Yes, Australia and Vietnam are close friends with a strong, deepening relationship, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024, signifying top-tier ties based on mutual trust, shared interests in a stable Indo-Pacific, and extensive cooperation in defense, trade, education, climate, and digital innovation. This partnership builds on decades of growing ties, making them important strategic partners with significant people-to-people connections, as highlighted by the celebration of their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.
Bilateral relations
The Australia-Vietnam relationship has never been stronger. Australia and Vietnam share a vision for a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous and where sovereignty is respected.
While the United States (US) is Australia's key strategic ally and often seen as a very close partner by leaders, public opinion polls consistently show New Zealand as Australia's "best friend" in the world, followed by the US and then the United Kingdom, reflecting deep cultural and historical ties with both neighbors.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is 3 hours behind Sydney, Australia. Because Sydney is in the Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) zone, which is (UTC+10:00). Ho Chi Minh City is in the Indochina Time (ICT) zone, which is (UTC+07:00).
Travelers need a visa to visit Australia for Business or Tourism. An Australian eVisa is the fastest way to obtain a visa. Travelers can apply online. Once approved, travelers receive their eVisa confirmation electronically.
The Vietnamese community in Victoria is one of the largest in Australia. There are 121,137 people in Victoria who have Vietnamese ancestry, of which 93,598 were born in Vietnam.
Yes, living in Vietnam for expats is relatively safe. The country rarely experiences horrible natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. The security, especially in large cities, is acceptable.
Yes, $10,000 USD is more than enough for a trip to Vietnam, even for a long, comfortable, or luxury-focused trip for one person or a small family, allowing for splurging on hotels, fine dining, shopping, and tours, as Vietnam is generally inexpensive, with daily costs for mid-range travelers often under $100. You could travel for a month or more on that budget, depending on your lifestyle, but if you're planning major splurges like luxury shopping or very high-end experiences, it will go faster.
No, Vietnam is generally very affordable for Australians, with the Australian dollar (AUD) stretching much further due to a favorable exchange rate, making daily costs for food, accommodation, and activities significantly lower than in Australia, though luxury Western-style goods and dining will cost more. Budget travelers can spend as little as $40-$50 AUD a day, while comfortable mid-range travel often falls into the $60-$100 AUD range daily, offering great value for experiences like street food, local beer, and boutique hotels.
However, October will be the worst time to visit Vietnam in the central parts. Since tourists can face a high risk of typhoons and storms. November starts a dry winter season in the north, with less humidity and rainfall. However, in the central part, tourists can see a peak of its soaked and stormy typhoon season.
Baby boomers are Australia's happiest workers, while millennials are the most miserable, according to a new report from employment website Seek.
Australia's biggest rival depends on the sport, but internationally, England (The Ashes in cricket) and New Zealand (Bledisloe Cup in rugby) are historic rivals, while India has emerged as a fierce modern cricket rival, and domestically, Queensland vs. New South Wales (State of Origin) is arguably the most intense rivalry. The rivalry with England in cricket is deeply cultural and historic, fueled by colonial roots, while the India rivalry is known for sheer intensity in cricket.
The top five destination countries for Australians are Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, the USA, and China. This year, China has moved up two places to become our fifth most popular travel destination.
Yes, $100 USD (around 2.5 million VND) is a significant amount for a short trip in Vietnam, enough for budget-to-mid-range travel for several days, covering delicious street food, comfortable guesthouses, and local transport, though it can be spent quickly on high-end dining or luxury hotels, with average monthly incomes being much lower.
From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War. They were part of an allied force led by the United States. Australians fought alongside South Vietnamese Government troops against the Vietcong, a communist-led insurgent force supported by the North Vietnamese Army.
Yes, you can live comfortably on $1,000 a month in Vietnam, especially outside major city centers like {!nav}Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, by focusing on local food, renting motorbikes, and choosing more affordable cities like Da Nang or {!nav}Hoi An, though it might be tighter for luxuries in the big cities. Your money goes further as the average local salary is much lower, allowing for budget-friendly housing, cheap transportation, and inexpensive local dining, notes Remitly.
Yes, $1000 USD is generally enough for two weeks in Vietnam for a budget to mid-range traveler, covering basic expenses like hostels, street food, local transport, and some tours, but it will be tight or insufficient if you plan on many expensive tours (like Ha Long Bay cruises), shopping sprees, or fine dining, so budget carefully for activities and souvenirs.
In 1990, Vietnam was among the world's poorest countries with a GDP per capita of $98. By 2010, GDP reached $1,000. Vietnam is now defined as a lower middle income country by the World Bank.
On average, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $49 per day in Vietnam. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses. So expect to spend around $700 for 2 weeks in Vietnam.
Vietnam is much cheaper than Thailand. This is due both to overall prices being lower, but also because the Vietnamese dong has remained steady in recent years, while the Thai baht has dramatically increased in value compared to foreign currencies, especially the US dollar.
Popular Vietnamese beverages:
Bia hoi (fresh draft beer): VND 10,000 - 15,000 (USD 0.41 - 0.62) Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da): VND 15,000 - 30,000 (USD 0.62 - 1.23) Bottled beer (Saigon, Hanoi): VND 15,000 - 25,000 (USD 0.62 - 1.03)
🇹🇭 Thailand – 6.7 years 2. 🇻🇳 Vietnam – 6.3 years 3.
Yes. While foreign ownership of land in Vietnam is prohibited, foreigners can invest in real estate entities connected to land through leaseholds. These entities, such as apartments or villas within developments, come with long-term lease agreements, typically lasting for decades.
One of the biggest mistakes in Vietnam is underestimating the traffic, especially the chaotic motorbike-filled streets, making inexperienced riders feel overwhelmed and leading to dangerous situations, so avoid riding motorbikes unless you're confident and prepared for the chaos, and instead use ride-hailing apps like Grab for safer transport. Other major mistakes include drinking tap water, ignoring cultural etiquette (like "saving face"), skipping the incredible street food, and failing to manage the confusing currency or scams, which can ruin your trip before it starts.