho Chi Minh City | 1. Hanoi – 4:10 (Vietnam Airlines) 2. Ho Chi Minh City – 4:30 (VietJet) |
4 Top Destinations in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam offers breathtaking scenery, diverse cultural experiences, and the exciting city of Hanoi.
- Hanoi – the vibrant capital of Vietnam, is a city rich in history, culture, and delicious street food
- Ha Long – a breathtaking natural wonder, famous for its thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.
- Sapa – a picturesque mountain town, renowned for its stunning rice terraces and vibrant ethnic minority cultures.
- Mai Chau – a serene valley dotted with traditional Thai stilt houses and lush rice paddies, offering a peaceful escape into rural Vietnamese culture and stunning natural beauty.
- Ninh Binh – famous for its stunning limestone karsts, serene rivers, and historical sites like Hoa Lu, the ancient capital.
- Ha Giang – famous for winding mountain passes like the Ma Pi Leng, and vibrant ethnic minority cultures.
5 Top Destinations in Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam is a region of historical imperial cities, stunning coastlines, and the charming ancient trading port of Hoi An.
- Da Nang – a major coastal city known for its beautiful beaches, the iconic Dragon Bridge, and its proximity to historical sites like Hoi An and My Son.
- Hoi An – a charming ancient trading port in central Vietnam, renowned for its well-preserved architecture, colourful lanterns, and tailor shops.
- Hue – the former imperial capital of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a city steeped in history, boasting the magnificent Imperial Citadel, royal tombs, and a unique refined cuisine
- Phong Nha – region renowned for its extensive cave systems, including the famous Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Da Lat – a charming city in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its cool climate, beautiful French colonial architecture, and stunning natural landscapes filled with lakes, waterfalls, and flower gardens.
- Phu Yen – a coastal province, known for its relatively untouched natural beauty including stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and the unique Da Dia Reef
6 Top Destinations in Southern Vietnam
Southern Vietnam is a diverse region encompassing the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, the fertile Mekong Delta, and beautiful coastal areas, offering a blend of modern urban life, rural landscapes, and historical significance.
- Ho Chi Minh City – formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic city, a bustling hub of commerce, culture, and history, blending modern skyscrapers with French colonial architecture
- Binh Thuan – a diverse coastal province, known for its beautiful beaches, unique sand dunes, historical Cham culture, and as the home of Mui Ne, a popular resort destination.
- Phu Quoc – Vietnam’s largest island, a tropical paradise in the Gulf of Thailand renowned for its pristine beaches, lush national park, and production of high-quality fish sauce and black pepper.
- Con Dao – a serene archipelago, known for its stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and poignant history as a former prison island
- Can Tho – the largest city in the Mekong Delta, famous for its bustling floating markets, intricate canal systems, and as a hub for exploring the rich agricultural landscapes of southern Vietnam.
- Chau Doc – a vibrant border town in the Mekong Delta, known for its blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, Cham, and Chinese cultures, its bustling market, and its proximity to Sam Mountain, a local pilgrimage site.
7 Hidden Gems in Vietnam
Lan Ha Bay – Lan Ha Bay is a stunning bay located southeast of Cat Ba Island in northern Vietnam. It’s known for its similar breathtaking limestone karst scenery to Ha Long Bay but with a more tranquil and less crowded atmosphere. Many cruises and boat trips to Lan Ha Bay depart from Cat Ba Island, making it a natural gateway for exploring this beautiful area with its pristine beaches, kayaking opportunities, and floating villages.
8 Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam is a long, thin country with diverse climates across its regions, making it a year-round travel destination. However, the best time to visit Vietnam largely depends on your travel preferences and the specific regions you plan to explore. Generally, the dry season (November to April) is often recommended as the best time to visit Vietnam as a whole, offering pleasant weather in most regions.4
- For overall good weather across the country: March to April offer a good balance with pleasant temperatures and low rainfall in the north, while central and south Vietnam remain warm and dry.
- For Northern Vietnam: March to April and September to November are ideal with warm, sunny days and less rain. Avoid December and January if you dislike cold weather.
- For Central Vietnam: February to August offers warm and dry weather, perfect for beaches. Be aware of potential typhoons during the rainy season (September to January).
- For Southern Vietnam: November to April is the best time with hot, dry weather ideal for exploring the cities and beaches.
Things to Consider:
- Tet (Lunar New Year): If your travel dates coincide with Tet (usually in late January or early February), be prepared for significant crowds, higher prices, and potential closures as it’s the most important holiday in Vietnam.
- School Holidays: July and August are peak months for both international and domestic tourists due to summer school holidays, leading to higher prices and more crowded destinations, especially in central beach areas.
- Personal Preferences: Consider what activities you plan to do (beach relaxation, trekking, city exploration) and your tolerance for heat, humidity, and rain when deciding on the best time to visit.
Regional Weather Variations:
Northern Vietnam (Sapa, Hanoi, Halong Bay): Experiences four distinct seasons.
- Winter (December to February): Cool to cold and dry. Temperatures can drop significantly, especially in mountainous areas like Sapa, where it might even fall below freezing. Expect average temperatures between 17-22°C (63-72°F) in Hanoi. It can be misty and cloudy during this time.
- Spring (March to April): Pleasant with mild temperatures (18-25°C or 64-77°F) and occasional light rain. Flowers bloom, and the landscapes are lush.
- Summer (May to August): Hot and humid (27-36°C or 81-97°F) with frequent rainfall, sometimes heavy. This is the wettest season.
- Autumn (September to November): Mild temperatures (25°C or 77°F), low humidity, and clear, sunny skies. Many consider this one of the best times to visit the north.
Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang): Has a more complex weather pattern with two main seasons.
- Dry Season (February to August): Hot and sunny, with temperatures often reaching 30°C (86°F) or higher. July and August can be particularly hot with temperatures around 30°C (86°F).
- Rainy Season (September to January): Characterized by heavy rainfall and the risk of typhoons, especially from August to November. Temperatures are milder, ranging from 18-26°C (64-79°F).
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): Features a tropical climate with two main seasons.
- Dry Season (November to April): Hot and humid with little to no rain. Temperatures generally range from 25-35°C (77-95°F). This is considered the peak tourist season for the south.
- Rainy Season (May to October): Warm with daily afternoon downpours that are usually short and heavy. Temperatures remain in the range of 25-34°C (77-93°F).
- Image sourced from Freepik. http://www.freepik.com/ ↩︎
- As on 8-Apr-2025 (https://www.google.com/finance/quote/INR-VND) ↩︎
- As on 8-Apr-2025 (https://www.google.com/finance/quote/USD-VND) ↩︎
- Weather related data is sourced from Gemini, a Google AI. ↩︎