Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City: Flight Time and Pre-Arrival Tips for Your Visit

The flight distance between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City is 6,841km. The average direct flight time from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City is 8 hours 50 minutes while transit flights have longer travel times. 

The average flight time for transit flights depends on the number of stops. For instance, a flight with one stop in Kuala Lumpur will take about 10 hours 20 minutes.

Flight Time from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City

Here is a table showcasing the flight times for various types of flights from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City:

Flight Time from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City

Flight Type	Stopover	Flight Time
Non-stop	-	8 hrs 50 mins
One-stop	Hanoi: 8 hrs 10 mins	20 hrs 30 mins
	Singapore: 3 hrs 55 mins	10 hrs 35 mins
	Kuala Lumpur: 1 hr 40 mins	10 hrs 20 mins
	Bangkok: 5 hrs 45 mins	11 hrs 10 mins
	Melbourne: 6 hrs 50 mins	10 hrs 10 mins

Generally, flying with a direct flight is the quickest way to travel between the two cities. However, choosing a connecting flight with one stop is worth considering if you do not find a direct flight ticket.

5 Things to Know Before Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City

1. You need a visa to enter Vietnam unless you are from one of the visa-exempt countries. You can apply for a visa online (e-visa), at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or the airport on arrival (VOA). You can find more information about the visa requirements and procedures here.

Tan Son Nhat Airport, the gateway to Vietnam

2. You need to queue up at the immigration gate and present your passport and necessary documents. The estimated immigration processing time at Tan Son Nhat Airport is around 1 hour - 2 hours.

3. You should exchange your Australian dollars (AUD) for a Vietnamese dong (VND) at a bank or money changer in the city. The exchange rate is about AUD 1 = VND 16,000 as of July 2023. You can also use your credit or debit card at some ATMs, hotels, restaurants, or shops, but you might be charged a fee or a higher exchange rate.

4. You should prepare for the change in weather and climate in HCMC, which are different from Sydney. 

Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical wet and dry climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April). The average temperature throughout the year is around 28°C, but it can get as high as 40°C in April and as low as 16°C in December. The humidity is also high, especially during the rainy season.

Please note that the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere are the opposite of those in the Southern Hemisphere. So, while it is winter in Australia, it is summer in Vietnam from June to August. So, while it is winter in Australia in June - August, it is summer in Vietnam. This means that you will need to pack different clothing for your trip depending on where you are coming from. 

For example, if you are traveling from Sydney in June, you will need to pack light and breathable clothing for the summer in Vietnam. You may also want to pack a light jacket or sweater for the evenings, as it can get a bit chilly at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the direct flight from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City? 

The direct flight from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City takes about 8 hours 50 minutes. The flight typically departs from Sydney Airport (SYD) and arrives at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City.

2. What is the time difference between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City? 

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). 

For example,  when it is 10:00 AM in Sydney, it is 7:00 AM in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. How far is Tan Son Nhat Airport from Ho Chi Minh City Centre? 

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), is approximately 7.4km (4.6 miles) from the city centre. Travel time varies based on traffic conditions. It takes 15 to 25 minutes to head to the city centre by taxi.