The distance from Australia to Vietnam ranges from 4,600km to 7,000km depending on your departure city, with flight times between 7.5 and 16 hours. This comprehensive guide breaks down exact flight durations from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide to Vietnam’s major cities, compares direct vs stopover routes, and provides practical jet lag strategies to help you arrive refreshed and ready to explore.
Quick Answer: Distance & Flight Time Overview
If you are wondering how far Vietnam is from Australia, the distance varies significantly depending on the route. The shortest journey is from Perth at 4,615 km, while Sydney and Melbourne sit around 6,000-6,300 km from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. These distances translate into direct flight durations of 7.5 to 9.5 hours, while connecting routes can extend travel time to 10-16 hours depending on the layover city.
Perth travellers enjoy the shortest flights, often just 7 hours and 30 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, Sydney and Melbourne have abundant direct services, saving between 3 and 6 hours compared to Southeast Asian transit routes. These flight durations include takeoff and landing times but do not factor in airport processing or domestic travel time to your Australian airport of departure.
| Route | Distance | Direct Flight | With Stopover |
| Perth → HCMC | 4,615 km | 7h 30m – 8h | 10-13h |
| Melbourne → HCMC | 6,045 km | 8h 15m – 8h 45m | 11-14h |
| Sydney → HCMC | 6,185 km | 8h 30m – 9h | 11-15h |
| Sydney → Hanoi | 6,384 km | 9h – 9h 30m | 12-16h |
| Brisbane → Hanoi | 6,380 km | No direct | 10-14h |
| Adelaide → HCMC | 6,360 km | No direct | 12-16h |
Flight Time from Australia to Vietnam (City-by-City Breakdown)
Below is a clear breakdown of travel times to Vietnam’s two major gateways: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN).
From Sydney
Travellers from Sydney frequently ask how far Vietnam is from Australia, and the answer is approximately 6,185 km to Ho Chi Minh City, covered in 8 to 9 hours on a direct flight. Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar operate regular nonstop services, while Qantas offers premium code-share options. Morning departures typically land in Vietnam by late afternoon, while red-eye flights allow you to arrive early in the day with less jet lag.
For Hanoi, the distance increases slightly to 6,384 km, with Vietnam Airlines offering a direct service of around 9 to 9.5 hours. If direct schedules do not align, many travellers choose to land in Ho Chi Minh City instead. In this case, your Vietnam tour can conveniently start in Ho Chi Minh City without the need to fly back to Hanoi. Our team will simply adjust the itinerary to ensure a smooth south-to-north route that still covers all key highlights.
From Melbourne
When considering how far Vietnam is from Australia from Melbourne, the journey to Ho Chi Minh City covers 6,045 km, resulting in a direct flight time between 8 hours 15 minutes and 8 hours 45 minutes. VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines both operate regular nonstop flights, making Melbourne one of the most convenient hubs for travelling to Vietnam.
If your trip focuses on northern Vietnam, you will need to connect via Singapore or Ho Chi Minh City, as Melbourne does not currently offer direct flights to Hanoi. Most routes range from 11 to 13 hours total, depending on layover duration.
From Perth – Australia’s Shortest Route
Perth offers the shortest and fastest connection to Vietnam, which is why travellers here often wonder just how far Vietnam is from Australia compared to the east coast. The Perth-Ho Chi Minh City route is only 4,615 km, with direct flights taking 7.5 to 8 hours. With only a one-hour time difference between Perth and Vietnam, jet lag is minimal.
Although there are no direct flights from Perth to Hanoi, the connection via Singapore adds only a small amount of travel time, usually resulting in a 10-12 hour journey in total.
From Brisbane, Adelaide & Canberra
Brisbane travellers often search how far Vietnam is from Australia, as the city has no direct flights to Vietnam. The journey to Ho Chi Minh City covers roughly 6,380 km and is best completed via Singapore, with a total travel time of around 10-11 hours. Alternative connections through Sydney, Bangkok, or Melbourne increase total flight time.
