Don't Forget the Unforgettable Love in Hong Kong

Explore Lenny Tran's entry for the Explore Freedom Writing and Photo Contest, sharing a detailed and informative Hong Kong travel itinerary for those planning a trip to this city.

I will share with you my HK journey, the days of enjoying the exploration joy of youth, the places that, though visited only once, felt as familiar as my homeland. Travel to experience, so don't be too strict with yourself. Also, don't be too frugal, don't worry too much about expenses, and don't miss out on the moments immersed in emotions just because of reviews like 'GOING TO ABC ONLY WITH XYZ MILLION VND.' Hong Kong... go to feel... go to live slowly... go to love more.

Airplane tickets at the last minute for the group were only about $110 for a round trip from Da Nang to Hong Kong. However, the dilemma was that inviting ten people resulted in eleven rejections with countless reasons: siblings getting married, busy with work, unable to get time off, no money... blah...blah. So, after much hesitation, when the decision to go was made, we wasted an extra $30 due to indecision, booking a pair of tickets for $140/round trip/person. But in the end, we had 8 travel companions, not just one 😀

As we were in Da Nang, we couldn't fly to Hanoi to submit our visa application, so we decided to use a visa service. For the Hong Kong visa, we went through an agency. Just email the required scanned documents, proof of financial capacity of around 50 million VND is sufficient. Submit the application about 30 days before departure, and the visa will be delivered to your doorstep close to the departure date.

The duration of stay for this type of HK visa is 7 days.

Since we traveled in a group of 6 adults + 2 babies (3 years old and 1 year old :D), we prioritized booking private rooms rather than dorms, as we did in previous trips to Singapore and Thailand. We booked a family room for parents + 2 babies and a room for 4 adults. Hong Kong, being a small and densely populated place, has relatively expensive accommodations. We opted for small but clean rooms close to the MTR station. Since we were out the entire day, we only needed a place to sleep at night and didn't require high-end luxury accommodations.

We booked a hostel-type room in the Chung King Mansion area, just a few steps away from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR. Stepping out of Chung King Mansion, crossing the street, we could immerse ourselves in the lively underground life of the city.

Talking about services to pre-book in Vietnam, words can't fully express my appreciation for Klook. Thank you for providing professional services, allowing me to explore Hong Kong without worrying about running out of tickets or carrying too much cash. Just sit at home, research, check tickets, pay online, receive voucher codes for entertainment venues, and pick up cards and devices at the airport upon arrival. The only slight inconvenience is that payment must be made in USD, incurring a 3% currency conversion fee. I didn't notice it during payment, and the bank charged me the fee weeks later. Received a panicked message not understanding why money was deducted. When I reached out to Klook, they were very lovely and supportive. Klook temporarily doesn't accept payments in VND; you have to pay in USD and bear the currency conversion fee. They promised to compensate with a $10 coupon for future discounts.

A must-have for independent travelers! Get yourself a 4G SIM card for seamless internet connectivity, making you feel at home anywhere you go. As everyone in our group needed internet access, I ordered a SIM card for each person. Purchased and paid for the SIM card in Vietnam through Klook, then collected it at the service counter at the Hong Kong airport. I opted for the unlimited 4G usage for 5 days, ensuring that we could stay connected and enjoy the virtual world anytime during our stay in HK.

Our itinerary, both for arrival and departure, spans 5 days. The optimal plan we chose is to purchase the unlimited 3-day MTR train card, which includes a one-way trip from the airport to the city center. We opted for a one-way ticket from the airport because, for the return journey, we arranged for a direct shuttle from the city center to the airport for all 6 of us. This transportation choice proves more convenient, especially considering the luggage and the fatigue accumulated from days of exploration.

Only after buying the unlimited card did we realize how much of a privilege it is for travelers. Hop on the MTR without worrying about costs; even if you enter or exit the wrong gate, you won't have to pay any additional fees. It's incredibly reassuring and convenient! 😄

(Simply book and register your phone number in Vietnam with roaming or contact Klook's customer service in Hong Kong before your return date. Provide them with your HK contact number, and the driver will call to arrange the pickup close to your flight time.)

As our team includes 2 kids enchanted by Mickey Mouse and older kids equally thrilled by the attractions, a 'must-go, must-try' on our HK list is Disneyland. We've decided to dedicate an entire day to immerse ourselves in the enchanting world of Disneyland.

