Phuong Mai, a freelance interpreter from Hanoi, made her dream come true when she set foot on the southernmost land of the planet.
Antarctica - a dream come true
For Phuong Mai, Antarctica has always been a dream destination. “I am fascinated by the green color of the eternal icebergs, want to see with my own eyes the penguins playing, the majestic landscapes of the polar region. Antarctica has always been on my list of places to visit,” she shared. Although she found a like-minded friend, a surprise came when she discovered she was pregnant, causing the trip to be postponed. “The following year, when the baby was strong, I thought about my unfinished dream of Antarctica, so I was determined to go to Antarctica, and so I finally got to set foot here,” Phuong Mai said.
Giant icebergs create a surreal scene in the heart of Antarctica
Visa application and tour booking process
Going to Antarctica is not an easy task, and one of the questions that most tourists are concerned about is applying for a visa and choosing a tour. Phuong Mai shared about the visa application process: "I have to thank the Argentine Embassy in Hanoi, the staff there helped me a lot to get my visa quickly." To prepare for the trip to Antarctica, she had to apply for a visa to Argentina because the departure was from Ushuaia, the city located in the southernmost part of Argentina, considered the gateway to Antarctica.
Visa application process can vary depending on the country of departure, so research carefully before departure.
The visa application process is quite simple, but depending on your personal situation, you can choose evisa (processing time 20 days, fee about 400 USD if you have a US visa) or visa at the Embassy with a fee of 150 USD and processing time of 4-5 days.
Prepare your luggage to the frozen land
Traveling to Antarctica is unlike any other trip. The humidity is near zero and the UV rays are intense, so moisturizer and sunscreen are essential. A camera, spare batteries and a good lens are also essential for photography enthusiasts.
Specialized gear helps you stay safe and take "cool" photos against the white snow.
When traveling to a place with a harsh climate like Antarctica, preparing clothes and items is extremely important. Phuong Mai shared that, to keep your body warm and comfortable, you should remember the layering rule - wear many thin layers instead of one thick layer. Items such as thermal shirts, down jackets, thermal pants, and waterproof jackets are indispensable items. "Early mornings and late evenings need hats, scarves, and gloves because the wind is very strong and cold. Clothes can be washed on the ship and dry very quickly, so there is no need to bring too many things that will be heavy and unnecessary," she added.
Unforgettable experiences
During her stay in Antarctica, the female tourist stayed entirely on the cruise ship. This was not only a means of transportation but also a fully equipped mobile hotel, with heating and air conditioning. Every day, the cruise took tourists to different stops, landing twice on the island to explore. However, if anyone wanted to try a more adventurous outdoor camping experience, they could sign up with the expedition team on board to spend a night under the Antarctic sky.
Close-up of adorable penguins
Open your eyes to eternal blue icebergs
"As soon as the cruise ship entered the edge of Antarctica, I saw the first ever blue iceberg, even though it was only nearly 4am in the polar region. Outside, the sky was cloudy and grey, only the vague image of the iceberg and the penguins could be seen, enough to make a tropical girl excited and extremely happy. The feeling of touching my dream at that time was extremely surreal," Phuong Mai shared.
Every day, she eagerly woke up early, ran up to the deck to watch the brilliant sunrise over the icy ocean. The thrilling moments when getting on the zodiac rubber boat, gliding past the icebergs, or setting foot on the small islands, all were unforgettable memories.
Stepping out onto the deck, there was only ice, ocean and sky – it felt like being on another planet.
In addition to landing on small islands, she also had the opportunity to participate in Snowshoeing - walking on snow with specialized shoes, and camping on ice. Visitors can experience the feeling of sleeping outdoors, lying at night listening to the Antarctic wind and the sound of penguins, enjoying a unique experience in the wild nature of Antarctica.
Little Penguins
And lazy seals bask on the ice
The fauna in Antarctica is not as rich as other places, but enough to make visitors fascinated. Curious penguins, lazy seals lying on the ice, or giant whales suddenly emerging from the cold water - all create a magnificent natural picture. Visitors must comply with environmental protection rules: keep a minimum distance of 5m from wild animals, do not disturb the path of penguins and do not bring food to the island.
Extreme weather in Antarctica
The Antarctic winter lasts from March to October, the coldest winter on Earth. It is also the only uninhabited area, with only scientific research stations belonging to many countries. However, due to the harsh climate, extremely low temperatures and fierce storms, most of the experts at the research stations leave in the winter and return to the mainland to ensure safety.
Every day the cruise takes guests to new stops, revealing breathtaking views of Antarctica.
In contrast, the Antarctic spring-summer season lasts from November to March, when the weather becomes warmer and the sun appears more often. This is also the time when adventure tours begin their journey to explore this icy land. "Summer in Antarctica has endless days: sunrise from 3:30 am, the sun only sets around 10 - 11 pm. It is a great time to sip a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, leisurely read a book, join a Zodiac excursion, land on wild lands, or simply watch the fiery red sunset in the polar region. When you wake up with a start, look at the clock at just past 11 pm, you will realize that a day in Antarctica seems to last forever, enough to fully enjoy the majestic beauty of this place, enough to preserve every precious moment, even for the most hurried souls", said Phuong Mai.
Winter in Antarctica lasts from March to October, the coldest winter on Earth.
Saving tips and things to keep in mind
Antarctica is the most expensive trip Phuong Mai has ever taken. The total cost is about 300 million VND, of which the tour is more than 6,000 USD, airfare from Vietnam to Argentina and domestic flights are the most expensive. However, there are some ways to save: book air tickets early, hunt for discount tickets and choose a reasonable room class on the cruise. Currently, Turkish Airlines is the airline with the most convenient route from Hanoi to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tourists strictly follow environmental protection rules, bringing back only beautiful photos as souvenirs.
"The Antarctic time zone is 10 hours different from Vietnam, so to avoid jet lag, visitors should practice living on Argentine time a week before the trip. If departing from Ushuaia, bring USD to exchange money, because the Argentine peso depreciates very quickly. The most important thing is a healthy body and an open mind to enjoy the trip to the fullest," Phuong Mai advised.
