Visa, Flight and Money – Must-read guides from A to Z for Indian citizens before travelling to Vietnam

If you are an Indian citizen who wants to travel to Vietnam, this straightforward guide is for you. Everything from getting a Vietnam visa, the currency to all direct flights from India to its major cities will be covered. Having knowledge about a destination you are planning to is very important, and we will offer you needed information for your upcoming trouble-free Vietnam tour.

Visa policy of Vietnam

VISA TO VIETNAM

There are a variety of visas based on how long you plan on staying in the country and your country of origin. For Indian citizens, yes, it is required to apply for Vietnam Visa. You have three options of obtaining the visa which are getting visa at Vietnam Embassy in India, getting e-visa online, and getting a Pre-approval letter for a Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Getting visa at Vietnam Embassy in India: the traditional and most expensive way to apply for Vietnam visa. You have to visit a physical Embassy of Vietnam/Consulate General of Vietnam, summit the papers then wait for acceptance which usually takes 2 to 3 business days. You are required to bring your original passport with minimum validity of 6 months, completed application form, passport-sized photos and a visa fee.

Take them to one of these addresses:

Embassy of Vietnam in New Delhi

Address: 20 Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India

Tel: +91-11-2687-9868

Fax: +91-11-2687-9856

Email: vnemb.in@gmail.com

Consulate General of Vietnam in Mumbai

Address: Unit 805, 8th Floor, Powai Plaza, Hiranandani Gardens, Central Avenue, Powai, Mumbai 400 076, India

Tel: +91-22-2570-2033

Fax: +91-22-2570-2034

Email: tlsq.mumbai@mofa.gov.vn

Having the visa sticker, you can head straight to the all passport line when you arrive at the airport in Vietnam and stamping is done at no additional cost.

Getting e-visa online

Electronic visa is the easiest and cheapest of all the options, which has been introduced in Vietnam since 2017. The e-visas and are granted for single entry visits for up to 30 days to 81 eligible countries and territories including India. All you need to do is to fill out the necessary requirements online and wait a few days for the approval.

You need to print this out and keep a physical copy on you. The total cost is USD 25 and it can be taken straight to the all passport line upon arrival. Similar to the physical visa, they will process it at the airport at no additional cost.

Full steps for E visa application:

Step 1: Fulfill required information:

Upload foreigners' passport data page image and photograph (straight looking without glasses);

After this step, registration code will be sent to the applicant;

Step 2: Pay E-visa fee (25 USD). Your application will be processed in 3 working days;

Step 3: Enter registration code, registration email and date of birth to check result in E-visa search menu. If being approved for E-visa, please print E-visa to enter/exit Vietnam. 

* Note:

If there is any missing or incorrect/unidentified information, your application will not be accepted.

Getting a Pre-approval letter online for a Visa on Arrival:

Complete the visa form and pay for service fee depending on the type of visa you want to obtain and how fast you want to get the service delivered. After that, you will receive an approval letter via email which you bring with you to Vietnam.

Photo: A Visa Approval letter sample

Once arriving in Vietnam, you must show your approval letter and then pay a stamping fee of USD 25 per person for single entry visa and from USD 50 for multiple entry visa. You may need to wait in a separate boarding area while they process and stamp your passport. Please note that Visa on Arrival is only applicable for travelling by air to Vietnam.

It is highly recommended to apply visa for your Vietnam tours through Travel Agency or Local Operator such as Threeland Travel to make sure everything goes smoothly and we can easily control problems at airport if any. With this option, we can help you get a Vietnam visa approval letter one-month single entry with only USD 20 per person (excluding the stamping fee).

FLIGHTS TO VIETNAM

Tourists from India can easily reach the country thanks to new direct flights launched by IndiGo Airlines and Vietjet Air to its two international airports: Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

Since 3^rd October 2019, Indigo has operated non-stop daily flights between Kolkata and Hanoi, making it the first Indian airline to fly directly to Vietnam. Recently, Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Vietjet Air has also commenced direct flights from Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. With these direct flights, Vietnam tours are becoming popular than ever among Indians, saving time and removing the hassle out of their travel experience.