From Adelaide, the distance to Ho Chi Minh City is similar at 6,360 km, but all routes require a stopover. Connecting via Melbourne or Sydney typically shortens travel time compared to flying through another Southeast Asian hub.
Canberra travellers follow similar routing, with most itineraries routing through Sydney or Melbourne, resulting in travel times between 13 and 16 hours.
Best Place to Start Your Vietnam Tour
Based on flight duration, frequency, and convenience for travellers from Australia, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both excellent entry points.
- If you are flying from Melbourne or Sydney, Hanoi is the best place to start your Vietnam tour. These two cities offer the most frequent and convenient direct flights to Hanoi, making it the smoothest gateway for a north-to-south itinerary that includes Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and onward to central and southern Vietnam.
- If you are flying from Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, or other Australian cities, Ho Chi Minh City is the better starting point. These departures typically provide more flexible schedules, shorter total travel time, or better fares to Ho Chi Minh City. Starting your tour in the south allows for an easy transition into a south-to-north route without any backtracking.
For Australians researching visa-related rules before flying, you may find it useful to read our complete guide What Do I Need to Travel to Vietnam from Australia? Your Complete 2026 Guide – a helpful overview before planning your trip.
Not sure whether to start your Vietnam journey in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City? Our travel experts can help customize the perfect route based on your flight options from Australia. Share your travel preferences, and we will design a personalised, obligation-free itinerary tailored to your arrival city and travel style here.
Understanding Time Zones: Australia vs. Vietnam
Time differences are an important factor when considering how far Vietnam is from Australia in terms of travel impact rather than physical distance. Vietnam operates on GMT+7 year-round without daylight saving adjustments. This results in a 1- to 4-hour time difference depending on your Australian city and the season.
Travellers from Sydney and Melbourne are ahead of Vietnam time by 3-4 hours, which means morning departures usually land by late afternoon in Vietnam. Perth enjoys the smallest time difference at just +1 hour, making adjustments easy and reducing sleep disruption. These overlaps also make business communication between Australia and Vietnam relatively convenient.
Time Difference by Australian City:
| Australian City | Time Zone | Difference to Vietnam | When it’s 12pm in Vietnam |
| Sydney/Melbourne (Summer) | AEDT (GMT+11) | – 4 hours | 4:00 PM in Sydney |
| Sydney/Melbourne (Winter) | AEST (GMT+10) | – 3 hours | 3:00 PM in Sydney |
| Brisbane | AEST (GMT+10) | – 3 hours (year-round) | 3:00 PM in Brisbane |
| Perth | AWST (GMT+8) | + 1 hour | 11:00 AM in Perth |
| Adelaide (Summer) | ACDT (GMT+10.5) | – 3.5 hours | 3:30 PM in Adelaide |
| Adelaide (Winter) | ACST (GMT+9.5) | – 2.5 hours | 2:30 PM in Adelaide |
Jet Lag Management: Arrive Ready to Explore
Even though many travellers ask how far Vietnam is from Australia, the effects of jet lag tend to be mild thanks to the moderate distance and small time difference. Most travellers adjust fully within 24 to 48 hours, especially when flying from Perth or arriving in Vietnam during the morning.
Preparing a few days before your trip-such as adjusting your sleep schedule slightly, staying hydrated, and choosing a well-timed flight can greatly improve comfort. During the flight, adjusting your watch to Vietnam time, drinking water regularly, and aligning meals with Vietnam’s time zone helps ease the transition.
Suggested 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary (Perfect for All Australian Cities)
This itinerary is tailored for travellers who have calculated how far Vietnam is from Australia and want to make the most of their time after arrival. Whether you land in the morning or evening, the pacing allows for smooth adjustment and minimal fatigue. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Hanoi provides seamless onward connections for your return flight to Australia.
The 10-day route includes Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, and an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, perfect for first-time visitors seeking a balance of culture, nature, food, and relaxation.
