Australian travellers are flooding into Vietnam at record rates. Short-term visits from Australia to Vietnam have more than doubled since 2016, with the Southeast Asian nation now rivalling Thailand and Bali as a top regional destination for Aussies seeking affordable holidays close to home.
The surge reflects a shift in travel priorities. Vietnam offers exceptional value compared to traditional Australian holiday spots. Flights from major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi take under four hours. Budget carriers including AirAsia, Jetstar, and Vietnam Airlines compete aggressively on routes between Australia and Vietnam, keeping airfares competitive. A return ticket often costs under AUD 400 for savvy bookers.
Once there, travellers stretch their budgets further. Accommodation in Hanoi's Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 ranges from AUD 15 to 50 per night for mid-range hotels and hostels. Street food meals cost AUD 1 to 3. Premium dining in established restaurants rarely exceeds AUD 15 per person. This affordability gap compared to Australia's domestic prices drives the boom.
Content creator Georgia Quinn, who first visited Vietnam as a backpacker 15 years ago, notes the destination was never obscure but definitely underrated compared to Thailand's Phuket or Bali's Seminyak. That perception has evaporated. Instagram and TikTok amplified Vietnam's appeal, showcasing Halong Bay's limestone karsts, Ho Chi Minh City's colonial architecture, and the Mekong Delta's floating markets to younger Australian audiences.
Tour operators report sold-out departures on group tours to Vietnam. Independent travellers book guesthouses in Hoi An and Da Nang months in advance. The trend peaks during Australian school holidays and