Embark on a 6D5N dreamy journey exploring Korea, picturesque as a painting!

Are you and your friends planning a trip to Korea? Join Mytour and #teamMytour Ella Do on their adventure, check out their tips and itinerary now!

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There are several airlines offering direct flights from Hanoi to Incheon (Seoul) such as Vietnam Airlines, Jeju Air, Korean Air, Jin Air,.. You should book early and watch for promotional periods to get the best prices. My go-to tool for finding tickets is Skyscanner. Make sure to download it as it's free/ Vietjet ticket prices range from 4 to 6 million VND depending on the timing. Adding 20kg of luggage each way costs an additional 530k per way. In total, this amounts to approximately 7.5 million VND.

Should you use a service or apply by yourself? Initially, I was full of confidence to apply for the visa myself. I thought my documents were quite beautiful and complete, especially now that South Korea has relaxed its visa policy for Vietnamese citizens, why spend extra on a service? That was until I saw the queues at the Korean Consulate and immediately switched to using a service.

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

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

My go-to booking apps for international travel are Agoda and Booking. Additionally, if traveling in a large group, you can also book via Airbnb with plenty of amazing homestay options at affordable prices. Unfortunately, I was searching too close to the travel dates this time, so there weren't many choices available.

I always prioritize selecting hotels/hostels near train stations or bus terminals for easier 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). This hostel is conveniently located near Chungmuro station, just a 2-minute walk away, surrounded by 7-elevens and many other convenience stores. The location is easy to find, though the room may be small, it's fully equipped.

Another plus point is the friendly staff who helped me with early check-in and even made kimchi pancakes. Outside the door, they had a basket with many transparent umbrellas for free rental. Just deposit 3000 KRW and you have a great tool for a whole day of photo-taking.

The room I booked costs about 1.2 million VND per night

Personally, I found Google Maps quite useless in Korea, so it's best to have some map apps and transportation guides like Naver Maps, Visit Korea, Korea Transit Guide, Seoul Subway... I mainly use Subway Korea app, very convenient for finding subway routes. Just input your departure and destination, the app will provide the most optimal travel plan, including estimated time and cost, very handy (The app is in English)

5. Pre-book on Mytour: After browsing through Mytour, my basket includes:

– Wifi router rental (47k/day): Pick up at the airport. I rented it for 4 days (since I didn't need it on the return day). The wifi quality is stable, unlimited data, the battery lasts quite long, allowing for all-day exploration without needing to recharge until returning at night.

– One-way AREX Express Train Ticket Incheon – Seoul (109k): This is the fastest way to travel from Incheon Airport to the city center (about 40 minutes). Just go to the station, find the ticket vending machine, enter the voucher code, insert 500 KRW into the machine as a deposit and you'll get the ticket immediately. Remember to get your deposit back when you arrive.

– T-money Card (68k): The card can be used for public transportation, convenience stores, or even vending machines... I mainly use it for the subway. Just tap the card each time you enter or exit, and when it's running low on funds, simply top it up at the self-service top-up machines, extremely convenient.

– Namsan Tower Ticket (108k): Famous for its love lock fences. Those who are traveling with their loved ones should definitely not miss this spot!

– Round-trip Bus Ticket to Nami Island including admission (359k): Getting to Nami Island by public transportation is quite troublesome so I chose this package to save energy while still having full control over my itinerary on 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 Theme Park Ticket (636k): Buying this voucher in advance is very advantageous, it's cheaper than buying directly at the counter and you don't have to queue to buy tickets. While everyone else is lining up waiting to buy tickets, you'll have your own lane to exchange the voucher for tickets and enter the park.

– Hanbok Rental (358k): When in Korea, it's a must to take those classic spreading-out-in-Hanbok photos, right? Not only do you look beautiful, but you also save on entrance fees at tourist spots. Hihi. I chose a 4-hour rental package at Oneday store near Bukchon Hanok Village (from here, you can walk to palaces). Besides Hanbok, we also got a simple hairstyle and a cute accessory for the head, so charming.

– Sauna Ticket (228k): Going to a sauna and eating boiled eggs is also a must-try experience in Korea. Especially for those who want to learn about the culture in each region they visit, this experience is definitely not to be missed.

