Vietnam and Bhutan may be worlds apart in landscape, but they share a deep reverence for tradition, community, and harmony with nature. While Vietnam brims with bustling cities, emerald rice terraces, and a coastline kissed by the South China Sea, Bhutan offers a serene escape into the Himalayan heights, where prayer flags flutter in the wind and Gross National Happiness outweighs economic measures.
For Vietnamese travellers seeking a journey that soothes the soul, awakens the senses, and inspires reflection, Bhutan is a rare and unforgettable choice. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about travelling from Vietnam to Bhutan—from the best transit routes and visa requirements to essential tips and the breathtaking experiences that await you.
Recommended Transit Routes for Vietnamese Travellers
Option 1: Via Bangkok (BKK)
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok (full-service carriers like Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines or Scoot)
From Hanoi to Bangkok1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, it’s slightly shorter—about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
Bangkok → Paro (Drukair operates a daily flight from Bangkok). This route offers the most frequent Bhutan connections and simpler same-day transfers.
The direct flight from Bangkok (BKK) to Paro (PBH) on Drukair typically takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.
Find out more about travelling from Bangkok to Bhutan.
Option 2: Via Singapore (SIN)
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City → Singapore Changi Airport (often on Singapore Airlines, Scoot or VietJet)
From Hanoi to Singapore, a non-stop flight takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore, it’s shorter—around 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes.
Singapore → Paro (Drukair provides less frequent flights, often twice weekly).
The direct flight from Singapore (SIN) to Paro (PBH) on Drukair takes roughly 5 hours 30 minutes.
Changi offers seamless layovers and superior airport comforts, but you may need an overnight stay depending on schedule.
Vietnam also offers indirect alternatives via New Delhi or Kathmandu, but these typically involve more connections and longer layovers.
Tips
As the official representative of Drukair, Druk Asia can help you secure your flight tickets to Bhutan with confidence. We offer a complimentary 30-day reservation window, giving you plenty of time to finalise your connecting flights and travel plans—no rush, no pressure, and no risk of losing your seat.
Bhutan Visa & Entry Requirements for Vietnamese Citizens
Yes, Vietnamese citizens require a visa to enter Bhutan—but you won’t need to go through a stressful application process. Your licensed Bhutanese tour operator will handle everything for you.
What you need:
Once approved, you’ll receive a visa clearance letter. Present it at check-in and upon arrival in Paro, where your actual visa will be stamped.
Bhutan Tour Costs (and Why It’s Worth It)
Vietnamese tourists are subject to a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per night. This fee aims to maintain the country's cultural and environmental integrity, preserving its unique beauty for generations to come.
By respecting Bhutan’s sustainability practice through the SDF fee, visitors actively contribute to the conservation of Bhutan's natural wonders. Children aged 5 and below are exempt from the SDF, while those aged 6 to 11 are required to pay USD 50 per night. It's important to note that the SDF does not cover accommodation, meals, transportation, or guide services.
Engaging a Bhutan Tour Operator
Booking a full tour to Bhutan is absolutely worth it—not just because it's the most convenient way to travel, but because it takes care of everything for you. From visa processing and hotel bookings to a personal guide, private transport, and all meals, it’s all included. You won’t need to stress over logistics—just focus on soaking up the views, the culture, and the peaceful atmosphere that makes Bhutan so special.
What’s included in a Bhutan tour package:
Typical cost:
USD 350–400 per person, per night (customisable based on hotel category)
Flight estimate (round trip):
Transit via Bangkok
Ho Chi Minh → Bangkok = ~USD150
Bangkok → Paro = ~USD965
Ho Chi Minh → Bangkok → Paro = ~USD 1,100–1,300
Transit via Singapore
Ho Chi Minh → Singapore = ~USD 110–150
Singapore → Paro = ~USD1,150–1,300
Ho Chi Minh → Singapore → Paro = ~USD 1,300–1,450
Flight schedules and fares are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please get in touch with our Travel Specialist.
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Pro tip: Booking through an experienced agency like Druk Asia ensures seamless planning and on-the-ground support.
Recommended Bhutan Tour Packages
We are happy to customise your Bhutan itinerary to suit your personal preferences, ensuring your journey to Bhutan is truly unforgettable. Whether you’re interested in a Buddhist pilgrimage, a spiritual retreat, cultural tour or trekking tour, simply let our Travel Specialist know your wishes—and we’ll create a unique experience just for you.
Druk Asia also offers special interests tours such as photography and sketching tours. Aside from that, we also organise pre-wedding photography trips.
Why travel to Bhutan with Druk Asia?
Winner of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023
Winner of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024
Winner of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025
Best Bhutan Travel Specialist by Luxury Lifestyle Awards
Check out what our travellers say about their Bhutan adventures.
Bhutanese Cuisine
Bhutanese food is hearty, warming, and often features bold chilli flavours.
Familiar Elements for Vietnamese Travellers
If you’re from Vietnam, you’ll find a few comforting echoes of home in Bhutanese cuisine, even though the flavours are distinctly Himalayan. Meat-based stews are common here too—often featuring pork, beef, or chicken—served with rice as the central staple, much like your daily meals.
