For years, Bali was the default answer to almost every Indian traveller looking for an international escape. Beaches, villas, cafés, temples and sunsets made it an easy favourite.
But a new destination has entered the conversation with equal confidence: Vietnam.
From Hanoi’s buzzing streets to the limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay, lantern-lit Hoi An and the beaches of Da Nang, Vietnam offers something Bali does not always promise – a holiday that keeps changing.
This does not mean Bali has lost its charm. It remains one of Asia’s most popular destinations for resorts, wellness, nightlife and romantic getaways. But for travellers looking for variety, value and a sense of discovery, Vietnam is increasingly becoming the more exciting choice.
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Vietnam Offers More Than One Kind of Holiday
Bali is an island with remarkable diversity, but most itineraries still revolve around a familiar set of experiences: Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida and beach resorts.
Vietnam, on the other hand, offers an entire country to explore.
One trip can include:
- Hanoi’s historic streets and café culture
- A cruise through Ha Long Bay
- Rice fields and limestone landscapes in Ninh Binh
- Imperial heritage in Hue
- Lantern-lit evenings in Hoi An
- Beaches and mountain views in Da Nang
- The energy of Ho Chi Minh City
- Floating markets in the Mekong Delta
Vietnam’s official tourism portal divides the country into northern, central and southern regions, each with its own attractions, landscapes and climate.
The result is a holiday that feels less like staying in one destination and more like travelling through several different worlds.
It Often Offers Better Value
One of the biggest reasons Indian travellers are looking at Vietnam is value.
Vietnam offers a wide range of accommodation, from stylish boutique hotels and heritage stays to beachfront resorts and luxury villas. Local restaurants and street-food stalls are also easy on the wallet, while domestic trains, buses and short-haul flights make it possible to cover more ground without spending excessively.
Bali can also be travelled on a budget, but costs can rise quickly in popular areas. Accommodation in places such as Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu, along with private transfers, beach clubs and paid experiences, can significantly increase the overall spend.
Vietnam allows travellers to build a more flexible itinerary. You can spend modestly on local food and transport, then choose to splurge on a cruise in Ha Long Bay, a boutique stay in Hoi An or a luxury resort in Da Nang.
The biggest advantage is not that Vietnam is always cheaper. It is that the country offers more ways to shape a trip around your budget.
Vietnamese Food Has Become a Travel Attraction
For many travellers, Vietnam is now as much a food destination as it is a sightseeing destination.
A bowl of pho, a fresh banh mi, bun cha served with herbs, Vietnamese iced coffee and steaming bowls of noodles are all part of the travel experience. Food is deeply connected to place, which means every region offers something different.
Hanoi is known for its street-food culture and traditional northern flavours. Hoi An has its own local specialities, while Ho Chi Minh City offers a fast-moving mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and international influences.
Vietnam is also a comfortable destination for travellers who enjoy eating their way through a city. From tiny roadside stalls to elegant restaurants, there is a sense of discovery in almost every meal.
Bali has a strong culinary identity of its own, especially when it comes to Indonesian food, cafés and wellness cuisine. Vietnam’s appeal lies in how naturally food becomes part of the everyday travel experience rather than something limited to selected restaurants.
The Cultural Experience Feels More Immersive
Bali is rich in Hindu traditions, temple ceremonies, dance and art. Its cultural identity is one of the reasons it continues to attract visitors from across the world.
Vietnam offers a different kind of cultural immersion.
Travellers can explore French-colonial architecture in Hanoi, ancient trading influences in Hoi An, royal history in Hue and local life along the Mekong. Temples, markets, pagodas and historic neighbourhoods are woven into the cities rather than separated from them.
In Hoi An, a simple evening walk can take you past old yellow buildings, riverside cafés, artisan workshops and streets illuminated by lanterns. In Hanoi, cafés, markets and heritage buildings exist side by side, creating a city that feels layered and lived-in.
