There’s something magical about the moment when a long‑awaited trip finally begins… and then there’s the reality of actually getting there. Our journey to Vietnam was one of those stories that already feels funnier in hindsight — the kind of family travel adventure that becomes part of the experience whether you planned it or not.
Singleton → Sydney:
Our trip kicked off in Singleton, where our train to Sydney Airport was delayed by three hours thanks to a broken-down freight train blocking the tracks. Three hours. With five people, five oversized suitcases, backpacks, and a set of golf clubs. We looked like a travelling circus attempting an international relocation.
Just when we started brainstorming increasingly desperate Plan Bs as we weren’t sure if they train was actually going to show up (as we had no updates from the train company), it finally arrived. Small victory, and we took it.
Sydney: rain, hunger & taxi troubles
By the time we reached Sydney, the sky had opened up. Not a gentle drizzle — proper, soaking, sideways rain. We were tired, hungry, and very ready to be horizontal.
We booked a maxi taxi to get to our hotel (the Moxy Sydney Airport Hotel), which never showed. After waiting nearly half an hour, we surrendered and took two regular taxis. And yes, we were absolutely overcharged. Travel tip: always use Uber or a booking app so you know the price upfront.
When we arrived at the hotel, buses were blocking the entrance, so we had to walk around them in the pouring rain. By the time we reached reception, we looked like we’d swum there.
Thankfully, the rooms were beautiful — interconnecting, comfortable, and exactly what we needed. We inhaled dinner and went straight to bed. I thought I’d sleep well… but of course I woke up at 2am. I guess it was from all of the travel excitement.
Airport morning: breakfast & mild panic
Everyone else woke around 5:30am, and we headed down for breakfast. The buffet was surprisingly great — eggs, bacon, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit. The kind of breakfast that makes you feel like you’re about to make excellent life choices before a long day of international travel with kids.
We caught the shuttle to the international terminal and arrived three hours early. I used to think three hours was plenty. I now know that when travelling with children, four hours is the sweet spot. Nothing is worse than rushing through an airport with small humans who suddenly need a toilet, a snack, a cuddle, and a philosophical discussion about airplanes.
The check‑in line was huge, but we made it through with time to spare… and then the flight was delayed anyway. Typical!
Ho Chi Minh City: the heat hits first
Stepping off the plane in Ho Chi Minh City International Airport felt like walking into a sauna. A very humid sauna. We were met by an airline worker holding a sign for domestic transfers in Vietnam, who informed us we needed to collect our luggage and recheck it for our flight to Hanoi. He also casually mentioned that if we missed our flight, they’d just put us on the next one.
After two days of travel, the idea of missing a flight with three exhausted kids was… not comforting.
Then we turned the corner and saw the immigration line.
Wow.
I’d heard it was long, but seeing it in person was something else. It looked like half the planet had arrived at the same time. But surprisingly, we made it through in under an hour. It actually was not as scary as it looked. Travelling to Vietnam is incredibly smooth as long as you’re prepared before you land. One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is assuming their e‑visa is the only thing they need. In reality, there are two essential steps: securing your visa and completing your arrival card ahead of time. Skip either one and you’ll find yourself stuck in a slow‑moving airport queue while everyone else breezes through immigration.
We had a completely hassle‑free entry because we handled everything before boarding our flight. It took the stress out of arrival, saved us time, and let us walk straight into Vietnam ready to enjoy the trip. If you’re heading there soon, consider this your friendly reminder: do the paperwork early, and your first impression of Vietnam will be as easy as it should be.
Domestic transfer: shoes off, snacks gone & cash panic
We collected our bags, headed to the domestic terminal, checked in again, and went through security — which was much stricter than Sydney. All electronics out, shoes off, bags opened. At this point, I was running purely on adrenaline and pastries.
Once we reached the gate, we finally relaxed. We hadn’t missed our flight, and we even had time to buy food.
Family travel tip #1: Pack lots of snacks when travelling with kids. We didn’t. We regretted it.
The airline served a small hot meal, but everything else cost extra — and they only accepted cash.
Family travel tip #2: Always carry local currency in cash when arriving in a new country. We tried to exchange AUD to Vietnamese dong (VND) before leaving Australia, but they ran out… and then we forgot to go elsewhere. Luckily, withdrawing cash at the airport was easy, but arriving with no money in a new country is not ideal.
The Quickest Flight Ever
Our flight to Hanoi left at 8:30pm (which felt like 11:30pm to us). I had been awake since 2am, so I basically boarded the plane ready to sleep. The moment we took off, we all passed out. It was a two‑hour flight, but it felt like ten minutes.
Hanoi Arrival: calm, quick & a fancy ride
Hanoi Airport was much calmer. We collected our bags and met our pre‑booked driver from Klook airport transfers. Best decision ever. The van was a limousine-style ride — comfortable, spacious, and exactly what we needed after two days of travel.
We arrived at our hotel (story for another day!) and finally exhaled. We made it. We’re here. And we’re already loving every minute.
Vietnam has already surprised us, challenged us, and amazed us, and we’ve only just arrived. We can’t wait to see what the coming days, weeks, and months have in store.
If you’re planning your own Vietnam family travel itinerary, or you’re curious about what it’s really like to experience Vietnam culture shock firsthand, follow along, there’s so much more to come.
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