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Located approximately 100 nautical miles off the southeastern coast of China, Taiwan is largely covered by mountains and forests. Furthermore, it's renowned as a culinary capital and a famous shopping hub in Asia, making it a true entertainment paradise for young people. It boasts numerous famous, unique, and distinctive tourist attractions. This is what makes Taiwan so appealing to travelers from all over the world.
Taiwan is considered a hidden gem of East Asia, a place with an eclectic blend of Chinese, Japanese, European, and indigenous cultures.
One of the most admirable things about this country is the sheer friendliness of the Taiwanese people. You'll frequently encounter acts of kindness from the locals throughout your trip, making traveling in Taiwan simple and safe, as you'll always find that most people are willing to help.
Types of tourist visas in Taiwan
To travel to Taiwan, all you need is a passport and a visa. The Taiwan visa application process isn't difficult; with a complete application and some experience, you can easily obtain your "passport" to this beautiful country.
According to a statement from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting October 13, 2022, Taiwan has resumed processing visas for Vietnamese citizens for tourism and business purposes with two types of visas: a single-entry tourist visa valid for 90 days, with a maximum stay of 14 days per entry; and a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for 2 years, with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry.
The requirements for applying for a tourist visa to Taiwan are quite simple.
Tourists should note that the cost of a Taiwan visa is in USD. A single-entry visa costs approximately 50 USD, while a multiple-entry visa costs around 100 USD. The process for obtaining a Taiwan tourist visa is generally straightforward; you won't need an interview. However, if the embassy requires one, you should carefully review the necessary information on the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office website to ensure you're well-prepared for the interview.
The best time to visit Taiwan
The climate in Taiwan is particularly similar to that of northern Vietnam; cities located in mountainous areas, central and southern regions generally have more pleasant weather than Taipei.
In spring, from March to April, the mountains and hills, along with the vibrant grass, flowers, and trees, create a picturesque landscape, and the cool climate makes for a very pleasant vacation. In summer, the hot and humid weather is ideal for visiting the islands and beaches. However, the most beautiful season is autumn, from September to November. The clear blue skies, cool and refreshing climate, and blooming flowers add to Taiwan's pristine and romantic charm. Winter here lasts from December to February. The weather is cold and biting, sometimes with snowfall. It's especially important to avoid visiting in July and August, as this is the rainy season and unsuitable for tourism.
The climate in Taiwan is particularly similar to that of northern Vietnam; cities located in mountainous areas, central and southern regions generally have more pleasant weather than Taipei.
Round-trip airfare to Taiwan is usually quite high. To save on travel costs, you can book your flight 2-3 months in advance. After the pandemic, Taiwan is a heavily promoted tourist destination, so don't miss out on promotions to get the best deals.
Notes on currency and payments in Taiwan
Exchanging money is also something you need to prepare for your trip. Taiwan currently uses the New Taiwan Dollar as its currency, abbreviated as NT or $. You can go to banks or foreign exchange offices on Ha Trung Street or Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, where the exchange rate is approximately 1 NT$ to 730-750 VND.
If you already have USD from Vietnam, you can bring it to Taiwan and exchange it at banks such as Mega Bank, Chinatrust, or Bank of Taiwan located at the airport, where you will get the exchange rate listed. Please note that banks in Taiwan do not exchange Vietnamese Dong for Taiwanese Dollars.
Actually, you don't necessarily need to exchange too much money because carrying a lot of cash is inconvenient. In Taiwan, most payments are made by card, and you can use your EasyCard to pay at almost everywhere. Therefore, tourists only need a small amount of cash for train fares, food, or shopping in smaller neighborhoods.
In Taiwan, most payments are made by card; you can use your EasyCard to pay at almost all places.
Transportation options when visiting Taiwan
When you visit Taiwan, you'll find its public transportation system incredibly well-developed, professional, and logically organized. Especially in major cities, you can confidently use these modes of transport due to their convenience and diverse routes. Prices in Taiwan are also relatively lower than in most other developed countries, making transportation very affordable for tourists to visit many places.
- MRT subway
In Taipei and Kaohsiung, the subway is the most popular form of public transportation. You can purchase an EasyCard at the airport to travel around the city for as little as 15,000-50,000 VND. Subways operate from 6:00 AM to midnight, so be mindful of the schedule if you plan to go out late.
In Taipei and Kaohsiung, the subway is the most popular form of public transportation.
- Train
Trains are considered a convenient and affordable mode of transportation when traveling in Taiwan. Trains depart every 5 to 10 minutes and cover the entire region. There are four types of trains: Local, Tze Chiang Express, Chu Kuang, and Taro. Each type offers different conveniences and prices.
- THSR high-speed ferry
With speeds reaching up to 300km/h, the price for a high-speed train ride will be slightly more expensive than a regular train. Train tickets start from around 30,000 VND. You can purchase unlimited short-term combo tickets to save money on your travels.
- Bus
Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation; for just 12,000 VND per person, you can get a single-trip bus ticket. Buses operate all day, from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and EasyCard payments are accepted. Additionally, Taiwan offers double-decker bus tours to explore the city.
Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation; for just 12,000 VND per person, you can get a bus ticket for a single journey.
Things to note when visiting Taiwan
The streets in Taiwan are often very crowded, with many people passing by, so you shouldn't keep important items all in one place. Personal documents, money, and phones should be kept safe to avoid theft.
Upon arrival at the airport, you should buy a SIM card from a Taiwanese mobile network provider for convenient communication and internet access for navigation and news. To make a mobile call to Vietnam, you need to dial 00-84 + phone number. When dialing, you need to omit the leading 0 before the 9. For example, to call 0978 888 888, you would dial 00-84-978 888 888.
In Taiwan, they commonly use three-prong plugs, so you should bring an adapter before you go so you can charge your electronic devices.
You should not smoke or litter in public places, especially where there are no-smoking signs, as you are very likely to be fined due to the strict laws here.
You should also switch your watch or phone to the local time for convenience in daily life and sightseeing activities.
If you intend to buy medicine, jewelry, gemstones, or other valuable items, you need to check carefully to avoid buying counterfeit goods.
Goods in Taiwan are abundant and diverse, and prices vary considerably between supermarkets and markets. When shopping, you should choose carefully because prices here are often inflated compared to their actual value.