Each voucher comes with detailed instructions on how to use it, so don't worry about buying it and then not knowing how to use it when you get there, guys. Open the APP, go to the voucher section, and download all types of vouchers offline to save time searching through emails, especially when you lose internet connection.

– Spring weather in Korea is generally 'cool', with sun, wind, temperatures ranging from 0 – 10°C. Remember to prepare warm clothes, scarves to avoid the wind blowing directly onto your face. Make sure to moisturize your skin well to prevent it from peeling. Only bring one set of clothes per day. There's no time to change, as you'll be out and about from morning till night every day. Be cautious and carry some fever and headache medicine just in case.

– Just like when traveling to other countries, the immigration declaration form is a mandatory procedure upon arrival. You'll be given 02 forms on the plane. My advice is to always have 1-2 pens handy in your backpack to fill out the form beforehand, so when you land, you can go straight to the immigration counter without wasting time.

– The secret to achieving a Korean-style photo shoot is to take pictures with your phone's regular camera to maintain the best image quality. Then, use photo editing apps to brighten, increase contrast, and add a bit of filter 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 dedicated photographer friend to capture heartfelt photos.

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

Day 1: Namsan Tower, Ehwa Women's 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, sauna

Day 5: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Myeongdong

Day 6: Seoul – Hanoi

After a night of sleeping on cloud nine, the plane landed at Incheon Airport at 5:00 a.m. We quickly retrieved our luggage, went through immigration procedures, picked up the pre-booked wifi egg right at the airport, and boarded the high-speed train heading to the capital Seoul.

Arriving at the hotel at 8:00 a.m., we took the opportunity to complete some check-in procedures in advance (although we couldn't check in yet because it wasn't time). Then, we used the host's restroom to freshen up, change clothes, left our luggage at the hotel, and began our first exploration journey in Seoul.

This is a big plus for Vietjet's flight schedule: We'll be flying at 11 p.m., meaning we can still work normally on that day without wasting a day off. Arriving at Incheon Airport is around 5 a.m. Hotel check-in and luggage drop-off start at 8 a.m. So, we neither waste an extra night's room charge nor miss out on a full day to explore.

From where we stay, it's just a short walk to the Namsan cable car station. The round-trip ticket costs 9500 KRW per person. A tip is to buy only the cable car ticket for the ascent; walking down in the evening offers mesmerizing views. Especially during cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons, it's breathtaking. Up there, we'll exchange the pre-purchased Mytour voucher for observation deck admission tickets.

After Namsan, we'll have a light lunch at 7-Eleven, then return to the hotel to check in, drop off our belongings, and continue our exploration. Next stop: Ehwa Women's University and Hongdae district.

Ehwa Women's University – The first women's university in Korea, known for its beautiful and romantic campus. Once you're here, you'll understand why a university becomes a tourist attraction. How to get there: Take the subway to Ewha Womans Univ. Station, exit at Exit 2 or Exit 3, and walk a short distance.

Hongdae: This area is bustling with countless clothing shops, eateries, street performances, and more. Enjoy dining, shopping, and relaxing. For dinner, we'll dine at a restaurant called Myth Jokbal (pictured below). Seeing a long line outside, we decided to queue as well, and the food turned out to be worth the wait! The dishes are delicious and generous. Order just enough to eat or take away leftovers if you can't finish!

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

I dedicate an entire day to explore the timeless destination that made the success of the drama 'Winter Sonata'. Mytour's bus will pick us up at 9:30 a.m. at designated stops like Insadong, Namdaemun, or Shinsegae Duty-Free. Depending on your location, choose the nearest bus stop for pick-up. The Mytour voucher provides detailed instructions.

Just relax on the bus; it won't be long until we arrive. Upon arrival, buy ferry tickets to Nami Island. The ticket price is 26,000 KRW per person round trip (I bought Mytour's bus ticket, which already includes admission tickets, so no need to buy separate admission tickets). A ferry departs every 30 minutes. For thrill-seekers, there's the Nami Zip Wire (priced at 38,000 KRW) to zip across the river to the island.

Nami Island isn't too large; exploring, playing, and taking photos will take about 3 hours in total. I explore on foot for a while then decide to rent a bicycle for that romantic vibe. You can bring food for lunch or dine at island restaurants.

