The practical stuff every Aussie needs to know
Who can stay, how long, and how to sort your paperwork
Vietnam has loosened up its visa rules significantly in recent years, making it one of the easier Southeast Asian countries to visit. Australians now get generous visa-free entry, and longer stays are straightforward to arrange. Here's the full rundown.
As of August 2023, Australian passport holders get 45 days visa-free on arrival. Single entry only. Your passport needs at least 6 months validity. No application, no fee — just rock up at immigration with your passport and you're in. This was a massive upgrade from the old 15-day limit.
If you want to stay longer than 45 days, apply for an e-visa online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Costs USD $25, takes about 3 business days to process. Gives you 90 days, single or multiple entry. You'll need a passport photo, passport scan and your travel dates. Simple process — do it yourself, no need for an agent.
Still available but less convenient than the e-visa. You need a pre-approved invitation letter from a Vietnamese travel agency (costs USD $10-25), then you collect your visa at the airport on arrival. Queue can be long, especially at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City). The e-visa has made this option mostly redundant for Australians.
You can extend your visa once for another 30 days through a travel agency or the immigration office. Costs around USD $30-50. If you want to stay longer than that, the easiest option is the "visa run" — pop across to Cambodia or Laos for a day and re-enter Vietnam for a fresh stamp. Plenty of Aussie expats do this every 45-90 days.
If you're working or doing business in Vietnam, you need a business visa (DN category). Requires a sponsoring Vietnamese company. Valid for 1-12 months with single or multiple entry. Your employer or business partner should handle the paperwork. Working on a tourist visa is technically illegal — and they are cracking down on this, especially for English teachers.
For long-term stays (1-5 years), you can get a TRC if you have a work permit, are married to a Vietnamese citizen, or are an investor. This eliminates the need for visa runs and gives you freedom to enter and exit as you please. Processing takes 2-4 weeks through the immigration department. Worth pursuing if you're settling in.
If you marry a Vietnamese citizen, you can apply for a 5-year visa exemption certificate and then a TRC. The marriage process itself involves paperwork at both the Vietnamese and Australian ends — your partner's local People's Committee, the Justice Department, and the Australian Embassy. Budget 2-4 months for the full process. Patience is mandatory.
Overstaying your visa in Vietnam results in a fine of roughly USD $25 per day. Overstay more than a few days and you could face detention, deportation and a ban on re-entry. Immigration officers at the airport WILL catch it — there's no slipping through. Set a phone reminder a week before your visa expires and sort your extension or exit plan.
Bring a stack of passport-sized photos (4x6cm, white background). You'll need them for visa extensions, SIM card registration, and various other bureaucratic encounters. Getting photos done in Vietnam is cheap (about 30,000 VND at any photo shop) but having them ready saves time. Digital copies on your phone are handy too.
Passport with 6+ months validity. Return or onward ticket (sometimes checked, sometimes not). Sufficient funds (rarely asked for). Completed health declaration if required (check current rules). No COVID vaccination requirements as of 2025. Customs declaration form for goods over USD $5,000 in value or 1.5 litres of spirits.
What to eat and where to find it
Vietnamese food is arguably the best in Southeast Asia — fresh, light, packed with herbs and incredibly cheap. Forget the Vietnamse restaurants back in Sydney or Melbourne — the real thing is on another level. Street food is the way to go. Sit on a tiny plastic stool, eat something life-changing, pay two bucks. Welcome to Vietnam.
Rice noodle soup with beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga) in a broth that's been simmered for hours. Eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner but traditionally a breakfast dish. Hanoi pho is simpler and more pure; Saigon pho comes loaded with herbs and bean sprouts. A bowl costs 40,000-60,000 VND on the street. The best pho joints have massive queues at 7am — follow the locals.
A crispy baguette (French colonial legacy) filled with pate, cold cuts, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, coriander, chilli and mayo. Every region does it differently. Saigon's Banh Mi Huynh Hoa is legendary — the queue wraps around the block. Costs 20,000-40,000 VND. You will eat one every single day and never get bored. The best fast food on the planet.
