VI
EN
Isolated geographical location
The Kingdom of Bhutan is located in South Asia, in the eastern Himalayas, between India and China. The northern part of the country is surrounded by the high peaks of the Himalayas, the highest of which is Gangkhar Puensum – over 7,570 meters. The southern part consists of hills, plateaus, and valleys, and is home to the majority of the Bhutanese population (and is also the main area attracting international tourists to explore and experience Bhutan). This isolated and secluded location makes Bhutan a mysterious land to the rest of the world.
It is this isolated and secluded location that makes Bhutan a mysterious land to the rest of the world.
Tourist visa
Despite being a destination on the wishlist of many adventurous travelers, Bhutan has never experienced a massive influx of tourists. This is because the Bhutanese government consistently strives to strike a balance between supporting the economy and employment while protecting nature and the environment from the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.
Bhutan's cautious tourism policy has allowed it to gradually open up to the outside world without compromising its culture and traditions or degrading its pristine natural environment. Therefore, visa exemptions are extremely limited. Besides citizens of Bangladesh, Maldives, India, and those of Thailand and Switzerland holding official passports, citizens of all other countries are required to obtain a visa to enter Bhutan.
A cautious tourism policy has allowed the country to gradually open up to the outside world without compromising its culture and traditions or degrading its pristine natural environment.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
The Bhutanese government has consistently collected a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) from foreign visitors to fund projects supporting Bhutan's economic, social, environmental, and cultural development. The good news is that the current SDF fee is $100 per person per night, a 50% reduction from the fee applied when the country reopened after COVID-19. Children aged 6-11 receive a 50% discount on the SDF, and children under 6 are exempt.
There are no direct flights from Vietnam to Bhutan.
Bhutan is served by two national airlines: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Due to the challenging landing conditions at Paro International Airport, surrounded by mountain peaks up to 5,500m high, only a select few pilots are licensed to land there.
From Vietnam to Bhutan, travelers can only fly with a layover in Bangkok (Thailand) or Kolkata (India), with a relatively long transit time. However, if transiting in Kolkata, travelers have enough time to experience a half-day city tour in the hometown of the great poet Tagore.
Alternatively, you can reach Bhutan by land, via a border crossing with India.
Peaceful life in Bhutan.
Travel insurance is mandatory.
According to Bhutan's 2022 Rules and Regulations for Tourism, you must have travel insurance that covers accidental death, permanent disability, emergency medical evacuation, and hospital fees in case of illness. You will need the insurance policy – in English – to submit with your visa application.
Independent travel is not possible.
Unlike most other countries in the world, the Bhutanese government does not allow tourists to organize their own backpacking trips. Experiencing tourism in Bhutan must be done through travel agencies. At many attractions, you cannot pass through the ticket gates without a local guide. This approach has the advantage of enhancing the quality of your experience.
Tourists can easily spot and be captivated by the sight of lungta flags when traveling in Bhutan.
Bhutan is exceptionally safe.
Bhutan, a Buddhist nation with devout and compassionate Buddhists, boasts a low crime rate and rare violent crime, making it one of the safest countries for tourists. While not materially wealthy, the Bhutanese are rich in faith, self-reliance, and mutual understanding, shaping a harmonious and thriving society.
It is the first country in the world to have a negative carbon footprint.
Bhutan has garnered global attention for being the world's first carbon-negative country. Besides its relatively small population and underdeveloped infrastructure (with an area roughly the size of Switzerland and a population of around 800,000), a key factor in maintaining this achievement is the national commitment to maintaining a minimum forest cover of 60%. Plastic has been banned since 1999, although enforcement is not consistently strong. The people have a strong sense of responsibility in contributing to a clean environment. You'll encounter numerous signs along the way reminding you: "A clean and beautiful environment is a feast for the soul."
Bhutan has attracted global attention for being the world's first carbon-negative country.
Bring cash and small denomination bills.
Very few shops in Bhutan accept credit cards. However, card transactions are also very time-consuming and incur high fees, and payment confirmation only takes place from 9 am to 5 pm. Therefore, tourists need to prepare cash for spending. You can bring US dollars and exchange them for Ngultrum (Bhutan currency) at the airport or pay directly with US dollars when shopping. Tourists can also bring Indian rupees as this currency is widely circulated in Bhutan and has a similar exchange rate to Ngultrum.
Small denominations of cash are also essential for conveniently buying small souvenirs, making donations at monasteries and temples, and tipping guides and drivers.
Language
Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, most commonly spoken in the western part of the country. In some other regions, people use local dialects. However, English is widely used as it is the language of instruction in schools. This allows tourists to communicate easily with the locals.
Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, most widely spoken in the western part of the country.
The best time to visit Bhutan
Locals believe Bhutan has five seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own distinct characteristics, but all are wonderful times to visit Bhutan. Spring is vibrant with blooming flowers; summer is warm, lush with greenery and many festivals; the monsoon brings heavy rains that blanket the mountain ranges; autumn sees the leaves change color; and winter boasts clear blue skies and perfect light for photography.
However, for the average traveler without particular preferences, spring and autumn are the most beautiful times to visit Bhutan, with favorable weather for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Each season has its own unique characteristics, but every season is a wonderful time to visit Bhutan.
Protect your skin and eyes.
Bhutan's average altitude is 3,280 meters, making it one of the highest countries in the world. It also shares the same latitude as Texas, Egypt, and the Bahamas, resulting in strong sunshine and low humidity. You'll always need sunscreen, moisturizer, and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes.
Prepare your outfit.
Temperatures in Bhutan fluctuate greatly throughout the day, and different terrains also experience varying temperatures. Therefore, visitors should prepare layered clothing to easily add or remove layers as the temperature changes. In addition to a good pair of hiking boots, bring a nicer pair of shoes to wear with traditional Bhutanese attire.
A sacred place for pilgrims
Tiny Bhutan, with its cliffside monasteries, golden-roofed temples, and colorful prayer flags strung along trails and mountain peaks, is known as the last Buddhist kingdom on earth. Here, Vajrayana Buddhism is considered the state religion, and most people are Buddhist, with only a very small percentage following Hinduism. The Bhutanese live in accordance with the precepts of Buddhist teachings.
Throughout Bhutan, at any time, you can encounter prayer wheels (of all sizes, erected in public places) and people slowly turning them while chanting "Om mani Padme hum." It seems as though the entire flow of space and time in this kingdom is imbued with positive energy and a magical aura that purifies and dispels all evil forces.
The Punakha Dzong fortress/monastery is one of the most important cultural, historical, and religious symbols in the Kingdom of Happiness.
When visiting Buddhist monasteries, convents, and temples, observe appropriate etiquette: remove shoes and hats, wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, do not take photos in the prayer hall, avoid pointing, and never lean against stupas. Circumambulating temples, stupas, or pagodas, or spinning prayer wheels, should always be done clockwise.
Among the thousands of monasteries across Bhutan, Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Buddha Point, Tashichho Dzong, Chimmi Lhakhang… are sacred sites that tourists cannot miss when traveling to this kingdom.
Spicy food
Local cuisine emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients with a distinctive spicy flavor. Chili peppers are an indispensable spice in many dishes, even serving as the main ingredient. The most famous and popular dish in Bhutan is Ema Datshi, whose main ingredients consist only of chili peppers (fresh green or dried red) and cheese. Locals eat Ema Datshi daily, and it's considered an essential part of every meal.
The daily meals of the people consist of rice, vegetables, and meat, but the kingdom prohibits the slaughter of animals, so all meat is imported from India. Like other regions of the Himalayas, Bhutanese people enjoy drinking butter tea and milk tea. Visitors can also sample beer and some traditional alcoholic beverages brewed by locals from corn or rice.
Not just Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
These are three places that tourists who have visited Bhutan often mention. But these are just the most famous cities; Bhutan has many more fascinating places that haven't been heavily developed for tourism, so only those who have visited Bhutan many times have the opportunity to experience them. For example, in the east of the kingdom is Bumthang, often called the Switzerland of the East; the Gangtey Valley is home to some of the most exotic and rare wildlife; and the town of Trongsa is often considered a beautiful stop for tourists on their way to central and eastern Bhutan…
Prayer wheels can be found everywhere in Bhutan, and Bhutanese people spend their lives slowly turning these prayer wheels.
Diverse experiences
Most Bhutan tours offered in Vietnam focus on pilgrimage and spirituality, but the travel experience in the kingdom of the thunder dragon is truly diverse.
You can participate in activities such as mountain climbing, hiking on ancient trails through Bhutan, experiencing life in an old village, immersing yourself in colorful traditional festivals, or engaging in more specialized hobbies such as kayaking on the Po Chu or Mo Chu rivers, birdwatching in national parks, horseback riding in Bumthang or motorcycling through valleys, mountain biking, hot spring therapy…
Paddling on the Mochu/Pochu River is one of the adventurous experiences favored by tourists in Bhutan.
If you want a trip with unique experiences, you can book a tour directly or a customized tour with The Traveller Destination Management Company in Bhutan.
Website: https://thetraveller.vn/
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/vnthetraveller/
Email: booking@thetraveller.vn
Hotline: 0819 44 55 99
