Quick answer
Vietnam's essentials are an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, the boat ride through Trang An in Ninh Binh, Hanoi's Old Quarter, lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An, the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills near Da Nang and the Cu Chi Tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City. A first trip of eight days can cover the north, centre and south with two domestic flights.
13 things worth your time in Vietnam
- 01
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
NatureNearly 2,000 limestone islands rising from emerald water, with kayaking, caves and sunset on deck. Vietnam's signature experience.
1–2 days₹10,000–20,000 per person for a 3★–5★ overnight cruiseChoose an overnight cruise over a day trip; day boats spend most of their time getting there. Ask about vegetarian meals.
- 02
Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake
CultureNarrow streets named after the trades once sold on them, Ngoc Son Temple on the lake and cafés serving egg coffee.
Half dayFreeOn Friday to Sunday evenings the roads around the lake close to traffic and turn into a walking street.
- 03
Ninh Binh: Trang An and Mua Cave
Day tripA rowing-boat trip through caves and rice fields between karst peaks, plus about 500 steps up Mua Cave for the view.
Full dayTrang An boat about ₹850 (250,000 VND); tours ₹3,500–6,000Trang An boats are paddled by local women and seat four; bring a hat as there is no shade.
- 04
Water puppet show, Hanoi
ShowA centuries-old northern art form with puppets performing on water to live music. Children love it.
1 hourAbout ₹350–700 (100,000–200,000 VND)Book a day ahead for evening shows near Hoan Kiem Lake.
- 05
Sapa trekking
NatureRice terraces, minority villages and Fansipan, Indochina's highest peak, reachable by cable car.
2–3 days₹8,000–15,000 for a two-day trip with transport and homestayFive to six hours by road from Hanoi. Best September–November and March–May.
- 06
Hoi An Ancient Town
CultureLantern-lit lanes, the Japanese Covered Bridge, tailors and river boats with paper candles.
1–2 eveningsOld town ticket about ₹400 (120,000 VND)Go after 6 pm, when lanterns are lit and the heat drops. Tailors can make a suit in 24–48 hours.
- 07
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
LandmarkA cable car to a hilltop resort and the Golden Bridge held up by two giant stone hands.
Full dayAbout ₹3,000–3,400 (900,000–1,000,000 VND) with cable carArrive at opening to photograph the bridge before it fills. It can be misty and cool at the top.
- 08
My Son Sanctuary
LandmarkHindu temple ruins of the Cham kingdom, built for Shiva between the 4th and 13th centuries.
Half dayAbout ₹500 (150,000 VND)Go at 6 am opening for cooler air and soft light; it is about an hour from Hoi An.
- 09
Hue Imperial City
LandmarkThe walled citadel of the Nguyen emperors, with palaces, gates and the royal tombs outside town.
Half dayAbout ₹680 (200,000 VND)Reach Hue from Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass, a scenic coastal road.
- 10
Hai Van Pass by car or jeep
ExperienceA mountain road between Da Nang and Hue with sea views, old bunkers and Lang Co lagoon.
Half day₹3,000–6,000 per vehicleBetter on a clear day; mist often hides the views in winter.
- 11
Cu Chi Tunnels
HistoryPart of a wartime network of underground tunnels, with sections you can crawl through.
Half dayAbout ₹420 (125,000 VND) entry; tours ₹1,800–3,500Ben Dinh is closer to the city; the tunnels are narrow, so skip them if you are claustrophobic.
- 12
Mekong Delta day trip
Day tripSampan rides through coconut canals, fruit orchards and floating markets south of Ho Chi Minh City.
Full day₹2,500–5,000The Cai Rang floating market needs an overnight stay in Can Tho to see it at its early-morning best.
- 13
War Remnants Museum
MuseumA sobering view of the Vietnam War through photographs and military hardware.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹140 (40,000 VND)Some galleries are very graphic; parents may want to steer children past them.
How should you plan your first Vietnam trip?
Vietnam is long and thin, so most first trips fly north to south (or the reverse) with two domestic flights. The north gives you Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. The centre has Da Nang's beaches, Ba Na Hills, Hoi An and Hue. The south has Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, plus Phu Quoc island for beach time.
| Days | Suggested route |
|---|---|
| 5–6 | Hanoi + Ha Long + Ninh Binh, or Da Nang + Hoi An |
| 8 | Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang and Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City |
| 10–12 | Add Sapa, Hue or Phu Quoc |
Our 8-day Vietnam itinerary follows the middle row, and the Vietnam trip cost page shows the budget.
What is worth paying more for?
The Ha Long Bay cruise is where quality differences are biggest. Cheap boats often mean crowded routes, basic cabins and set menus. A mid-range overnight cruise on the quieter Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long routes is worth the extra money. Ba Na Hills, by contrast, is the same experience whatever you pay, so book the standard ticket.
What should you know before you go?
Grab works in all major cities and avoids taxi overcharging. Vietnamese dong has many zeros; double-check notes before handing them over, since 20,000 and 500,000 notes look alike. Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is chaotic but predictable: cross slowly and steadily, and motorbikes will flow around you.
Indian passport holders need an e-visa, which costs about USD 25 (₹2,200) for single entry and takes three to five working days. Apply only on the official portal; see our Vietnam visa guide.
Check the best time to visit Vietnam before you book, as the regions have different seasons. For eating, read our Vietnam food guide, and for hotels in Hanoi, see where to stay in Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ha Long Bay worth an overnight stay?
Is Vietnam good for senior citizens?
What is Phu Quoc and should I add it?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
