Making The ₹35,000 Budget Work
A trip to Vietnam on a ₹35,000 budget is a challenge that requires discipline and smart planning, but it is achievable. The key is to allocate your funds wisely and travel with a backpacker mindset. Your biggest expense will be flights, followed by accommodation
and food. Here’s a potential breakdown: Return Flights: ₹15,000 - ₹18,000. Visa: approx. ₹2,100. Accommodation (5 nights): ₹4,000 - ₹5,000. Food & Drinks: ₹6,000. Internal Transport & Activities: ₹5,000. This budget is tight and relies heavily on booking flights far in advance and sticking to the most economical options for every other expense.
Scoring Affordable Flights & Visa
Your flight will be the single largest cost. To keep it under ₹18,000, you must book at least three to four months in advance and be flexible with your travel dates. Fly during the shoulder seasons, like September-October, for cheaper fares. Budget airlines such as VietJet Air and IndiGo often have direct flights from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to Hanoi. For your visa, the process is straightforward and affordable for Indian passport holders. Apply for the e-visa through the official government portal. The fee for a single-entry visa is approximately $25, which translates to around ₹2,100. This process usually takes three to five working days.
Accommodation on a Shoestring
To stay within your ₹5,000 accommodation budget for five nights, your best friends are hostels. Both Hanoi and Da Nang have a fantastic and safe hostel culture. A dorm bed in a clean, well-located hostel can cost as little as ₹800 to ₹1,200 per night. In Hanoi, look for stays in the Old Quarter to be in the heart of the action. In Da Nang, you can find budget-friendly guesthouses and hostels in the An Thuong area, just a short walk from My Khe Beach. Booking well in advance, especially during peak travel times, will help you secure the best prices.
Eating Well for Less
Vietnamese street food is your golden ticket to eating like royalty on a budget. A daily food budget of around ₹1,000 to ₹1,200 is more than enough. In Hanoi, a delicious bowl of Pho can cost as little as ₹120, while a Banh Mi sandwich is often under ₹100. You can have three full, incredible meals a day for under ₹700 if you stick to street stalls and local eateries. Da Nang is famous for its fresh, affordable seafood. Head away from the main beach road to find the best deals. Most travellers can eat very well on a daily budget of $10-$15 (approx. ₹800 - ₹1,250).
Getting Around and Seeing the Sights
The most economical way to travel the long distance between Hanoi and Da Nang is by overnight sleeper bus, which costs between ₹700 and ₹1,200. This not only saves you money on the fare but also on a night's accommodation. Within the cities, use ride-hailing apps like Grab for motorbike taxis, which are significantly cheaper than cars. A short ride often costs less than ₹100. Many of the best experiences are free. In Hanoi, wander through the bustling lanes of the Old Quarter and walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. In Da Nang, enjoy the public beaches and watch the Dragon Bridge spit fire and water on weekend nights.
A Possible 5-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, check into your Old Quarter hostel, and explore Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy street food for dinner. Day 2: Explore Hanoi's culture with a visit to the Temple of Literature and wander the French Quarter. In the evening, take an overnight bus to Da Nang. Day 3: Arrive in Da Nang, check into your hostel near the beach, and spend the day relaxing on My Khe Beach. Day 4: Visit the Marble Mountains in the morning (entry is cheap) and explore the Son Tra Peninsula for panoramic views. Enjoy an evening of cheap, fresh seafood. Day 5: Spend your last morning enjoying Da Nang's cafe scene before heading to the airport for your flight back to India.
