Shopping date in South Korea

Seoul – a shopping paradise

With its modern, vibrant atmosphere, thriving fashion industry, and numerous bustling shopping malls, the capital of South Korea attracts millions of tourists each year who come to shop.

Myeong-dong is one of the busiest areas in Seoul and South Korea, attracting over 1 million visitors daily. Located in the heart of Seoul, Myeong-dong stands as a historical witness to the transformations of modern Korea.

Lotte and Shinsegae are the two largest shopping malls in Myeong-dong, but there are also large shopping areas along the streets, and clothing and cosmetics shops scattered throughout the city. Myeong-dong's streets are also dotted with small stalls selling everything from inexpensive clothes and snacks to sparkling accessories. With its modern and well-organized transportation system, Myeong-dong is an ideal shopping destination for tourists unfamiliar with the bustling city of Seoul.

Myeong-dong is a shopping destination for everyone, whether visitors' needs are limited to everyday items or they aspire to high-end international brands.

Leaving behind the modern and bustling Myeong-dong, visitors can head to Insa-dong to both shop and learn about traditional Korean culture. Originally a gathering place for artists during the Joseon Dynasty, Insadong today offers unique traditional items such as Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), Hanji (a type of paper), traditional tea, and handicrafts. Tong-in and Ssamzielgil are two must-visit shops in Insadong, where visitors can find high-quality traditional crafts or modern creations by young artists.

One of the must-visit shopping destinations in Seoul is undoubtedly Dongdaemun Market, the largest clothing hub in South Korea. Several retail areas are concentrated here, including Migliore, Doota, Hello apM, Good Morning City, Cerestar, and more. In the evenings, from 8 PM to 1 AM, visitors to Dongdaemun can immerse themselves in one of Seoul's most vibrant street parties, with lively music, brightly lit streets, and countless trendy and fashionable items for sale.

Apgujeong & Cheongdam, Itaewon, and Times Square are three other attractive destinations for shopping enthusiasts visiting Seoul. Itaewon attracts a large number of foreign tourists thanks to its bustling streets, unique restaurants and shops, and the unconventional blend of various cultures.

Luxury travelers will particularly enjoy shopping experiences in Apgujeong & Cheongdam and Yeongdeungpo Times Square, with their bustling shopping malls home to top-tier international brands.

Busan – vibrant with traditional markets

Unlike the bustling Seoul with its crowded shopping malls and busy shopping districts, Busan offers a warm and friendly shopping experience in its traditional markets.

Established in the late 19th century, Jagalchi Seafood Market is one of the most famous seafood markets in South Korea. The market is always bustling regardless of the season, filled with the lively atmosphere of stall owners proudly displaying their products and warmly inviting potential customers.

Jagalchi Market opens early in the morning, as fishing boats begin to dock after their night's catch. Upon entering the market, visitors are immediately struck by the salty scent of the sea, filled with countless shrimp, crabs, and fish. Besides fresh seafood, Jagalchi Market is also located next to other famous dried seafood markets in Busan, such as the Busan Dried Fish Market and the Busan Fish and Shrimp Market.

One of the most notable attractions of Jagalchi Market is Pojangmacha Street, with its familiar Korean food carts specializing in seafood dishes such as raw dolphin meat and grilled eel with red chili sauce.

Besides its famous seafood market, Busan also boasts vibrant shopping areas, one of which is undoubtedly Gukje Market. This is the largest traditional market in Busan. Gukje Market reflects Busan's prosperity as one of South Korea's most dynamic cities.

Here, visitors can easily get lost amidst the countless shops and stalls divided into alleys, each specializing in a particular type of goods, such as shoe alleys, sunglasses alleys, jewelry alleys, bag alleys, book alleys, and more. The affordable prices and wide variety of goods have made Gukje Market one of the best and most attractive shopping destinations in Busan.

Not far from Gukje Market is Nampo-dong – considered Busan's shopping paradise, with numerous high-end brands concentrated on its main streets. The most appealing aspect of Nampo-dong is its diverse range of goods, catering to a wide variety of customers from students to office workers. Unique shoes, bags, and accessories can easily be found in Nampo-dong. While visitors can shop at well-known stores on the main streets, the roadside stalls are a haven for young people, offering trendy and unique items even if they aren't from any famous brands.

Experience authentic Jeju shopping.

Unlike the bustling and vibrant Seoul and Busan, Jeju boasts a peaceful atmosphere and a simple lifestyle. Therefore, it's difficult to find shopping districts or busy commercial centers on this island.

However, this doesn't mean that shopping enthusiasts can forget their enjoyment of visiting Jeju. This beautiful island is famous for its charming, colorful souvenirs made by local people, showcasing the unique culture of Jeju. These include delicious Jeju tangerines, red whale fish, chocolate, Harubang statues, and more. These items can be found in every tourist shop located throughout the villages and towns on the island. Visitors can also visit the "Five-Day Markets" (held every five days) such as Seogwipo, Jungmun Hyangto, and Hallim to experience traditional culture and purchase products at reasonable prices.

To buy souvenirs and local specialties, visitors can visit duty-free shops at Jeju International Airport or the Jeju International Convention Center. In particular, if you have the chance to visit the Teddy Bear Museum, you'll have the opportunity to purchase unique souvenirs featuring images of teddy bears.

When visiting Jeju Island, one must-try specialty is green tea. Grown in a mild climate, Jeju green tea is renowned for its delicious aroma and distinct, rich flavor. Visitors can visit the O'Sulloc Tea Museum to learn about Jeju green tea and Korean tea-drinking culture.

Additionally, for fresh seafood and agricultural products, visitors can visit Seogwipo Maeil Market and Dongmun Seafood Market, both open daily.

Additional information

The 79-day Grand Sale in Korea, running from August 14th to October 31st, 2015, is a shopping and tourism festival offering visitors the chance to explore attractive destinations, enjoy entertainment, and shop to their heart's content. 222 businesses from shopping malls, duty-free shops, and airlines across Korea will contribute to offering attractive deals throughout the Grand Sale. International tourists will receive discounts of up to 80% on selected brands at Lotte Duty Free. In addition, there's the opportunity to see many famous art performances at half the price of the official ticket.

+ Tourists in Northern Vietnam who already possess a Shinhan Bank Vietnam Platinum credit card will be exempt from the financial proof requirement and will receive priority in obtaining multiple-entry visas when they wish to travel to South Korea.

The currency of South Korea is the Won, with an exchange rate of 1 USD = 1120 Won. Tourists can exchange money at the airport, currency exchange counters in the city, or use credit cards when shopping.

The Thanh