**Original itinerary**

We were a group of four and initially planned to cover: **Da Nang (1N) → Hoi An (2N) → Ninh Binh (1N) → Hanoi (3N) → Sapa (2N) → Ha Long Bay (1N)**

Unfortunately, Typhoon Kalmaegi disrupted our Central Vietnam plans and ruined my birthday as well :(

**Revised itinerary**

We eventually followed this route:

**Hanoi (2N) → Ninh Binh (2N) → Sapa (3N) → Lan Ha Bay (1N) → Hanoi (2N)**

**Expense breakdown**

|Category|Budget (₹)|Actual (₹)|
|:-|:-|:-|
|Flights|30,000|31,934|
|Local transport|10,000|7,284|
|Visa + SIM|2,700|2,846|
|Food|10,000|8,845|
|Accommodation|10,000|7,532|
|Activities|20,000|17,755|
|Shopping|3,000|3,475|
|**Total**|**85,700**|**79,671**|

**Flights**

Booked approximately three months in advance except DAD to HAN which was a last minute change.

* **Bengaluru → Da Nang:** Via Bangkok, AirAsia \~₹14,000
* **Da Nang → Hanoi:** Vietnam Airlines \~₹3,000
* **Hanoi → Bengaluru:** Via Kolkata, IndiGo \~₹15,000

**Local transport**

* Used **Grab** for intracity travel (purchased Grab Pass)
* Used buses for intercity travel (booked through **Vexere**)

**Visa and SIM**

* Applied for e-visa through the official website (**$25**)
* Purchased an eSIM through **Klook.** Would recommend a physical sim instead as it has better coverage.

**Food**

Food in Vietnam was generally inexpensive and delicious, especially if you are comfortable eating at local restaurants, small shops and street-food stalls.

Personal favourites - Bánh mì, Phở, Bún chả, Bún bò Huế, Bánh mì que, Bánh xèo, Vietnamese spring rolls, all types of Coffees, etc.

**Accommodation**

We booked accommodation mainly through **Airbnb** and **Agoda**.

We found a four-star hotel in Hoi An for approximately **₹1,200 per person**, but eventually cancelled it because of the typhoon-related change in plans.

**Activities**

|Activity|Location|Booked via|Cost per person (₹)|
|:-|:-|:-|:-|
|Hoa Lo Prison|Hanoi|Cash, on-site|250|
|Lotte Observation Tower|Hanoi|Klook|671|
|Hanoi Hop-on Hop-off bus|Hanoi|Klook|900|
|Ninh Binh Jeep Tour (Trang An boat + Mua Cave guided)|Ninh Binh|GetYourGuide|1,894|
|Ninh Binh entrance tickets (Trang An 250k + Mua 100k VND)|Ninh Binh|Cash, on-site|1,167|
|Bai Dinh|Ninh Binh|Cash, on-site|513|
|Ninh Binh Old Town boating|Ninh Binh|Cash, on-site|342|
|Cat Cat Village|Sapa|Cash, on-site|500|
|Fansipan cable car + monorail|Sapa|Klook|3,466|
|Sapa Alpine Coaster|Sapa|Agoda|584|
|Glass Bridge|Sapa|Cash, on-site|1,708|
|Lan Ha Bay day cruise|Lan Ha Bay|GetYourGuide|4,600|

**General Recommendations**

1. **Stay in Ninh Binh for at least two nights -** One night may feel rushed because there are several must-visit attractions
2. **Plan around the weather -** Weather can significantly affect the experience. Would recommend extensive research on forecasted weather before booking anything
3. **Keep some flexibility in the itinerary -** Typhoons and heavy rain can disrupt plans. Would recommend bookings with free cancellation
4. **Exchange currency in Hanoi’s Old Quarter -** In our experience, exchanging USD near the Old Quarter offered better rates than all other options

**Photos**

1. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi
2. Trang An, Ninh Binh
3. Trang An, Ninh Binh
4. Mua Caves, Ninh Binh
5. Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh
6. Random Place, Sapa
7. Fansipan, Sapa
8. Cat Cat Village, Sapa
9. Train Street, Hanoi
10. Lan Ha Bay
11. Lan Ha Bay

 

Vietnam | 10 Days | Nov'25 | ~₹80k pp