12‑Day Budget‑Friendly Vietnam Itinerary for a Jain Couple (Mumbai → Vietnam → Mumbai)

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Morning: Arrive on Vietnam Airlines VN‑507 (Mumbai‑Hanoi) at 07:30 AM; fare ≈ $250 per person. Transfer to Hanoi Central Hotel (3★, $35 /night, +2 % GST) via a prepaid taxi ($12, contact +84 24 3822 1234) and check‑in.

Afternoon: Lunch at Shree Krishna Veg Café (Jain‑friendly, no onion/garlic, www.shreekrishnacafe.com, +84 24 3820 5678) – $8 per person. Stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and visit the Temple of the Jade Mountain (free entry).

Evening: Dinner at Namaste Indian Kitchen (www.namastehanoi.com, +84 24 3777 8899) – $10 per person. Return to hotel; rest for the next day’s cruise.

Day 2: Ha Long Bay Night Cruise

Morning: Private transfer to Ha Long (coach, $25, contact +84 199 555 123). Board the Gioi Xua Eco Cruise (2‑night, $85 per person, inclusive of meals, www.gioxuacruise.com, +84 199 777 888).

Afternoon: Sail to **Bai Tay** and explore the limestone caves; guided tour $12 per person. Enjoy a Jain‑friendly vegetarian lunch onboard (included).

Evening: Sunset kayaking ($10 per person) followed by a candlelit dinner on deck (included). Overnight in cabin (double, $85).

Day 3: Return to Hanoi – Flight to Da Nang

Morning: Early morning Tai Chi on deck; breakfast (included). Disembark at Ha Long port and transfer back to Hanoi ($25).

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Pure Veggie Kitchen (Jain‑friendly, www.purevegkitchen.vn, +84 24 3933 2222, $7). Fly to Da Nang with VietJet Air VJ‑532 (2 h 15 m, $80 per person).

Evening: Check‑in at Sunny Danang Hotel (3★, $30 /night, +2 % GST, +84 236 399 7777). Dinner at Jain’s Delight (www.jainsdelight.vn, +84 236 388 9999, $9 per person).

Day 4: Da Nang – City & Beach

Morning: Visit the Marble Mountains (entry $2, cable lift $5). Explore Jain‑friendly snack stalls at the base.

Afternoon: Lunch at Green Leaf Café (www.greenleaf.vn, +84 236 310 2222, $8). Ride the iconic Golden Bridge via the Ba Na Hills Cable Car ($25 per person, tickets at ba‑na‑hills.com).

Evening: Sunset at My Khe Beach; dinner at Veggie Paradise (Jain menu, $10 per person, +84 236 334 5555). Return to hotel.

Day 5: Da Nang – Adventure Day

Morning: Experience the Alpine Coaster in Ba Na Hills ($12 per person). Light snack at the park café (Jain‑friendly, $5).

Afternoon: Explore the historic Hoi An Ancient Town (bus $7, entry to museums $2). Lunch at Hanoi House Vegetarian (Jain options, $9, +84 235 734 7777).

Evening: Return to Da Nang; dinner at Shree Hari Indian Restaurant (www.shreehari.vn, +84 236 355 4444, $11). Overnight at Sunny Danang Hotel.

Day 6: Flight to Phú Quốc – Arrival

Morning: Transfer to Da Nang Airport; flight VietJet Air VJ‑871 to Phú Quốc (1 h 20 m, $90 per person). Book via www.vietjetair.com.

Afternoon: Check‑in at Sea Star Resort Phú Quốc (4★, $45 /night, +84 298 383 1111). Lunch at the hotel’s vegetarian restaurant (included).

Evening: Relax on Long Beach; dinner at Jain’s Cove Café (Jain menu, $12, www.jainscove.vn, +84 298 393 2222). Early night for next day’s island tour.

Day 7: Phú Quốc Island Hopping

Morning: Book a full‑day island‑hopping tour with VietSea Tours ($35 per person, www.vietseatours.com, +84 298 383 5555). Visit Hon Tre Island – snorkeling (gear included).