According to travel search and booking engine Kayak, 25 percent of their users found return tickets to Vietnam for the following prices or less: From Kolkata Netaji S. Chandra Airport – INR 14,591, from Bengaluru International Airport – INR 14,834, from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport – INR 15,711.

Top tips for finding cheap flights are: booking at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price; high season is considered to be May and June so the cheapest month to fly to Vietnam is February; and the most popular route is New Delhi – Ho Chi Minh City with an average flight time of 5 hours and VietJet Air flies this route the most.

Which Indian Cities Have Direct Flights to Vietnam?

Indian travellers can find direct flights to Vietnam from selected Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, depending on the airline and travel date. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are two major international gateways for exploring the country. For example, Air India operates non-stop services from Delhi to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while additional routes and schedules may vary by carrier and season. Before booking, compare departure cities, baggage allowances, arrival airports, and return options to choose the most convenient route for your Vietnam itinerary.

CASH IN VIETNAM

The next thing you might wonder is how to pay for things in Vietnam and how much should you bring. The Currency of Vietnam is Vietnamese Đồng (VND). As of today, 1 INR equals 314 VND and 1 USD equals 23,000 VND.

The best way to pay for things in Vietnam nowadays is still cash. While credit cards are accepted in many places in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you will still have trouble getting around without enough cash in hand, for example eating from street vendors or buying at local groceries.

In rural or non-touristic areas, it is extremely difficult to pay for goods and services by card. Mobile payment apps are also becoming more popular, but as travellers you might not be able to use them without a Vietnamese bank account.

Hence, it is better to prepare a decent amount of Vietnamese cash to bring with you during your Vietnam tour. The best way to get cash in Vietnam is to take USD or Euros with you to exchange at banks and money exchangers at the airport or in the city as needed. 

Most currency exchanges at banks do not charge a transaction fee to exchange, so you walk out with the daily exchange rate. If you run out of cash, you can always use ATMs to get more. Be aware that ATMs will charge a foreign transaction fee plus a ATM fee depending on who owns the actual ATM.

The solution for this is travelling with a Debit card that reimburses transaction fees, and bring a Credit card as well to pay for large expenses at hotel chains and airlines, tour agencies, private transfers or stores in shopping mall.  

Should Indian Travellers Carry Cash or Use Cards in Vietnam?

Indian travellers should carry a combination of Vietnamese Dong and an international debit or credit card when visiting Vietnam. Cash is useful for street food, local markets, small shops, and purchases in rural areas, while cards are convenient at many hotels, larger restaurants, and established businesses. Before departure, check your bank's international transaction charges, ATM withdrawal fees, and card usage settings. Keep some emergency cash separate from your wallet and exchange money through reputable providers. Combining cash and cards offers greater flexibility throughout your Vietnam trip.

What Should Indian Citizens Know Before Travelling to Vietnam?

Indian citizens should prepare their passport, Vietnam visa, flight tickets, accommodation details, and travel budget before visiting Vietnam. Check that your passport meets the validity requirements, apply for the appropriate visa through the official Vietnamese immigration portal, and confirm your entry details before departure. It is also advisable to carry some Vietnamese Dong for local purchases, keep a payment card for larger expenses, and arrange airport transfers in advance. Planning these essentials helps make your Vietnam tour smoother and more convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Indian citizens get a Vietnam visa on arrival?

Visa on Arrival is not a general walk-in option. Eligible travellers generally need the required pre-approval arrangements and must arrive through an eligible airport. Check current official requirements and confirm your eligibility before relying on this option.

How much cash should an Indian tourist carry in Vietnam?

The amount depends on trip duration, accommodation, transport, and planned activities. Estimate daily expenses in advance, carry enough Vietnamese Dong for small purchases, and keep an international payment card as a backup.

Can Indian travellers use UPI in Vietnam?

Do not assume that Indian UPI apps will work at every Vietnamese merchant. Payment acceptance depends on the provider and merchant. Carry Vietnamese Dong and an international debit or credit card as alternatives.

Is it better to fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from India?

Choose Hanoi if your itinerary focuses on Northern Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. Ho Chi Minh City is convenient for Southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta. If you plan to travel across the country, compare multi-city tickets that allow you to arrive in one city and depart from the other.