For travel enthusiasts, another year has passed, meaning more destinations have been added to their travel map. Among them, many destinations in 2018 are countries with unique cultures and countless places to explore and experience.
Little Tibet - Ladakh
Located in northeastern India, Ladakh is a land of majestic Himalayan mountains, towering mountain passes, vast deserts, and tranquil, timeless sacred sites. Part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Ladakh possesses unique Tibetan cultural characteristics alongside stunning natural beauty. This is why it is known as "Little Tibet."
Visiting Ladakh, tourists will have an even more profound experience than ever before, captivated by the magnificent architecture imbued with spiritual significance and a history spanning hundreds or thousands of years. Standing amidst the idyllic valleys, gazing out at the Buddhist monasteries perched precariously on the cliffs, you will undoubtedly feel the surreal beauty of this land.
Additional information
- Visa: India allows online visa applications, costing $80 USD, and must be submitted at least two weeks before departure.
- Travel: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Ladakh. You need to fly to Delhi and then take another flight from there to Ladakh.
- Cuisine: People in Ladakh generally eat vegetarian food and use curry as a seasoning in most dishes. If you're staying for several days, you should bring your own food to ensure you have enough nutrients throughout your trip.
- Best time to visit Ladakh: May to October is the best time to explore Ladakh because it's summer, the weather is less cold, and the roads aren't covered in snow or ice.
Crossroads of East-West Civilization - Türkiye
Türkiye boasts one of the world's most unique geographical locations, with 97% of its territory in Asia and the remaining 3% in Europe. This location provides Türkiye with a diverse ecosystem and stunning natural landscapes, including 40 national parks, 189 nature parks, 31 nature reserves, 80 wildlife conservation areas, and 109 natural monuments. Furthermore, strategically situated on the ancient Silk Road, Türkiye is considered a crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations.
The stunning ancient architecture of Türkiye, with its blend of cultures from ancient to modern civilizations (Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman), has made this land of world wonders a focal point on the tourism map.
Additional information
- Visa: A Turkish tourist visa is valid for 3 months, allows single entry, and a maximum stay of 30 days. Documents should be prepared one month before departure.
- Route: There are now direct flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Istanbul operated by Turkish Airlines.
Within Turkey, you can travel by many different means of transportation such as trains, cars, buses, etc.
- Cuisine: Islamic dishes. In addition, dishes such as kabab, simit, and pide are also part of the local cuisine.
- Tip: Leather goods, carpets, and handcrafted pottery are famous Turkish products. If possible, buy some souvenirs.
The land of a thousand and one nights - Morocco
Morocco is a kingdom located in North Africa, bordered on two sides by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is known as the land of fairy tales, most famously the story of Scheherazade from One Thousand and One Nights. Visiting Morocco, you will discover a truly unique land, a place that combines mountains, sea, plains, and deserts, along with ancient Islamic cities that have existed for thousands of years.
One of the most amazing experiences when visiting Morocco is riding a camel across the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Here, you can enjoy a sense of peace, watch the sunset, and explore a colorful and mysterious Middle East. In addition, the cultural life of the Moroccan people still preserves ancient customs, offering visitors fascinating experiences.
Additional information
- Visa: Visa applications must be submitted to the Moroccan Embassy in Hanoi at least 3 weeks before departure.
- Itinerary: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Morocco, so you will need to make a stopover in one of the intermediate countries.
- Cuisine: Don't miss Tagines, a very special Moroccan dish cooked in earthenware pots.
- Note: Morocco is a Muslim country, so you need to follow some rules when visiting, such as asking permission before taking photos of people, and wearing modest clothing that is not too short.
Tea paradise and old town - Taiwan
Taiwan is famous for its charming, old-fashioned East Asian villages like Jiufen and Shifen, and the National Palace Museum – home to one of the world's largest collections of art. In addition, many tourists are drawn to Taiwan by their love of tea and milk tea. Here, you can visit famous tea plantations or simply enjoy a cup of tea in one of the traditional villages.
You can also participate in the incredibly beautiful and magical sky lantern festivals – an activity considered a part of the local culture. In addition, immersing yourself in the bustling night markets is an experience you shouldn't miss when visiting this island nation.
Additional information
- Visa: Taiwan currently issues visas in two forms: paper visas and online visas. The fee is 50-75 USD per person, depending on the processing time. The visa is valid for 90 days, with a maximum stay of 14 days for a paper visa and 30 days for an online visa.
- Route: There are always direct flights from Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports to airports in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
- Cuisine: Bubble tea and popular street food.
- Best time to visit: Taiwan is beautiful in all four seasons, but the best time to travel is autumn, from September to November.
- Note: English is not widely spoken in Taiwan, so if you plan to stay here for an extended period, you will need an interpreter.
