Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Guide 2025 for Indian Tourists: Cultural Delights, Food & Key Tips

Last Updated: 3/11/2025 |

Vietnam Travel Guide 2025 for Indian Tourists:

Cultural Delights, Food & Key Tips

Visiting Vietnam is like stepping into a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and mouthwatering food. If you're an Indian traveler planning a trip, you're not alone – Vietnam is fast becoming a favorite destination for us. Based on insights from travelers who have explored Vietnam, here’s a friendly guide to help you navigate Vietnam’s cultural experiences, cuisine, travel hacks, common challenges, and etiquette.

Embracing Vietnam’s Culture and Heritage

Explore Historic Cities: Vietnam offers a mix of bustling cities and charming towns brimming with history. Hanoi greets you with its colonial architecture and ancient temples, while Hoi An – an ancient port city – often turns out to be a favorite. Stroll through Hoi An’s Old Town adorned with colorful lanterns, and pop into the Chinese and Vietnamese assembly houses (community halls) that showcase the town’s multicultural heritage. Simply walking the lantern-lit streets and sampling various street foods is an experience in itself.

Must-Visit Sites: In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), make time for the War Remnants Museum to get an eye-opening look at Vietnam’s history. It’s a heavy but illuminating experience that many Indian travelers find worthwhile. You can also visit the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon to literally crawl through history. If you’re a fan of art or history, the Fine Arts Museum in Saigon and the ancient Temple of Literature in Hanoi offer deeper cultural insights.

Local Life & Traditions: Simply observing daily life can be a cultural experience. In Hanoi, wander around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning to see locals practicing Tai Chi. In the evenings, check out the night markets – you’ll find everything from street food to souvenirs. Vietnamese folks are generally more reserved with strangers.

People who deal with tourists (like guides, vendors, hotel staff) are often very kind and helpful, whereas the general public might seem indifferent or shy. Don’t take it personally – it’s just a cultural difference. A warm smile and a "hello" (or “xin chào” in Vietnamese) can still go a long way.

Vietnamese Food to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

One of the best parts of Vietnam is the food. From hearty bowls of pho to crispy banh mi sandwiches, the flavors are incredible. Even if you typically prefer Indian spices, you’ll likely enjoy the lighter yet aromatic Vietnamese cuisine.

Here are some must-try eats:

Pho – Vietnam’s famous noodle soup, usually with beef or chicken, in a fragrant broth. It’s a comforting meal, especially for breakfast.

Bánh Mì – A baguette sandwich stuffed with grilled meat, pâté, veggies, and herbs.

Spring Rolls – Fresh rice-paper rolls (Gỏi cuốn) filled with shrimp or veggies, and fried crispy rolls (Chả giò).
Cao Lầu – A regional noodle dish found in Hoi An, with pork and greens on chewy noodles.

Vietnamese Coffee – Coffee is practically a way of life here. Try the local brews which often come with condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá is iced milk coffee). Don’t miss egg coffee in Hanoi or coconut coffee in Saigon.

Vegetarians have options like vegetarian pho and stir-fried veggies, but do note that fish sauce is a staple in many dishes. Learn the phrase “an chay” (vegetarian) or carry a translation card. You can find Indian restaurants in most touristy areas, including Namaste Hanoi in the capital and Baba’s Kitchen in Saigon.

Travel Tips: Getting Around and Logistics

Use Grab for Transportation: The Grab app is like Uber and helps you avoid haggling with taxi drivers.
Language Made Easy: Download Vietnamese offline in Google Translate for easy communication.
Weather & Packing: Hanoi is cooler, Saigon is warmer, and central Vietnam can get rainy. A light jacket is useful for Hanoi; otherwise, pack light clothing.
Money Matters: Vietnam is cash-centric, so carry small notes. ₹1 is about ₫280-300 VND, making you an instant “millionaire” when exchanging currency.
Getting a SIM Card: Buy a local Viettel, MobiFone, or Vinaphone SIM at the airport for easy access to Grab and Google Maps.
Domestic Travel: Vietnam is long, so flights between cities are faster. Vietnam Airlines is preferred over budget airlines for reliability.
Getting Around Cities: Use Grab, and in Saigon, try the new metro line. In smaller towns like Hoi An, rent a bicycle.

Common Challenges and How to Tackle Them

Language & Communication: Many people don’t speak English outside tourist areas. Use Google Translate and carry a hotel card for directions.

Traffic Chaos: Crossing roads requires confidence. Walk at a steady pace, and motorbikes will weave around you.

Cultural Etiquette: Dress modestly at temples. Avoid public arguments, and be polite when bargaining in markets.

Bargaining the Right Way: Offer about 70-80% of the quoted price and negotiate with a smile.

Scams and Safety: Vietnam is safe, but common scams include overcharging tourists. Use Grab for fair transport pricing.

Health and Food Concerns: Street food is generally safe if busy. Carry basic medicines, and drink bottled or filtered water.

Special Mentions: Indian Travelers in Vietnam

Vietnam is welcoming more Indian tourists, and locals may greet you with an excited "Namaste!" Bollywood is popular, and some vendors may even know a few Hindi words. While most interactions are warm, some Indian tourists have left a negative impression by being loud or disregarding local customs. Let’s change that by being respectful travelers.

For vegetarians or Jain travelers, research food options in advance. Some restaurants serve vegetarian meals, but explaining "no fish sauce, no meat, no egg" might be needed.