10-27to10-30-2026 Indianapolis to Vietnam: Our Journey and First Days in Ho Chi Minh City

We were thankful to have unusually warm weather in late October as we prepared for our 30-hour journey to Vietnam to escape the impending cold weather. Our flight was scheduled to leave Indianapolis at 5:23 pm on October 27th and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at about 11:30 am local time on October 29th. We flew from Indy to Dallas, Dallas to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City. We had a couple of flight delays, but thankfully we had enough layover time at each place so it wasn't an issue, and we arrived in Vietnam and checked into our hotel without any issues.

Travel facts

Dates: Tuesday, October 27 through Friday, October 30, 2026.

Flight route: Indianapolis → Dallas → Hong Kong → Ho Chi Minh City.

Journey time: About 30 hours, as described in our review. Scheduled departure was October 27 at 5:23 pm from Indianapolis; scheduled arrival was October 29 at about 11:30 am local time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight notes: The Indianapolis–Dallas and Hong Kong–Ho Chi Minh City flights were delayed, but our layovers allowed us to make our connections.

First days: Street scenes, food vendors, Bui Vien Walking Street and views from our hotel balcony in Ho Chi Minh City.

Photos and videos

Checking in at the airport in Indy - one checked backpack a piece, plus a carry-on item each.

Indianapolis International Airport

Of course the Indy airport has historic race cars because of the Indy 500 race.

Our flight from Indy to Dallas got delayed by about an hour, but we had a four hour layover in Dallas, so it wasn't a problem.

In the air somewhere.

A sunset view from the airplane window, with the wing above buildings, roads and water below.

The airport in Hong Kong - our flight from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City was also delayed.

This sign says it has been 50 years now that the city bears the name of Ho Chi Minh (it was renamed from Saigon). It also says the city is building to be a civilized, modern city, and a center for technology and innovation.

A busy intersection in Ho Chi Minh City - it looks like total chaos to us, but it works for them.

An example of the smaller roads/alleys in Ho Chi Minh City.

Street food vendors are everywhere, with meat and seafood kept cool on top of ice.

Bui Vien Walking Street during the day when it is not busy.

Crossing the street takes a little getting used to. You just need to keep moving forward steadily (never backward or stopping) and watch the vehicles - they are watching out for pedestrians too.

Scooters are a main mode of transportation here, and this is just one parking lot downtown.

The view toward the street from our very narrow balcony.

The view in the other direction from our balcony. We can reach out and touch the building next door without even fully extending our arms.

The entrance to Bui Vien "Walking Street" when it is busy and full of cars, scooters, pedestrians, and street musicians.