South Korea during the snowy season

Having fun in the cold snow.

Ice skating and skiing are two of the most enjoyable activities, suitable for all ages. Your memories of a Korean winter will surely become unforgettable and more vivid than ever when you experience the feeling of gliding swiftly down snow-covered hills or gently sliding across the ice.

In winter, many Koreans and tourists flock to the ice rink in Seoul Square. It's a place where you can comfortably ice skate outdoors, right in the heart of the bustling capital city of Seoul. After gliding along the ice, visitors can also explore Gwanghwamun Square and stroll around the nearby Insa-dong area.

If the freezing temperatures deter visitors from participating in outdoor activities, consider visiting the indoor ice rink at Lotte World. Located on the third floor of the amusement park, this giant ice rink allows visitors to enjoy the thrill of ice skating without enduring the biting cold.

Visiting South Korea during the snowy season, you certainly can't miss a variety of exciting snow activities. One of them is sitting on a snow tub and sliding down gentle hills to enjoy the heart-pounding feeling of speeding through the white snow. Everland Snow Buster in Gyeonggi-do has many exciting high-speed slides for visitors to experience, where you can slide down steep and winding tracks up to 200 meters long. What could be better than sitting on a safe snow tub, sliding down the slopes and experiencing the unique excitement of a Korean winter?

Land of winter festivals

When snow blankets South Korea in white, locals and tourists alike eagerly await the biggest winter event of the year – the Daegwallyeong Snow Festival, held annually in Pyeongchang. The festival is divided into two sections: one showcasing stunning ice art installations, and the other offering a variety of fun activities such as ice skating, skiing, and experiencing Winter Olympic sports. Pyeongchang, located in Gangwon-do, is one of the places with the most beautiful snowfall and winter scenery in South Korea. It was also the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Another festival that tourists shouldn't miss when experiencing winter in Korea is the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Trout Fishing Festival. When the water completely freezes in winter, locals and tourists flock to the stream, digging small holes in the ice to start fishing for trout. Amidst the freezing winter weather, people seem to forget the cold as they exchange warm greetings and participate in countless other ice activities such as traditional ice skating and ice biking.

The winter is not cold.

Despite living in the harsh winter weather, Koreans still have countless ways to enjoy the cold. One of them is immersing themselves in pure hot springs, allowing the warmth to dispel fatigue and chill. Tourists can find hot spring resorts all over South Korea. From ancient hot springs hundreds of years old in Asan and Sokcho to modern hot springs with full spa and wellness services in the capital Seoul, visitors can find comforting warmth in mineral-rich water with temperatures sometimes exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.

A traveler's journey of discovery would certainly be incomplete without exploring the winter landscape of Korea on foot. However, rest assured that you'll hardly feel cold as you'll constantly be enjoying warm, fragrant street food. Walking along the streets of Korea, you'll easily spot food carts selling steaming hot Tteokbokki and Kkochi Eomuk (fish cake skewers), emitting a delightful aroma. What could be more enjoyable than savoring the spicy, chewy flavor of Tteokbokki in the cold winter, or warming yourself up with Kkochi Eomuk skewers dipped in soy sauce and a bowl of sweet soup simmered with radish and kelp?

Your freezing hands will easily be warmed by hugging a bag full of roasted sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Delicious red bean paste-filled pastries like Bungeoppang (fish-shaped cakes) and Hoppang (steamed buns) will always be ready to warm your stomach during your Korean winter exploration.

Additional information:

- Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam:

P1302, 13th Floor, Charmvit Building, 117 Tran Duy Hung, Hanoi

Tel: 04 3556 4040

Email: Hanoi@knto.or.kr

Website: www.visitkorea.org.vn

- Transportation: From Vietnam, tourists can choose flights from Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Korean Air, or Asiana Airlines departing from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Public transportation in South Korea is well-developed; you can easily travel between cities by subway or bus.

- Winter in South Korea typically begins in November and lasts until early March of the following year. The coldest time is usually in mid- to late January.

- The currency of South Korea is the Won, with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1125 Won. Tourists can exchange money at the airport, currency exchange counters in the city, or use credit cards when shopping.

- Korean cuisine: Don't forget to try Bungeo-ppang (red bean paste bread), Hotteok (rice cakes), Hoppang (dumplings), and many other delicious dishes.

The Thanh