Moving from Australia to Vietnam: Pre-Departure Checklist
30+ action items organised by timeline -- from 6 months out to your first week in Vietnam. Money, government, insurance, healthcare, dental, and settling in.
Moving overseas is exciting but involves dozens of administrative, financial, and practical decisions. Miss one -- like failing to notify Services Australia -- and you risk payment suspensions or overpayment recovery. This checklist organises everything into a clear timeline so nothing falls through the cracks. For the full financial picture, see our Australian's Complete Guide to Retiring in Vietnam.
1. Six Months Before Departure
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get cross-border tax advice | Consult a tax professional experienced with AU-VN matters. Topics: ATO residency determination, SMSF compliance, super withdrawal timing, CGT on Australian property, Vietnamese PIT, and DTA relief claims. Budget AUD $500-$1,500 for a comprehensive session. |
| 2 | Review superannuation strategy | Check your fund type (APRA-regulated or SMSF). If SMSF, plan rollover to an APRA fund to avoid central-management-and-control (CMC) issues. Decide lump sum vs account-based pension. Full super guide. |
| 3 | Decide on Australian property | Sell, rent, or retain? Each has different ATO residency, CGT, and assets-test implications. Renting out your home means ongoing Australian tax obligations and may affect the Age Pension assets test. Selling triggers CGT calculations. A financial adviser can model the options. |
| 4 | Research your destination city | Da Nang, HCMC, or Hanoi? Consider climate, cost, healthcare access, expat community, and dental clinic availability. Best places to retire. City comparison. |
| 5 | Scouting trip (recommended) | Use the 45-day visa-free entry for a 2-4 week scouting trip. Visit neighbourhoods, inspect apartments, check hospitals and dental clinics, and experience daily life before committing. |
Start planning 6 months out. The financial and government steps take time, and rushing them risks costly mistakes.
2. Three Months Before Departure
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Notify Services Australia (Centrelink) | Call Centrelink International: +61 3 6222 3455 (overseas) or 132 300 (AU). Report departure date, destination, and overseas bank details. They will confirm your overseas pension rate. Age Pension overseas guide. |
| 7 | Notify the ATO | Inform the ATO of your departure and potential change in tax residency. Consider requesting a private ruling on your residency status for certainty. Update your address in myGov. |
| 8 | Execute SMSF rollover (if applicable) | If rolling SMSF to an APRA-regulated fund, initiate now. Rollovers can take 4-8 weeks. Set up an account-based pension if using the drawdown strategy. |
| 9 | Arrange international health insurance | Compare Cigna Global, Allianz Care, April International, Pacific Cross. Set start date for your departure day so there is no gap. Budget $80-$250/month. Insurance guide. |
| 10 | Set up Wise | Create a Wise account (wise.com). Link your Australian bank. Test a small transfer to Vietnam (if you have a Vietnamese contact) or to another currency to confirm the account works. Fees: 0.5-1.0% at mid-market rate. Cash or Card guide. |
| 11 | Register with Smartraveller | Register at smartraveller.gov.au for DFAT travel advice and emergency contact. This is free and takes 5 minutes. |
| 12 | Review estate planning | Update your Australian will, enduring power of attorney, and advance health directive. Consider whether Vietnamese assets need separate legal arrangements. Nominate super death benefit beneficiaries. |
| 13 | Request dental treatment quotes | If you have deferred dental work, request a free quote from SmileJet now. You can schedule treatment for your first weeks in Vietnam and arrive with a plan. |
3. One Month Before Departure
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Confirm visa arrangements | 45 days visa-free for Australians. If staying longer, apply for a 90-day e-visa ($25, online). Full visa guide. |
| 15 | Book flights | Sydney/Melbourne to HCMC: ~9 hrs direct (AUD $500-$900 return). Brisbane: ~8.5 hrs. Consider one-way if timing is open. Best time to visit. |
| 16 | Arrange initial accommodation | Book a serviced apartment or Airbnb for the first 2-4 weeks. This gives you a base while you search for permanent rental. Budget: $30-$60/night for a comfortable serviced apartment. |
| 17 | Notify your Australian bank | Inform your bank you will be accessing the account from overseas. Add Vietnam as a travel destination on your debit/credit cards to avoid blocks. Confirm international transfer capabilities. |
| 18 | Organise medications | Get 3-month supply of all prescription medications from your GP. Ask for a typed medication list with generic names, dosages, and conditions. Most common medications are available cheaply in Vietnam. |
| 19 | Cancel/redirect unnecessary subscriptions | Australian mobile plan (switch to prepaid or cancel), gym, streaming geo-locked services. Redirect mail through Australia Post's mail redirection service. |
| 20 | Obtain medical records | Request copies of your medical, dental, and optical records from your Australian providers. Digital copies are ideal. These help Vietnamese doctors understand your history. |
