Vietnam Budget Trip from India: Essential Planning Guide & Our First Day in Da Nang!
Essential Pre-Trip Planning: Flights & Visa
The success of a budget trip starts with smart preparation. Here are the key planning steps
Book Flights Early: This is the most crucial tip for saving money. We booked our flights approximately three months in advance and managed to get a round-trip ticket for around INR 20,000
We recommend using comparison websites like Wego, and booking platforms such as MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, and Cleartrip for the best rates .
Get Free Cancellation: For a small extra fee (around INR 2,000-INR 2,500), opt for a free cancellation policy. If unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel, this ensures you get a near-full refund on your ticket, which is a significant saving compared to losing most of the fare
Apply for an E-Visa: Vietnam does not offer Visa-on-Arrival for Indian citizens, so an E-Visa is mandatory
You must apply through the official website: https://evisa.gov.vn/
The process requires uploading your passport photo, passport details, personal information, and trip details
The E-Visa typically costs between INR 3,000 and INR 3,500
When applying, get a visa for a slightly longer duration (e.g., 15-20 days) than your actual trip (e.g., 10 days) in case of any unexpected travel changes
Mandatory Travel Insurance: Ensure you purchase travel insurance, as it is a required document for the E-Visa application
Money and Connectivity: What to Do on Arrival
Once you land in Da Nang (we took a night flight with a connection via Kuala Lumpur to arrive in the morning . here's how to sort out your cash and connectivity:
Currency Exchange: Since Vietnamese Dong (VND) is hard to trade for in India, the best option is to carry US Dollars (USD) and convert them to Dong at the currency exchange counters available at the airport
Alternatively, you can use a zero-forex charge credit card (like Scapia) to withdraw money from ATMs or make direct payments, though ATM
SIM Card: There are multiple SIM card counters right outside the arrivals gate. An unlimited data and local calls SIM card is available for approximately 10 USD Getting your SIM right away is essential for booking transport and navigation.
Da Nang Day 1: Food, Fun, and the Dragon Bridge
We took a shared cab and local bus to reach our hotel, She House, which we booked on MakeMyTrip for around INR 1,500 per night The best part? It was within walking distance of the famous Dragon Bridge .
Food Street Adventure: For dinner, we headed to a small food street near our accommodation . We found lots of interesting local street food, including an attempt to try grilled frog!
A Word of Caution: While exploring new cuisine is fun, we found that some of the grilled food was not fully cooked. To avoid any stomach issues, we strongly advise you to always request your food to be cooked thoroughly—even if it takes a little longer.
The Dragon Bridge Vibe: After eating, we walked over to the Dragon Bridge . The bridge, especially with the city lights reflecting on the water, creates a stunning view. You can also see the various river cruises .
Light Show Schedule: If you want to see the spectacular fire and water show from the Dragon Bridge, make sure your trip aligns with a weekend! The light show only happens on Saturdays and Sundays .
Overall, Vietnam is proving to be an absolutely stunning country and, most importantly, very cheap—even more so than Thailand ! Stay tuned for the next episodes where we explore more of Da Nang and Vietnam.