Australian city guide
Dental Treatment in Vietnam for Geelong Patients
Geelong patients: drive ~1h to Melbourne, fly direct 8–9h to Ho Chi Minh City, save 60–80% on veneers and implants at Picasso Dental Clinic.
Geelong has no international airport, so you drive about an hour up the Princes Freeway to Melbourne (MEL Tullamarine), then take a direct 8–9 hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) on Vietnam Airlines or Jetstar. Our HCMC branch is the easiest fit. Expect to save roughly 60–80% on veneers, implants and All-on-4 versus a Geelong private dentist.
Getting from Geelong to Vietnam
Geelong doesn’t have its own international airport, so every trip starts with a short drive north. Melbourne Airport (MEL Tullamarine) is about 80km away — roughly an hour, or up to 1.25 hours in traffic, via the Princes and Tullamarine Freeways.
From MEL you fly direct to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). The flight is 8–9 hours with Vietnam Airlines or Jetstar, with no connection to juggle. That single direct leg is the main reason we steer Geelong patients toward our HCMC branch.
Avalon, near Geelong, only runs limited domestic routes, so MEL is the practical departure point. Build in a buffer for the drive and the usual international check-in time.
| Leg | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | Geelong → MEL Tullamarine | ~1–1.25h | Princes Fwy + Tullamarine Fwy; car, taxi, or airport shuttle |
| Fly | MEL → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | 8–9h | Direct, Vietnam Airlines / Jetstar |
| Time zone | Geelong (AEST/AEDT) → Vietnam (UTC+7) | -3h | Vietnam is 3 hours behind AEST |
The three-hour difference is mild, so jet lag is rarely a problem in either direction.
Which Picasso branch suits Geelong patients
We run three branches: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN) and Da Nang (DAD).
For Geelong, Ho Chi Minh City is the obvious choice — it’s the only one with a direct flight from Melbourne, which keeps a long travel day simple.
If you’re having complex implant work or All-on-4, it’s worth knowing Dr. Tran Thanh Phong leads our implant and All-on-4 team in Hanoi. Some patients fly to HCMC and connect onward; others book Hanoi directly if the case warrants it. We’ll tell you honestly which makes sense once we’ve seen your scans.
Da Nang is the option if you’d like to recover by the beach, close to Hoi An. It’s a gentler base for a longer veneer or recovery stay, though it adds a domestic hop from HCMC.
What you’ll save vs a Geelong private dentist
Australian private dental fees are high, and Geelong is no exception. Here’s how our pricing compares, in AUD.
| Treatment | Picasso (Vietnam) | Geelong private | Approx. saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veneer (per tooth) | 510 | 1,500–2,500 | ~65–80% |
| Single implant | 1,410–2,540 | 5,000–8,000 | ~60–70% |
| All-on-4 (per arch) | from 7,060 | 23,000–30,000 | ~70–75% |
| Teeth whitening | 340 | — | — |
The honest caveat: small jobs may not justify the trip once you add flights and accommodation. The maths works best for veneer cases of several teeth, multiple implants, or full-arch work — that’s where the gap runs into many thousands of dollars.
Aftercare when you’re back in Geelong
Most aftercare is straightforward and handled locally. Routine check-ups, cleans and minor adjustments are best done by an AHPRA-registered dentist in Geelong.
We make that handover easy. You leave Vietnam with your complete records — 3D scans, x-rays, lab specifications and warranty paperwork — so any local dentist can pick up where we left off.
For anything urgent at home, your Geelong dentist is your first port of call. In a true emergency, dial 000.
Planning your trip
Apply for your 90-day e-visa online a couple of weeks before departure. Sort travel insurance, and be clear that Medicare and your private fund won’t reimburse overseas elective dental — that cost is yours.
Send us your photos or a recent scan first. We’ll prepare a written treatment plan and a fixed quote in AUD before you book a single flight, so you know the full cost and how many days you’ll need. Implants and All-on-4 sometimes suit two shorter trips rather than one long stay; we’ll spell that out up front.
From there it’s a one-hour drive to Melbourne and one direct flight — and a plan that was settled before you ever left Geelong.
Related pages
- Australian patients overview
- Australia travel guide
- Flights to Vietnam from Australia
- Treatment timeline
- Ho Chi Minh City branch
- Pricing
- Get a free quote
- Is it safe?
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Geelong to Vietnam?
There are no international flights from Geelong. Drive or catch a transfer to Melbourne Airport (MEL Tullamarine), roughly 1–1.25 hours up the Princes Freeway and Tullamarine Freeway, then fly direct to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in 8–9 hours with Vietnam Airlines or Jetstar.
How much can a Geelong patient save on dental work in Vietnam?
Around 60–80%. A veneer is about AUD 510 with us versus 1,500–2,500 in a Geelong private clinic; a single implant is 1,410–2,540 versus 5,000–8,000; All-on-4 starts from 7,060 per arch versus 23,000–30,000. Even after flights and a hotel, larger cases come out well ahead.
Will Medicare or my health fund cover treatment in Vietnam?
No. Medicare and Australian private health funds do not cover overseas elective dental work. Budget for the full cost yourself. Keep all itemised receipts and records in case your fund has any limited overseas provision, but assume nothing is reimbursed.
Do I need a visa, and how long can I stay?
Australian passport holders can apply online for Vietnam's e-visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days. Apply a couple of weeks before you fly. For implants or All-on-4 you may want two trips, so the 90-day window gives you plenty of room.
Who handles aftercare once I'm back in Geelong?
An AHPRA-registered dentist in Geelong manages routine check-ups, cleans and any adjustments. We supply your full records — scans, x-rays, lab specs and warranty details — so your local dentist has everything. In a genuine emergency call 000.