Vietnam is a strategically located country with a very long coastline making it best for some amazing Vietnam cruise experiences. The country extends from Ho Chi Minh City in the south to Hanoi in the north. Vietnam has a coastline with South China Sea on the east and the Gulf of Thailand on the west.
Vietnam has a strategic location sharing borders with Cambodia, Laos, and China. Thailand and Malaysia are also close by across the Gulf of Thailand. Vietnam is a very picturesque and vibrant country. Hanoi was once called the Paris of the East. This along with a long coastline, makes Vietnam an ideal location for a cruise.
Best time for a cruise in Vietnam
The best time to visit Vietnam is in the winter months, spanning from November to April. Monsoon sets in after the summer, which is from late April to August. Northern Vietnam usually experiences drier and cooler weather, and winters are usually cold. In contrast, central and southern parts of Vietnam, are warmer and receive heavier rains.
Famous itineraries for Vietnam cruise packages
Many of the popular itineraries in Vietnam include other countries as well, most often Cambodia. The Mekong River is widely used for Vietnam cruise itineraries. The Mekong is a transnational river flowing through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Visa for cruise to Vietnam for Indians
Typically, Indians need a visa to enter Vietnam. If the passenger is entering Vietnam by air, you can apply for an e-visa from the Vietnam consulate in India. The application process is online and takes 2 to 3 days. The visa duration can range from 1 to 3 months, with options for single or multiple entries available.
If you are entering Vietnam by a cruise ship through a seaport, you can ask the cruise operator to apply for a visa on your behalf. In this case, you will receive a loose-leaf visa which you can use to enter Vietnam. A visa on arrival is possible for air passengers. However, for this option, travelers must have an approval letter for a visa on arrival issued by the Vietnam Consulate.
Six best Vietnam cruise for Indians
In the following paragraphs, we will provide information about the more popular cruises for Indian tourists. Since Vietnam is a small country, many cruises will include visiting other countries. Passengers are encouraged to review the visa procedures of the countries on the route before embarking on a cruise.
1. Vietnam Cruise Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers several cruises on these countries. Typically, these ships ply from port to port in various countries. This means you need to apply for multiple visas to enter each country. It is best to get assistance from Royal Caribbean in obtaining these visas. We will give the names of some of these vessels along with the itennary.
- Serenade of the Seas plying from Beijing to Singapore via Tokyo and Hochi Minh City.
- Quantum of the Seas plying from Tokyo to Singapore via Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Anthem of the Seas plying from Singapore to Tokyo via Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong and plying from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok.
All these vessels are luxury cruise ships with ample facilities making them equivalent to a five-star hotel, making for a comfortable and enjoyable cruise.
2. Vietnam to Bali Cruises
There are several options for cruises from Ho Chi Minh City to Bali. Most of these services terminate in Bali after starting from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok. There is a wide variation in the routes taken by different cruises that may or may not include Singapore, Bangkok, KO Samui, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Surabaya etc.
Fortunately for Indians, there is no requirement for a visa for a stay of less than 30 days. If the passenger plans to stay for between 30 to 60 days, a visa on arrival will be required. These cruises allow you to experience diverse cultures and stunning landscapes of the region.
3. Singapore to Vietnam Cruises
There are several cruises from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City. However, most of these cruises start from Singapore and terminate in ports like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Honolulu etc. The other port in Vietnam commonly used on these cruises is Nha Trang. Most routes have intermediate stoppages at Ko Samui or Bangkok. Some may also have other stoppages like Manila. To visit Singapore, Indians need to have a valid visa. You can obtain the visa from overseas missions in Singapore or through E-Service.
4. Cruise from Thailand to Vietnam
There are two options here. Several cruises start from Singapore and go to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok through the Gulf of Thailand. These are normally luxurious cruises run by reputable companies. The other option is to take a river cruise from Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City by the River Mekong. This route passes through Laos. These are very unique cruises for more adventurous tourists. The services run on the Mekong River are more basic. It is crucial to ensure that the tour operator is reputable. Indians can travel to Thailand and get a visa on arrival that is valid for 15 days.
5. Cruise from India to Vietnam
Indian tourists will have to travel to Vietnam to join a cruise from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Ha Long Bay. There are no regular cruise services from India. There are regular flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from India and then you can join a cruise departing from these ports. Visa rules applicable are those that apply to air travellers to Vietnam. You get the flexibility to choose your cruise trip, itinerary, and duration.
6. Vietnam to Cambodia Cruise
Cruises from Vietnam to Cambodia are river cruises through the Mekong River. There are several ports of arrival or departure. Normally, these cruises start at Ho Chi Minh City and terminate at Siem Riep or Phnom Penh. The vessels are usually comfortable. Cambodia offers visas on arrival for Indian Citizens.
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