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Phuong Mai, a freelance translator from Hanoi, made her dream come true when she set foot on the southernmost point of the planet.
Antarctica - a dream come true.
For Phuong Mai, Antarctica has always been on her dream list. “I’m fascinated by the blue of the permafrost, I want to see penguins playing with my own eyes, and admire the majestic landscapes of the polar regions. Antarctica has always been on my list of places I must visit,” she shared. Although she had 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 older, I thought about my unfinished Antarctic dream again, and I was determined to go to Antarctica, and so I finally got to set foot there,” Phuong Mai recounted.
Giant icebergs create a surreal landscape in the heart of Antarctica.
Visa application and tour booking process
Reaching Antarctica is no easy feat, and one of the questions most travelers are concerned about is visa application and tour selection. Phuong Mai shared about her visa application process: “I must thank the Argentine Embassy in Hanoi; the staff there helped me a great deal in getting my visa quickly.” To prepare for her trip to Antarctica, she had to apply for a visa to Argentina because the departure point was Ushuaia, a city located in the southernmost part of Argentina, considered the gateway to Antarctica.
The visa application process can vary depending on the country of origin, so it's important to research thoroughly before you travel.
The visa application process is quite simple, but depending on your personal circumstances, you can choose an e-visa (processing time 20 days, fee approximately $400 if you already have a US visa) or a visa sticker issued at the Embassy with a fee of $150 and a processing time of 4-5 days.
Prepare your luggage for the icy land.
Going to Antarctica is unlike any other trip. The humidity is almost zero and the UV rays are extremely strong, making moisturizer and sunscreen indispensable. A camera, power bank, and a good focal length lens are also essential for photography enthusiasts.
These specialized suits will keep you safe while allowing you to take amazing photos against the backdrop of the white snow.
When traveling to a place with a harsh climate like Antarctica, preparing clothing and supplies is extremely important. Phuong Mai shared that, to stay warm and comfortable, you should remember the layering rule – wear several thin layers instead of one thick layer. Items such as thermal shirts, down jackets, thermal pants, and waterproof jackets are essential. “In the early morning and late evening, you need extra hats, scarves, and gloves because the wind is very strong and biting. Clothes can be washed on the ship and dry very quickly, so there's no need to bring too much stuff that will be heavy and unnecessary,” she added.
Unforgettable experiences
During their time in Antarctica, the female tourists stayed entirely on the cruise ship. This was not just a means of transportation, but also a fully equipped mobile hotel with heating and air conditioning. Each day, the cruise ship took the tourists to different stops, landing on islands twice for exploration. However, if anyone wanted to try something more adventurous like camping outdoors, they could sign up with the expedition team on board to spend a night under the Antarctic sky.
A close-up of these adorable penguins.
Open your eyes to eternal blue icebergs.
"As soon as the cruise ship reached the edge of Antarctica, I saw the first ever blue iceberg, even though it was only nearly 4 a.m. in the polar region. Outside, the sky was overcast and gray, only the hazy image of the iceberg and the penguins were visible, enough to make a girl from the tropics incredibly excited and happy. The feeling of touching my dream at that moment was truly surreal," Phuong Mai shared.
Every day, she eagerly woke up early, ran up to the deck to watch the glorious sunrise over the icy ocean. The thrilling moments of boarding the Zodiac inflatable boat, gliding past icebergs, or setting foot on small islands—all are unforgettable memories.
Stepping out onto the ship's deck, there was nothing but ice, snow, the ocean, and the sky – it felt like being on another planet.
Besides landing on small islands, she also had the opportunity to participate in snowshoeing – walking on snow in specialized shoes – and even camping on ice. Tourists can experience sleeping outdoors, listening to the Antarctic wind and the sounds of penguins at night, enjoying a unique experience amidst the wild nature of Antarctica.
The little penguins
And the lazy seals lay basking on the ice.
The wildlife in Antarctica isn't as diverse as elsewhere, but it's enough to captivate visitors. Inquisitive penguin colonies, lazy seals basking on the ice, or giant whales unexpectedly surfacing from the frigid waters – all create a magnificent natural spectacle. Visitors must adhere to environmental protection rules: maintain a minimum distance of 5 meters from wildlife, avoid disturbing penguins, and refrain from bringing food onto the islands.
Extreme weather in Antarctica
Winter in Antarctica lasts from March to October, making it the coldest winter on Earth. It is also the only uninhabited region, home only to scientific research stations belonging to various countries. However, due to the harsh climate, extremely low temperatures, and fierce storms, most experts at these research stations leave during the winter, returning to the mainland for their safety.
Each day, the cruise ship takes passengers to new stops, revealing breathtaking views of Antarctica.
Conversely, Antarctic spring and summer take place from November to March, when the weather becomes warmer and the sun shines more frequently. This is also when expedition tours begin their journeys to explore this icy land. "Summer in Antarctica has endlessly long days: sunrise at 3:30 a.m., and sunset only around 10-11 p.m. It's a wonderful time to sip a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, leisurely read a book, take a Zodiac boat tour, land on pristine wilderness areas, or simply admire the fiery red sunset in the polar region. When you suddenly wake up and see that it's just past 11 p.m., you'll realize that a day in Antarctica seems to last forever, enough to fully enjoy the majestic beauty of this place, enough to capture every precious moment, even for the most hurried souls," Phương Mai said.
Winter in Antarctica lasts from March to October, making it the coldest winter on Earth.
Money-saving tips and things to keep in mind
Antarctica was the most expensive trip Phuong Mai had ever taken. The total cost was approximately 300 million VND, with the tour costing over 6,000 USD, and airfare from Vietnam to Argentina and domestic flights being the most expensive expenses. However, there are some ways to save money: book flights early, look for discounted tickets, and choose a suitable cabin class on the cruise ship. Currently, Turkish Airlines has the most convenient route from Hanoi to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tourists strictly adhere to environmental protection rules, only bringing back stunning photos as souvenirs.
"The Antarctic time zone is 10 hours ahead of Vietnam, so to avoid jet lag, travelers should adjust to Argentinian time a week before their trip. If departing from Ushuaia, bring USD to exchange, as the Argentinian peso depreciates very quickly. Most importantly, a healthy body and an open mind are essential to fully enjoy the trip," Phuong Mai advised.
