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Are you planning a 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China but still have concerns? Hekou, situated near Vietnam, is convenient for planning your exploration. So, what does Hekou offer? The following information will somewhat address your doubts, allowing you to plan your itinerary in detail.
About Hekou
Hekou is a land located on the border of China and Vietnam. This destination lies in Yunnan Province, China, not far from our country. It is an autonomous county of the Dao ethnic people and is increasingly becoming an appealing tourist destination.
Simply crossing the Ho Kieu Bridge over the Nam Thi River brings you to Hekou. That's why tours for 2-day, 1-night trips to Hekou, China are increasingly popular. Though it can't be compared to Beijing or Shanghai, it still carries its own distinctive charm.
Hekou, China is an ideal destination if you want to travel to China for a day (Photo source: Collected)
The authentic Chinese experiences in Hekou will leave an unforgettable impression. It always seems lively and bustling with border area activity. The beautiful natural scenery is also one of the attractions that draw visitors here.
Understanding the transportation methods will help you save costs and travel time to the maximum. Moreover, visiting Hekou gives you the chance to indulge in local cuisine. Along with that is gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and customs of our neighboring country.
Getting to Hekou on Your 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Hekou, China
Currently, there are no direct flights from our country to Lao Cai. Therefore, the ideal means of transportation to Hekou is by bus or train. Typically, this journey will depart from Hanoi. If you're from farther provinces, you can book a flight to Hanoi in advance. Then, continue by bus to Lao Cai.
Upon arrival in Lao Cai, you will take a bus to the Lao Cai border gate and complete procedures to cross into Hekou. Note that you need to obtain a travel permit to enter the country, with an approximate cost of 350,000 VND. If you lack experience in these matters, you can contact permit service providers for assistance.
To have a smooth journey, make sure to thoroughly research all information before traveling! (Photo source: Collected)
You need to bring your ID card/citizen ID card and prepare two 4x6 photos with a white background. Note that the photos must clearly show your face, no glasses or ears visible. And of course, you can't forget your Chinese tourist visa. Although the travel permit is valid for 30 days, you are actually only allowed one entry.
After one day, you will only receive the travel permit, not immediately. So, pay attention to this to arrange your time and plan accordingly! Thorough preparation will ensure an ideal 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China for you.
Must-Visit Places in Your 2-Day, 1-Night Trip to Hekou, China
You may not know where to go on your 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China. Here are some interesting destinations in Hekou that Mytour wants to introduce to you. Let's follow along and take notes in your journal!
1. Dai Lau Supermarket Located Underground
Dai Lau Supermarket is a must-visit destination on your 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China. The supermarket is located in the basement of a prominent 25-story building. The shopping area covers approximately 10,000 square meters with various stalls.
You can find all kinds of items here, from accessories, bags, clothes, toys to household items. Especially, the prices here are very cheap and affordable. Many items are priced at around 10 yuan, equivalent to 35,000 VND. You'll be able to buy plenty of essentials while exploring this place!
A corner of the stalls in the underground supermarket (Photo source: Collected)
Especially, at Dai Lau Supermarket, there is a food court area. Here, you can find many delicious dishes with rich Chinese flavors. The culinary experience will enhance your journey even more. So, make sure to bring your appetite when visiting Dai Lau Supermarket!
2. Hekou Light Park
Hekou Light Park is a destination you can't miss on your 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China. Depending on your schedule, you can visit here at any time of the day. In the morning, you can take check-in photos with the scenery here and enjoy the fresh air.
But to fully admire the beauty of this place, you should visit in the evening. This is also the time when the park lights up, emitting a dazzling and mysterious light. Thousands of lights will illuminate, creating a beautiful space. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the dance of light to melodious music.
Hekou Light Park lit up at night (Source: Collected)
The park impresses visitors with its design inspired by ancient architecture. With a large area, it features many remarkable and impressive structures. For example, the ancient town, the castle, the flower garden, the flea market... It can be said that this is one of the outstanding highlights of the Vietnam-China border area.
3. Hekou Lantern Street
Hekou Lantern Street is a destination imbued with a strong Chinese atmosphere. This is a very unique check-in spot in the 2-day, 1-night trip to Hekou, China. It is very close to Lao Cai as it is located on the banks of the Nam Thi River. Here, there are hundreds of lanterns shining brightly with various sizes and shapes.
Not only serving as decorations, but in the evening, these lanterns also light up with warm colors. You can stroll here, explore, admire the streets, and enjoy delicious local dishes. There are also many souvenir stalls along the street for you to stop by.
Lantern street with a classic-colored scenery (Source: Collected)
Here, cultural and artistic activities as well as traditional festivals often take place. If you come at the right time, you will have the opportunity to enjoy circus performances, magic shows, and music concerts. From there, you will have the chance to learn more about the distinctive customs and traditions of the local people.
4. Famous Korean Street
Just stepping out of the border gate, you'll immediately see the famous Korean Street where tourists often come to check-in. Along this street, there are many stalls and eateries offering delicious and tempting food. You can freely wander around, explore every nook and cranny here. When you feel tired, you can stop by any eatery to recharge.
When in Hà Khẩu, don't forget to check-in at the famous Korean Street! (Source: Collected)
Moreover, the scenery of the streets here often carries a hint of ancient charm. You can take photos with a Hong Kong style vibe on these streets. This nostalgic backdrop will give you a photo collection that you can post all year round!
Must-Try Dishes in the 2-day-1-night Hà Khẩu, China Trip
Wondering what to eat during your 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China? The cultural and national differences have created unique culinary characteristics. Despite being neighboring countries, there are still differences. If you're not sure what delicious dishes Hà Khẩu has to offer, check out the information below!