The land of temples - Myanmar
Located in the northwest of the Indochina Peninsula, Myanmar is often mentioned as a beautiful spiritual destination. This land boasts numerous temples nestled peacefully amidst majestic mountains and turquoise lakes. The most beautiful is undoubtedly Inle Lake, with its countless floating houses on the calm, clear water. Visiting Inle Lake, you will enjoy a peaceful life and meet kind and friendly locals.
Furthermore, watching the sunrise and sunset from a hot air balloon in the capital city of Bagan is also an unmissable experience when visiting Myanmar. You will see thousands of reddish-brown pagodas glowing in the sunlight along with hundreds of hot air balloons soaring overhead. And if you visit the capital, don't forget to visit the famous pagoda covered with 90 tons of gold - the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Additional information
- Visa: Vietnamese tourists are exempt from visa requirements to enter Myanmar; you only need a passport valid for more than 6 months.
- Journey: The flight from Vietnam to Myanmar takes only 2 hours.
- Transportation: Taxis or rickshaws (similar to the Vietnamese cyclo) are very common in Myanmar.
- Cuisine: Shan rice, Myanmar curry, Nan Gyi Thohk noodles...
- Best time to visit Myanmar: November to February is the best time because the weather is cool and there is not much rain. It is also during this period that visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Bagan from a hot air balloon.
- Note: Myanmar is a Buddhist country, so you need to prepare appropriate clothing when visiting temples and pagodas.
A place where love songs are sung forever - South Korea
South Korea is one of the rare countries that is beautiful in all seasons. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll always have a fresh and enjoyable experience. South Korea has long been known for its popular television dramas. You can't miss South Korea if you've ever watched Winter Sonata, Autumn in My Heart, or Summer Scent...
In addition, South Korea attracts tourists with its unique culture, delicious cuisine, and incredibly romantic scenery. In South Korea, you can visit the bustling Dong Dae Moon Market, the magnificent royal palace, Jeju Island, and participate in the cherry blossom festival in Jinhae County – a place where the beauty of a painting comes to life.
Additional information
- Visa: Fee is $20 for stays under 90 days, visa validity is 1 year, maximum stay is 30 days. Processing time is 3-5 days.
- Travel: There are many direct flights from Vietnam to South Korea.
- Timing: South Korea is beautiful in all four seasons, but the best time is from March to May, when spring and cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
- Note: There is a large number of people applying for visas to South Korea, so you should arrive at the embassy early to avoid long queues.
Land of Symbols - Japan
Japan is known for its unique culture and rich history. If you enjoy exploring world cultures, there's no reason to miss Japan – a country famous for its distinctive symbols in every field. It attracts tourists with the breathtaking beauty of Mount Fuji, the ancient charm and mysterious history surrounding Himeji Castle, the serene atmosphere of the former capital Kyoto, and the bustling pace of life in Tokyo, one of the world's wealthiest cities.
On the other hand, when visiting Japan, don't miss the opportunity to explore the unique cultural features of this world-renowned land of the rising sun. These include the sophistication of the tea ceremony; the enchanting charm of Geishas; the meticulous craftsmanship of each Wagashi sweet; or simply donning a kimono or yukata and strolling leisurely along the peaceful streets of Japan.
Additional information
- Visa: The fee is 610,000 VND for a single-entry visa, valid for 3 months from the date of issue. The processing time is at least 8 days from the date of receipt of the application.
- Travel: There are currently many direct flights from Vietnam to Japan.
- Cuisine: Sushi, fresh seafood, ramen, soba noodles, and don't forget to try Japanese-style bento boxes.
- Note: Japanese people are absolutely punctual; it's like an unwritten law in Japan.
The cradle of human civilization - Egypt
Located in the heart of the wild "black continent," Egypt has always been considered the cradle of human civilization, a place harboring mysteries yet to be fully explored. It is also blessed by nature with the Nile River, the river of life, which for millennia has deposited layers of fertile silt, creating the most prosperous land in Africa and making it the birthplace of the brilliant ancient Egyptian civilization, a source of pride for all of humanity.
Exploring Egypt is a series of surprises. The mystery of the pyramids sheltering the ancient slumbers of the Pharaohs, the architecture and spirituality of the two famous temples: the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple, or the world-renowned Sphinx – all will provide visitors with unforgettable experiences in this enigmatic land.
Additional information
- Visa: The visa fee is $25. Applications should be submitted to the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Hanoi.
- Travel: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Egypt; you will need to make a stopover in one of the intermediate countries.
- Cuisine: Koshari, Ful medames, and Haman Mahshi are dishes you should try in this country.
- Note: The weather in Egypt is very harsh, often extremely hot during the day and extremely cold at night. Therefore, you need to prepare appropriate clothing and bring necessary medication in case of heatstroke.
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