Australian newspaper advises tourists to 'forget Bali, come to Vietnam'

Bali, Indonesia has long been a favorite destination for Australian tourists, but in a recent article in the country's leading newspaper, news.com.au, many tourists kept criticizing Bali and turned to Vietnam.

"As an Australian, I love Bali like any other girl. It will always have a special place in my heart," Madison Brennan-Mills, the author of the article, said, but immediately added: But are the soaring prices, overcrowding and dangerous streets really worth the return trip?

Madison isn't the only one wondering where to go next.

Magical scenery in Ha Long - PHOTO: iStock

For many years now, Bali has been a go-to destination for Australian tourists looking for cheap breaks, or even last-minute luxury trips.

But lately, a shift has been taking place. Airfares are more expensive. Accommodation prices are skyrocketing. Even a sunset cocktail is starting to feel like a “daytime robbery in Sydney.”

“I’ve been to Bali four times now, but sadly I’m not sure I’ll be back,” said Bridgette, a young mother from Newcastle, adding: “I have twins and a mortgage. Bali has always been a great destination for a luxury holiday on a budget, but it’s become very expensive.

As much as I love Bali, I can't take it anymore. The airfare alone is double what it was before, and the gym costs more than $30 a day."

And, it's not just young parents who find it difficult.

Dee Nguyen, the bride-to-be, recently celebrated her bachelorette party in Bali and said it would probably be her last trip.

Dee Nguyen changed her destination choice because Bali was too expensive and crowded - PHOTO: DEE NGUYEN

She said that when you want to have a fun little getaway with friends without spending too much, the first place that comes to mind is Bali. But this time changed her mind about that. Including wine and cocktails, splitting the dinner bill would cost about $100 per person, which is about the same in Australia.

She also recommends avoiding beach clubs if you're on a tight budget.

So, if Australians don't love Bali anymore, where do they go? Go to Vietnam.

The number of Australian visitors to Vietnam increased by 54% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to before the pandemic and reached more than 320,000 in the past 7 months, ranking in the top 10 largest international tourist markets in Vietnam, up 15% over the same period last year.

Bookings to Vietnam via InsideAsia increased by 46%, and Klook revealed that hotel room sales had skyrocketed by 250%.

Great meals for tourists in Vietnam cost only a few dollars.

And it's not hard to see why.

Meals and taxis average around $5 AUD, and bottled water is around 80 cents, making this a great budget destination.

Miranda, a young Australian tourist, recently visited Vietnam with her boyfriend and was deeply moved by her love for the country.

“Vietnam is amazing, the food is incredible. Most of our meals cost just a few dollars, and we had sandwiches and beers for less than two dollars,” she said.

Whether you're looking for a romantic evening under the lanterns in Hoi An, a luxury resort in Da Nang , or a cruise on Ha Long Bay, Miranda says Vietnam has plenty of options.

"Hanoi is my favourite city, the cultural heritage is so rich, but each place we visited felt completely different and special in its own way," Miranda added. "One of the best things we did was explore the Ha Giang Loop, which is a dreamy 4-day motorbike trip through the Northwest. You ride 400km, stay in homestays with local guides and enjoy traditional cuisine. Honestly, it was the highlight of our entire trip."

Dee and her fiancé in Vietnam - PHOTO: DEE NGUYEN

Miranda also really enjoyed the general atmosphere here. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and she never felt unsafe. The weather wasn't as humid as Bali or Thailand, which made it easy to spend the day exploring without feeling uncomfortable.

Dee and her fiancé have been to both countries, and she says there's a clear winner. "I've been to Bali, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and honestly? Vietnam wins," Dee insists.

Bali was a great place to party with friends, but she wouldn't go back unless it was a special occasion. Vietnam was much more affordable. She spent about $5,000 in Bali for 10 days, not including airfare or accommodation. In Vietnam, she was there for 14 days and spent about $2,000-$3,000 total. Huge difference.

“Vietnam is so much more value and it still feels like a real adventure,” Dee added.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-uc-khuyen-du-khach-quen-bali-di-hay-den-viet-nam-185250808082842434.htm