A virtual image display apparatus includes an image projection apparatus that emits image light, and a display optical system that forms a virtual image according to the image light from a liquid crystal device (image forming device). The display optical system is configured by at least two members having different refractive indices and bends the image light a plurality of times between mediums having different refractive indices in a predetermined direction. A cumulative value of an index for chromatic dispersion with respect to the predetermined direction on a refractive surface of each bent portion is smaller than or equal to a predetermined reference value.