Buzz
For just under 5 million dong, Professor Phan Thế Anh embarked on a 3-day, 2-night journey in the land of bubble tea.
Seasoned octogenarian scholar imparts wisdom from a budget-friendly escapade to Taiwan
Expert advice from Mr. Phan Thế Anh
The capital city, Taipei, charms with its blend of antiquity and modernity. The old houses and buildings, adorned in shades of gray and brown, exude cleanliness. In the city center stands the renowned Taipei 101, bustling with modern vibrancy, while the neighborhoods and streets maintain an ancient charm, giving the city a subtly captivating allure.
Taiwan seems to be a popular destination for Vietnamese travelers, but tour prices usually range from 17 to 20 million dong, which is quite steep for ordinary students and office workers.
Embarking on a 3-day, 2-night adventure to Taipei, my budget stretches around 4.9 million VND, covering indulgent street eats and seamless transportation.
Breakdown:
Lodging: 1.4 million VND
Airfare: 2.6 million VND
Bus and MRT rides: 420,000 VND
Total estimated cost for this exciting journey: 4,900,000 VND
Three-day food budget: 500,000 VND.
The estimated amount includes expenses for basic travel needs. Additional costs may arise depending on your personal preferences and hobbies, so remember to consider them for adequate preparation! Thế Anh usually hunts for cheap tickets whenever airlines have travel promotions. I usually book in advance and will apply for a visa later.
Most of the main tourist attractions in Taipei are free of charge. In addition, Taiwan is an interesting place with many free attractions.
Airline tickets
I booked airline tickets in mid-February for a trip in April. The price of Vietjet Air tickets is 2.6 million VND for a round-trip ticket.
Accommodation
Our group booked a room at Inn Cube near Taipei Main Station, a unique 'capsule hotel' costing only around 700,000 VND per night. The total for 2 nights was 1.4 million VND.
Public buses here are incredibly affordable for a travel group like ours. We spent only 420,000 VND for 4 days of bus rides, including MRT fares.
Visa
There are two ways to apply for a Taiwan visa:
Out of our 5-person group, 3 members already had valid visas for the UK and the US, exempting them from requiring a Taiwan visa. They only needed to complete an online form.
As for Anh, who had an expired visa for Japan, he was exempted from the financial proof requirement.
For others, proving a financial standing of around 100 million VND is required, along with a stable job, official leave permission from the workplace, and social insurance records. All documents can be provided in copy, without notarization, bringing the originals for verification is sufficient.
Itinerary
Day 1
Our first stop is the iconic Taipei 101, the largest and liveliest shopping district in Taiwan. The food options here are not overly priced, making it perfect for shopping enthusiasts with a penchant for big brands.
Next to Taipei 101 is Elephant Mountain, climb to the summit for a breathtaking view of Taipei 101 and a mountain nestled in the heart of the city. The peak of Elephant Mountain is also an excellent spot for photography enthusiasts.
In the evening, explore night markets like Shilin, where you'll find a plethora of street foods such as lotus seed candy, stinky tofu, and Taiwanese mangosteen. Don't miss out—affordable and delicious treats await.
Day 2
Visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial (free) and the National Palace Museum (entrance fee applies to explore Taiwan's historical artifacts).
In the evening, the most captivating spot in Taiwan is undoubtedly Jiufen, about 45 minutes from Taipei by public bus, with a 25-minute wait between each ride. Inside, you'll find a bustling night market with renowned handmade stalls. If you visit Jiufen during the dry season, you might even experience the lantern festival here.
Day 3
Next on the agenda is the Xin Beitou hot spring area in the heart of the city. To get here, take a train to Xin Beitou station, where you'll easily spot the central hot spring area, with steam rising everywhere...
Culinary Delights
Talking about Taiwanese cuisine is simply delightful. Apart from the renowned Din Tai Feng restaurant, street-side dimsum and noodles are also exquisite, and the prices are incredibly budget-friendly. Fermented tofu is delicious but has a strong aroma; those unaccustomed might find it overwhelming. Sweet sugar-coated lotus seeds melt in the mouth. The fruits sold along the streets are fantastic, especially the crispy and delicious mangosteen. The prices are reasonable compared to other places I've been to.
According to Ngôi Sao
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Reference: Travel guide on Mytour
MytourNovember 19, 2016