The afternoon shuttle will pick us up at 4:00 p.m., so make sure to catch the ferry at 3:30 p.m.

After returning from Nami, that evening I was taken by a friend studying in Korea to have barbecue near Hanyang University. It's the kind of place where you sit around grilling meat and drinking soju in those tents just like in Korean dramas we often watch.

After finishing the barbecue, we were then taken to a fried chicken and beer place nearby, just a short walk away.

In the morning, I woke up early to visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). This is an incredibly unique architectural complex, where artistic photos are born. DDP truly impresses with its striking curved design. In the evening, it's illuminated by over 10,000 LED rose lights, creating a dazzling spectacle. It's a super hot check-in spot that's absolutely free, folks.

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, and turn left into the small alley to reach Bukchon Hanok Village.

The first thing I did here was to find a pre-booked Hanbok rental store, choose a beautiful Hanbok outfit, style a simple hairdo, and confidently pose for the camera. If visiting in winter or spring like me, it's advisable to wear warm clothes underneath the Hanbok or use thermal patches to keep warm! Don't underestimate it, or you'll feel the freezing wind!!!

I visited two palaces, Gyeongbokgung (Palace of Felicitous Blessings) and Changdeokgung Palace (Prospering Virtue Palace), before returning to Bukchon Hanok Village. These palaces are spacious, grandly designed, especially breathtaking during cherry blossom or autumn foliage seasons. Bukchon Hanok Village also left me deeply impressed with its ancient architectural style. Here, you can freely wander around the narrow alleys to create unique photos.

In the evening, I decided to visit Myeongdong for shopping. The variety of cosmetics here is simply overwhelming, with products from countless brands. Beauty enthusiasts visiting here might just lose their way back. Additionally, there are clothing stores, shoe shops, and plenty of street food options.

Directions: Take the Subway to Jamsil Station, then take Exit 4.

The reason I chose Lotte World instead of Everland for this trip is quite a few, but summarizing a few points: Lotte World is more central, easier to get around, and saves more time. Moreover, after enjoying Lotte World, you can immediately go to Lotte Mall for duty-free shopping, then head to check-in with Lotte World Tower - the fifth tallest building in the world.

Since Lotte World is very close to the Gangnam district, after a relaxing day at Lotte, I decided to visit Gangnam and also COEX Mall. It's said that this is the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. Here, there's an enormous library called Starfield Library with countless books of all genres. After over a year since its opening, Starfield has become a must-visit destination for any young traveler to Korea. Don't forget to stop by here for a check-in photo!

Directions: Take the subway to Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), then take Exit 6. Then follow the underground direction 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.

At the end of the day, my choice is to visit Jjim-jil-bang (sauna) to relax my body after a quite active day. I chose Dragon Hill Spa and pre-purchased the voucher on Mytour as mentioned above. Here, there are various types of sauna rooms for us to choose from such as: herbal sauna, salt stone sauna, hot sauna, cold sauna... Don't forget to enjoy boiled eggs and roasted rice water to complete the experience.

Jinhae is a district of Changwon City, about 3 hours away from Seoul by KTX train. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is famous as one of the most beautiful cherry blossom festivals in Korea, held every April. The number of cherry blossoms here is extremely large, up to about 400,000 trees, just strolling along the streets is enough to be covered in cherry blossoms for a perfect photo opportunity.

1: Take the KTX train from Seoul to Changwon Jungang Station. Upon arrival, take a taxi for about 20km to Jinhae. If everything goes smoothly, it will take about 4-5 hours/round trip for this transportation method.

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

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

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

– Gyeonghwa Station: This is the 'legendary' spot often seen in promotional images of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. Setting foot here, you'll realize that the photos are not fictional at all. The image of a train running under thick cherry blossom branches on both sides of the railway creates a deeply romantic and enchanting scene. Absolutely magical and extraordinary.

In addition to the above two spots, you can also visit Jehwangsan Park and Naval Academy which are also famous cherry blossom viewing spots. However, personally, just strolling along the streets to admire the cherry blossoms is mesmerizing enough, and you can take plenty of Instagram-worthy photos.

💰 Total trip expenses approximately 20 million per person (excluding shopping)!