Afternoon: Lunch on Monkey Island – Jain‑friendly packed lunch (included). Continue to Sun World Phú Quốc (entry $12, rides $5).

Evening: Return to hotel; dinner at Pure Veggie Phú Quốc (www.purevegphuquoc.com, +84 298 386 7777, $9). Night market stroll.

Day 8: Phú Quốc – Nature & Culture

Morning: Guided visit to Vinpearl Safari (Jain‑friendly vegetarian lunch, $30 per person, tickets at vinpearl.com).

Afternoon:

Explore the Phú Quốc Night Market (shopping, local sweets – ask for Jain‑friendly options). Light snack at Green Lotus Café ($6).

Evening: Sunset dinner cruise around the archipelago (Jain meals $18 per person, www.phuquoccruise.vn). Return to hotel.

Day 9: Phú Quốc – Leisure Day

Morning: Free time to relax on Bai Dau Beach. Optional yoga session at the resort ($10 per person).

Afternoon: Lunch at Shree Krishna Phú Quốc (Jain menu, $11, +84 298 383 4444). Spa massage (30 min, $20).

Evening: Early dinner at the hotel; prepare for next day’s flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Flight to Ho Chi Minh City – Arrival

Morning: Transfer to Phú Quốc Airport; fly with Bamboo Airways QG‑565 to HCMC (1 h 30 m, $95 per person). Book via www.bambooairways.com.

Afternoon: Check‑in at Saigon City Hotel (3★, $32 /night, +84 28 3822 1111). Lunch at Veggie House Saigon (Jain‑friendly, $9, www.veggiehousevn.com).

Evening: Evening walk along Nguyen Huệ Pedestrian Street; dinner at Jain’s Garden (www.jainsgarden.vn, +84 28 393 2222, $12 per person).

Morning: Guided tour of the War Remnants Museum (entry $2) and Reunification Palace (entry $2). Vegetarian breakfast at the hotel (included).

Afternoon: Lunch at Shree Krishna Saigon (Jain menu, $10, +84 28 352 7777). Shopping at Ben Thanh Market – ask vendors for Jain‑friendly snacks.

Evening: Sunset river cruise on the Saigon River (Jain meals $15 per person, www.sacrvc.com). Return to hotel.

Day 12: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai

Morning: Relaxed breakfast at hotel (included). Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport via prepaid taxi ($15, +84 28 555 9999).

Afternoon: Flight Vietnam Airlines VN‑508 to Mumbai (12 h 30 m, $250 per person, book at www.vietnamairlines.com).

Evening: Arrive Mumbai; end of trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• International round‑trip flights (Mumbai ↔ Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh ↔ Mumbai) – 24 h total, $500 per person
• Domestic flight Hanoi → Da Nang – 2 h 15 m, $80 per person
• Domestic flight Da Nang → Phú Quốc – 1 h 20 m, $90 per person
• Domestic flight Phú Quốc → Ho Chi Minh – 1 h 30 m, $95 per person
• Airport transfers & taxis (total 6 trips) – 6 h, $112
• Ha Long Bay 2‑night eco cruise – 48 h, $170 per person (incl. meals)
• Da Nang hotels (3 nights) – 3 × $30 = $90
• Phú Quốc hotels (4 nights) – 4 × $45 = $180
• Ho Chi Minh hotels (3 nights) – 3 × $32 = $96
• Jain‑friendly restaurant meals (average $10 per meal, 2 meals / day × 12 days × 2 people) – $480
• Adventure & entry fees (Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge, Alpine Coaster, island tour, safari, river cruise) – $210
• Travel insurance (basic) – $40 per person
• Total Estimated Cost (2 people): $3,152

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day in Phú Quốc for a diving experience (≈ $70 per person) or a day in Hoi An to enjoy its lantern‑lit evenings. To shorten, combine Day 4 and Day 5 in Da Nang by skipping the Alpine Coaster and taking a direct night bus to Phú Quốc, saving roughly $30 per person on transport and $40 on accommodation.