Explore Gwangju - Embrace the uniqueness in the hometown of Kpop idols

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 1/6/2026

Content

1. Introduction to the vibrant city of Gwangju

2. Getting to Gwangju: What's the best mode of transportation?

Traveling from Vietnam to South Korea

Getting to the city of Gwangju

3. The ideal time to visit the city of Gwangju

4. Must-visit places in Gwangju

Gwangju National Museum

Mudeungsan National Park

Gwangju Art Street

5. Explore Gwangju's Diverse Culinary Scene

Tteokgalbi - Rib Rice Cake

Boribap - Barley Rice

Gui - Grilled Dishes

For those seeking to discover Korean culture and enjoy leisure time with family, Gwangju is the perfect destination. Unlike the bustling and chaotic streets of Seoul, it is known for sun-soaked paths and a culturally rich artistic landscape.

Experience Gwangju

The romantic charm of Gwangju city. @Expedia

1. Introduction to the vibrant city of Gwangju

Gwangju boasts a thriving artistic and cultural scene. Just a casual stroll through Gwangju's streets reveals the locals' uniquely sophisticated fashion sense. With more time to explore the city, you'll discover numerous art galleries and year-round exhibitions.

Explore Gwangju's charms

Gwangju is renowned for its impeccably clean streets. @KoreanbyMe

Gwangju is famously known as the 'Korean breadbasket.' In reality, the local cuisine here is not only delicious but also more budget-friendly compared to other regions. If you visit Gwangju, make sure to taste Tteokgalbi (rib rice cake) - a specialty of the area.

2. Getting to Gwangju: What's the best mode of transportation?

Travel tips for exploring Gwangju

Traveling from Vietnam to South Korea

To reach South Korea, you can depart from one of four airports: Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang International Airport, or Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang). These flights will land at Incheon Airport (Seoul) or Gimhae Airport (Busan). From either of these airports, you can easily travel to the city of Gwangju. To save costs, it's advisable to book your flight to South Korea approximately 1-2 months in advance.

Domestic airlines operating direct flights from Vietnam to South Korea include Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air. Additionally, consider international airlines that also operate these routes, such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and more.

Modern interiors at Incheon Airport. @vietsuntravel

The flight time from Vietnam to Seoul is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from Hanoi and 4 hours and 55 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City. For connecting flights with one layover, the total flight time can range from 6 to 11 hours.

Regarding prices, you can find detailed ticket information on the Mytour app. It's essential to note that depending on the airline, whether it's a direct or one-stop flight, and the seat class, ticket prices can vary significantly.

Getting to the city of Gwangju

By air: From Incheon International Airport, Gimhae International Airport, and Jeju International Airport, there are direct flights to Gwangju Airport. There are 1-2 daily flights from Incheon to Gwangju with a cost of approximately 29,600 won (around 550,000 VND). However, transportation from Gimhae Airport may be slightly more challenging. Therefore, besides searching for flights, it's advisable to book a flight to Gwangju in advance.By train: Currently, Korail and KTX trains operate from Seoul to Gwangju in about 2 hours, costing between 46,800 and 47,100 won. Note that all KTX trains to Gwangju depart from Yongsan Station in Seoul to Gwangju-Songjeong Station.By bus: There are numerous bus services from major cities nationwide to Gwangju. Bus fares from Seoul's East Bus Terminal to Gwangju are 19,000 won for standard buses and 28,200 won for limousine buses. The journey takes approximately 3 and a half hours without traffic congestion.

Convenient transportation to the city of Gwangju. @commonground

3. The ideal time to visit the city of Gwangju

Travel tips for Gwangju, South Korea

Additionally, consider visiting Gwangju between March and May each year. During this time, the weather is pleasantly warm, ideal for outdoor activities. It's also the season when many traditional Korean festivals are held to welcome the new year. However, if you prefer witnessing snowfall or experiencing snow-related activities, it's best to come here during winter.

The beauty of Gwangju in spring. @Pinterest

4. Must-visit places in Gwangju

Independent Travel Tips for Gwangju, South Korea

Gwangju National Museum

The Gwangju National Museum preserves and exhibits information about the local history and culture. Upon visiting, you can admire calligraphy, paintings, and artworks from the Joseon period.

The museum showcases traditional Korean architecture with 2 floors of artifact displays. The first floor houses 4 exhibition rooms, while the second floor features 5 display rooms. Notably, there's a room on this floor exhibiting Chinese porcelain salvaged from a shipwreck dating back to the 14th century. Visitors incur no entrance fees or additional charges.

Many Gwangju tourists opt to explore this museum. @Wikimedia Commons

Mudeungsan National Park

If you enjoy mountain hiking, Mudeungsan National Park is the ideal destination for you. At an elevation of 1187m, you can overlook the panoramic view of Gwangju city. Start your journey from Wonhyo-sa Temple, where a 300-year-old clock is preserved. Then, follow the trail to the mountain peak.

Although the trail is steep and challenging, the fresh air here will make you forget all fatigue. Along the way, you'll encounter two famous rock formations, Seoseok-dae and Ipseok-dae. After exploring the natural scenery, you can visit the Uijae Art Museum, located approximately 250m from the park, to admire works by the renowned artist Heo Baek-ryeon.

Charming small houses within the Mudeungsan National Park. @KLIMBING KOREAN

Explore Gwangju

Gwangju Art Street

This street is located near the city center, featuring art galleries and uniquely decorated shops. Gwangju Art Street spans about 3 rows of houses, preserving the distinctive traditions of Gwangju. Especially in the evening, the street becomes vibrant and dazzling under the lights.

Discover Gwangju's Charms

A vibrant and colorful art street in Gwangju. @Twitter

5. Explore Gwangju's Diverse Culinary Scene

Tteokgalbi - Rib Rice Cake

When in Gwangju, you must try Tteokgalbi - rib rice cake. This dish is made by finely grinding rib meat, then mixing it with various spices like herbs, onions, and garlic. Skillfully shaped into small round patties, they are grilled on a charcoal stove. Due to the meat's resemblance to rice cakes, locals often refer to it as rib rice cake.

For the finest Tteokgalbi experience, visit the Tteokgalbi Songjeong Alley in Gwangju San district. Here, you'll find numerous establishments serving traditional Tteokgalbi in Gwangju.

This dish is made from finely ground rib meat. @KPOP Foods

Boribap - Barley Rice

Explore Gwangju's Culinary Delights

A meal here includes white rice and over 21 varieties of diverse vegetables. Locals mix the rice and vegetables, then add chili paste and sesame oil for an irresistibly flavorful dish. Not only does it have an aromatic and delicious taste, but it's also beneficial for health.

Boribap, also known as Mudeung Mountain barley rice. @Pinterest

Gui - Grilled Dishes

Gui is the general term for all grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. Grilling is a prevalent cooking method in Korean culinary traditions. Traditionally, each table in a Korean restaurant has a hole in the middle for placing the grill over charcoal or gas.

Initially, all the fresh ingredients are arranged on the plate. Customers then personally prepare the dish according to their preferences. Beef, chicken, and pork are the three most famous types of meat widely used in Gwangju's barbecue establishments.