Grilled pork patties and sliced pork belly served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs, and a bowl of sweet-sour dipping sauce. A Hanoi specialty — don't bother ordering it in Saigon. Obama ate it with Anthony Bourdain at Bun Cha Huong Lien (now nicknamed "bun cha Obama"). Lunch dish only. About 50,000 VND. Absolutely mandatory eating in Hanoi.
Saigon's working-class staple. Broken rice topped with grilled pork chop (suon nuong), shredded pork skin (bi), steamed egg cake (cha trung), and fish sauce. The pork chop is chargrilled over coals and the smoky flavour is incredible. Available at com tam stalls everywhere in Saigon for 35,000-50,000 VND. An absolute ripper of a meal.
A beef and pork noodle soup from Hue in central Vietnam. Spicier and more complex than pho, with lemongrass, shrimp paste and chilli oil. Thicker rice noodles. Considered by many food writers to be Vietnam's greatest soup — and that's saying something. If you're in Hue or Da Nang, eat it daily. Around 40,000-55,000 VND.
Thick rice noodles with pork, herbs, croutons and a small amount of broth. Only made in Hoi An because the noodles traditionally require water from a specific local well. Whether that's true or marketing, who cares — it's delicious. Best eaten at the Hoi An Central Market in the morning. Around 30,000-40,000 VND. You literally cannot get this dish anywhere else.
Vietnam's street food is legendary. Tiny plastic stools on the footpath, charcoal grills smoking away, women carrying shoulder poles with mobile kitchens. Each stall usually does ONE dish and does it brilliantly. The rule: if the stall is packed with locals, sit down. If it's empty, keep walking. Most street meals cost 30,000-60,000 VND (AUD $2-4). You can eat like a king for $15 a day.
Don't drink the tap water — ever. Stick to bottled water. Ice in restaurants and cafes is generally fine (made from purified water in block form then chipped). Street food is usually safe because of high turnover and everything is cooked fresh. The biggest risk is fruit that's been pre-cut and sitting out, or shellfish at dodgy seafood restaurants. Carry Imodium just in case — "Saigon belly" hits most newcomers in the first week.
Ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) is dangerously addictive. Strong, sweet, served over ice. Vietnamese coffee is robusta-based — more caffeine than arabica. Egg coffee (ca phe trung) in Hanoi is coffee topped with a whipped egg cream — sounds weird, tastes incredible. Coconut coffee in Saigon is another must-try. A coffee costs 20,000-35,000 VND. You'll drink five a day.
Northern food (Hanoi) is subtler, saltier, less sweet. Central food (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) is the spiciest and most complex. Southern food (Saigon) is sweeter and uses more herbs and coconut milk. Every region thinks their food is the best. They're all right. Eat your way through the whole country if you can — the differences are genuinely fascinating.
Local beers and drinking culture
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world for beer, and the Vietnamese drink a LOT of it. Bia hoi (fresh draught beer) is a national institution, and sitting on a plastic stool on a Hanoi street corner with a glass of the stuff is one of the great travel experiences. Here's the beer guide.
Fresh, unpasteurised draught beer brewed daily and sold at street-corner stalls, primarily in Hanoi. Around 5,000-10,000 VND per glass (about 30-60 cents AUD). Low alcohol (about 3-4%) so you can session it all afternoon. Bia Hoi Corner at the intersection of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in Hanoi's Old Quarter is the most famous spot. Absolute must-do.
The most popular beer brand in southern Vietnam. Comes in Saigon Lager (green label, 4.3%) and Saigon Special (red label, 4.9%). Clean, easy-drinking lagers. Around 15,000-20,000 VND at a shop, 30,000-50,000 VND at a restaurant. Saigon Special is the better of the two — slightly more body. You'll drink a lot of these.
Hanoi's own beer. Light, crisp, slightly more malty than Saigon. Comes in bottles and cans. Around 15,000-25,000 VND. Northern Vietnamese are fiercely loyal to this brand. If you're in Hanoi, drink Ha Noi beer. If you're in Saigon, drink Saigon beer. It's a regional pride thing — respect it.
