Sydney Independent Travel Day 1-2 | Flying from Vietnam to Sydney & City Walking Guide

Planning a solo trip from Vietnam to Sydney? This complete guide covers flight options, layover experiences, Opal card usage guide, and must-visit attractions and food recommendations in Sydney!

Pre-trip Preparation: Advantages and Planning for Flying from Vietnam to Australia This time, we chose to depart from Vietnam, primarily because we are working in Vietnam. Additionally, flight prices from Vietnam are cheaper than from Taiwan, though please note that Taiwan-based travel insurance cannot be purchased. The itinerary is as follows: 📌 Departure Time: Evening of 4/20, traveling from the Vietnam office to Dong Hai, flying the next morning 📌 Flight Selection: Vietjet to Ho Chi Minh City → Scoot via Singapore → Arriving in Sydney 📌 Layover Time: 5-hour stay at Singapore Changi Airport 📌 Accommodation: The Great Southern Hotel (next to Central Station) 4/21 Vietnam to Sydney: Smooth transfer & small joys Ho Chi Minh Airport experience: Baggage check-in + relaxing massage We chose Vietjet for this trip and luckily arrived at Ho Chi Minh Airport on time (delays are quite common with VietViet). We walked from the domestic terminal to the international terminal and grabbed Burger King along the way.After realizing we had plenty of time, we decided to try checked baggage (only 220,000 VND for 3 hours) and enjoy an airport massage to prepare for the long flight. Singapore Changi Airport Layover Guide: Starbucks City Cup & Must-Eat Foods To save on travel costs, we chose to transit through Singapore, which was about 16,000 cheaper than the direct Vietnam Airlines flight. We arrived at Changi Airport at 9 PM, and during our 5-hour wait, we: ✅ Tried De Cheng Fried Rice (taste was average, price was a bit high)

✅ Duty-free shopping & Starbucks city mug collection: Since the stores are in the departure area, I went through the extra step of getting a visa on arrival just to buy them, only to later find out there are also stores in Terminal 1. It was so hilarious!

✅ 搭乘機場轉運電車前往第一航廈，第一航廈可選擇的餐廳較少，但有網路推薦的亞坤及日式拉麵一風堂。

✅ 搭乘酷航準點出發，飛往雪梨！ 4/22 抵達雪梨：機場入境 & 市區探索 順利入境雪梨機場 & Opal 卡購買 飛行 7 小時後，我們於 中午 12 點順利抵達雪梨機場。澳洲也提供外國人辦理自動通關，但很不幸我的護照晶片卡壞掉，所以只能去排人工審核。接著到 WHSmith 書局 購買 Opal 交通卡，存入 50 澳幣，方便後續交通使用。

Airport Express → City Center → The Great Southern Hotel

The Great Southern Hotel，住宿費用：雙人房加一床，每晚約 4200 元，CP 值不錯（但房間小 & 熱水量少）

雪梨市區漫步：景點推薦 & 必吃美食 午餐：Roadhouse Restaurant 抵達後的第一餐，選擇 Roadhouse Restaurant，招牌漢堡排厚實且口感極佳，讓我們對澳洲食物充滿期待。

用完餐後我們開始漫步雪梨行程，這時天略下小雨，還好雪梨街道沿路都有騎樓，不會太狼狽。 景點 1：海德公園 & 紐澳軍團戰爭紀念堂 公園環境清幽，可遠眺市區景色，還有 ANZAC 戰爭紀念堂，讓人感受到歷史的重量。

Attraction 2: Notre-Dame Cathedral A wedding happened to be taking place, so we couldn't go inside, but the magnificent Gothic architecture of the exterior is still worth seeing.

景點 3：皇家植物園 & 遠眺雪梨歌劇院 步行穿越 皇家植物園，欣賞大自然景色，並從遠處觀賞 雪梨歌劇院，明天將更近距離探索這座世界遺產。

Attraction 4: Queen Victoria Building (QVB) This century-old building is filled with a classical atmosphere, perfect for shopping and relaxing. I originally planned to try the famous watermelon cake, but I arrived too late and it was sold out; I finally managed to get it in Melbourne!

Dinner: Mamak Haymarket Malaysian Cuisine A famous Malaysian restaurant, their signature is freshly made Roti. 📌 Recommended dishes: Lamb Roti (slightly salty) Ice Cream Roti (surprisingly delicious) Plain Roti + Chicken Curry (rich flavor) 🔹 Pro tip: There may be a queue, so it's recommended to avoid peak hours.

澳洲超市購物 & 紅酒購入 飯後，我們前往超市，發現澳洲牛奶 超便宜 & 口感濃郁，成為我們的日常補給品。此外，澳洲超市 不販售酒類，必須到 酒類專賣店 購買。

Today's steps: 17,000 steps, finishing a fulfilling first day in Sydney. More Australia independent travel guides: Australia travel planning guide: 7 must-know things + 10-day itinerary overview ▍Sydney Australia independent travel Day 1-2: Flying from Vietnam to Sydney & City walking guide Sydney Opal Card one-day trip: Exploring Sydney's classic attractions and transport experience Blue Mountains one-day trip report | Scenic World railway, cable car & Three Sisters full guide ▍Melbourne Melbourne Independent Travel Day 1 | Arriving via Jetstar, War Memorial, and a Sunset Stroll along the Yarra River | ANZAC Day Special Itinerary Australia Travel Recommendations: Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Experience & Melbourne Sightseeing Walking Tour Puffing Billy Steam Train + Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour Grampians National Park, Australia | Experience Wild Kangaroos & Victoria's Most Spectacular Waterfalls Great Ocean Road Day Tour | Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Melbourne's Most Beautiful Coastline Mornington Peninsula Itinerary Review | Are these attractions worth visiting? A complete guide to hot springs, wineries, and lighthouses.