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SYD to Ho Chi Minh (SGN, Vietnam) RT from $286.38, MEL to SGN RT from $282.43 with Jetstar

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SYD to Ho Chi Minh (SGN, Vietnam) RT from $286.38, MEL to SGN RT from $282.43 with Jetstar
Go to Deal
peterpeterpumpkin on 07/07/2017 - 20:23 jetstar.com (4805 clicks)
Last edited 07/07/2017 - 21:32

Direct flights.

Weekend Fare Frenzy ends 11:59pm AEST Monday 10 July 2017, unless sold out prior. Other conditions apply, see below.

Sydney to SGN portion
From $159
05 Oct 17 - 06 Dec 17
23 Jan 18 - 22 Mar 18
26 Apr 18 - 20 Jun 18

From $179
10 Aug 17 - 14 Sep 17

Melbourne to SGN portion
From $159
23 Oct 17 - 04 Dec 17
15 Jan 18 - 21 Mar 18
18 Apr 18 - 20 Jun 18

From $191
19 Oct 17 - 15 Nov 17
30 Jan 18 - 08 Feb 18
06 Mar 18 - 22 Mar 18

If you are short on time, both Jetstar and VietJet Air offer very competitive promo fares throughout the country (~$20-$50). Check Skyscanner or your favourite comparison engine.

Travel Airfare Asia Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

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closed Comments

  • jv on 07/07/2017 - 20:43
    -1

    What about Saigon?

    • driverelli on 07/07/2017 - 20:48
      +4

      Saigon is the old name for Ho Chi Minh

      • jv on 07/07/2017 - 20:50

        is the old name

        I read it was the current common name…

        • driverelli on 07/07/2017 - 21:10
          +3

          On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh (although the name Sài Gòn is still widely used).

        • rgr on 07/07/2017 - 21:12
          +2

          HCM was Saigon until the commies took over after the war

        • Marcsie on 07/07/2017 - 21:22
          +1

          @driverelli: wow, are you Vietnamese ?

        • z28 on 07/07/2017 - 21:51
          -1

          @rogr:
          You got this back to front.

        • driverelli on 07/07/2017 - 21:56
          +2

          @Marcsie: lol no I just can use Google and wikapedia

        • hluu0111 on 07/07/2017 - 22:50
          +10

          Thanks for using Sai-Gon.

          The majority of overseas Vietnamese people had to flee the country for political and or economical reasons since the fall of Sai-Gon. For them, SGN is forever in their heart.

        • Marcsie on 08/07/2017 - 08:51

          @hluu0111: Yep, I left my heart in Saigon :)

        • strangeloops66 on 08/07/2017 - 09:47
          +1

          @z28:

          Um, no he didn't. Inverting history would be "Saigon was HCM until the…."

      • strangeloops66 on 07/07/2017 - 20:57
        +1

        I don't think Uncle Ho was ever known as Saigon.

        • Marcsie on 08/07/2017 - 09:18
          +1

          I think they should change Ha Noi to Ho Noi :)

    • strangeloops66 on 07/07/2017 - 21:21

      Quite a justifiable question. OP changed the title referencing IATA code HCM to refer to HCM/SGN. HCM is not a valid code for Viet-Nam at all. (It is a valid code for Eyl, Somalia though) The code is SGN.

      • altomic on 07/07/2017 - 21:54

        Didn't you learn your airport codes in high school?!

        • strangeloops66 on 08/07/2017 - 09:44

          They didn't have planes when I was in high school ;)

    • T-man on 07/07/2017 - 22:23
      +1

      Saigon is the capital name of South Viet Nam and the communist party has changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City years ago. However, Saigon is still the well-known name in Viet Nam.

      Ho Chi Minh is the name of the dictatorship and he is the spiritual leader of the Viet Nam communist party. You can see his face on the VND banknotes.

  • driverelli on 07/07/2017 - 21:05

    Thanks booked :) from Melbourne return 15 Jan to 1st of Feb for <$300

  • Wolfy on 07/07/2017 - 21:14
    +3

    Ho Chi Minh is fun enough, but nothing compared to the rest of the country or even Hanoi

    • Jaff on 07/07/2017 - 21:37

      so hanoi a good place?

      • altomic on 07/07/2017 - 21:40
        +10

        for some, it will enjoy.
        for others , it will annoy.

        • FlatulentFrank on 08/07/2017 - 09:35
          +1

          Can you explain why? Genuinely interested

        • cam83 on 08/07/2017 - 11:29
          +1

          @Filthy-Frankfurt:
          HCMC is the fun loving non-communist south
          Hanoi is old-world commy north, similar to China in a way

          South people don't like the north and north don't like the south. In this its kinda of like how Australians don't like NZ. Just depends on where your loyalties lie and how much the government has slighted you and your family in the past and you wish good old uncle sam won the war / left the country divided.

        • Fobsessive on 08/07/2017 - 12:36
          +1

          @cam83: but Australians don't literally hate NZ…

        • NedStark102 on 08/07/2017 - 13:08
          +2

          @cam83: Don't really think Australians don't like NZ (or vice versa for that matter) at all tbh. We definitely have a sibling type rivalry with them, where we both take the piss out of eachother, but if any other nation ended up making an aggressive move against NZ you can bet us Aussies would be the first ones to back them up.

        • altomic on 10/07/2017 - 13:23
          +1

          @Fobsessive: no need to hate a group of people we are superior to.

    • Billyjean on 07/07/2017 - 22:41
      +2

      Obviously you were doing it wrong. After living there for 7 years all over, i have to strongly disagree with that assessment.

      • JetBombat on 08/07/2017 - 18:22

        Any tips from the expert?

  • Rogaor on 07/07/2017 - 21:28

    Booked… 10 days in November. Any suggestions?

    • Jaff on 07/07/2017 - 21:39

      scoopon/groupon deals in vietnam?

    • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2017 - 21:39
      +2

      XOXO food tours

      if you're going single (male)… hot tocs / hair salons, get your hair cut…. daily

      food. 50 cent ban minh rolls on the street.

    • Wolfy on 07/07/2017 - 21:40
      +4

      2-3 days in HMC.
      Air Vietnam flight to Da Nan, 2 days in Hoy Ann, hire/ride bike, visit My Son, ride across Van Hi pass to Hue, visit caves in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng… come home.
      Bike = 2 wheeled machine with engine, you will crash it, make sure you have insurance.

      • ash2000 on 07/07/2017 - 22:42
        -3

        Bike = 2 wheeled machine with engine, you will crash it, make sure you have insurance.

        Your travel insurance won't cover riding a scooter. Officially foreigners can't ride anything higher than 50cc in Vietnam . Of course, that doesn't stop anyone, including myself.

        • cathole on 08/07/2017 - 00:34
          +1

          you will pay extra, but you can get travel insurance that covers scooters/moped/quadie hire.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2017 - 00:43
          -1

          @cathole: wrong

        • Wolfy on 08/07/2017 - 00:46
          +1

          I have an Australian bike licence now - so travel insurance is fine - but the best private hospital in Hanoi is not too expensive compared to similar treatments in Australia (found that out the hard way).

        • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2017 - 01:06

          @Wolfy: even if you have a bike license (I do) it is simply illegal. What travel insurance company anywhere in the world covers you for doing illegal activities? none!

          From October 2015, International Driving Permits (IDPs) are accepted in Vietnam.

          well then it's been updated recently, so it seems ok now

        • ash2000 on 08/07/2017 - 08:57

          @wingwang:

          From October 2015, International Driving Permits (IDPs) are accepted in Vietnam.

          Interesting, the devil is in the detail with these things. I wonder if the 50cc bike limit still applies to foreigners? Of course in reality you can't rent 50cc bikes.

          Speaking of riding scooters/bikes in Vietnam, Sapa is the most beautiful, and probably safest place to ride in Vietnam.

        • Cheap Charlie on 08/07/2017 - 13:26
          +2

          I would urge anyone planning to ride a motorbike in VN to conduct their own research.

          My understanding is as follows
          Licence
          - Australian licences are not accepted as a valid licence to operate a motor vehicle in VN
          - International driving permits from Australia are not valid in VN (there are two differing IDP conventions, Australia and VN are not on the same convention)
          - There are ways in which one can secure a VN licence. There are criterion you need to meet, namely a Visa longer than 3 months and several others.

          Travel Insurance
          Technically as an Australia, riding a motorbike in VN is illegal unless you have a local VN licence.
          You must fully read the terms within your PDS. 99% off travel insurers will note a term along the lines of legally riding a motorbike.
          As soon as you read any thing to that effect, no need to read on if you intend to ride in VN and want to be covered.
          I know of just 1 travel insurance provider who's current PDS wording would still cover you riding in VN, provided you have an AU bike licence.

          I read some thing about limited third party insurance being available in VN.
          There does seem to be differing opinions on the subject and I need to investigate this further.
          I get the feeling basically if you are involved in an incident, your fault or not you most likely will need to open your wallet to get your self out of the situation. The problem here being how do you negotiate with non English speakers.
          Do some further reading, some bike rental operations as part of their service suggests they are on call to help you negotiate in such a situation.

