Vietnam vs Sri Lanka.
Direct comparison for Indian travellers — visa, cost, best months, sights. The only major SE-Asia destination that's still entirely cash-economy in small towns; ATMs charge ₹250/withdrawal. Meanwhile in Sri Lanka: The Kandy-Ella train is the only viable 'experience' — book first class 1 week ahead, ₹500.
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa for Indian passport | visa-free 45 days | visa-free 30 days |
| Visa cost (per person) | Free | Free |
| Round-trip flight (Chennai) | ₹16k | ₹14k |
| Daily mid-range cost | ₹2.5-5.0k | ₹2.0-4.5k |
| Best months | Oct-Apr | Dec-Mar (south); Apr-Sep (east) |
| Top city | Hanoi | Colombo |
- 1. Halong Bay
- 2. Hoi An old town
- 3. Saigon street food
- 4. Phu Quoc beach
- 1. Sigiriya
- 2. Ella train ride
- 3. Galle fort
- 4. Yala safari
Vietnam or Sri Lanka for first-time Indian travellers?
Vietnam has the simpler visa for Indian passport (visa-free 45 days). Sri Lanka has cheaper flights from India (~₹14k). If budget is the constraint, pick the one with the lower combined visa+flight cost.
Which is cheaper to travel daily — Vietnam or Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is cheaper at mid-range (₹2k/day baseline vs ₹3k). The gap is biggest on stays + food; transit costs are roughly similar.
When should I visit Vietnam vs Sri Lanka?
Vietnam is best in Oct-Apr. Sri Lanka is best in Dec-Mar (south); Apr-Sep (east). Different windows means you can do both as a multi-country trip if windows align.