Pronounced "ba ba ba" (three-three-three). The beer most Australians recognise from Vietnamese restaurants back home. A decent lager, nothing fancy. Less popular with locals than you'd think — Saigon and Ha Noi are the go-tos. But it's available everywhere and perfectly drinkable. About 15,000-20,000 VND from a shop.
Both brewed locally under licence and widely available. More expensive than local brands — 25,000-35,000 VND at a shop, up to 60,000-80,000 VND in bars. Tiger is particularly popular in Saigon. Heineken is seen as a prestige beer and often ordered at business dinners to show off. No real reason to drink them when the local beers are half the price and just as good.
Vietnam has a booming craft beer scene, especially in Saigon and Hanoi. Pasteur Street Brewing, Heart of Darkness, BiaCraft and East West Brewing are the standout breweries. Expect to pay 80,000-120,000 VND per pint — expensive by Vietnamese standards but still cheaper than a schooner in Sydney. Pasteur Street's Jasmine IPA is world-class. Tap houses are everywhere in District 1.
"Mot hai ba, dzo!" (one, two, three, cheers!) is the Vietnamese drinking toast. You'll hear it a hundred times a night. Vietnamese men drink beer with ice — yes, ice IN the beer. Don't fight it. In the heat, it actually makes sense. Drinking is always done with food — seafood, grilled meats, snails. A beer session without food is unthinkable.
Vietnamese "beer clubs" (nha hang bia) are massive outdoor restaurants that seat hundreds. You order beer by the tower (2-3 litre tubes of draught) and food by the plateful. Grilled seafood, snails, spring rolls. These places are loud, chaotic and an absolute blast. Vuvuzela and Golden Gate chains are popular. Expect to spend 200,000-400,000 VND per person for a big night out with plenty of beer and food.
Vietnam introduced strict drink driving laws in 2020 with ZERO tolerance — 0.0 BAC. Police checkpoints are common, especially at night and on weekends. Fines range from 6-8 million VND for motorbikes and 30-40 million VND for cars. They can confiscate your licence and vehicle. Use Grab to get home. This is strictly enforced now and the police aren't interested in excuses, especially from foreigners.
For the cheapest beers, hit the bia hoi stalls in Hanoi or the local quan nhau (drinking food spots) in Saigon. Bui Vien Walking Street in Saigon's backpacker district has 10,000 VND beers but it's loud and touristy. For a more local experience, head to the smaller streets off the main drags where Vietnamese guys drink after work. A night of heavy drinking with food can cost you less than AUD $15. Seriously.
Transport options from chaos to comfort
Vietnamese traffic is legendary — millions of motorbikes flowing like a river, seemingly ignoring all traffic lights and lane markings. It looks insane but there's a logic to it. You'll get used to it. Grab is your best mate here, and domestic flights are dirt cheap. Here's how to move around.
Download Grab before you land. Available everywhere in Vietnam. GrabCar for air-conditioned taxis, GrabBike for motorbike taxis. Pay by cash or card. Cheaper than traditional taxis and no haggling or meter scams. A GrabBike across Saigon costs 20,000-40,000 VND. A GrabCar from the airport to District 1 in Saigon is about 120,000-160,000 VND. Use it for everything.
Traditional motorbike taxis. Guys sitting on their bikes waiting for customers will call out "xe om!" as you walk past. Negotiate the price before getting on. Generally more expensive than Grab but useful when you don't have data. Also, some xe om drivers know the backstreets better than any app. Helmets provided but quality varies — consider buying your own if you're using bikes regularly.
Many Aussies rent motorbikes to explore Vietnam — it's cheap (150,000-200,000 VND per day for a Honda Wave semi-auto) and incredibly freeing. The Ha Giang loop, Hai Van Pass and Central Highlands are bucket-list rides. However: you technically need a Vietnamese licence or International Driving Permit with motorbike endorsement. Insurance won't cover you without one. The risk is real.
Vietnam is long and narrow — Hanoi to Saigon is a 2-hour flight vs. 30+ hours by train. VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines fly between all major cities. Fares from 500,000-1,500,000 VND one way if booked in advance. VietJet is the budget option (think Jetstar with Vietnamese characteristics). Vietnam Airlines is more reliable. Book on their apps for the best prices.
The north-south railway runs from Hanoi to Saigon with stops at Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The full journey takes about 30-33 hours. Sleeper berths are the way to go — soft berth (4-person cabin) costs around 1,200,000-1,500,000 VND. It's slow but scenic and a great experience. Book at the station or through 12go.asia. The Hanoi-Sapa overnight train is also popular.
Long-distance sleeper buses connect major cities. You get a reclining bed (sort of) and air conditioning. Companies like The Sinh Tourist, Futa Bus and Hoang Long are reputable. Saigon to Da Lat costs about 200,000-300,000 VND. The "open bus ticket" lets you hop on and off between Saigon and Hanoi with stops along the way. Cheap but uncomfortable for anyone over 180cm — these buses are built for Vietnamese-sized people.
If you're not using Grab, only use Mai Linh (green) or Vinasun (white) taxis — these are metered and trustworthy. Avoid random unmarked taxis, especially near tourist areas and airports. Some dodgy operators have rigged meters or will take the scenic route. Flag fall is about 12,000-15,000 VND. Always have your destination written in Vietnamese to show the driver.
The most terrifying thing you'll do in Vietnam has nothing to do with motorbikes, cliffs or snakes — it's crossing the road. The secret: walk at a steady pace, don't stop, don't run, don't make sudden movements. The bikes will flow around you. Make eye contact with car drivers. It takes a few days to build the nerve but once you get it, it becomes second nature. Do NOT wait for a gap — it will never come.
Traffic accidents are the number one killer of tourists in Vietnam. The roads are chaotic, helmets are flimsy, and medical facilities outside major cities are basic. If you rent a motorbike, wear a proper helmet (not the eggshell ones), don't drink and ride, and don't ride at night in rural areas. Get travel insurance that specifically covers motorbike riding WITH a valid licence. Most standard policies exclude motorbike injuries.
Tan Son Nhat (Saigon) and Noi Bai (Hanoi) airports are chaotic on arrival. Pre-book a Grab or hotel transfer to avoid the taxi tout gauntlet. If using Grab from the airport, follow the signs to the ride-hailing pickup zone — don't try to get picked up at the arrivals kerb. For Noi Bai, the 86 express bus to the Old Quarter costs only 45,000 VND and is faster than a taxi in traffic.
Currency, costs and how not to get ripped off
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is one of those currencies where you'll feel like a millionaire. AUD $1 gets you roughly 16,000-17,000 VND. You'll be dealing in thousands and millions daily. Cash is still king for most transactions, though digital payments are growing fast in the cities.
ATMs are everywhere in cities and tourist areas. Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank and Agribank are the most reliable for foreign cards. Most ATMs charge 22,000-55,000 VND per withdrawal and dispense a maximum of 2,000,000-5,000,000 VND per transaction. Citibank and HSBC ATMs (in Saigon and Hanoi) often allow higher limits. Withdraw larger amounts less often to minimise fees.
Vietnamese Dong has a lot of zeros. 500,000 VND is about AUD $30. The 500,000 VND note (blue, with Ho Chi Minh's face) is the largest denomination. Easy to confuse 20,000 with 200,000 or 50,000 with 500,000 — the notes look similar at a glance. Count your money carefully, especially when receiving change. Locals will test you on this.
Licensed gold shops and jewellery stores often give better exchange rates than banks or airport counters. In Saigon, Ha Tam jewellery on Nguyen An Ninh Street (near Ben Thanh Market) is a well-known trusted exchanger. USD and AUD are easily exchanged. Always count your money at the counter. Avoid random money changers on the street — scams are common.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, and chain stores. Many places add a 2-3% surcharge for card payments. Street food, local restaurants, markets and taxis are cash only. MoMo and ZaloPay are Vietnamese digital wallets — useful if you have a local bank account. For most tourists, cash is still the way to go for everyday spending.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives the best exchange rates for sending money to Vietnam. Your partner can receive to her Vietnamese bank account. Western Union and MoneyGram have outlets everywhere but their rates are rubbish. If you're sending money regularly, set up a Wise account — the savings over Western Union add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
A bowl of pho: 40,000-60,000 VND. A banh mi: 20,000-40,000 VND. A local beer: 10,000-25,000 VND. A craft beer: 80,000-120,000 VND. A Grab ride across town: 30,000-80,000 VND. A decent hotel room: 400,000-800,000 VND. Monthly rent for a furnished apartment in Saigon: 6,000,000-15,000,000 VND. Vietnam is extremely affordable — a comfortable daily budget is AUD $50-80.