1. Malatang Hot Pot
Malatang is known as a popular street food in China. This delicious dish originates from Sichuan province. Note that Malatang hot pot is only for those who can handle spicy food! When you taste it, you'll feel the intense spiciness that makes your tongue tingle, thanks to the chili and Sichuan pepper.
This hot pot dish is perfect for enjoying on chilly days (Source: Collected)
Hot pot includes main ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, meat... Everything will be put into a pot of seasoned boiling water. With this dish, you can enjoy it on the spot or take it away. Malatang is truly a dish that challenges diners!
2. Mr. Trọc's Grilled Squid
A must-try dish on your 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China is Mr. Trọc's grilled squid. This dish is sold by a famous Vietnamese person here. Note that this dish has a quite spicy flavor, so if you can't handle spicy food, you shouldn't try it!
Grilled squid is a famous dish you shouldn't miss when visiting Hà Khẩu (Source: Collected)
This is a specialty of Hà Khẩu made from delicious fresh squid. Before grilling, they have been marinated with spicy spices. When cooked, the squid has a shiny golden color and emits a very fragrant aroma. When you bite into it, you will feel the delicious chewiness of the squid.
3. Stone-grilled Sausage
This dish with the strange name is made from sausage and stones. The pieces of sausage, after being cut into small pieces, will be placed on pre-grilled stones. Then, the sausage will be grilled again on a charcoal or electric stove. When eaten, the sausage will have a slight sweetness and a crispy texture that is very appetizing. Along with that is a bit of salty, spicy taste that chili salt brings.
This dish, despite its strange name, has a very delicious taste (Source: Collected)
4. Other Snacks
Besides the mentioned dishes, there are still many other snacks and delicacies in Hà Khẩu. You will have the opportunity to enjoy all these delicious dishes on your 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China.
Unique dishes in Hà Khẩu will make your journey more enjoyable (Source: Collected)
- Grilled Items. The skewers in Hà Khẩu are mostly marinated with rich spices. The variety of grilled dishes will continuously stimulate your taste buds.
- Milk Tea. When in China, you cannot miss out on milk tea. The milk tea in Hà Khẩu is generally not too sweet, with a strong tea aroma, very palatable when consumed.
- Hand-Shaken Rice Paper. The rice paper here is a type of cake fried in oil until it puffs up. Then eggs will be added and seasoned with sweet or savory spices as desired. Hand-shaken rice paper is said to be quite similar to Thai-style Crepes.
- Dumplings, Shrimp Dumplings, Buns… You will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious and fragrant Chinese-style dumplings. When eating, you can dip them in pre-made soy sauce or vinegar. Or you can also customize the dipping sauce according to your taste.
- Jiangsu-style Grilled Cake. This is a traditional Chinese dish that you can try. The cake has a crispy outer layer and a sweet and tender meat filling.
Travel Tips for Your 2-Day-1-Night Trip to Hà Khẩu, China
If it's your first time experiencing a 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China, there are certainly many things to keep in mind. Knowing these tips will ensure you have a perfect and joyful journey.
1. Ideal Time to Visit Hà Khẩu, China for 2 Days and 1 Night
The best time to explore Hà Khẩu is during the autumn season. During this time, the weather is pleasantly cool with vibrant natural scenery. Autumn in Hà Khẩu begins from September to November with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The skies are clear and the weather is beautiful, making it perfect for exploration.
Choosing the right time to travel will allow you to experience more (Source: Collection)
Arriving in Hà Khẩu at this time, you'll have the opportunity to check-in with colorful flower fields. The streets in autumn become even more ancient and nostalgic. Rest assured, you'll have unforgettable memories when you set foot here.
2. Don't forget to exchange currency before heading to Hà Khẩu
One thing to note is that you should remember to exchange currency before your 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China. It's best to exchange in Vietnam at gold shops, banks, currency exchange shops... After exchanging, don't forget to check again to avoid receiving counterfeit or excessively torn money.
Don't forget to exchange currency before traveling to Hà Khẩu (Source: Collection)
3. Time Zone in Hà Khẩu, China
You should pay attention to the time because in reality, China follows UTC+8 time zone. That's why Hà Khẩu is about one hour ahead of our country. And the border gates in Hà Khẩu operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. according to China's time. It's important to note this to be able to arrange your schedule and travel according to plan.
4. Some other notes when traveling to Hà Khẩu
In addition to the above experiences, here are some other important notes. Pay attention to these during your 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China!
Don't overlook these small but important notes! (Source: Collection)
- Most of the food in Hà Khẩu is spicy and oily. To avoid stomach upset, prioritize clean eateries!
- Basic medicines like motion sickness pills, painkillers, headache relief, and digestive aids are essential. If you fall ill or encounter any unexpected situations, you won't know who to turn to. That can be difficult and cause panic.
- Depending on the travel season, pack appropriate clothing. Sometimes, the weather in Hà Khẩu can be unpredictable, so bring an umbrella and raincoat.
- Each country has its own culture, so respect the local customs. Don't take photos or videos without permission. To make things easier, learn a few basic phrases in Chinese for communication.
- Keep your belongings safe and be cautious throughout your trip to Hà Khẩu. Avoid carrying too much cash to prevent loss or theft. Also, avoid wandering alone late at night in deserted areas. If anything goes wrong, report to the Vietnamese Embassy in China or the authorities.
Hà Khẩu may be a relatively new tourist destination, but it holds many attractions. With the above sharing, we hope you'll have an exciting 2-day-1-night trip to Hà Khẩu, China. You can plan your own independent trips or for added convenience, book a tour with Mytour. To book a tour, contact the Mytour hotline here!
