Embark on a 6-day, 5-night journey to discover Korea's picturesque beauty!

Planning a Korea getaway with friends? Join Mytour and #teamMytour's Ella Do as they kick off their trip. Check out her travel tips and itinerary now!

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Several airlines offer direct flights from Hanoi to Incheon (Seoul), such as Vietnam Airlines, Jeju Air, Korean Air, Jin Air, and more. Book early and catch promotional periods for the best prices. My go-to flight hunting tool is Skyscanner. Download it now—it's free! Vietjet ticket prices range from 4 to 6 million VND depending on the timing. Don't forget to purchase an additional 20kg of luggage for 530k VND per way. I spent a total of 7.5 million VND on this.

To use a service or apply by yourself? Initially, I was confident about applying for a visa on my own, thinking my documents were impressive and complete. Especially now, with Korea's relaxed visa policy for Vietnamese citizens, why spend more on a service? However, upon seeing the queues at the Korean Consulate, my dreams shattered, and I immediately opted for the service.

Next time, if I travel again, I will prepare my documents earlier and try applying for a multiple-entry visa on my own to see the outcome.

>> You can refer to Mytour's Guide to Applying for a Korean Visa.

My go-to hotel booking apps when traveling abroad are Agoda and Booking. Additionally, if you're traveling with a large group, you can also book through Airbnb, offering many budget-friendly homestays. Unfortunately, this time I booked quite close to the travel date, limiting my options.

I always prioritize choosing hotels/hostels near the subway station or bus terminal for convenient transportation. The place I trusted for my 5-night stay on this trip is Road Myeongdong Guesthouse (rated 8.8 on both Booking and Agoda). It's located near Chungmuro station, just a 2-minute walk away. Surrounding it are 7-Eleven and many other convenience stores, making it easy to find. Although the space is a bit small, it has all the necessary amenities.

Another plus is the friendly staff who assisted me with an early check-in and even made kimchi pancakes for me. Outside the door, they also provided a transparent umbrella stand for free. With just a 3000 KRW deposit, I had a fantastic tool for a whole day of Instagram-worthy shots.

The room cost me around 1.2 million KRW per night

Personally, I found Google Maps less useful in Korea, so it's best to have a few map and transportation apps handy, such as Naver Maps, Visit Korea, Korea Transit Guide, Seoul Subway, etc. I mainly used the Subway Korea app, very convenient for finding subway routes. Just set the departure point, choose the destination, and the app will provide the optimal travel plan, including estimated time and cost. It's very convenient (The app is available in English)

5. Pre-book with Mytour: After exploring Mytour for a while, my shopping cart includes:

– Portable Wi-Fi Router (47k/day): Pick up at the airport. I rented it for 4 days (since I don't need it on the last day). The Wi-Fi quality is stable, unlimited data, and the battery lasts all day without charging.

– AREX One-Way High-Speed Train Ticket Incheon – Seoul (109k): The fastest way to travel from Incheon airport to the city center (about 40 mins). Go to the station, find the self-service ticket machine, enter the voucher code, insert 500 KRW for the deposit, and the ticket will be issued immediately. Remember to get your deposit back when you arrive.

– T-money Card (68k): A card for public transportation, convenience stores, or even vending machines. I mainly used it for the subway. Just swipe the card when entering/exiting, and when it's running low, recharge at the self-service machine for seamless use.

– Namsan Tower Ticket (108k): Famous for the love lock collection. Those traveling with a loved one should not miss this spot!

– Round-trip Bus Ticket to Nami Island with Admission (359k): Traveling to Nami by public transportation is cumbersome, so I chose this package for a more comfortable journey while still having the flexibility to explore the island. Mytour's bus will pick us up at 9:30 a.m and return to Seoul at 4:00 p.m.

– Lotte World Admission Ticket (636k): Getting this voucher in advance is very beneficial. It's not only cheaper than buying directly at the counter but also avoids waiting in line. While others queue up to buy tickets, I'll have my own lane, exchange the voucher for a ticket, and go straight to the entrance.

– Rent Hanbok (358k): When in Korea, it's a must to have those twirling photos in traditional Hanbok outfits, right, everyone? It's not only beautiful but also saves on entrance fees at tourist spots. Hihi. I chose the 4-hour rental package at Oneday store near Bukchon Hanok Village (you can walk to the palaces from here). Besides Hanbok, we also got a simple hairstyle along with a cute accessory on our heads, so lovely.

– Sauna Ticket (228k): Going to a sauna and eating boiled eggs is an experience worth trying in Korea. Especially for those who want to understand the culture in each region they visit, this experience is a must.