Bargaining is expected at markets, street vendors and with xe om drivers. Tourist markets like Ben Thanh in Saigon will start at 3-5x the real price. Counter-offer at 30-40% of their asking price and meet in the middle. Be friendly about it — aggressive bargaining is bad form. In shops with price tags, restaurants with menus, and supermarkets, prices are fixed — don't try to haggle.
The "wrong change" scam — giving you 10,000 instead of 100,000 VND in change, hoping you won't notice the similar-looking notes. Taxi meters that run suspiciously fast. Shoe-shine kids who "accidentally" polish your shoes then demand huge payment. Cyclo drivers who quote one price and demand ten times more at the end. The solution: use Grab, count your change, and agree on prices before any service.
Locals often drop the last three zeros when talking prices. So "50" means 50,000 VND, and "500" means 500,000 VND. On some menus, prices are written as "50" meaning 50,000. This can cause confusion — if a coffee seems to cost 35 million dong, they mean 35,000. When in doubt, clarify by showing fingers or typing the number on your phone. You'll pick up the shorthand within a day or two.
Tipping is not traditionally part of Vietnamese culture but is increasingly expected in tourist areas. 5-10% at restaurants is appreciated. Round up for Grab drivers. 50,000-100,000 VND for tour guides. Hotel housekeeping: 20,000-50,000 VND per day. It's not obligatory and no one will chase you down, but it's appreciated — wages are low in the service industry.
Staying safe and avoiding trouble
Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia for travellers. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The main risks are petty theft (especially bag snatching from motorbikes), traffic accidents and scams. Use common sense, keep your wits about you, and you'll have no dramas.
Two guys on a motorbike, one grabs your bag or phone as they ride past. This is fast, professional and happens in seconds. NEVER walk along the road with your phone in your hand or your bag on the traffic side. Wear crossbody bags on your non-traffic side. Keep your phone in your front pocket. This is especially common in Saigon's District 1 and tourist areas. It's the single most likely bad thing that can happen to you.
Overcharging foreigners is a way of life in tourist areas. Cyclo drivers, market vendors, street food sellers near tourist spots — they'll all try it on. It's not malicious, it's just business. The solution: know what things cost, have small bills ready, agree on prices upfront, and use Grab. Once you're off the tourist trail, prices normalise and people are refreshingly honest.
More tourists are killed or injured in traffic accidents in Vietnam than by any other cause. The roads are chaotic, driving standards are low, and helmets are often flimsy fashion accessories. Be extremely cautious crossing roads. If you ride a motorbike, ride defensively, wear a proper helmet, and don't ride at night outside of cities. Your travel insurance MUST cover motorbike accidents.
Vietnam has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Possession of even small amounts of drugs can result in long prison sentences. Trafficking carries the death penalty — and it's enforced. Don't buy, carry or use drugs in Vietnam. Period. The backpacker areas have dealers who approach foreigners — ignore them completely. Some are police informants.
Vietnamese police are generally not aggressive toward tourists. If you're stopped (usually for a traffic violation), stay calm and polite. They may ask for a "fine" on the spot — this is a bribe. You can insist on going to the station for an official ticket, and the "problem" often disappears. Keep a photocopy of your passport with you — leave the original in your hotel safe. Never hand over your actual passport to anyone except at official immigration checkpoints.
Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) is prone to flooding during typhoon season (September-December). The Mekong Delta floods annually from August to November. Check weather forecasts before travelling to these areas. In the north, winter (December-February) can be bitterly cold in Sapa and the highlands — bring warm gear if heading that way. Mosquitoes carry dengue fever nationwide — use repellent, especially at dusk.
