Vietnam is Becoming the New Australia for Young Travellers

The rise comes as more travellers appear to be weighing up Vietnam against traditional working holiday destinations such as Australia, with online conversations around cost of living, TEFL jobs, digital nomad routes and cheaper long-stay travel continuing to grow.

According to travel expert Jürgen Himmelmann, co-founder of Global Work & Travel and DealsAway, Vietnam is becoming especially attractive to young travellers, graduates, remote workers and career changers who want overseas experience without the rising costs attached to more established routes.

Jürgen Himmelmann said:

“Australia has long been one of the classic routes for young people looking to work and travel abroad, but we are now seeing a shift in how travellers think about that first big move overseas.

“Vietnam is becoming part of that conversation because it offers something many young travellers are actively looking for right now: lower living costs, strong demand for English teachers, a growing digital nomad scene and a lifestyle that feels more achievable than some traditional working holiday routes.

“For graduates, remote workers, career changers and people in their twenties who feel priced out of the usual paths, the idea of earning while living somewhere like Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An is becoming much more appealing.”

Why Vietnam is rising with young travellers

Global Work & Travel says the spike in search interest is being driven by a combination of cost pressure, career uncertainty and the growing appeal of working abroad as a way to build experience while seeing the world.

Vietnam has become particularly attractive because it sits at the crossroads of several major travel trends: teaching abroad, remote working, lower-cost city living and longer-term travel across Southeast Asia.

Jürgen Himmelmann said:

“This is not just about cheaper flights or viral travel content. It is about a wider shift in how young people are calculating the value of going abroad.

“The old work-abroad dream was often built around a few well-known routes: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Korea or Japan. Those destinations still have huge appeal, but travellers are now asking different questions.

“They are asking where their money goes further, where there is real job demand, where they can gain life experience, and where they can live well without burning through savings too quickly. Vietnam is increasingly coming up in that conversation.”

The new working-abroad maths

According to Himmelmann, Vietnam’s appeal is partly financial, but also practical.

For many travellers, teaching English offers a clearer route into paid work abroad, while cities such as Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are already established among remote workers, digital nomads and long-stay travellers.

Jürgen Himmelmann said:

“Vietnam is increasingly sitting in that sweet spot between affordability, lifestyle and opportunity.

“It has career potential through TEFL, a strong travel culture, and a lower-cost lifestyle that can make the move feel more realistic for people who do not have years of savings behind them.

“That does not mean it is simple or suitable for everyone. But it does explain why Vietnam is becoming one of the most talked-about alternatives to the traditional working holiday route.”

The biggest mistake travellers make

before moving to Vietnam

Global Work & Travel is warning travellers not to rely on social media advice alone when planning a move to Vietnam.

Jürgen Himmelmann, said:

“The biggest mistake is assuming that because Vietnam looks affordable and accessible online, the admin will be simple.

“Visa rules, work permissions, TEFL requirements, healthcare, banking and insurance all need to be checked properly before someone makes the move.

“There is a big difference between visiting Vietnam, teaching in Vietnam, working remotely from Vietnam and building a longer-term life there. Travellers need to understand which route applies to them before they book flights.”

What travellers should check before moving to Vietnam

Global Work & Travel is advising anyone considering Vietnam for work, teaching or longer-term travel to check:

The correct visa route
Short visits, teaching roles and longer-term stays may require different paperwork depending on nationality and purpose of travel.

Whether their TEFL provider is legitimate
A recognised course and proper support can make a major difference when applying for teaching roles abroad.

Monthly living costs by city
Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can offer very different lifestyles and budgets.

Health insurance and medical access
Long-stay travellers should not rely on standard holiday insurance.

Banking and international transfers
Moving money internationally can come with fees, delays and exchange-rate issues.

Employment expectations
Travellers should understand what teaching jobs involve, what qualifications are expected and whether accommodation, onboarding or support is included.

Himmelmann added:

“Vietnam is not replacing Australia for everyone, but it is becoming one of the most interesting alternatives for people who want to work abroad without following the same route as everyone else.

“The search data shows the interest is clearly there. The next step is making sure travellers understand how to turn that interest into a realistic, safe and well-planned move.”