Well done if you did. I must admit that we are pretty excited.

I am very grateful for the help my daughter-in-law-to-be provided in getting the visas Mick and I need to visit Vietnam. I’m usually ok at that kind of stuff, but I did have trouble with these. In preparation for our flights, I also printed our international COVID vaccination record, just in case.

Our flight to Sydney went without a hitch; we did not lose any luggage which had to be booked through as our domestic travel does not allow as much ‘carry on’ as the international flights.

The accommodation at the Sydney Airport Hotel we chose for tonight is comfortable and convenient, but is the most expensive accommodation we will have during this three week holiday.

Our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (previously known as Saigon, and I’m told that many of the locals still call it this) is set to depart at just after 11.00 am tomorrow and we are due to land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport around 4.00pm local time.

I have just checked the currency exchange rate and see that $1AUD today is worth just under 15,000 Vietnamese dong (₫) or (VND). I also took a look online at the notes that will be available to us – the highest I can see is 500,000.00 VND – which converts to about $33.50 AUD. The smallest note is 10,000.00 VND ($0.67AUD). There are also smaller denominations, previously coins, 5,000 VND (or $0.34AUD), 2,000 VND (or $0.13AUD) , 1,000 VND (or $0.07AUD), 500 VND (or $0.03AUD) and 200 VND (or $0.01AUD).

When travelling, I like to convert everything from local currency to $AUD so I can compare the value of purchases. I am a little concerned that the maths on this trip is going to challenge me. But, it is good for the brain!

I listed all the conversions in this post to also help me get used to the currency. I am guessing we will not be using the coins much. Or, at least I hope not.

Anyway, time for bed and some rest before our big, exciting day tomorrow.