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Vietnam is emerging as a popular dental tourism destination in Southeast Asia, offering affordable yet reliable services, thanks to the efforts of industry stakeholders and the nation’s supportive policies.
Vietnam is expected to welcome 19 million tourist arrivals by the end of this year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. Up to 300,000 tourists choose the country for medical treatment annually, generating $2 billion in revenue. Dental treatment is a significant contributor to this revenue.
Ho Chi Minh City accounts for up to 40% of the over 2,000 dental clinics nationwide. Choosing the right dental clinic among hundreds of options can be challenging for patients seeking high-quality yet affordable treatment.
As we offer special packages for Australian guests, our pocket guide will help you to prepare a smooth dental treatment plan with us in Ho Chi Minh as follows:
1. Travel documents
Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least six (6) months after your planned departure from Vietnam. While this rule is not set by the Australian Government, some airlines enforce it inconsistently. Be sure to check your passport’s expiry date before traveling. If you’re uncertain whether it will be valid for the required duration, you may want to consider obtaining a new passport.
Visa
Before traveling to Vietnam, you must obtain an appropriate visa. You can apply online for an e-visa for tourism or business purposes. If approved, the e-visa permits a stay of up to 90 days and allows for multiple entries. Please be aware that entry and exit conditions may change with little notice. It is advisable to contact the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for the most current information.
When applying for a visa, ensure that all the details are correct. Before your trip, double-check that the visa information matches exactly with the biodata page of your passport, including your full name and date of birth. Any inaccuracies or omissions may lead to additional fees, boarding refusal, or denial of entry upon arrival. You could be charged a significant fee at check-in or upon arrival to correct any visa errors.
If you are traveling with prescription medication, consult the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate to understand the restrictions on the value and quantity of prescription medications that can be imported or exported.
You can contact your travel agent for help with your Vietnam visa application.
Airticket
Several airlines offer direct flights from major Australian capital cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, to Ho Chi Minh City. The low-cost carrier VietJet Air and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines provide more frequent flights. Qantas also has a codeshare agreement with Vietnam Airlines.
In addition, Singapore Airlines and other low-cost carriers like Scoot, Jetstar Airways, and AirAsia offer convenient connecting flights from smaller Aussie cities and towns to Ho Chi Minh City, typically with a transit or stopover in Singapore or Bangkok. This allows you to explore these popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
If you are fortunate enough to find cheap airfare deals, you can book VietJet’s zero-dollar ticket to Vietnam, along with some additional surcharges. Overall, VietJet’s direct return tickets can sometimes cost as little as $300 AUD. It is necessary to book several months in advance. Please check with your local travel agent or our partner for assistance.
The peak seasons for traveling to Vietnam are during winter, which spans from December until Lunar New Year (often referred to as Tet), and summer break, which runs from June to early September. These periods coincide with the winter and summer term breaks in Australia. As a result, the influx of foreign tourists and the return of Vietnamese expatriates can lead to a surge in demand, causing airfares to skyrocket.
Hotel and homestay guide
Reservations for accommodation are not mandatory for your visa application. In Ho Chi Minh City, hotel or homestay prices can vary significantly, ranging from reasonably priced, clean two-star hotels to luxury hotels and residences, generally costing anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred Australian dollars. You can make reservations directly through platforms like Agoda, Booking.com, or other online travel agencies.
If you need assistance in choosing a convenient hotel location, please feel free to contact our staff at Elite Dental Center.
2. Currency and safety caution
The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND).
When arriving in or leaving Vietnam, you must declare any foreign currency exceeding $5,000 USD, including cash and traveler’s cheques, as well as any amount greater than 15 million dong. If you carry more currency or gold than declared, authorities may confiscate it, and you could face fines and legal charges. Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are easily found throughout major cities in Vietnam.
It’s advisable to check with your bank to confirm whether your ATM (eftpos) card will work in Vietnam.
Some travelers from Australia have used a “secret” debit or credit bank account for their expenses while in Vietnam. They transfer a set amount of money into this account for daily needs. Once the balance is low, they transfer the necessary funds again.
Please read the following safety precautions HERE.
3. Emergency help
The first point of contact for any emergencies while in Ho Chi Minh City should be the Australian Consulate-General.
