The ₹35,000 Budget: A Realistic Breakdown
A week-long trip (7 days, 6 nights) to Vietnam on a ₹35,000 budget is entirely achievable with smart planning. The key is to allocate your funds wisely across flights, visa, accommodation, food, and activities. This budget focuses on providing comfort,
meaning no cramped dorm rooms or exclusively eating street food unless you want to. We are aiming for a mid-range experience that prioritises value. One of the biggest advantages is the favourable exchange rate, where one Indian Rupee gets you approximately 280-300 Vietnamese Dong (VND), making your money go much further on the ground. This guide assumes you’ll focus on one region—either the North (Hanoi and Ha Long Bay) or the South (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta)—to minimise travel time and costs.
Scoring Affordable Return Flights
Flights will be the largest single expense. The goal is to cap this at around ₹15,000-₹18,000 for a round trip. Airlines like VietJet Air and IndiGo frequently offer direct flights from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. To secure the best prices, booking 2-3 months in advance is crucial, especially if you plan to travel during the shoulder seasons (February-April and September-October), which offer pleasant weather and lower fares. Using flight comparison websites and setting up price alerts can help you grab a deal as soon as it appears. Flying into one city and out of another (an 'open-jaw' ticket) can also sometimes be cost-effective if you plan to travel across the country, though for a one-week trip, a simple return is best.
Visa: A Simple and Inexpensive Step
Getting a visa for Vietnam is a straightforward process for Indian citizens. The most convenient option is the e-visa, which you can apply for online through the official government portal. A single-entry e-visa typically costs around USD 25, which is approximately ₹2,100. The process usually takes 3-5 working days. Applying directly via the official site helps you avoid extra service fees charged by third-party agents. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity from your date of arrival in Vietnam. With the visa sorted for a little over ₹2,000, you have a significant portion of your budget left for the actual trip.
Comfortable Stays That Don’t Break the Bank
This is where the “without sacrificing comfort” part comes in. You can find excellent accommodation in Vietnam for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. For a budget of around ₹1,500-₹2,000 per night, you can book a private room in a highly-rated guesthouse, a chic boutique hotel, or a comfortable Airbnb. For six nights, this amounts to roughly ₹9,000-₹12,000. In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, look for properties in District 1 or the Old Quarter, which are central and bustling with activity. Many of these mid-range options offer amenities like air conditioning, private bathrooms, and even breakfast, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Food, Activities, and Getting Around
With flights, visa, and accommodation sorted, you'll have about ₹13,000-₹16,000 left for everything else, which is more than enough. A comfortable daily budget for food, local transport, and activities would be around ₹2,000 per day. Food in Vietnam is famously delicious and affordable. You can enjoy a mix of street food like Banh Mi (around ₹100) and sit-down restaurant meals (around ₹400-₹600). For transport, ride-hailing apps like Grab are incredibly cheap for getting around cities. For sightseeing, entrance fees to most attractions like the War Remnants Museum or the Temple of Literature are minimal, often under ₹150. Your biggest activity cost might be a day cruise to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi or a trip to the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh City, which can be booked for around ₹3,000-₹4,000.