Each voucher has detailed instructions on usage, so don't worry about buying and not knowing how to use them when you get there. Open the APP, go to the voucher section, and download all types of vouchers offline to save time searching through emails and for times when you lose network connection.

– The spring weather in Korea is generally cool, with sun and wind, and temperatures ranging from 0 - 10°C. Remember to prepare warm clothes and a scarf to avoid the chilly wind. Keep your skin moisturized to prevent it from peeling. Bring just enough clothes for a day because there's hardly any time to change, as you'll be out and about from morning to night. Be cautious and carry a few fever and headache pills, just in case of any unexpected discomfort.

– Similar to traveling to other countries, the immigration declaration form is a mandatory procedure upon entry. You will be given 02 forms on the plane. My experience is always to have 1-2 pens ready in the backpack to fill out the form beforehand, so when you land, you can go straight to the immigration counter without wasting time.

– Capture the essence of Korea by taking photos with your phone's regular camera to maintain the best image quality. Then, use photo editing apps to brighten, increase contrast, and add a touch of filters to enhance the magic of the photo. Some popular photo editing apps for you are: Snapseed, Vsco, Lightroom... Lastly, and most importantly: Don't forget to have at least one companion with a good eye for photography to get truly heartfelt photos.

The total preparation cost at home is around 15 million VND (including all kinds of tickets at some fee-paying spots that I listed above, purchased from Mytour)

Day 1: Namsan Tower, Ewha Womans University, Hongdae Area

Day 2: Nami Island

Day 3: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Bukchon Hanok Village, and palaces, Myeongdong

Day 4: Lotte World, Gangnam District, shopping malls, and sauna experience

Day 5: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Myeongdong

Day 6: Seoul – Hanoi

After a night in the clouds, the plane landed at Incheon Airport at 5:00 AM. We quickly collected our luggage, went through immigration procedures, picked up the pre-booked wifi device right at the airport, and boarded the high-speed train heading to the capital Seoul

Arriving at the hotel around 8:00 AM, we took the opportunity to complete some check-in procedures in advance (although the room was not available yet). Then, we used the host's restroom for personal hygiene, changed clothes, left luggage at the hotel, and started the first exploration journey in Seoul.

This is a big advantage of Vietjet's flight schedule: We'll take the 23h flight, meaning we can work as usual on that day without wasting a day off. Arriving at Incheon Airport is around 5:00 AM. Hotel check-in and luggage drop-off start at 8:00 AM. It's a great way to save a night's room fee and have a full day for exploration.

From our place, it's just a short walk to Namsan Cable Car station. The round-trip ticket is 9500 KRW/person. A tip is to buy the cable car ticket for the ascent only; the descent is perfect for a scenic walk. Especially during cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons. Use the pre-purchased voucher from Mytour to get the observation deck ticket.

After Namsan, I had a light lunch at 7-Eleven, then returned to the hotel, checked in, stored luggage, and continued exploring. The next stop was Ehwa Women's University and Hongdae.

Ehwa Women's University – The first women's university in Korea, known for its beautiful and romantic campus. Take the subway to Ewha Womans Univ. Station, exit 2 or 3, and walk a bit to reach.

Hongdae: This area is lively with numerous clothing shops, eateries, street performances, and more. I had dinner at a restaurant called Myth Jokbal (see the picture below). Passing by, I saw a crowded line, so I decided to join. After trying the food, I realized the queue was worth it! The food was delicious, and every dish was plentiful. Order just enough to eat or take the leftovers!

Directions: Take the subway to Hong Ik University station (just one stop from Ewha University).

I dedicated an entire day to explore the timeless location that made the Winter Sonata series a hit. The Mytour bus will pick us up at 9:30 at stops in Insadong, Namdaemun, or the Shinsegae Duty-Free Area. Choose the nearest pick-up point based on your location. The Mytour voucher provides detailed instructions.

Once on the bus, relax; it's a short journey. Upon arrival, purchase ferry tickets to Nami Island. The ticket price is 26,000 KRW/person round trip (I bought the Mytour bus ticket, which includes admission, so no need for extra tickets). A ferry departs every 30 minutes. For an adventurous experience, try the Nami Zip Wire (38,000 KRW) to cross the river to the island.

Nami isn't very large, taking about 3 hours to explore on foot. I strolled for a while and then decided to rent a bike for that romantic touch. You can bring lunch or dine at island restaurants.

In the afternoon, the bus will pick us up at 4:00 PM, so make sure to catch the ferry at 3:30 PM.