4. One Week Before Departure
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Purchase a Vietnam eSIM | Buy a Vietnam eSIM before departure for instant connectivity on arrival. Full SIM/eSIM guide. |
| 22 | Download essential apps | Grab (ride-hailing/food delivery), Google Maps (offline maps for your city), Google Translate (Vietnamese offline pack), Wise, your banking apps, WhatsApp/Zalo (Vietnam's messaging app). |
| 23 | Copy critical documents | Scan and cloud-store: passport, visa, insurance policy, Medicare card, super statements, tax file number, medication list, emergency contacts. Keep originals and one hard copy set. |
| 24 | Withdraw some AUD cash | Bring AUD $200-$500 in cash (or USD equivalent) for immediate expenses. Exchange at the airport or use ATMs on arrival. ATM guide. |
| 25 | Final check: Centrelink, ATO, insurance | Confirm Services Australia has your departure date. Confirm ATO notifications sent. Confirm international health insurance policy is active from your departure date. |
5. First Week in Vietnam
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Activate eSIM / buy local SIM | If you did not get an eSIM, buy a local SIM at the airport (Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone). 30-day data plans cost $3-$8. |
| 27 | Set up Wise transfer | Transfer your first batch of AUD to VND. If you do not yet have a Vietnamese bank account, use Wise to load a multi-currency card for spending. |
| 28 | Open a Vietnamese bank account (optional first week) | Not essential immediately, but helpful for paying rent and utilities. Vietcombank and Techcombank are popular with expats. Bring passport and initial deposit (~VND 1 million / ~$40). |
| 29 | Register with local police (TT4 form) | Your landlord or hotel usually handles this. Foreigners must register their stay with the local ward police within 24 hours of arrival/checking in. Hotels do this automatically. |
| 30 | Start apartment hunting | Use Facebook groups (e.g., "[City] Expats," "Apartments for Rent [City]"), local agents, or walk the neighbourhood. Budget: $350-$600/month for a 1-bedroom city-centre apartment. |
| 31 | Book dental consultation | If you have deferred dental work, book an initial consultation at a SmileJet-listed clinic. Many clinics offer free or low-cost initial assessments with panoramic X-rays ($15-$40). |
6. First Month: Settling In
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Sign a lease | Typical lease: 6-12 months. Deposit: 1-2 months' rent. Negotiate -- landlords expect it. Ensure utilities (electric, water, internet) are included or clearly separated. |
| 33 | Set up internet | Fibre broadband: VND 200,000-300,000/month ($8-$12). Viettel, FPT, and VNPT are the main providers. Most apartments have existing connections. |
| 34 | Find a local GP / hospital | Identify your nearest international hospital or clinic. Register as a patient. Have your medical records and medication list ready. |
| 35 | Explore your neighbourhood | Find your local wet market, supermarket, pharmacy, coffee shops, and parks. Vietnam rewards exploration -- the best food is always around the corner. |
| 36 | Join expat communities | Facebook groups, InterNations, local meetups. The Australian expat community in Da Nang, HCMC, and Hanoi is well-established and welcoming. |
Within your first month, you will wonder why you didn't make the move sooner. Vietnam rewards those who arrive prepared.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I prepare?
Start 6 months before departure. Tax advice, super strategy, and property decisions need time. Centrelink and insurance: 3 months. Visa and flights: 1 month. eSIM and apps: 1 week. Rushing risks payment gaps, tax penalties, or SMSF issues.
Do I notify Centrelink?
Yes, before departure. Call +61 3 6222 3455 (overseas) or 132 300 (AU). Report dates, destination, bank details. Failure to notify: payment suspension and overpayment recovery. Pension continues at domestic rate for 26 weeks, then outside Australia rate. Pension guide.
What happens to Medicare?
Medicare does not cover healthcare in Vietnam. Eligibility eventually ceases for permanent movers. Get international health insurance ($80-$250/month) before departure. Even without insurance, Vietnamese healthcare costs 60-80% less than Australia.
Should I keep my AU bank account?
Yes. Essential for pension payments, super access, tax obligations. Use Wise for AUD-to-VND transfers at 0.5-1.0% fees (vs bank's 2-4%). Set up and test before departure. Cash or Card guide.
How much does the move cost?
Budget AUD $3,000-$6,000: flights ($500-$900), insurance first quarter ($300-$750), visa ($25-$100), accommodation deposit ($500-$1,500), household setup ($500-$1,500), professional fees ($500-$1,500). Recovered within 1-2 months through lower living costs.
Can I get dental work when I arrive?
Yes, 70-80% less than Australia. Implant: AUD $1,100-$1,900 vs $4,000-$7,000. Schedule consultations in your first weeks. Request quotes before departure to plan and budget. SmileJet lists 2,000+ listed clinics.
Prices are indicative; only a clinic's written quote applies to you. See how we source prices. SmileJet is an information service, not a healthcare provider, and nothing here is medical advice.
What treatment costs there
Published clinic fees, not estimates. Indicative until a clinic puts a quote in writing.