Vietnam under ₹80,000 per person
Vietnam gives you more days per rupee than almost anywhere — ₹80,000 per person covers a full week from Hanoi down to the centre, including an overnight Halong Bay cruise. It's a country that rewards the curious traveller: motorbike-buzzing old quarters, emerald karst seascapes, lantern-lit ancient towns and some of the best, cheapest street food in Asia. Here's the realistic budget and the route that makes the most of it.
The magic of Vietnam at this budget is how little the day-to-day costs — hotels, food and local transport are so affordable that even a tight ₹80,000 buys a genuinely rich week rather than a stripped-back one. Focus on the north and centre, where the headline sights cluster, and use a short internal flight to skip the long overland slog between Hanoi and Da Nang. Book the Halong Bay cruise through a reputable operator and keep some small cash for street food, where the best meals are often the cheapest.
Opens the free Budget Planner pre-filled with ₹80,000 — tell us your dates and we'll build the whole trip.
What to do in Vietnam on this budget
Hanoi
A chaotic, delicious start to the trip in the tangle of the Old Quarter. Eat your way through pho, banh mi and bun cha from plastic stools on the pavement, watch trains squeeze past the famous Train Street, and slow down with a thick, sweet egg coffee. It's loud, fast and completely addictive.
Photo: Ella Ragasa / Pexels
Halong Bay cruise
The trip's clear highlight — an overnight on the emerald, karst-studded bay. You'll kayak between the limestone islands, explore hidden caves, and wake for sunrise tai chi on the top deck before breakfast. Going overnight rather than on a day-trip is what makes it special, and it's very affordable at this budget.
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels
Da Nang & Hoi An
Fly down from Hanoi to save time, and trade the city buzz for the coast. Da Nang offers easy beach time and the photogenic Golden Bridge held aloft by giant stone hands, while nearby Hoi An is a UNESCO ancient town that glows with silk lanterns after dark. Wandering Hoi An at night, lanterns reflected in the river, is unforgettable.
Photo: Kirandeep Singh Walia / Pexels
Ninh Binh (optional)
Often called 'Halong Bay on land', and an easy day-trip from Hanoi if you have a spare day. You're rowed by boat through still rivers winding between rice paddies and towering karst, past caves and old temples. It's quieter and greener than the coast, and a lovely contrast to the city.
What ₹80,000 covers
- ✓Round-trip flights from India: ₹22,000–35,000.
- ✓6–7 nights in 3-star hotels: ₹15,000–22,000.
- ✓Halong Bay overnight cruise: ₹6,000–10,000.
- ✓Food, internal travel and tours: ₹15,000–20,000.
- ✓A small buffer for coffee, shopping and tips: ₹4,000–7,000.
Figures are realistic ballparks and vary with season, dates and how early you book. Use the planner for live prices.
Best time to visit
Vietnam stretches a long way north to south, so the weather varies — but for a Hanoi-to-centre trip, the best windows are spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November), when it's mild and dry with good cruise conditions on Halong Bay. The summer months of May to August are hot and humid with a real chance of rain and the odd storm that can disrupt cruises, so it's cheaper but a slight gamble. Winter (December to February) in the north can be cool and grey, with misty rather than sparkling Halong Bay views. Avoid the Christmas–New Year peak and the May–June Indian school holidays when flights spike, and steer clear of Vietnam's own Tet (Lunar New Year, usually late January or February), when much of the country shuts down and prices jump.
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🎯 Build My Trip Under ₹80,000Good to know before you go
- ›Vietnam requires an e-visa for Indian tourists, applied for online before travel — straightforward, but apply a week or two ahead and always check the current rules and fees.
- ›The currency is the Vietnamese dong, which runs into large numbers; carry cash for street food and markets, count your notes carefully, and use ATMs for better rates than exchange counters.
- ›Get around with cheap internal flights for long hops (like Hanoi to Da Nang), the Grab app for taxis and bikes in cities, and pre-booked tours for Halong Bay and Ninh Binh.
- ›Local tip: the best, cheapest food is at the busy street stalls, not the tourist restaurants — follow the crowds and the plastic stools, and try the regional coffees everywhere.
- ›A local eSIM is very cheap and keeps Grab and maps working, and travel insurance is inexpensive and worth it for the cruise and any motorbike or scooter rides.
Frequently asked questions
Is ₹80,000 enough for Vietnam?
Comfortably, per person. Vietnam is exceptional value — ₹80,000 covers flights, a week in 3-star hotels, an overnight Halong Bay cruise and all your food and tours, with a little to spare. Costs on the ground are some of the lowest in the region.
How many days do you need in Vietnam?
Seven nights lets you do the north and centre — Hanoi, Halong Bay and Da Nang/Hoi An — at a relaxed pace. Add the south, like Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, and you'll want ten or more.
Is the Halong Bay cruise worth it?
Absolutely — an overnight cruise is the single best experience in northern Vietnam and very affordable at this budget. Going overnight rather than as a day-trip is what makes it memorable, with kayaking, caves and a sunrise on the bay.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
For the north and centre, spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November) bring the mildest, driest weather and the best Halong Bay conditions. Avoid the summer storms and Vietnam's Tet festival, when the country slows down.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes — Indian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online before you travel. It's a simple process, but apply a week or two ahead and confirm the latest rules and fees on the official site.