          Please note: The above represents my understanding and does not constitute qualified advice.

        • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 23:18
          -1

          @wingwang: Australian International Driving Permits are not recognised. You need to get a local licence, you can find agents in HCMC who will help you get a business visa and other requirements to get your local licence, provided you have an AU bike licence.

      • Marcsie on 08/07/2017 - 07:40
        +2

        Da Nang not Da Nan
        Hoi An not Hoy Ann
        Hai Van Pass not Van Hi Pass :)

        • strangeloops66 on 08/07/2017 - 09:55

          Viva Da Nang. Oh, viva Da Nang! Da Nang me, Da Nang me, why don't they get a rope and hang me?

          -Good Morning Vietnam

    • altomic on 07/07/2017 - 21:53
      +4

      inexpensive beer

    • Fobsessive on 08/07/2017 - 12:37

      There is a developing microbrewery scene at some new bars in Saigon

  • altomic on 07/07/2017 - 21:39
    +2

    no love for Bris :(

  • anzacpaul on 07/07/2017 - 23:02

    need 6th April, fml

  • sakinah on 07/07/2017 - 23:41

    Jetstar flies direct to HCMC, Vietnam?
    never knew this. I went to Vietnam 7 years ago. I had the best time there. Really want to take my kids there.

    • driverelli on 08/07/2017 - 10:27
      +1

      Yep they started flying direct to Vietnam in May this year

  • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 00:02

    Was such a better deal before Jetstar cottoned on and updated their buggy Business Hub portal. At least it has forced Vietnam airlines to drop their prices now.

  • NETBEAR on 08/07/2017 - 00:28
    +1

    haizzz, why jetstar why…. booked 3 trips to sgn because of these ridiculous prices.

  • klyvenator on 08/07/2017 - 00:54
    +8

    I just came back from Saigon last friday. Here are my tips:
    1. Visa, you need to get a visa to enter the country. It's around $90 if you get it done in Sydney at the Consulate or you can do Visa On Arrival for cheaper.
    2. Some of the SIM cards at the airport are illegal. Buy a sim card direct from Viettel or authorised retailer. A legit sim card seller should ask for your passport, fi they don't ask, it's not legit. Also Viettel has the best reception in Saigon.
    3. Getting around: Use Grab (It's an Uber competitor) as that's the cheapest way to get around. You need a sim card with calls/texts to be able to register however. If you can't get grab next best Taxi service is Vinasun which are reliable and won't take you to dark alleyways.
    4. Don't really recommend Ben Thanh markets or the surrounding area as it's a bit of a rip off/tourist trap.
    5. If visiting Cu Chi Tunnels, cheaper and more worthwhile to book a tour guide. Just the taxi trip there would probably cost around the same as the tour. You can get a tour from about $25 AUD up.

    • Wolfy on 08/07/2017 - 02:38

      I found every 2nd cafe, coffee shop and bar had free wifi (if you asked for the password) so didn't really need to buy a SIM, getting around was cheaper and easier on the back of one of the many scooters all over the place. An Dong and Binh Tay will give you a real local market experience, however be prepared to bargain hard and to be the only non-local there and get lots of looks.

    • frewer on 08/07/2017 - 05:05

      Visa On Arrival Is a type of visa or I get Visa once I arrive there ?

      • cam83 on 08/07/2017 - 11:35
        +2

        You cannot get a 'regular' visa on arrival such as in Singapore where you just get a stamp at passport control. You still need to 'plan' your visa on arrival with an agent (there are heaps just google, then google to find out if the one you want to use is a scam). If you just rock up in country without a visa already in your passport, or visa on arrival documents you will be turned away and on the next flight outta there. Technically the airline won't let you board in your country or origin without checking for a valid visa first also.

        Visa on arrival in HCMC is a LONG wait time depending on how busy the airport is (I haven't used this method for about 4-5 years), the little window and people inside of it don't have any notion of rushing etc.

        If you pay the ~$75-90 to have it done in the embassy/consul in Australia (Syd or Canberra) you basically skip this queue and go straight through to passport control. The visa on arrival technique can be done for $30-40 last time I checked. Depends on how valuable your time is and if you trust the agent organising your visa for you.

        • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 23:24

          Cam I believe things have changed a little now in terms of the wait times. Many countries, including USA can now get an e-visa online issued directly from Vietnam immigration, I believe this change has taken quite a bit of load off the VOA processing staff. Worth checking out on any future trips.

        • cv05 on 09/07/2017 - 07:47

          @PeteM:

          I went to HCMC a couple of weeks ago with a mate and went through VOA. We landed at approx 8:30pm local time and had our Visa in about 25-30min which was OK.