I recommend visiting on weekdays, and I'll tell you the detailed reasons shortly.

For tickets, it's best to book in advance in Vietnam. It's much cheaper than buying at the gate. Plus, no need to endure crowded lines; just print the voucher, and upon ticket inspection, they'll scan the code, allowing you to dive into the magic effortlessly.

And of course, always buy from Klook. We love Klook! 😄

One attraction we're eagerly anticipating is the summit of Victoria Peak, offering a panoramic view of Hong Kong and a chance to explore a wax figure exhibit featuring some handsome lads and beautiful ladies—perhaps easier to admire here than in real life 😀.

It's advisable to pre-purchase tickets at home. There, a guide will be waiting for you at the Central MTR station entrance. The guide distributes tickets and provides instructions on ascending the peak. Buying tickets in advance has its perks—no waiting in line, a dedicated queue, saving time, and a small amount of money. The guide speaks English, Chinese, and a bit of Vietnamese, showing great enthusiasm. The guide takes us to the summit; the rest is up to us to explore and enjoy. On the way back, we only wish there were round-trip combo tickets with a dedicated line like when going up. Queueing to descend is quite a challenge.

Flight tickets, visa, hotels, amusement park tickets, and related services are almost fully booked. Now, the remaining task is to exchange some money for frolicking and fun across the seas. Depending on your spending habits, estimate how much currency you'll need.

The exchange rate outside is approximately 1 HKD = 3000 VND (or a tad more, depending on the period)

Tadaaaaaa, done! Now, just flex those muscles and wait for the day to embark on the Hong Kong adventure...

Ahihi, thought we had everything sorted, and the world was ours? Oh no... when nature is not on your side, it's as good as having nothing. A day before the trip, meaning tomorrow we fly, and guess what? A storm is brewing with forecasts of a level 15-16 typhoon, even rumored to be a catastrophic weather event. Feeling doomed, no matter what, the flight will be postponed. Every 5 minutes, refreshing the weather page, downloading the Windy app to see the storm's direction. The afternoon before the flight, checking the cancellations for both Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar, and it turns out international flights to Da Nang airport are also canceled. Even students have announcements for a day off from school the next day. Perfect for a trip, isn't it?

That night, none of us bothered to pack; instead, we gathered in the group, praying for good weather, wishing the storm would vanish. Everything was negotiable; the only thing we needed was to set foot in HK, and we were good. We brainstormed numerous backup plans in case of a cancellation – how to deal with the service provider, what if...it was quite a hassle.

But you know, fate favors the determined, right? So, I can continue sharing with you all about this trip filled with so much joy and unforgettable memories.

Waking up, the first thing I did was lie still, close my eyes, and listen for the raging storm outside. Ok Fine, no sound at all. Next, grab the phone to check if the airline sent a flight cancellation email. NONE, Ok I’m fine. What's next, open the Windy app to see if the storm has shifted away from Da Nang. It seems to have, Ok Very Fine

Jumping out of bed, quickly pack and toss everything into the backpack, then rush to the office. The flight is in the afternoon, so I still have to work in the morning. Working with a happy heart.

In the afternoon, we all agreed to meet at the airport; upon arrival, we nervously looked at each other, unsure if the flight would take off. Let's check in first and figure it out.

3:00 PM: Checked in, waiting in the customs area, consoling each other that we've secured a foothold in Hong Kong.

4:00 PM: We waited so long we got hungry, so we went to Burger King to grab a bite.

5:30 PM: Queuing to board the plane, excitedly celebrating silently, hoping to get on the plane, close my eyes, and open them in Hong Kong, not back in Da Nang.

Finally, after nearly 2 hours of flying, Hong Kong was within reach.

Exiting the airport, going through immigration, collecting luggage, and heading to the hotel.

Since we pre-ordered the SIM card and MTR card, we moved to counter A13, Terminal 1 to pick them up. Just go out the gate, straight ahead, look at the information counter on the left corner.

The handsome guy at counter A13 checked and scanned our voucher, slid the SIM card into the phone, activated 4G swiftly. We received 6 unlimited 3-day MTR cards, and oh, after use, you get a 50HKD refund on this card. Truly magical!

Initially, we thought the 3-day unlimited usage would start from the activation time (for example, if activated at 10 pm on day 1, it would count until 10 pm on day 3). So, we planned to use it for a free MTR ride from the airport to Central station, then activate the card for the MTR journey from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, utilizing it until 10 pm on day 3.