Vietnam is particularly appealing to travellers who want to understand a destination through its history, food, architecture and people.
Vietnam Has Beaches Without Being Only About Beaches
Vietnam is not usually the first country people name for a beach holiday, but that is changing.
Da Nang offers a long urban beach with easy access to restaurants, cafés and cultural attractions. Nha Trang is known for its coastline and island excursions, while Phu Quoc offers resorts, beaches and marine experiences.
The advantage is that beaches can be combined with a much wider itinerary. Travellers can spend a few days exploring Hoi An and Hue before heading to Da Nang. They can pair Ho Chi Minh City with a beach break or combine a Halong Bay cruise with time in Hanoi.
Bali remains stronger for travellers who want a dedicated beach, surf or resort holiday. Vietnam’s advantage is flexibility: the beach can be the centrepiece, or simply one part of a much bigger trip.
Vietnam Feels Newer to Repeat Travellers
Bali is familiar to many Indian travellers. It has been a popular honeymoon, group-trip and social-media destination for years.
That familiarity is comforting, but it can also make travellers look for something different on their next international holiday.
Vietnam offers that sense of discovery. The landscapes feel distinct, the travel routes are still exciting and many travellers are visiting for the first time. The country has also been gaining attention in India for leisure trips, destination weddings and group travel. One recent report citing Vietnam tourism data noted that the country welcomed around 750,000 Indian visitors in 2025, highlighting the market’s rapid growth.
For first-time international travellers, Vietnam also feels accessible without being overly predictable.
Entry Rules Are Relatively Straightforward
Indian passport holders need a visa for Vietnam, but the process can be completed online through the country’s official e-visa portal. Vietnam’s Immigration Department states that its e-visa can be issued for up to 90 days, with single- or multiple-entry options.
For Bali, Indian travellers can apply for Indonesia’s visitor visa or visa on arrival. The official Indonesian Immigration portal lists India among the eligible nationalities and states that the visitor visa allows a 30-day stay for tourism, with a fee of IDR 500,000.
Neither destination is visa-free for ordinary Indian tourist travel, so travellers should check the latest rules before booking flights.
September Travellers May Prefer Northern Vietnam
If you are planning a trip in September, Vietnam’s regional climate becomes especially important.
Northern destinations such as Hanoi and Ha Long Bay generally move into a more comfortable travel period from September, with a mix of sunshine, clouds and milder temperatures. The official Vietnam Tourism website recommends Ha Long Bay between September and November and describes Hanoi’s September-to-November period as cooler and clearer.
Central Vietnam, including Hoi An and Hue, can experience more rain from September onwards. Southern Vietnam remains warm and humid, with rainfall often arriving as short showers. Phu Quoc can be stormy between July and September, so it may not be the best choice for a September beach holiday.
For September, a Hanoi–Ninh Binh–Ha Long Bay itinerary may offer a better weather balance than a central-coast beach trip.
Best Vietnam Itineraries for First-Time Visitors
Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay
This is one of the best routes for culture, nature and food. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh and spend a night cruising through Ha Long Bay.
Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue
This route combines beaches, heritage and local food. Stay in Da Nang, spend an evening in lantern-lit Hoi An and explore Hue’s imperial history.
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta
Ideal for a shorter southern Vietnam trip, this itinerary combines city life, cafés, markets and a day trip through the Mekong Delta.
Hanoi and Da Nang
For travellers with limited time, combine Vietnam’s capital with a few relaxed days on the coast. Check regional weather before finalising the route.
The Final Verdict
Vietnam is not replacing Bali for everyone. Bali remains unbeatable for certain kinds of holidays – especially private villas, wellness retreats, nightlife and easy beach escapes.
But Vietnam is becoming more popular because it offers more dimensions in a single trip. It combines food, history, beaches, cities, landscapes and local experiences without making travellers choose just one.
Bali gives you an island holiday.
Vietnam gives you a journey.
