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Text and photos:Phan Ngoc Hanh
Because Hong Kong's Chap Lap Kok International Airport is located on Lantau Island, with its runway extending out into the sea, when the plane landed, it felt like it was about to plunge into the water. It was an incredibly interesting sight! I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the airport; it's hard to count the number of flights taking off and landing each day, as it's the busiest air transit hub in the world.
A panoramic view of the Pearl of the Far East.
On my first day in Hong Kong, I drove across the Tsing Ma Bridge, which spans the Cheung Ching-ching mountains, admiring the bustling Hong Kong harbor with its constant flow of ships. The Tsing Ma Bridge is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Asia and is a vital transportation link connecting the New Territories and Kowloon. Afterward, I traveled through a long underwater tunnel to reach the Hong Kong Peninsula. Here stands a significant historical landmark: the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre – the site of the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China in 1997. In front of the building is the Golden Bauhinia Square, featuring a gilded bauhinia flower, the symbol of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is Victoria Peak, a mountain named after Queen Victoria, also known as The Peak, which attracts several million visitors each year. From the foot of the mountain, long lines of tourists queue at the Peak Tram station to wait for their turn to board the tram. The tram takes groups of visitors up to the summit and back down to pick up the next group. Riding on the tram is a delightful experience, with images of Hong Kong Island gradually passing by through the tram windows.
Riding on the tram is a delightful experience, with images of Hong Kong Island gradually gliding past the tram windows.
Traveling along Hong Kong's historic 120-year-old railway, I reached Victoria Peak. From the 552-meter summit, I gazed out at the panoramic view of Hong Kong, with its countless towering, box-shaped skyscrapers clustered together. Beyond Victoria Harbour, the bustling activity of ships added to the vibrant cityscape of the city.
A land of multiple religions
The next stop is Repulse Bay, an artificial beach that attracts many locals and tourists alike. Repulse Bay harmonizes with the tranquil blue sea, interspersed with mountains and towering buildings, along with numerous restaurants, hotels, and eateries.
On my way to the Repulse Bay area, I passed by the homes of Hong Kong's movie superstars. Most striking was house number 99, belonging to Jackie Chan, with its intricately carved gate. The villas in this area are the most valuable and expensive, owned only by major tycoons in finance, real estate, movie stars, and politicians.
Within the bay lies a sacred shrine featuring images related to various religions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. This shrine was built by Hong Kong's wealthy elite. I had the opportunity to see statues of the God of Wealth, the Gods of Fortune and Longevity, Maitreya Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the Goddess of Heaven, Avalokitesvara, the matchmaker goddess Yuexia Laoren, and next to it, the "Stone of Happy Marriage." Hong Kong people believe that when one respectfully prays before the matchmaker god and faces the "Stone of Happy Marriage," the matchmakers will surely bring happiness to that person. If one wishes for a healthy child, they pray before one of the two bronze statues, a boy or a girl with a topknot...
Lost in the world of stars
Having always loved Hong Kong films and actors, I excitedly visited the Avenue of Stars – a wide avenue of fame running along Victoria Harbour, honoring the famous movie stars who contributed to making Hong Kong's film industry shine and become the Hollywood of the East. Along the cobblestone path of the Avenue of Stars are statues depicting the actions of filmmakers and red-painted pillars illustrating the filmmaking process. Prominently displayed are plaques bearing the names, fingerprints, and signatures of famous Hong Kong movie stars. Lost in this world of stars, I admired the exquisitely crafted bronze statues of famous actors such as Gong Li and Bruce Lee.
Standing on the Walk of Fame on the Kowloon Peninsula, I could admire the bustling financial and commercial centers on the Hong Kong Peninsula, especially the IFC building, the tallest building in Hong Kong. Not only do tourists love to visit the Walk of Fame for sightseeing, but Hong Kong residents of all ages, from children to teenagers and the elderly, also enjoy coming here to enjoy the cool breeze, admire the buildings on the opposite shore, and watch the boats gliding across Victoria Harbour. It's an ideal spot for filming romantic scenes for TVB dramas, or to watch the "A Symphony of Lights" light show, which features around 30 performances each month including music, theater, and dance.
Return to childhood in a fairytale land.
The attraction I was most looking forward to was Disneyland. Stepping through the gates, I began my journey back to my childhood in a fairytale land. Disneyland Park is divided into four areas: Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
Strolling along Main Street, I felt like I had stepped into the American Wild West. The two parallel rows of banks, souvenir shops, bakeries, and cafes bustled with shoppers and customers. Among the souvenir shops, my favorite was the glass-paneled display of Cinderella's glass slipper. The slipper, though tiny, was exquisitely crafted.