But the guy at the card exchange counter advised against using the card now because it's past 10 pm; if activated, it would count as the first day until 11:59 pm. A waste of a day's use.

The solution the guy gave us was to take the MTR from the airport to Tsing Yi station, then transfer to the free shuttle bus from there to the drop-off point near our hotel. But we had to hurry because the last bus there was at 11 PM. We rushed onto the MTR, arrived bewildered, looking for the fateful bus to take us back to the hotel in the dead of night. Hong Kong, being warm, friendly, and hospitable, we just ran up and asked; language was no barrier—whether in Chinese, English, or body language, a point was all it took.

The airport MTR has comfortable, clean seats.

Comfortably on the bus at 10:56 PM, 4 minutes later, the driver appeared, and at exactly 11 PM, the wheels rolled. Precise to the minute. The bus's final stop was Holiday Inn Golden Mile. From there, we used Google Maps to find our way back to the hotel. Despite traversing the area 2-3 times, we still couldn't figure out where our hostel was in the complex that is Chungking Mansion. It was a bit confusing and intimidating, but over the next few days, it turned out to be lively and bustling, and we kind of blended in.

Checked in, we all went out for a meal. Stumbling upon a hidden gem, we ate at a local Chinese place in a small alley across the street, and unexpectedly, it was incredibly delicious. A bit pricey, but from that moment until we left, we ate there three times, still cherishing the taste of the wonton noodles and the rich broth. After eating, we strolled around the area until past midnight, then went back to sleep, gearing up for tomorrow's visit to The Peak Tram.

Seizing the opportunity to savor the last bite, then off to sleep.

Waking up to a cool morning, feeling refreshed, we decided to conquer Hong Kong. Our Klook tour guide rendezvous was set for 11 AM at Gate K of Central MTR station. After finishing breakfast, our plan was to explore the area and see if there's anything interesting. Speaking of breakfast, it's safe to say that in HK, the portions are quite generous. That morning, with my family busy with the two kids, we didn't manage to have breakfast on time. Four of us headed to a place we found the night before; I ordered fried rice, dumplings, noodle soup, and egg fried rice, totaling 250 HKD. When the dishes arrived, looking at the plate of noodles and the bowl of rice, I almost regretted it. Lesson learned, next time four people should only order two portions.

This size is meant for two people. After eating, we strolled around Tsim Sha Tsui, took the subway, and officially used our adorable cards to explore. Each card swipe felt like shopping without looking at the price, a delightful sensation.

Seizing the opportunity to drink another heavenly bubble tea while waiting for the train. For a systematic and accurate subway experience, you should download the MTR Mobile HK app. It's extremely convenient. Just choose your departure station, destination, and the app will suggest the route. For example, if you want to go to Central station, simply input:

From: Tsim Sha Tsui

To: Enter Central

The suggested route will show you that you only need to take the red line for a direct trip to Central station. Along the way, the train will stop once at Admiralty station. Pay attention to the subway map on the train, watch for flashing lights when the train stops, and listen to announcements on the loudspeaker to know when to disembark.

Queueing up for the subway train.

Upon exiting the subway, remember to check the directional signs to find the exit. For example, Gate A will have A1, A2... each gate will lead to a different direction. It's essential to determine the exit gate to save time wandering around. Don't worry, it may sound complicated, but after one or two trips, you'll get used to it.

Reached Gate K at Central Station around 9:30 AM, still about an hour and a half before the appointment time. So, we decided to visit the garden nearby for some selfies and trendy photos. After a while, it got too hot, so we wandered around to find some large shopping malls to enjoy a bit of air conditioning—phew, it was scorching.

The colorful electric cars are eye-catching and cute.

Wandering around until it was time for the appointment with the tour guide. The HK guide spoke excellent English and knew a bit of Vietnamese. She checked the number of passengers, handed out tickets, and then led everyone to the tram station to ascend The Peak Tram.

The tickets are adorable! 😀

On the way, we heard the narration about the two lion statues in front of HSBC Bank, then stopped to take various photos. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the tram station. Here, you'll feel delighted because you've purchased tickets in advance. No need to queue for tickets or wait in line to board the tram. Buying tickets in advance comes with the privilege of a separate line, no waiting in queues—a truly wise decision.