You’ll also discover momos, Bhutan’s beloved dumplings, which might remind you of Vietnamese bánh bao or há cảo, though filled and seasoned in a uniquely Bhutanese way. Dairy plays a starring role in many dishes, especially cheese, which is used far more generously than in Vietnamese cooking—adding a creamy, hearty twist that warms you up in the mountain air.
Typical Dishes:
Ema Datshi: The national dish, a spicy stew of chillies and cheese—distinctly Bhutanese and much spicier than Mongolian food!
Phaksha Paa: Pork cooked with chillies and radish.
Jasha Maru: Spicy chicken stew.
Red Rice: A Bhutanese staple, nutty and filling.
For Buddhist Pilgrims:
Vegetarian meals are easy to request and commonly prepared, especially for visitors or during religious festivals.
If you are sensitive to spicy food, let your hosts or guide know—most restaurants can adjust the spice level.
Popular & Interesting Bhutanese Festivals
Bhutan’s vibrant festivals—known as tshechus—are among the most remarkable cultural and spiritual spectacles in the entire Himalayan region. Deeply rooted in Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, these festivals bring together communities to honour sacred stories, receive blessings, and celebrate the living faith that shapes Bhutanese life.
These festivals are not only a chance to witness unique rituals and colourful performances but also an opportunity to participate in timeless ceremonies that transcend borders and generations.
Here are some of the most popular and interesting Bhutanese festivals that are both fascinating and profoundly inspiring:
Check out the latest Bhutan festival calendar.
Must-Visit Places in Bhutan
1. Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
No visit to Bhutan is complete without hiking to this cliff-hugging marvel. It’s iconic, spiritual, and surprisingly achievable—even for casual hikers.
2. Thimphu Town
This is Bhutan’s capital, but don’t expect traffic lights or skyscrapers. It’s a charming city with artisan shops, monasteries, museums, and cafés.
3. Punakha Dzong
One of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan, set against the backdrop of rivers and purple jacaranda trees in spring.
4. Dochula Pass
At over 3,000 metres, this high mountain pass offers stunning panoramas of the Himalayas. It’s dotted with 108 stupas—a must-stop en route to Punakha.
5. Phobjikha Valley
For nature lovers, this quiet valley is paradise. In winter, you can spot endangered black-necked cranes here.
Check out the Top 40 Places to Visit and Things to Do in Bhutan.
For Vietnamese travellers, a journey to Bhutan is a step into a world where time slows, traditions thrive, and nature commands awe at every turn. Whether you transit through bustling Bangkok or the polished halls of Singapore Changi Airport, the reward at the end is the same: mist-cloaked mountains, vibrant festivals, serene monasteries, and the warm smiles of the Bhutanese people. From your first glimpse of the Himalayas out the plane window to the final prayer flag you pass, travelling to Bhutan promises not only breathtaking sights but also a deeper connection to culture, mindfulness, and yourself.
FAQs for Vietnamese travelling to Bhutan
1. Are there direct flights from Vietnam to Bhutan?
No. All routes require at least one transit, with the most frequent connections via Bangkok or weekly via Singapore.
2. How do I get a Bhutan visa?
Your licensed Bhutan tour operator will apply for a visa clearance letter on your behalf—typically processed in 3–5 business days.
3. What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)?
All tourists must pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee (currently USD $100 per night). This applies whether you travel independently or through a tour operator. The SDF is used to fund various developmental projects in Bhutan, including environmental conservation, infrastructure development, cultural preservation, and social services.
4. Is independent travel allowed?
All travellers (except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals) must use a licensed tour operator and be accompanied by a guide to visit monuments and ancient fortresses.
5. Best times to visit Bhutan?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the clearest skies, vibrant festivals, and smoothest flight conditions.
6. How long does the journey take?
Depending on routing and layovers, total travel time is likely between 8 and 15 hours.
7. What currency is used in Bhutan? Can I use foreign cash or cards?
The official currency is the Ngultrum (BTN), pegged to the Indian Rupee. It’s advisable to carry some cash for monasteries, small purchases, and tips. US dollars and euros are commonly exchanged. Find out more about payment methods in Bhutan.
8.Is it possible to do meditation retreats or study Buddhism in Bhutan?
Yes, we can arrange for meditation retreats and teachings in advance. Let us know your interests before your trip so proper arrangements can be made.
For Vietnamese travellers yearning for more than just another holiday, Bhutan offers a journey that stirs the heart and lingers in the soul. Here, emerald valleys give way to snow-capped peaks, sacred monasteries hum with the chants of monks, and every sunrise feels like a blessing. It’s a place where happiness is measured in moments, not money, and where each step leads you deeper into a world untouched by haste.
From the first crisp mountain breeze to the last heartfelt farewell, Bhutan will not only show you its beauty—it will change the way you see your own. Now is the perfect time to take that leap, leave the familiar behind, and let Bhutan’s magic transform your journey into a story worth telling for a lifetime.