Vietnam's cities are generally safe at night, even for solo travellers. The streets stay busy until late, which provides natural security. Stick to well-lit, busy areas. Avoid walking alone drunk in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. The areas around Bui Vien (Saigon) and Ta Hien (Hanoi) are packed with tourists and generally safe, despite being a bit wild. Use Grab to get back to your hotel.
A local approaches you, speaks great English, wants to practise and maybe take you for coffee or to a bar. Could be genuine — Vietnamese people are curious and friendly. But if they insist on a specific bar or restaurant, you may end up with a bill for millions of dong. If someone's too keen too fast, trust your instinct. Real friendships don't start with "come to this specific bar with me right now."
Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Fire: 114. Save the Australian Embassy in Hanoi (024 3774 0100) and Consulate in Saigon (028 3521 8100) in your phone. Register with Smartraveller before you travel. Keep digital copies of your passport, visa, insurance and emergency contacts in your email. Have a local SIM with data at all times. Vietnam is safe — but preparation is free insurance.
Vietnam still has unexploded bombs and mines from the American War, particularly in Quang Tri province (between Hue and the DMZ). Stick to marked paths and roads in rural central Vietnam. Don't pick up any metal objects you find in fields or forests. This is primarily a concern in remote rural areas — it's not an issue in cities or standard tourist destinations. But it's worth knowing about.
Getting connected as soon as you land
Getting a local SIM is the first thing you should do at the airport. Data is insanely cheap in Vietnam, you'll need it for Grab and Google Maps, and having a local number makes everything easier. Buy one in the arrivals hall — it takes five minutes.
Vietnam's largest carrier with the best coverage nationwide, including rural and mountainous areas. Government-owned (military-run, actually). If you're heading to Ha Giang, Sapa or remote areas, Viettel is your best bet. Tourist SIM packages start from around 200,000 VND for 30 days with generous data. 4G/5G coverage in major cities. The most reliable option overall.
The second-largest carrier. Good coverage in cities and tourist areas, slightly weaker in very remote areas compared to Viettel. Competitive tourist SIM packages. Their airport counter staff are generally helpful and will set everything up for you. A solid choice if you're sticking to the main tourist trail (Saigon, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang).
The budget carrier. Cheapest data packages but coverage is spottier, especially outside major cities. Fine if you're staying in Saigon or Hanoi and want rock-bottom prices. A tourist SIM with 6GB/day for 30 days can cost as little as 150,000 VND. Not recommended as your only SIM if you're travelling widely — but a decent backup in a dual-SIM phone.
Airport arrivals hall — Viettel, Mobifone and Vietnamobile all have counters at Tan Son Nhat (Saigon), Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Da Nang airports. Staff will install the SIM, register it with your passport and activate a data package. Also available at any phone shop or electronics store on the street. Airport prices are slightly higher but the convenience is worth it — you want Grab working the moment you step outside.
Vietnam has some of the cheapest mobile data in the world. Typical packages: Viettel ST120 — 4GB/day for 30 days at 120,000 VND (about AUD $7.50). Mobifone 12MAX100 — 4GB/day for 30 days at 100,000 VND. You'll rarely use 4GB in a day unless you're streaming video. Top up via the carrier's app or at any convenience store. Data is so cheap there's no reason to ever be offline.
All SIM cards must be registered with a valid passport. This is done at the point of purchase — the staff handle it. If you buy from a street vendor, make sure they actually register the SIM properly, otherwise it may get deactivated. The airport counters always do this correctly. Keep your receipt — you may need the registration details if you have issues later.
Free WiFi is everywhere in Vietnam — cafes, restaurants, hotels, even some street food stalls. Speeds are generally decent in cities. Ask for the password (mat khau wifi) and you'll get connected. Coffee shops are particularly good — Vietnamese coffee culture means there's a cafe every 10 metres and they all have WiFi. Don't rely on public WiFi for banking or sensitive activities.
If your phone supports eSIM, grab one before you leave Australia. Airalo, Nomad and Holafly offer Vietnam data eSIMs from AUD $5-12 for 1-30 days. Activate it before you land and you'll have data the moment you turn off airplane mode. Great as a backup while you sort out a physical SIM with a local number for calls and Zalo registration.