Sitting in the tram for about 15-20 minutes will take you to the top! :v

Here, we bid farewell to the tour guide, and we're free to explore. The first thing when arriving at The Peak Tram is to find a restaurant for lunch. After some wandering, we decided to enter a seemingly crowded restaurant. Real food discovery awaits!

The prices here aren't much different from those in the city center; six adults had a 'light' meal, spending around 300 HKD.

After eating, we went to exchange tickets for the wax museum.

Tickets to the wax museum

Exploring the wax museum, taking photos for over an hour, depending on your enthusiasm for selfies.

After the wax museum, we headed outside to find our way to the Sky Terrace 428 to admire the million-dollar view in the legend.

The weather was quite sunny, so we took advantage of the scenery and then went to the area to make wishes on the giant heart.

Around 3 pm, we descended to the souvenir area, did wax hand molds... a bit lonely without anyone to hold hands, so we decided to leave and save 100 HKD.

Around 4 pm, we queued to go down the mountain. Since there were no priority tickets for the evening, everyone had to wait in line, a long and crowded queue. I wish there was a combo ticket for a priority return trip – would have bought it right away to save ourselves from the hassle.

Long and crowded queue :(((

Walking back to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, checking the Tsim Sha Tsui route to get back to the hostel, affectionately called 'home' at this point. Arrived home a little after 5 pm. Decided to rest, freshen up a bit. Gathered at the front area at 7 pm, took the train for Dim Sum and then headed to Lang Kwai Fong for some nightlife fun.

Check the Tsim Sha Tsui route to Prince station, walk a few hundred meters, and on your left, you'll see a small Dim Sum place with a long queue.

Waiting in line for our turn.

Got the number, waited for our turn, got seated, and ordered food in advance. As soon as we sat down, hot dishes were served right away. Six people ate a lot, and it only cost 350 HKD. Unbelievable, right? And it was delicious!

Feeling excited, we decided to tour the legendary Lan Kwai Fong. As soon as we arrived, lively music filled the air. After a few rounds, Lan Kwai Fong was gone, similar to Bui Vien in HCM or Ta Hien in Hanoi.

Since we didn't make a reservation, every place was full. Choosing a pub with a nice view was a bit challenging. We settled in a small pub. Since there were two kids, the families with kids left earlier, and the four single ladies went into the pub for some beer.

After finishing the drinks, we headed back to the hotel, freshened up, and rested. Tomorrow, we plan to dive into some shopping.

For breakfast, we went to M&S near our place. The food was fresh and delicious. After paying, there was a counter for customers to sit and enjoy, unlike 7-Eleven.

Spread out the newspaper and read like a local, coincidentally found a familiar face in the news, hey, it's Mr. Ki.

After breakfast, we went down to the subway station and traveled to Wong Tai Sin station. Exiting at Gate B3, it took a few minutes of walking to see Wong Tai Sin (Wong Tai Sin Temple).

A large and beautiful temple in the Chinese style. I decided to seek blessings and fortune, just like everyone else.

After getting the fortune-telling, we went to get the answers to our drawn lots. There was a line of elderly people in the left corner of the temple, and each lot cost 30 HKD. They could interpret it in English, but since I understand Chinese, I stuck to that. For 30 HKD, you could ask about either love, career, or family, but just one question. Being single, we were all keen on love matters. The fortune-teller predicted a romantic encounter in the last three months of the year, but here I am, still waiting since 2018!

Since the love prediction seemed promising, we excitedly went to the garden near the Moon Bridge to tie our destiny knots and pray for a successful connection. We performed rituals with sincerity, hoping for effective results.

The next plan was to visit the Nan Lian Garden nearby, but somehow, we ended up in Hollywood Plaza. We immediately forgot our shopping vows and went on a spree. Bags in hand, we lost track of each other, everyone focused on their own purchases. It was only at the checkout that we remembered our promises!

After shopping, our immediate satisfaction led us to decide on lunch. After eating, we drifted back into the shopping center. We planned to meet at 3 PM at the mall's entrance to continue our adventure. However, life doesn't always follow plans. By 2:30 PM, everyone had finished shopping and wanted to go home for an afternoon nap, regaining energy for the evening outing. So, we headed back to our 'home.'

At 5 PM, we gathered to find and take pictures with Bruce Lee. Due to the renovation of the Avenue of Stars, some statues were relocated nearby. The search was challenging, but the view from there was stunning, surrounded by the vast sea and the expansive cityscape, truly captivating.