Here are their contact details:
- 20th Floor, Vincom Centre
- 47 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Phone: (+84 28) 3521 8100
- Website: hcmc.vietnam.embassy.gov.au
Check the relevant website for details about opening hours, and any temporary closures.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
In a consular emergency, if you can’t contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
- 1300 555 135 in Australia
4. The best seasons for your Vietnam visit
December to March is the best season to visit Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
Vietnam’s winter, starkly contrasting to its humid summers, offers a pleasant climate for exploration. The north, especially at higher altitudes, can experience chilly weather, making it a perfect time to discover Hanoi’s charm or explore Ho Chi Minh City without the sweltering heat. Saigonese often calls the period “the cooler season.”
For those seeking more adventurous travel, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island beckon with warm, clear skies. However, as April approaches, southern Vietnam starts to heat up, making travel less comfortable.
A significant travel challenge is the Tet festival, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, typically occurring in late January or early February. With the entire nation on the move, transportation and accommodation prices soar.
December brings the biennial Flower Festival to Dalat, a fragrant celebration of blooms, pageantry, wine, and music. Meanwhile, March sees the annual coffee festival in Buon Ma Thuot, a delight for coffee enthusiasts. Christmas Day holds special significance for the Catholic community in Ho Chi Minh City. Flower Street on Nguyen Hue Boulevard is also worth a visit during Tet.
The shoulder seasons of April to June and September to November are ideal for avoiding peak tourist crowds in Vietnam
During the low seasons, which mark the transition from the dry winter to the wet summer, the climate is generally pleasant with fewer visitors. Although the weather can be unpredictable, featuring both sunny and rainy days, temperatures typically remain mild and comfortable.
July and August are peak months for visiting the central coast of Vietnam
This high season is the busiest time of the year, attracting many tourists due to ideal beach weather in popular destinations like Da Nang and Nha Trang. As the demand for flights and accommodations rises, prices can increase significantly. Therefore, it is advisable to book well in advance to secure the best deals.
While the southern region enjoys warm, humid weather with occasional monsoon showers and typhoons, the northern region experiences heavy rainfall, which can make outdoor activities like trekking more challenging.
5. Elite Dental Center – your trusted choice for dental treatment
Dr. Tran Hung Lam, the director of Elite Dental Center, emphasized that the clinic is fully registered and offers the same high-quality treatments found in other Asian countries, such as Thailand and India, but at a cost that is 20 to 30 percent lower.
The Center is home to over 30 dental specialists who have received extensive training from nationally and internationally recognized institutions in developed regions like Europe and America, as well as in Asian countries like Japan and South Korea.
The highly specialized team of doctors is dedicated to delivering exceptional results in their respective fields of expertise. Additionally, the Center provides a comprehensive range of services, including general dentistry, braces, dental implants, cosmetic restoration, minor surgery, and children’s dentistry.
Elite Dental Center operates three state-of-the-art clinics located in the central business districts of Ho Chi Minh City: two in District 3 and one in the new suburb of Thu Thiem. These clinics are conveniently situated, making it easy for you to access accommodations, transportation, local cuisine, and entertainment.
Some Australian tourists journey from Down Under to Elite Dental Centre to seek top-tier dental care.
For example, twin brothers John and Richard Garstones from the remote town of Derby in Western Australia returned home with renewed smiles and confidence after their dental treatment at Elite Dental Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.
One of our patients traveled all the way from Europe to Elite Dental Centre for exceptional dental care. That is the case of Rio Rene from Bordeau, France. Two years ago, Rene journeyed from Bordeaux to Ho Chi Minh City to consult with a French-trained doctor at Elite Dental Centre about a full-arch implant.
6. Elite Dental Center’s seasonal offer
We are offering freebites for Down Under tourists for their dental treatment at our clinics, between now to March 31, 2025.
These include free three hotel room nights, free online consultation, free checkup and Xray at our clinics, free blood test and free pickup from Tan Son Nhat airport. The only condition is to choose us and deposit $500 USD.
We are excited to offer exclusive freebies for tourists from Down Under who visit our dental clinics between now and March 31, 2025.
Our special package includes:
- Three complimentary nights in a hotel.
- A free online consultation.
- A free checkup and X-ray at our clinics.
- A free blood test.
- Free pickup from Tan Son Nhat Airport.
To take advantage of this offer, simply choose our services and make a deposit of $500 USD.
Promotional Offer (from now until March 31, 2025)
Condition applies: Deposit of $500 USD is required
| Offers | Full arch (more than 4 implants) | Single to three implants | Ceramic Veneers |
| Free online consultation | X | X | X |
| Free clinical checkup and X-ray | X | X | |
| Free blood test | X | X | |
| Free smile design | X | ||
| + Free pickup + Free transport during treatment time + Three complimentary hotel nights | X |
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