Route: Ho Chi Minh City → Hoi An → Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hanoi
- 9 nights accommodation (3-4 star)
- Daily breakfast + select lunches/dinners
- All private transfers and transport
- Guided tours with English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees to major attractions
- Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
- Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel
- Free time to recover from flight and explore nearby
- Light orientation walk around District 1 (optional)
- Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Discovery & Cu Chi Tunnels
- Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour – underground war history
- Afternoon: City highlights – War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office
- Evening: Free time or optional street food tour
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Mekong Delta Day Trip
- Full-day Mekong Delta tour to My Tho or Can Tho
- Boat rides through canals and local villages
- Visit fruit orchards, coconut candy workshops, floating markets
- Traditional Vietnamese lunch with Mekong specialties
- Return HCMC evening, free time
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 4: Fly to Hoi An
- Morning flight to Da Nang (1h 15m)
- Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town (30 mins)
- Afternoon: Walking tour of UNESCO Ancient Town – Japanese Covered Bridge, old merchant houses, assembly halls
- Evening: Lantern-lit streets and riverside dinner
- Meals: Breakfast | Overnight: Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An Free Day
- Full day at leisure – choose your adventure:
- Option 1: Cooking class with market visit
- Option 2: My Son Temples excursion (Cham ruins)
- Option 3: Beach relaxation at An Bang
- Option 4: Bike tour through rice paddies
- Evening: Pick up tailor-made clothes, explore night market
- Meals: Breakfast | Overnight: Hoi An
Day 6: Fly to Hanoi
- Morning flight to Hanoi (1h 20m)
- Afternoon: Hanoi Old Quarter walking tour – Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, 36 Streets
- Evening: Water Puppet Show + dinner at local restaurant
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi City Highlights
- Morning: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature
- Afternoon: Vietnamese Women’s Museum or Hoa Lo Prison
- Coffee break: Famous egg coffee experience
- Evening: Free time for shopping or street food exploration
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight: Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay Cruise
- Morning: Drive to Ha Long Bay (3.5 hours with rest stop)
- Midday: Board overnight cruise, welcome lunch
- Afternoon: Cruise through karst formations, visit Sung Sot Cave, kayaking or swimming
- Evening: Sunset cocktails, cooking demonstration, seafood dinner, onboard activities
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Ha Long Bay cruise
Day 9: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
- Early morning: Tai Chi on deck, sunrise viewing
- Breakfast while cruising
- Visit floating village or Ti Top Island
- Brunch before disembarkation (11:30 AM)
- Drive back to Hanoi, afternoon arrival
- Evening: Farewell dinner or free time for last-minute shopping
- Meals: Breakfast, Brunch | Overnight: Hanoi
Day 10: Departure
- Free time until airport transfer
- Flight home (most flights depart evening 6-10 PM)
- Meals: Breakfast
If you are seeking more trip ideas, you can explore our curated list of Vietnam tour packages from Australia, which includes customizable itineraries for families, couples, and senior travellers.
CONCLUSION
The distance from Australia to Vietnam ranges from 4,615km (Perth to HCMC) to 6,384km (Sydney to Hanoi), with flight times varying from 7.5 hours to 16 hours depending on your departure city and route choice. Perth travelers enjoy the shortest journey and easiest time adjustment with only a 1-hour difference, while East Coast cities benefit from more frequent direct flight options and competitive pricing.
With strategic planning – booking 3-6 months ahead during shoulder seasons, choosing the right airline for your budget and comfort needs, and implementing proven jet lag strategies – your journey to Vietnam will be smooth and comfortable. The minimal time difference of 1-4 hours means you’ll be fully adjusted and exploring ancient temples, savoring pho, and cruising Ha Long Bay’s emerald waters within 24-48 hours of touchdown.
If you’re planning your Vietnam trip from Sydney, Melbourne, or any other city in Australia, our team is here to help. Simply send us your request via this form or email [email protected] . Our travel consultants will get back to you with a personalised itinerary and a custom quote within 24 hours – or even sooner!
