**An 8-day Hanoi-to-Ho Chi Minh City route covers Vietnam north to south for Indian travellers**: two days in the capital, an overnight in Ha Long Bay, two days around Da Nang and Hoi An in central Vietnam, and two days in Ho Chi Minh City, with the last day set aside for departure. As of September 2026, a mid-range land package (3-star hotels, local dining, two domestic flights, the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise, transfers) for one traveller typically runs roughly ₹70,000–₹1,10,000, with international flights from India commonly available in the ₹20,000–₹40,000 round-trip range depending on route and season — treat these as rough bands, not quotes. Vietnam's climate varies sharply by region, so timing this route is a trade-off: roughly February–April is commonly the best overall window, sitting in the dry season for both the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) and central coast (Da Nang, Hoi An) before the south turns wet from May; central Vietnam's own wet/typhoon season runs roughly September–December and is worth avoiding on the Da Nang/Hoi An leg specifically. Confirm current entry requirements on Vietnam's official e-visa portal before you book — this guide sticks to what's independently verifiable.
## Before you go: entry requirements
Check the Vietnam National E-Visa Portal (evisa.gov.vn), the official immigration channel, directly for current entry requirements, fees and validity for Indian passport holders (last checked July 2026). This guide does not restate specific eligibility or cost figures, since those change and must be confirmed on the official portal.
## Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and transfer into the city. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital and second-largest city, blends centuries of Chinese influence with French colonial architecture from its time as the capital of French Indochina. Spend the afternoon around Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter for an easy first orientation. Night 1 of 7: Hanoi.
## Day 2: Hanoi sightseeing
Spend the day taking in Hanoi's landmark sights: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, both central to the city's identity as a seat of government stretching back to the Ly dynasty in 1010. Night 2 of 7: Hanoi.
## Day 3: Ha Long Bay
Travel roughly 170 km east of Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its ocean karst topography — thousands of limestone islets rising out of the water. An overnight stay in the bay (commonly by boat) is the standard way to see it properly rather than rushing it as a single day trip. Night 3 of 7: Ha Long Bay.
## Day 4: Return to Hanoi, fly to Da Nang
Transfer back to Hanoi and take a domestic flight to Da Nang, Vietnam's fifth-largest city on the South China Sea coast, roughly midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Use the rest of the day to settle in near the coast. Night 4 of 7: Da Nang.
## Day 5: Hoi An and My Son
Head to Hoi An, about 30 km south of Da Nang, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Use Hoi An as your base for a half-day trip to the My Son ruins, a UNESCO-listed cluster of Cham temple ruins to the west. Night 5 of 7: Hoi An.
## Day 6: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City (commonly called Saigon), Vietnam's largest city and financial centre. Spend the afternoon around District 1 — landmarks here include the Independence Palace and Ben Thanh Market. Night 6 of 7: Ho Chi Minh City.
## Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City sightseeing
Continue exploring Ho Chi Minh City: the War Remnants Museum is one of the city's most visited sights, and the backpacker district around Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien streets is worth a walk-through even if you're not staying there. Night 7 of 7: Ho Chi Minh City.
## Day 8: Departure
Fly out from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for your return journey to India. Keep this day light and plan for airport transfer time rather than further sightseeing.
## Practical notes
- **Currency:** Vietnamese dong (VND).
- **Entry:** Check the Vietnam National E-Visa Portal directly for current Indian-passport requirements before booking.
- **Food:** Vietnamese cuisine leans heavily on meat and fish sauce, so purely vegetarian or Jain food takes more asking than in Malaysia or Thailand — look for 'cơm chay' (vegetarian rice) eateries, most reliably found near Buddhist temples and in the bigger cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City). Vietnam is not a Muslim-majority country, so halal-certified restaurants are limited to a handful of spots in the largest cities — confirm options ahead if halal certification matters to you.
- **Internal transport:** this route uses one domestic flight (Hanoi to Da Nang) and one more (Da Nang/Hoi An area to Ho Chi Minh City); Vietnam's domestic network connects all four stops on this route.