Zalo is THE messaging app in Vietnam. Not WhatsApp, not LINE, not Telegram — Zalo. Everyone uses it, from your girlfriend to your landlord to the delivery driver. Download it and register with your Vietnamese phone number. If your partner is Vietnamese, she's already on Zalo. Facebook Messenger is the second most used. Viber is barely used. Get on Zalo or you're living in 2015.
Vietnam occasionally blocks or throttles certain websites and social media platforms. Facebook has been slow or blocked at times. A VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark) is worth having on your phone as insurance. Also useful for accessing Australian streaming services and banking apps that geo-block. Free VPNs are rubbish — pay for a reputable one. About AUD $5-10/month.
Where to find a cold beer, a feed, and other Aussies
Vietnam's Aussie expat community is growing, especially in Saigon and Hanoi. There are pockets of familiar accents, screens showing the footy, and places where you can get a decent steak or a Sunday roast. Here's where your mob hangs out.
Thao Dien in District 2 (now Thu Duc City) is expat central in Saigon. Tree-lined streets, Western restaurants, craft beer bars, and a strong Australian contingent. The Australian International School is here, so there's a community of Aussie families. Bars like The Deck, BiaCraft Artisan Ales and various rooftop spots are popular weekend hangouts. Sunday sessions are a thing here.
The Tavern is an Aussie-run sports bar in District 1 that shows AFL, NRL and cricket on the big screens. Heart of Darkness brewery tap room is another popular gathering spot. Pasteur Street Brewing's taprooms attract a mixed crowd of expats including plenty of Aussies. Bui Vien is more backpacker territory but you'll meet fellow travellers there over cheap beers.
Tay Ho is where most Western expats live in Hanoi. The lakeside area has restaurants, cafes and bars popular with the Aussie crowd. The Hanoi Social Club and various craft beer spots around the lake are good meeting points. The Australian community in Hanoi is smaller than Saigon but tight-knit. Weekend brunches are the social event of the week.
Ta Hien Street (Beer Street) is where everyone ends up eventually. Bia hoi corners, live music, and a mix of locals and foreigners. It's touristy but it's also fun. The Legend Beer microbrewery and several sports bars along the Old Quarter streets show international sport. Friday and Saturday nights here are genuinely buzzing. You'll make mates over a few rounds of bia hoi.
Da Nang is increasingly popular with Aussie expats, digital nomads and retirees. The beach, the food, the cost of living — it's hard to beat. My Khe beach area has a growing number of Western restaurants and bars. The Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills are nearby tourist draws. Smaller Aussie community than Saigon but it's growing fast. Several Facebook groups connect expats in the area.
Hoi An's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnet for long-term visitors. Several Aussies have settled here, running restaurants and bars. The beach area (An Bang Beach) has a more relaxed expat scene. The Deck House, Shore Club and various beachfront bars are popular. Hoi An is small enough that you'll run into the same faces regularly — the community forms naturally.
Nha Trang is a beach resort city that attracts a mix of Russian, Korean and Western tourists. The Aussie expat community is small but present. The Sailing Club and Louisiane Brewhouse are longstanding expat gathering spots on the beachfront. Nha Trang has a more resort-holiday vibe than Saigon or Hanoi — it's where people go to switch off. Good diving nearby too.
The Australian Alumni community in Vietnam is active, with events in both Saigon and Hanoi. The Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham Vietnam) runs networking events, business lunches and social gatherings. Great for professional connections if you're doing business in Vietnam. Anzac Day services at the Australian Consulate in Saigon and Embassy in Hanoi are well-attended community events.
A coastal city 2 hours southeast of Saigon by hydrofoil. Popular weekend escape for Saigon-based expats. The Back Beach area has bars, restaurants and a laid-back vibe. A handful of Aussie-run establishments serve familiar grub. The fast ferry from Saigon (Bach Dang Wharf) makes it an easy day trip or weekend away. Cheaper and less crowded than Nha Trang.
Join "Australians in Vietnam" and "Saigon Expats" on Facebook. Reddit's r/VietNam and r/saigon have active English-speaking communities. Internations and Meetup have regular events in Saigon and Hanoi. The Aussie expat community is welcoming and always happy to help a newcomer get settled.