Vietnam - To get there from India, Visa and travel insurance information

India - Vietnam International Flight booking

Next step was to book flights. After going through, Skyscanner and Easemytrip as well as Vietjet Aviation , came to know that mainly it is well connected by 

1. Vietjetair 

2. Air Asia

3. Cathay Pacific

4. GoIndigo to start its operations very soon. 

For us it was convinient to book from Mumbai as it's near to Pune but considering the economical and direct option, we opted for Ahmedabad as departure city with Vietjet Aviation which started its operations in December 2022. 

We booked flight tickets through Easemytrip as it is very efficient and convinient. Morever Vietjet Aviation website is not very user friendly and need a lot of IT systems updation. (It does not have online web check in as well)

We had our onward journey from Ahmedadbad - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/ Saigon) on 24th Dec 2022 and return from Hanoi to Ahmedabad on 31st Dec 2022 so that we can cover most of the South and North Vietnam. We considered one domestic flight Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/ Saigon) to Hanoi

But... unfortunately our onward journey Ahmedadbad - Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC/ Saigon) flight on 24th Dec 2022 got cancelled and return journey Hanoi to Ahmedabad was confirmed. Oh Gosh !!!

Easemytrip was very proactive and efficient in giving away refunds within 2 days and then started the thought of going to Da nang in central Vietnam as Ahmedabad had a direct connectivity there. 

So the plans changed and we booked Ahmedabad -  Da nang on 24th Dec 2022. We were still not sure about what are the places to visit that we can accomodate due to sudden change in plans. We had 6 nights and 7days in our hand. Then started the research about places to visit, how to travel within and where to stay.

Vietnam Domestic Flight booking - 

We had to travel from Da nang to Hanoi domestically within Vietnam. Local people prefer to travel by 

Vietnam Airlines official website OR

Bamboo Airways

We preferred Vietnam airlines as it was convinietly timed and has a better rating in terms of being on time. 

Currently All destinations in Vietnam are open for tourist. There are no travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

 VISA Information- 

Some of the European and Asian countries, Visa exemption is available. Please refer below website for the same. 

Vietnam Visa Requirements | Vietnam Tourism

For Indians, we need to apply for E-Visa very easy and online.

Beware!!! There are many fake websites and agents for Visa to Vietnam. 

But the official website is

 

E Visa official website Vietnam

 Note- The website needs updation and we experienced that the server does not respond after Vietnamese working hours. 

Vietnamese visa is a kind of travel documents granted by Vietnamese competent authorities, providing permission to travel to and enter Vietnam.

An electronic visa (E-visa) is one of visa types issued to foreigners by Vietnamese Immigration Department via electronic system. Vietnam E-visa is valid for maximum of 30 days, single entry.

How to Apply for Vietnam's e-Visa:

Step 1:  Prepare the required materials: 

One 4x6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses.

• One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page.
• Passport valid for at least six months.
• Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit. (for this purpose we had booked a hotel from www.Booking.com)
• Debit or credit card for payment.

Step 2: Click this link or access https://immigration.gov.vn/ and go to 'E-visa Issuance' then click on the link for 'Outside Vietnam foreigners'.  

Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form. (You can take a picture from your mobile phone camera with white backgroud.)

Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided. (The server accepts only VND the Vietnamese currency, so keep international debit/credit card ready)

Step 5: Within three working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, you can also run a search for your e-Visa at this link. (Even though it is mentioned as 3 working days, it takes between 3 to 8 days for E-visa. Keep this in mind and apply accordingly)

Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety. 

TIP: Travellers with an e-Visa can go directly to immigration counters at their point of entry and do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters. 

Note - immigration counters are slow and takes a lot of time... The situation may improve as it was peak time of travel and post Covid - 19 first time so many International tourists at airport. 

 

Travel Insurance- 

Even though it is not mandetory, it is a wise idea to get your Travel Insurance, considering worst case scenarios, like medical emergency, flights cancellations, accidents, natural calamity and not to forget This Covid Virus waves...

Travel insurance is cheap, and although you hope you never need to use it, you’ll be more at ease knowing you’re covered in case of an emergency.

We bought Travel Insurance, along with flight tickets from https://www.acko.com/travel-insurance/ with hardly less than 500 INR per head for 8 days travel.