After returning from Nami, that evening a friend studying in Korea took me to a barbecue place near Hanyang University. We sat, grilled meat, and enjoyed soju in those tents just like in Korean dramas.

After the barbecue, we continued to a nearby fried chicken and fresh beer place, just a short walk away.

In the morning, I woke up early to visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). It's an architectural marvel, the birthplace of artistic photographs. DDP truly amazes with its impressive curved design. In the evening, it's illuminated by over 10,000 LED roses, creating a dazzling spectacle. A super-hot check-in spot that's completely free, my friends.

Directions: Take subway Line 4, 5, or 2 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station, exit 1 or 10.

In the afternoon, I visited Bukchon Hanok Village and the palaces.

Directions: Take subway Line 3 to Anguk station, exit 2, walk 480m, cross the street, turn left into a small alley to reach Bukchon Hanok Village.

The first thing to do here is to find the pre-booked Hanbok rental shop, choose a beautiful Hanbok, style your hair, and confidently pose in front of the camera. If visiting in winter or spring, wear warm clothes underneath or use a heat pad! Don't underestimate the wind, it can get chilly!

I visited 2 palaces Gyeongbokgung  (Palace of Prosperity) and Changdeokgung Palace (Prospering Virtue Palace) before returning to Bukchon Hanok Village. The palaces are spacious, with magnificent architecture, especially stunning during cherry blossom or autumn leaf seasons. Bukchon's traditional Hanok houses also left a profound impression, allowing you to wander freely for unique photos.

In the evening, I decided to explore Myeongdong for shopping. The variety of cosmetics here is overwhelming, with all the top brands. Beauty enthusiasts will find it hard to leave empty-handed. Additionally, there are clothing stores, shoe shops, and plenty of street food stalls.

Directions: Take the subway to Jamsil Station, exit 4, and you're there.

The reason I chose Lotte World over Everland for this trip is quite straightforward. Lotte World is more centrally located, making it more accessible and time-saving. After enjoying Lotte World, you can conveniently head to Lotte Mall for duty-free shopping and then check-in at Lotte World Tower – the fifth tallest building in the world.

As Lotte World is close to Gangnam, after a fun-filled time at Lotte, I decided to explore the Gangnam area and visit COEX Mall. This underground shopping mall is said to be the largest in Asia. Here, you'll find the massive Starfield Library with an extensive collection of books of various genres. After over a year since its opening, Starfield has become a must-visit spot for any young traveler to Korea. Don't forget to take a check-in photo here!

Directions: Take the subway to Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), exit 6. Then follow the underground path for visitors to Starfield COEX Mall. The library is located on B1-1F right next to Central Plaza. Opening hours: From 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM.

For my evening relaxation, I chose to visit a Jjim-jil-bang (sauna) to unwind my body after a day of intense activities. I opted for Dragon Hill Spa and purchased a Mytour voucher in advance, as mentioned earlier. Here, you'll find various types of sauna rooms to choose from, such as herbal sauna, salt rock sauna, hot sauna, cold sauna, and more. Don't forget to treat yourself to steamed eggs and enjoy roasted rice tea for the complete experience.

Jinhae is a district of Changwon city, about a 3-hour KTX train ride from Seoul. The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is renowned as one of Korea's most beautiful cherry blossom festivals, held every April. The sheer number of cherry blossoms, around 400,000 trees, turns every street into a picturesque scene worth capturing.

1: Take the KTX train from Seoul to Changwon Jungang Station. From there, take a taxi for approximately 20km to Jinhae. If everything goes smoothly, the travel time for this option is around 4-5 hours in the afternoon.

2: Take a bus to Masan City Bus Terminal (마산고속버스터미널) from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스타미널). Then, find bus number 760 at Masan bus terminal, which will take you to 진해교회. The travel time is remarkably accurate.

The most famous and beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in Jinhae include:

– Yeojwacheon Stream: Both sides of the stream are covered with thousands of cherry blossoms, creating a natural canopy over the flowing stream. The perfect combination of music, street food, and cherry blossoms gently swaying in the wind...

– Gyeonghwa Station: This is the 'legendary' location often featured in promotional images of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. When you step foot here, you'll realize the images aren't exaggerated at all. The sight of a train running under dense cherry blossom branches on both sides of the tracks creates a romantic and picturesque scene.

In addition to the above two spots, you can also visit Jehwang Mountain Park and Naval Academy, both famous places for cherry blossom viewing. However, personally, wandering along the streets to admire the cherry blossoms is enchanting enough, providing plenty of opportunities for Instagram-worthy photos.