          We were first in the line at the window and in about 10 minutes the line was 40-50 deep. There seemed to be zero order in handing out the VOA's. The staff were extremely lack luster. There were a few local agents there who were getting priority order, sometimes going straight up to the window with a dozen or so passports.

          If I were to do it again with by myself I'd do a VOA for sure. If I had my family with me I'd just get the Visa's before I left. The uncertainty as to when your name will be called is too frustrating.

      • cl4r4 on 08/07/2017 - 11:46
        +3

        Hey Frewer! I opted for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) when i went to Vietnam last year and yes - it is a visa which is processed once you arrive in HCMC/Hanoi. I read all about it here on TripAdvisor before I went ahead with it: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Travel-g293921-c148049/Vietna…
        But basically, you pay a visa service fee to a Vietnamese agent who sends the request to the Vietnam Immigration Department and then you will be issued with a 'visa approval letter'. I used Vietnam Visa Pro and I think the fee was $6 or $9USD per person. They'll send you an email with the Visa Approval Letter and an Entry and Exit Form which you fill in/attach a passport-sized photo to, and then off you go! (You'll need the Approval Letter at the airport when you fly out from Australia as the flight attendants will double check that passengers either have a visa or a visa approval letter). Once you land in HCMC or Hanoi (I landed in HCMC), you go to the Immigration Desk and hand in your passport, approval letter & the Entry & Exit Form (which i highly recommend having filled in already because it's so much quicker!) and pay a fee of $25USD. Then you take a seat and wait and they'll call you once your visa is processed! We flew with AirAsia last year and arrived around 9am in HCMC and the entire visa process took around 15 minutes :) but i've read on trip advisor that some people wait hours.. So, for us it was entirely worth it opting for the VOA as it cost us approx $50AU each.

      • frewer on 08/07/2017 - 14:27

        Thank you very much to both of you.

      • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 23:21
        +1

        I've also done VOA on my last trip in May, had everything prepared as per the very detailed instructions on Tripadvisor and had my passport back with visa in about 10 or 15 minutes. I got to the other side of immigration and still had to wait for my luggage…

    • Aerobergerklops on 08/07/2017 - 08:48

      Actually Ben Thanh market is not as bad if you buy from the people who wear the official Ben Thanh market uniform. They sell fixed price souvenirs. The other stalls you definitely have to bargain with them for sure. Another place for decent priced souvenirs would be bookstores which are also fixed priced but they don't have a lot of variety.

    • klyvenator on 08/07/2017 - 11:34

      @Wolfy: I personally found having a SIM very useful as you don't have to spend the time looking for free wifi/asking for PW, you can use your phone number to book tours, call cabs/use Grab. SIMs don't cost much, you can get a 4G Viettel sim for less than $10 (with 3GB data).
      Are the scooters Grab/Uber drivers? You can identify them by their green/blue uniform.

      @frewer: You get the visa when you arrive at the airport and hand over the approval letter. You also need to pay $25 USD or something to the airport officers in addition to the cost of the approval letter. It also takes time for them to process the visa at the airport, took my partner about 30 mins- 1 hour for them to process hers.

      @Aerobergerklops: I didn't shop for souvenirs but at least for clothing/bags I found that every single person at the markets tried to rip me off. I had a seller quote me 700k VND for a t-shirt! I tried to leave 5 times and eventually she settled on 125k VND however according to my Vietnamese friend (local) I still got ripped off :P

      Last piece of advice I have is that when haggling walking away is your best weapon. If they are serious about selling to you they will call you back and will keep trying to negotiate. Some sellers did not care that they were ripping tourists off and were adamant on inflated prices even though there were cheaper options for the same product in a store nearby.

    • Cheap Charlie on 08/07/2017 - 12:51
      +1

      Some handy information for those whom are wanting to purchase a sim in VN

    • Neilzy on 08/07/2017 - 13:17

      +1 for grab. especially grab ride, 12000k (.60cAUD) for ~1km travel is awesome. theres Also Uber in VN too for comparison.

      Theres construction next door to ben thanh at the moment which kinda kills the scenery abit, but yeah its a rip off. If youre after cheap clothing; goto 'Saigon Squre' next to the Takashimaya shopping centre. you can bargain there

    • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 23:27

      I'll also add Uber works quite well in HCMC, I found a combination of Grab and Uber worked best. Especially during peak times or when it started to rain as the surge pricing pricing can often be avoided by using one or the other service.

  • oscarthesausagedog on 08/07/2017 - 08:13

    Checked baggage is not included but may be added for a fee.

