Hue among cheapest travel destinations for Australians

By Hoang Phong August 2, 2022 | 05:00 am PT

Tomb of King Gia Long, founder of Nguyen Dynasty, is seen from above in Hue Town. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh

Australian newspaper The News Daily has listed Vinh and Hue towns in central Vietnam among budget-friendly destinations for Australian travelers amid rising living and airfare costs.

"Australians are travel-hungry after two years of lockdowns, but the rising cost of living and airfares could put globetrotting dreams on hold," the newspaper wrote.

It said the Australian dollar is much stronger than the Vietnamese dong, so holiday savings could go further in Vietnam. Currently AU$1 is worth around VND16,200.

Flights to Vinh and Hue from Melbourne both cost under US$520.

Vinh is known for its beaches and as the economic and cultural center of north-central Vietnam while Hue used to be the feudal capital of Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family (1802-1945) and famed for its royal mausoleums and other historic heritages.

Vinh International Airport is around eight kilometers from the city center while Phu Bai Airport is around 15 kilometers from downtown Hue.

Other cheap destinations for Australians include George Town, Kuching and Langkawi in Malaysia, Van and Gazipasa in Turkey.

Vietnam reopened quarantine-free international tourism from March 15 and has lifted most other Covid restrictions since.