According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Sydney, Sky News (Australia) recently published an article highlighting Vietnam as a top destination for Australians seeking “meaningful cultural adventures.” The Southeast Asian country was praised for offering high-quality tourism experiences at significantly lower costs than other popular destinations.

Sky News described Vietnam as a vibrant, energetic country rich in cultural identity. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that the number of Australian visitors to Vietnam in Q1 2025 surged by 54% compared to the same period in 2019, surpassing all other international travel destinations.

Nicole Newport, Oceania Sales Director at InsideAsia Tours, noted there is “clear evidence” that Vietnam is fast becoming a favorite destination for Australian travelers, and she expects this trend to continue.

According to Newport, Vietnam’s geographic proximity and rich variety of experiences - from historic cities and bustling markets to breathtaking natural landscapes - give visitors the sense of discovering multiple countries in one trip.

She also emphasized a growing interest in cultural exploration, with travelers increasingly seeking meaningful journeys beyond typical tourist routes.

Another key factor driving Vietnam’s popularity among Australians is the favorable exchange rate between the Australian dollar (AUD) and the Vietnamese dong. A spokesperson for Travel Money Oz stated that Vietnam consistently offers Australians “incredible value.” With the AUD steadily appreciating against the Vietnamese dong in recent months, tourists are able to stretch their budgets even further.

This advantage is clearly reflected in everyday costs, where an average meal or taxi ride in Vietnam costs only about 5 AUD, and a one-liter bottle of purified water is priced at roughly 80 cents.

Travel company Klook also reported a remarkable 250% spike in hotel bookings in Vietnam from March to June 2025 compared to the same period last year. The most sought-after destinations include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An.

PV