How To Travel In Vietnam - A Guide for Indian Travellers
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Starting from domestic flights and cruises to cheap buses and trains, here’s everything you need to know about how to travel in Vietnam on your trip from India.
- Visa Requirements
- Budget Planning
- Must Visit Destinations
- Transportation Options
Vietnam captivates visitors with the energy of large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the calmness of Halong Bay and the picturesque mountains of Sapa. You have a lot of options to choose from when deciding how to travel in Vietnam as being a tourist centre, it is visited by travellers, cultural tourists, and leisure tourists.
This blog will give you the full details on how to plan for and make a trip to Vietnam, including important details such as tips on travelling and other key areas of interest.
Planning Your Trip
Here’s how you can perfectly start with planning how to travel in Vietnam.
Best Time to Visit
Vietnam has a tropical climate, and the travelling experience depends on whether it is the dry or the rainy season, depending on the region. The ideal travel period in the northern part of Vietnam, which comprises Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa, ranges from the end of October to April.
The weather in Central Vietnam, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue is best from February to August, as the rainy season starts in September.
Visa Requirements
While planning how to travel in Vietnam, you must get a visa before arriving in the country. The various types of visas include the tourist visa, which can be single or multiple entry, and the electronic visa, also known as e-visa, which can be applied online.
The detailed process depends on your nationality and the changes may occur from time to time. Therefore, it is advisable to check the updated information with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in India. The process of applying for a visa normally requires a passport, a photo, and a fee for the visa, whereas e-visas are the most suitable for short visits.
For more insights on Vietnamese visas, check out Types Of Vietnam Tourist Visas For Indians
Budget Planning
Vietnam is also widely regarded as an inexpensive country to visit. A general budget for a mid-range traveller might include expenses such as,
- accommodation ($10-$50 per night)
- food ($5-$20 per day)
- transportation (domestic flights $30-$100, trains and buses $5-$30)
- activities (entrance fees and tours $5-$50)
The cost of travelling is relatively high for luxury travellers, but there are cheaper alternatives for low-end travellers, especially on meals and lodgings.
Itinerary Planning
Vietnam can be adventurous, culturally engaging, or simply relaxing. If you’re an extreme traveller, you will never miss Sapa trekking and caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Culture lovers will also have a great time discovering Hoi An, an ancient town, and the history of Hue cities.
Witnessing the vibrant life of the big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities is a rare experience while for leisure, you can go on a cruise in Halong Bay or a beach vacation in Phu Quoc Island.
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Getting Around Vietnam
Don’t worry about how to travel inside Vietnam because you have many options to choose from.
Domestic Flights
Vietnam has a developed domestic flight connection so it is easy to travel between the major cities. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways are some of the most sought-after airlines. It also means that if you are to book a flight, it is wiser to do so well before the peak travel periods because the prices may be cheaper.
Trains
You will find a Reunification Express train that passes along the coast from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and it provides a comfortable and beautiful way of travelling. Some of the classes of trains are the hard seat, soft seat and sleeper cabins, which can be booked online or directly at the train stations.
Buses
Vietnamese buses can be categorised into local buses and long-distance buses such as sleeper buses. These buses are pretty cheap, but their level of comfort can differ greatly. You can buy tickets at the bus terminals or from agencies dealing in these matters.
Motorbikes
Hiring a motorbike is quite common in Vietnam, especially in the countryside. One needs an international driving licence and some safety measures (including the use of helmets) and be careful with the status of the road and the traffic.
Must-Visit Destinations
Vietnam is home to amazing destinations that must be a part of your trip. Here are the notable ones.
Northern Vietnam
- Hanoi: Vietnam’s capital city has both the traditional and the modern sites of interest, including the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature. You must not leave Hanoi without having tried famous dishes such as pho and bun cha.
- Halong Bay: Halong Bay is well known for its limestone karst and emerald water. It has several cruises ranging from day cruises to overnight cruises. You can reach Halong Bay from Hanoi by bus, car, and seaplane.
- Sapa: Famous for its rice terracing and home to many ethnic groups, Sapa is a perfect destination for trekkers. The visitors prefer using overnight trains and buses from Hanoi to get to the city.
- Ninh Binh: Known as the ‘Halong Bay inland’, Ninh Binh boasts beautiful scenery, bike riding and boat cruising with caves. One can get there by bus or train from Hanoi, and the place is relatively easy to find.
Central Vietnam
- Da Nang: Marble Mountains, nightlife, and beaches are the major highlights of this city, which is located on the coast of the South China Sea. Da Nang is easily accessible by car as the distance is not very long.
- Hoi An: Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well-known for its ancient town, night markets, and tailors.
- Hue: Hue is famous for its history and culture, featuring top tourist attractions such as the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda.
Southern Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City: Ho Chi Minh City is a lively city that has both modern and historical trends. The places of interest are the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, and nightlife.
- Mekong Delta: As a region with floating markets, river cruises, and beautiful scenery, Mekong Delta gives a feel of rural Vietnam, and some of the tours commence in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Phu Quoc Island: This is a small island in the tropics that can be reached by flight from Ho Chi Minh City and it offers several beaches, dive sites and a laid-back ambience.
Tips for Travelling in Vietnam
Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind when deciding how to travel in Vietnam.
Safety
Vietnam is generally considered safe, but it’s important to be careful of minor crimes like pickpocketing and scams. You should also take measures like drinking water and avoiding being bitten by insects.
Accommodation
Accommodations include cheap hostels, guest houses, mid-range hotels, expensive hotels and resorts. Booking platforms like Booking.com and Agoda provide a lot of options, but you must be careful of getting trapped by fraudulent dealers.
Food
Vietnamese food is one of the many reasons people can consider visiting Vietnam. Some of the foods that should not be missed are pho, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls. Street foods are tasty and cheap, but you should select the stalls that have clean habits.
Culture
Adhere to cultural practices like not wearing revealing clothing when visiting religious places like temples and removing shoes when you are inside a house. It is also helpful to learn some simple Vietnamese expressions to improve your trip.
Bargaining
Negotiation is normally practised in the markets and small stores but one must be polite when bargaining and realise that it is quite natural throughout the process of purchasing goods.
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Conclusion
Vietnam has a diverse tourist attraction ranging from cities and beautiful sceneries to culture and food. This destination has something to offer for adventurers, culture enthusiasts, and those seeking relaxation and enjoyment. To get more information on how to travel in Vietnam, you can visit travel blogs, forums, and social media accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use buses, hired private cars, or seaplanes to get to the island, while buses are the cheapest option.
The means of transport to travel from Hanoi to Sapa include overnight trains and buses, and there are sleeper cabins if you want to travel luxuriously.
The main means of transport from Hanoi to Ninh Binh are trains and buses that take from two to three hours, depending on the traffic.
It is always important to know that the costs differ from one travel style to another, while a mid-range budget might be $30-$60 per day.
There is provision for taxis, private cars and shuttle buses to travel from D Nag to Hoi An, and your trip lasts around 45 minutes.
