How to Prepare for Your Vietnam Trip from India - Visa, Flights, and Vaccines

(B) Prerequisites : Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling to Vietnam from India (2/5)

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Index :👇

(A)Introduction: A brief overview of the blog’s purpose, theme, and content ✅
(B)Prerequisites: Things to know before traveling to Vietnam 👈 (You're here!)
(C)Must-Carry Documents/Medicines: Checklist of documents and medicines to keep handy while traveling to Vietnam
(D)Day-wise Itinerary: Things to see in each city and what to eat in Vietnam
(E)Conclusion: A summary of our experience and impressions of Vietnam

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This blog answers: 😊

• What are the best airlines and routes to fly to Vietnam from India? How can I find cheap flights and deals? 
• What are the visa requirements and how to apply for them?
• What are the health and safety precautions and recommendations?
• What are the best ways to exchange and manage money?

Read on to find out more! 😉

(B)Prerequisites

Image Ref : https://unsplash.com/photos/x_OKGbxB3fA

Must-do things before visiting Vietnam :

If you are a Non-Resident Indian, make sure to check for a forex card in your own country. Rest all the details are applicable to you in the same way.

1. Apply for an E-visa:
   Start by applying for an e-visa through the Vietnam Immigration website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. Make sure to note your exact entry date and entry city in Vietnam. There's no need to pre-book flights or accommodations. The visa typically takes 3 working days to process.
   
   In our case, I applied on Saturday and the visa came on Thursday morning. They provide the website on which you can check the visa status and if you don’t, you will usually get an email as well. I got the email on Thursday regarding the same.
   
   All you need is the photocopy of the first page of your passport where all your details are mentioned and your photo in 4 x 6 cm, which you can use any mobile app available for free that captures visa photos. Take the photo in your home background only using any visa photo app which will even guide you on how to pose for an appropriate photo. Ensure no glasses are worn, and for ladies, make sure ears are visible. Needs to be filled differently for each individual.
   
   
   
2. Book Flights After Visa Approval:
   Once your visa is approved, proceed to book your flights.
   
   
   
3.  Get Travel Insurance:
   Once your flights are booked, secure travel insurance covering a minimum of $100,000. While they may not always check, it's better to have it.
   
   I had purchased travel insurance from https://www.policybazaar.com/travel-insurance/, the cheapest one for us was Care Health, so I got that. Once you filled up the details, it instantly comes up in email. All you need is to provide passport details. If your wife’s name is still older in passport after marriage, make sure to use the exact passport name only to buy all tickets as well as travel insurance.
   
   
   
4.  Download a Vietnamese to English Translator App:
   Communication might be challenging due to language barriers. Download an offline Vietnamese to English Translator app. I used Google Translator app only.
   
   
   
5.  Use Google Lens for Real-Time Translations:
   It will translate Vietnamese photos/texts in real time. This will be required during food menu and in general if you want to read the ingredients or translate something important directly by capturing photos. It needs internet.
   
   
   
6. Install Splitwise App:
   It will help you track your expenses individually or shared in a better way in multiple currencies. You can use it to write down each expense you make daily, and check for the total amount spent each day.
   
   
   
7. Apply for a Forex Card:
   Consider applying for a Forex card to manage currency conveniently. Some Indian recommendations are:
   
   1. Fi Money (Infinite Program) - This card charges a 2.5% + 18% GST markup fee, which gets reversed in 30 days. It has zero forex charges and 100 Rs ATM withdrawal charges. Ideal for ATM withdrawals and all the online bookings in foreign currency before entering Vietnam.
      
   2. Niyo Global SBM Credit Card -  0 forex and 0 markup fees. It has a temporary limit upgrade in the app. Suitable for POS transactions and bill payments while in Vietnam. (FD based secured card)
      
   3. Niyo Global DCB Savings Account - This is a new variant that has recently opened up and wasn’t there when we travelled. You can use it just like Fi Money for all online transactions. It has 0 forex and 0 markup fees.
   4. IDFC First Wow Credit Card - 0 forex and 0 markup fees. It is a VISA Infinite variant, so it has more benefits than Niyo Global SBM Credit Card. You can use it for any foreign POS payments like food bill, shopping, etc. where cards are accepted. (FD based secured card)
   5. Niyo Global Equitas Savings Account / NiyoX - They offer 0 forex charges, but every transaction is levied with a 5% TCS, which is refunded when one files their income tax return.
      
      I used the Fi Money Debit card for almost all the cross-currency online payments and the IDFC First Wow & Niyo Global SBM Credit card when I was in Vietnam for POS transactions.
      
      
      
      
      
      

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