Out of curiosity, I went to Adventureland, which everyone raved about as the most exciting and worthwhile place. Passing through the gate of the indigenous tribe, I encountered men dressed as pirates wielding clubs skillfully. Afterward, I proceeded to admire the wild beauty of the African savanna. At a winding river, a sudden turn occurred, and the water began to bubble and foam. Although it was a simulated volcano, it still created a thrilling sensation. Indeed, Adventureland is always packed with tourists lining up to board boats and rafts made of bamboo to explore the mysterious Amazon rainforest.
Extremely fond of Walt Disney fairy tales, I found myself lost in the labyrinth of Fantasyland. I spotted the tall, mysterious castle called Mystic Manor. I inched my way through the crowd to explore the castle's interior. Many visitors gave up halfway through because of the long queues. After 45 minutes of patience, I finally got inside a cup-shaped cabin. When the doors to each room opened, the cabin glided quickly inside, and the doors slammed shut. I went from one surprise to another as I explored each room, each containing different secrets. In one room, monkeys suddenly jumped out with chests full of gold and jewels. In another, toy soldiers danced under shimmering, colorful lights. In yet another, fairies and butterflies fluttered amidst a fragrant forest of flowers. I felt like Alice lost in Wonderland.
As the doors of each Fantasyland room opened, the teacup glided swiftly inside, and the doors slammed shut. I went from one surprise to another as I explored each room, each containing different secrets.
It would be a shame to visit Disneyland without witnessing the fairy tale parade at 3:30 PM. Characters from each story appear in turn. Leading the parade are the flying elephant, the drummers and trumpeters, and Sailor Moon. Next comes the giant hot air balloon with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Donald Duck. Following them are the long-tailed Marsupilami, Winnie the Pooh, birds, bees, and moving flowers dancing along the path to the lively music. I was captivated by the beautiful princesses like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Barbie, waving from their pristine white swans. Finally, the characters from the toy world, the robot world, and the Green Forest knight appear.
To perfectly conclude my Hong Kong trip, at 8 PM, I quickly gathered in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle to await the most spectacular fireworks display. A cascade of colorful lights illuminated the castle, sometimes flowing through the air. Then, bursts of brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky. This magnificent fireworks display brought to a close a day in the fairytale land of Disneyland and marked the end of my exploration of Hong Kong.
Additional information:
Hong Kong consists of three peninsulas: the New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong. The New Territories have a rugged, mountainous terrain and arid land, resulting in a sparse population. Kowloon, being more favorable for development, is densely populated with residents and businesses. The Hong Kong peninsula, on the other hand, is home to government offices, financial institutions, real estate developers, and commercial centers. Laws from the British colonial era remain in effect in Hong Kong to this day, such as the left-hand traffic law and the right-hand steering wheel.
+ Method of transportation:
ButFrom Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong:There are three airlines that fly direct to Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific Airways, Eva Air, and Vietnam Airlines. The flight time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
ButGetting around in Hong Kong:At Chap Lap Kok Airport, purchase an Octopus card at Airport Express Customer Service counters for HK$150, including a HK$50 deposit. Upon leaving Hong Kong, if you do not wish to keep the card as a souvenir, you can return it and receive HK$50 back along with any remaining balance. The Octopus card can be used to pay for subway, bus, and cable car rides, as well as for purchases at Watson and Seven Eleven convenience stores.
Other attractions:
ButMadame Tussauds Hong Kong (Hong Kong Wax Museum)
Address: Shop P101, The Peak Tower, No. 128 Peak Road, The Peak, Hong Kong Island.
Directions: as above
ButDisneyland Hong Kong (open from 9 am to 9 pm)
Address: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island, Outlying Islands.
Directions: Go to Disneyland Resort Station on the MTR.
+ Shopping:The upscale Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district; Ladies Market with over 100 stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs…
+ Accommodation:Garden Guesthouse (30m from the airport bus stop, 2-minute walk from Victoria Harbour); Yes Inn Causeway Bay (2-minute walk from Causeway Bay MTR station); Panda Hotel (frequent bus service to Tsim Sha Tsui)...
+ Cuisine:
- Go out for Dim Sum with around 150 items on the menu: steamed shrimp buns, Shao Mai buns, char siu pork buns, fried shrimp buns, roasted pork buns, Cheung Fen rolls, herbal egg porridge…
- In a dim sum restaurant, when drinking tea, you can tap three fingers lightly on the table to show your gratitude when someone pours your tea.
- Seafood in Hong Kong is very fresh and delicious, with traditional dishes such as steamed fish, stir-fried fish, stir-fried crab, grilled crab, grilled lobster, prawn salad, and crispy fried prawns.
Fusion cuisine is available everywhere, from food stalls in markets to upscale restaurants.
Popular late-night snacks in Hong Kong include: braised offal, stinky tofu, seafood hot pot, Chiu Chow porridge, rice noodles in soup, stir-fried rice noodles, dumpling noodles, noodles from street carts, shark fin soup, etc.