As there would be a light show at 8 PM along the waterfront, we decided to wander around the area, buying sushi from a stand under the subway station. We took it to the riverside to enjoy our meal, creating a scene reminiscent of a Korean drama. After eating, we climbed the stairs to a scenic spot, precisely at 8 PM, and the Hong Kong locals proved their punctuality to the second.

After watching, we all strolled through the Ladies Market, witnessing the locals dancing and singing, truly brimming with vibrant energy, just like watching a TVB drama.

This market boasts diverse food options and a variety of bubble tea stalls, with people and vehicles bustling, creating a lively atmosphere that makes you forget the worries of life. I found a shop selling clothing for under 50 HKD, and everything under 100 HKD was not just affordable but also stunning. After my satisfying purchase, I got so carried away that I forgot the way back. Overwhelmed with joy, we decided to have a late-night meal at the dumpling and wonton noodle shop we were crazy about on our first day. While everyone enjoyed, I staggered home and collapsed into bed, my heart pounding. Time to rest early for tomorrow's Disney adventure.

Waking up early, spirits high, as if fully charged after a night. Everyone gathered at a Dimsum restaurant in the area, cheering each other on to eat heartily for the upcoming Disneyland conquest. We headed to Tsim Sha Tsui station, took the red line to Lai King station, transferred to the orange line to SunnyBay station, and from there, boarded a uniquely decorated Mickey-themed train on the Disneyland Resort line to reach Disneyland.

Just stepping onto the train felt like entering a realm of childhood memories.

We've arrived!

No need to queue for tickets anymore, we've got pre-purchased tickets on Klook. Just line up to scan the tickets and enter the gate.

Disney, here we comeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Disney is divided into several areas like Dream World, Tomorrowland, Toy Story... Each area has a different theme, must-try activities such as Star Wars, Gold digging, boat trips to visit Tarzan's house, watching 3D movies, and more.

Every attraction is excellent, especially the shows featuring all fairy-tale characters, with parades of Walt Disney characters... oh my, it feels like going back to the age of 8-9, tears welling up, heart fluttering. This is truly the highlight of the trip, spending money on a ticket like this is absolutely worth it.

During lunch, we grabbed a quick bite and then rushed back for more fun. Saying it's a light meal, but truth be told, these 3 combo meals wiped out one and a half bowls:D After eating, let's rush back for more fun:  

In the afternoon, we queued up to watch the fireworks at the castle. Since our visit coincided with Halloween, there was a costume parade in the garden area, lively and festive.

Oh, forgot to mention why you should buy Disney tickets on weekdays. Don't buy on weekends; it's super crowded, and waiting in line for rides is a nightmare, wasting an enormous amount of time. I went on Monday, relaxed, less frustration, enjoying every moment to the fullest.

Childhood dreams coming to life:

The fireworks show at the end of the day in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle

After watching the fireworks, everyone rushed to catch the subway back to the city for their journeys. It's like a whirlwind. Since I'm leaving tomorrow, I'm determined to have one more meal at the legendary noodle shop. After eating, must take souvenir photos to remember.

Time to go to bed. Tonight's sleep should be amazing!

After a taxing day yesterday, we all slept in until 9 am, had breakfast with some local soup dishes and iced tea.

Reluctant to leave.

For those who still want to shop, go ahead. I took the chance to go down to the subway station to buy egg tarts and refund the remaining 50 HKD on each card. Farewell to the magical card, deeply attached; I will miss this powerful card a lot.

At 12 pm, the driver called to pick us up at the agreed point, taking us to the airport. Bye-bye, beautiful HK. Oh, not done yet, let's talk about HK airport. What a spacious and clean airport! In my opinion, it's probably second only to Changi airport. There are computers for web browsing during long waits, seating with charging points, comfortable cushioned seats, and even a play area for kids.

The food at the airport is also delicious; everything you eat is satisfying.

Absolutely love it. I've traveled to many places, from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Taiwan to as picturesque as South Korea, but somehow, my love for Hong Kong runs deep. It feels like I miss it as if it's my hometown. Even though I'm back home now, the memories of those days linger, the feeling of speaking the same language, strolling the streets freely, living like a local and being genuinely happy. Maybe in my past life, I was a Hongkonger, so I'll try to write reviews to earn some money. Next year, I'll surely arrange a trip back to my 'homeland' to ease the longing.

Explore more about Hong Kong in the articles below: