Australian travellers are checking foreign exchange rates while assessing their next holiday options, which is leading them to Vietnam, where the strength of the Australian dollar is at a five-year high against the Vietnamese dong.
Asokan Sathurayar, Travelex, managing director – Australia and New Zealand, said: “With living costs rising in Australia, travellers are considering destinations where the Australian dollar can go further – and many Southeast Asian destinations such as Vietnam are offering favourable exchange rates.”
This has also meant Australian travellers have been seeking experiences closer to home, with destinations such as Fiji and the Philippines notable favourites in the first half of the year.
Monthly visitors to Vietnam from Australia peaked at 72,620 in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, with demand for the dong recording a 17% year-on-year increase for the first two months of the year.
Inbound international visitors to Vietnam increased by 14.9% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with visitors from Australia at an all-time high.