Vietnam to Australia: routing and overflight permits explained

One of the most common questions we receive is simple: if we fly from Vietnam to Australia, which countries do we fly over, and what do we need from each of them? The answer depends on the aircraft, the season and the airspace on the day, but the planning logic is always the same.

A typical routing

A direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Sydney (SYD) usually heads south-east over the South China Sea and the Indonesian archipelago before entering Australian airspace. Depending on the track, it may cross:

• Vietnam: departure and the Ho Chi Minh flight information region
• Malaysia or Singapore: depending on the route over the South China Sea
• Indonesia: the longest overwater and overland segment
• Australia: arrival

Each country has its own rules for non-scheduled flights. Some require an overflight permit for private and charter aircraft, often with specific lead times and documents. Others only require a flight plan.

Do you need a technical stop?

Many long-range business jets can fly SGN–SYD non-stop. Smaller aircraft, or flights with a full cabin, may need a technical stop for fuel. That stop brings its own landing permit, handling and fuel arrangements, so it should be planned at the same time as the route.

How we plan it

1. Confirm the aircraft, performance, passengers and preferred schedule.
2. Build the practical route and list every flight information region crossed.
3. Check each country’s permit requirements and lead times.
4. Submit the permits in parallel and confirm slots, handling and fuel at each stop.
5. File the flight plan and brief the crew; re-coordinate if anything changes.

The route above is illustrative. The actual track and permit requirements are confirmed for each flight.

Planning a flight to Australia, Japan, Korea or beyond? Our flight planning and permit teams handle the whole route as one trip.