    Prices based on payment by POLi, Jetstar voucher, Jetstar Gift Card, Jetstar MasterCard or Jetstar Platinum MasterCard for bookings through jetstar.com. For all other bookings, a Payment Fee applies. $32 to $42 extra per passenger per flight.

  • sakinah on 08/07/2017 - 08:27

    What's the best time to go there weather wise

    • Marcsie on 08/07/2017 - 08:46

      November will be the best month as it's "winter" in Saigon, so it's cooler, also just before peak season expensive airfare :)

      • cl4r4 on 08/07/2017 - 11:49

        Agree! I went in November last year and it was humid/hot in Saigon but a little cooler at night. Big plus was that there was hardly any rain! Up north in Hanoi, the weather was definitely cooler but very nice - almost perfect i'll say :)

  • FlatulentFrank on 08/07/2017 - 09:40

    Looking at early September, are there any bargains with resorts or hotels people could recommend that have been there before?

  • acersaurus on 08/07/2017 - 10:07
    +1

    Good deal.

    Regarding the OPs post about Vietjet Air, bare in mind they add on large amounts of extra fees - the advertised fare is deceptive.

    A return flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang came to $107 USD per person when I booked it recently.

  • Cheap Charlie on 08/07/2017 - 11:54
    +1

    Perfect Timing for Me

    I had a rough itinerary planned riding riding a motorbike from Hanoi to HCMC.
    I had wanted been wanting to do the trip since Top Gear did it way back when.
    The ability to secure direct flights at this price point has resulted in me pulling the Trigger.
    Fly out January 24th.

    Loosely following this itinerary, albeit in reverse for any one interested.

    • PeteM on 08/07/2017 - 23:46

      Are you going to drive your own moto? or ride as a passenger?

      • Cheap Charlie on 09/07/2017 - 16:09

        Riding, no way in hell I am riding bitch

  • sakinah on 08/07/2017 - 12:48

    How many days have people booked for? Not sure how long to go for

  • d86 on 08/07/2017 - 23:42

    I spent all day in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh. It was impossible to take even a short walk due to the motorbikes.

  • WatermelonJuice on 09/07/2017 - 00:15

    Anyone planning on being in Vietnam in July or August?

  • Spending2Much on 09/07/2017 - 02:13
    +1

    Is a short trip to Cambodia doable from HCM?

    • veron on 09/07/2017 - 08:56

      you can go there by bus departed from HCM central

    • hoangvu on 10/07/2017 - 12:19

      totally possible. Bus from Saigon central would take 8 hours from Saigon to Phnompenh. Air plane could be a better option. Make sure your visa to Vietnam is multi-entry.

  • Spending2Much on 09/07/2017 - 02:20

    How are you getting $282 return?
    (At $159 each way? The cheapest)
    Am I presuming the RT means return?

    • veron on 09/07/2017 - 08:55
      +2

      return is only $127

      • klrrider1 on 15/07/2017 - 00:52
        +1

        I signed up for this Jetstar deal, flying SYD to SGN return in October. I paid $359.10 in total for fares, 15 kg of checked in luggage both ways,as well as a coke and a pie on the way back.

        I used VietnamPro to buy the Visa Approval Letter.

  • sakinah on 10/07/2017 - 17:32

    How much is the visa? Where do I apply?

  • lyl-Lychee on 11/07/2017 - 00:33
    +1

    Thanks op, booked flights for 2 weeks over April-May. Awesome deal, you've made my dream of visiting Vietnam finally happen.

  • branners on 14/07/2017 - 19:58

    One thing about HCMC that I have not read elsewhere…
    Great city for dentists. My wife needed attention there a couple of years ago after cracking a tooth and the hotel we stayed at directed her to a dentist 5 mins by cab away, in Dist 1.
    Could not have been more impressed. Saw her straight away and the dentist who treated her (a woman about 35) trained at Boston College. One of the others who worked at the practice trained in Seoul.
    Cost was about 75 percent less than having a filling replaced in Melbourne.
    We got a pricelist to bring home. I need to have a crown done soon, after breaking a tooth a while ago and we are thinking about going in December and getting it done, which would make the trip nearly free (ie, it would cost about $1800 at my local dentist).
    Plus the usual +++ about HCMC; great food, including some of the best Indian and Japanese we have ever tasted (!). Terrific people, stunning scenery. We love a banh mi, ban xiao, with a ba ba ba, plus Vietnamese vodka is A1, there is a killer jazz band at the upstairs bar at The Majestic Hotel…

    • Cheap Charlie on 14/07/2017 - 21:04

      Any chance you could send me that price list?

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