For Australians, Vietnam is one of the closest places to visit from their largely isolated island. Our dragon-shaped country provides an exciting opportunity to discover an ancient culture and a lush, undulating landscape differing hugely from the flat, barren expanses of the Australian outback. These Vietnam tour packages from Australia are offered by Vietnam Escape Tours and tailored around the desires of our mates across the Indian Ocean, who can find a great amount of appeal in Vietnam and the outstanding destinations laying within.
Please note that the following tours do not feature airfare from Australia to Vietnam or vice versa.
From the bustle of cities to the green-coated world of rural Vietnam, our Australians guests continuously find beauty during their time with Vietnam Escape Tours.
Hanoi
Vietnam represents a very different approach to culture from modern Australia, but we actually share a lot in common with the indigenous culture in the ways our families and communities are put first. This is represented best in the cultural capital of Hanoi, where all meals are shared and a real sense of community prevails on the streets. This stems from Hanoi’s ancient culture, which stretches back 5,000 years and incorporates a range of influences including Chinese, French and American, observable in the eclectic mix of architecture dotted around the capital.
Like a much, much larger version of the 12 Apostles, Halong Bay stands at 1,550km2 and presents itself as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Understandably, this is high up on the list of attractions for Australians and visitors worldwide, who come on daytrips as well as 2-day or 3-day cruises around the limestone seascape. Tours visit caves, fishing villages and beaches and include activities like kayaking, swimming and various cultural showings on the boat itself.
Understandably, much of the appeal for guests of our Vietnam tour holidays from Australia is in the scenery that differs so wildly from back home. The surprise factor reaches its peak in Sapa, which displays the beauty of Vietnam around gorgeous tree-topped mountain ranges, with its apex at Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Indochina. Sapa is a trekker’s paradise and a great way to see evocative rice terrace scenery as well as the various and diverse cultures of ethnic minorities, who live in the villages of the region in highly attractive wooden stilt houses.
The commitment of Australian troops during the Vietnam War is never forgotten in Vietnam, and while the headlines here were made by the Americans, there are still homages paid to brave Australian soldiers at Vung Tau and its nearby Long Tan battlefield. Long Tan is where Australian troops made their last stand while outnumbered 20 to 1 by Vietnamese troops, and their fighting spirit even brought commendations from the Vietnamese. The nearby beach town of Vung Tau is home to many Australian expats and offers a slice of home on a Vietnam tour package from Australia.
Australians in general have an infatuation with Vietnam and they are very well-represented in tourist numbers to our country. They continuously find that there is so much to discover in one of their nearest Asian neighbours.
An Ancient Culture – While Australia has been a country for over 100 years, Vietnam has been in existence, in one form or another, for over 5,000. This has seen an incredibly potent and unique culture develop and strengthen over time, leading to destinations that can boast a fantastic philosophy that dates back five millennia, evolving over time to manifest itself in architecture, food and religion. This offers something completely new for Australians and something worth discovering.
Fantastic Food – The food scene in Australia is very diverse and many of its famous dishes come from Vietnam. Guests flock to our Vietnam tour packages from Australia in order to try our world-famous food, through steaming bowls of pho on the street to exquisite tropical fruits. There is a whole hidden world of Vietnamese cuisine that hasn’t yet made it to Australia, so you can enjoy the thrill of discovery through a great variety of flavours.
Money goes Far – Australia’s highly prosperous position in terms of economy means that, in a place like Vietnam, you can afford to indulge. Hotels and tour services will seem much cheaper than what you are used to, and local food will be a mere drop in the ocean of your budget. This means you can stretch to include more high-end options, including luxury cruises around Halong Bay and the chance to stay in the country for longer.
All Australians, regardless of their length of stay, must get a visa before visiting Vietnam. These visas can be for 1 month or 3 months and allow single or multiple entries at a time. Visas can be obtained through one of two ways:
Apply with Vietnam Escape Tours – If booking onto any one of our Vietnam tour packages from South Africa, the visa service of Vietnam Escape Tours will be able to get you up and running before your trip begins. Simply request an approval letter and application form from us, after which you can take this to the airport along with the stamping fee. You must pay a standard visa arrangement fee to us if choosing this method.
Apply via the Embassy – The Vietnamese embassy in Australia is located in Canberra. Here, diplomats can arrange your visa for you and stick it in your passport before you arrive in Vietnam. Simply make an appointment with the embassy, taking your passport with you, and await your passport with visa in the post afterwards.
Local currency is better in almost every aspect when dealing with situations in Vietnam. You may be able to pay for some popular services with Australian or American dollars, but really these should be changed to the local currency, dong, which is used universally around the country. Bring Australian or American dollars with you to change throughout your trip, as it is exceptionally hard to acquire dong before arriving in Vietnam.
Public transport is not a widely used service in Vietnam. As you will see by one glance at the cities, many people prefer to use personal cars and motorbikes to get around, which is really the only viable option in the country so far. Transport systems around cities are steadily growing in appeal, but the easiest way to get is via a taxi – in either motorbike or car form. On our Vietnam package holidays for Australians, you don’t have anything to worry about in terms of transport as everything will already be organised for you.
Vietnam’s level of English is improving dramatically, but still many of the locals will not be able to understand what you are saying. Try to learn a few basic phrases and numbers if you are planning on experiencing Vietnam in the local manner, with street food and by using taxis etc. Don’t worry about English levels at hotels, large restaurants and with tour agencies though, as almost everyone will be able to converse to some degree here.
The major cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are well placed to be able to offer external flights to other countries after guests have enjoyed ours. After your Vietnam tour package from Australia has finished, you can fly to several of our neighbouring countries or, if you are looking for somewhere further afield, then connections can be made through the airports of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
The tours listed below are all part of our Vietnam tour packages from Australia. Please have a look through and let us know if you have an questions. Thank you!
5 day(s)
Code: VNNG51
10 day(s)
Code: VN101
12 day(s)
Code: VN123
12 day(s)
Code: VN122
15 day(s)
Code: VN151
15 day(s)
Code: VN152
15 day(s)
Code: VN153
14 day(s)
Code: VN141
15 day(s)
Code: VC151