Amongst Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam is a must-visit on every international traveller’s list. The country boasts of a history of over 2000 years and is blessed with picturesque landscapes, rich culture and delectable cuisine. Vietnam is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An Ancient Town to name a few.

With COVID-19 restrictions easing, Vietnam has reopened its doors to international tourists. Should you be planning a trip to Vietnam from India, it will be helpful to arm yourself with all the requirements necessary for your travel including a travel insurance Vietnam policy.

List of Requirements Before Booking your Vietnam Flight Tickets

Here’s a list of travel requirements for Vietnam:

Visa on Arrival

Indians can avail of Visa on Arrival for a duration of up to 30 days from their arrival date in Vietnam. As a bonafide Indian passport holder, tourists need to apply online for an e-visa, procure an approval letter, and collect their Visa on Arrival once they land in Vietnam.

Covid-19 Regulations

Since the outbreak of the covid-19 virus, Vietnam has been monitoring the situation proactively and has taken precautions to curb the spread of the pandemic in their country.

Travellers are required to present a ‘completely vaccinated’ certificate, the last dose being taken before 14 days of the travel date. In case you are not fully vaccinated, then you need to present a negative RT-PCR test result with the date being within 72 hours of travel. If you are travelling with children, then wards below the age of two years are exempt from presenting an RT-PCR test result, as long as they are accompanied by parents or guardians.

Prepare an Itinerary

Vietnam is a hidden gem in Southeast Asia. With a topography that includes soaring mountains, idyllic forests, serene lakes, and terraced paddy fields, Vietnam is truly a paradise for both backpackers and luxury travellers. To explore the vast and awe-inspiring natural landscape, it is ideal to prepare a detailed itinerary of the places you want to visit depending on your travel preference.

Being a large country, Vietnam can be enjoyed any time of the year. However, if you want a moderately pleasant temperature, then the Spring season from February-April and the Autumn season from August-October can be a good time to visit Vietnam.

Travelling to Vietnam

Travelling to Vietnam is convenient from most major airports in India including Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Kochi. You can choose from both Indian and international airlines like Air India, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines to name a few.

Vietnam has the following three major international airports:

• Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi
• Da Nang International Airport (DAD), Da Nang
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City

There are many travel operators and aggregators offering lucrative packages and deals even curating your entire trip based on your interests. It will be a good idea to browse through the various offerings and select one that suits your budget.

Accommodation and Travel within Vietnam

Being a tourist-friendly nation, Vietnam offers good quality accommodation that suits all kinds of budgets. Be it high-end 5-star properties, budget stays, hostels, or homestays, there is no dearth of places to stay.

Also, unlike most countries where local travelling can eat into your budget, you can enjoy Vietnam both on foot as well as on bicycles. Since most of the cities have good waterways, you can also explore them by boat. Apart from this, the country has excellent inter-city connectivity via flights and buses that will also give you a peek into the local culture.

Travel Insurance

It is mandatory for anyone travelling to Vietnam to have a medical or travel policy with a covid-19 treatment coverage of a minimum of $20,000.

You can look up insurance companies that offer travel insurance for Vietnam to help you deal with any emergencies during your travel in Vietnam. International travel insurance for Vietnam online covers you for both medical and non-medical exigencies. You can also look for baggage insurance to ensure that you are protected from loss or delay of baggage. Browse through the array of travel insurance policies and choose one that suits your requirements.

Important Information About Vietnam

Keep these things in mind before visiting Vietnam:

• The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong.
• The Indian Embassy in Vietnam is in Hanoi and can be reached at +84-913089165 / +84-915989065. You can email the Embassy at hanoi@mea.gov.in; pptvisa.hanoi@mea.gov.in;

Summing Up

A trip to Vietnam is sure to provide you with social media-worthy pictures along with memories of a lifetime. The rich heritage, culture, delectable cuisine and mesmerizing landscape are sure to keep you coming back for more. However, it is advisable to go over the list of requirements mentioned above and comply with the COVID-19 norms including travel insurance to enjoy a hassle-free trip. So bid goodbye to any apprehensions and say Xin chào Vietnam.