Vietnam travel guide
Most travellers fly into Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Delhi and Mumbai have direct flights to Hanoi, and Mumbai also flies direct to Ho Chi Minh City. Flights take about three to six hours depending on your city, and other cities usually connect through a hub. Indians need an e-visa before travel.
Facts checked 2 Nov 2026
Vietnam has no single nearest airport. The two main gateways are Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport is another common arrival point. Where you land should follow your route. This guide covers flights from Indian cities, how to choose between gateways, transfers, getting around once you arrive, and the entry basics.
Direct services operate on selected India to Hanoi and India to Ho Chi Minh City routes, with schedules changing seasonally. Delhi has among the strongest direct connectivity. Mumbai has direct flights to Hanoi, and Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City is also available. Other cities usually connect through Mumbai, Delhi, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Always check live schedules before you fix dates, because direct availability changes.
These are approximate times from the research and exclude connections.
Choose by route. Hanoi suits a northern circuit and a north-to-south trip. Ho Chi Minh City suits a southern circuit and a south-to-north trip. Da Nang suits a central focus on Hoi An. Compare fares for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before fixing the itinerary, and consider an open-jaw ticket, arriving in one city and leaving from another, which can reduce backtracking. Our planners can help you match flights to the route.
From Pune, a Mumbai departure may offer more schedule choices, but compare the cost and risk of the Pune to Mumbai sector. From Chennai, compare Bangkok connections with Singapore or Kuala Lumpur options rather than choosing on headline fare. From Ahmedabad, prefer one-ticket itineraries to protect against a missed connection. From Bengaluru, allow a generous connection buffer if tickets are separate, because terminal or baggage handling may be needed. Kolkata is close to Vietnam geographically, but nonstop availability depends on the schedule.
Arrange your transfer before you land. Travellers report being overcharged by an unverified taxi from Hanoi airport. Metered taxis and reputable ride-hailing apps are practical in cities. Airport transfer costs vary by city and vehicle, so agree the fare or book a fixed-price transfer in advance. Our packages include private arrival and departure transfers.
Use domestic flights for Hanoi, Hue or Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City sectors. Trains suit scenic north-south journeys, but they take longer. Private cars with drivers are efficient for Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Hoi An day trips. Taxis, ride-hailing apps, motorbike taxis and city buses are common in cities, and boats matter for Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta. Allow generous transfer times, since distances are long and traffic can be heavy.
Indian ordinary-passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa before travel. It is available for single or multiple entry for up to 90 days through Vietnam's National Electronic Visa portal. Select the correct entry checkpoint when you apply, because choosing the wrong one is a common mistake. Carry the approved PDF. Read the Vietnam visa guide for Indians for the full steps.
Vietnam is on UTC+7, one hour 30 minutes behind India. The official language is Vietnamese. Hotels, tour operators and many restaurants in tourist areas use basic English, but support can be limited elsewhere. A translation app and a few simple Vietnamese phrases help.
Avoid planning tight connections. Allow time for airport queues, which travellers say can wear down the first and last days. Keep the day of arrival light. If you take a domestic flight on a cruise-return day, ask your planner to time it against the vessel schedule. Fix the north, centre and south order of your route before choosing domestic flights.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports about Vietnam, and was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules, airlines and entry rules change, so confirm details before you book.
Decide where to base yourself with places to visit in Vietnam, choose dates with the best time to visit Vietnam, review costs in Vietnam trip cost, and return to the Vietnam travel guide. Browse our Vietnam tour packages.
Ready-made trips
Hanoi 2N · Ha Long Bay 1N · Hoi An 2N · Ho Chi Minh City 1N
Hanoi 2N · Ha Long Bay 1N · Hoi An 2N · Da Nang 2N
Hanoi 2N · Ninh Binh 1N · Ha Long Bay 1N · Hoi An 2N · Da Nang 1N · Ho Chi Minh City 2N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Vietnam.
Yes, on selected routes. Delhi and Mumbai have direct flights to Hanoi, and Mumbai also has service to Ho Chi Minh City. Other cities usually connect through a hub. Schedules change seasonally, so check live availability before booking.
About 4 hours 15 minutes on direct services. Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City is about 5 hours. Airlines include Air India, IndiGo and Vietnam Airlines. Schedules and airlines change, so check the current timetable before you book.
Mumbai to Hanoi takes about 4 hours 45 minutes direct, and Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City about 5 hours 24 minutes. Mumbai has good schedule choice, so compare fares for both cities before fixing the itinerary.
Fly into Hanoi for a northern or north-to-south trip, and Ho Chi Minh City for a southern or south-to-north trip. Compare fares for both, and consider an open-jaw ticket to avoid backtracking. Da Nang suits a central focus on Hoi An.
There are usually no direct flights. From Chennai, route via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. From Bengaluru, connect through Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Allow a generous connection buffer, especially on separate tickets.
Arrange a private transfer in advance. A traveller reported being overcharged by an unverified airport taxi. Metered taxis and reputable ride-hailing apps are practical alternatives. Transfer costs vary by city and vehicle, so agree the fare in advance.
Domestic flights suit Hanoi, Hue or Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City sectors. Trains are scenic for north-south journeys but slower. Private cars with drivers are efficient for Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Hoi An day trips.
Yes. Indian ordinary-passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa before travel, applied for online through the National Electronic Visa portal. Select the right entry checkpoint, carry the approved PDF and allow at least five to seven working days.
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