Buzz
Maldives, also known as Man-dives, comprises nearly 1,200 islands situated in the southern part of the Indian Ocean.
Discover the Charms of Maldives
Overview:
– Maldives, also known as Man-dives, is a nation consisting of approximately 1,200 islands located in the southern part of the Indian Ocean.
– On August 21, 1965, Vietnam recognized the independence of Maldives. On June 18, 1975, the two countries established diplomatic relations. The total bilateral trade between the two countries reached 124.8 million USD (2008).
If you choose Malaysia Airlines (malaysiaairlines.com) for your journey, you can depart from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with a layover in Kuala Lumpur. Ticket prices vary depending on the time and promotions, ranging from 580-900 USD for a round trip (make sure to check regularly for any deals).
The flight schedule is as follows: SGN-KUL 4:40PM – 7:35PM; KUL-MLE 8:45PM – 9:55PM. This means you'll have just over 1 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur, avoiding long waits at the airport or the need to book a temporary hotel (which would incur additional transportation, dining, and accommodation costs). At certain times, flying with Malaysia Airlines seems to be the most feasible option.
Sometimes, the KUL-MLE route offers very cheap deals. You can take advantage of this by purchasing a cheap ticket from SGN or HAN to KUL, and then continue on to KUL-MLE. In general, it's advisable to check all segments to ensure you get the best deal possible.
If you opt for AirAsia X, starting from September 28th, they are offering flights from Kuala Lumpur to the Maldives. Depending on the day of the week, AirAsia X flights will either go directly to Male from Kuala Lumpur or have a layover in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Departures are at 11:20 from Kuala Lumpur, with returns at 13:40 from Male. Prices vary depending on the timing. Promotional prices are currently around 260 USD round trip, including taxes. Regular prices are approximately 440 USD. Business class with flat beds is around 600 USD or more.
For TigerAir, starting from January 24, 2014, they've initiated flights from Singapore to the Maldives, initially operating 4 flights per week. This means you can fly from Vietnam to the Maldives with a layover in Singapore. Promotional tickets can drop to as low as 300 USD from Vietnam (excluding baggage and additional services).
If you decide to fly with Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) from Ho Chi Minh City, you'll have a layover in Singapore for over 5 hours. Ticket prices range from 825 to over 1,000 USD. The most suitable flight schedule is: SGN-SIN: 12:30 – 15:25; SIN-MLE: 20:45 – 22:10. It's recommended to purchase a direct ticket from SGN-MLE (with a layover in Singapore) rather than buying separate tickets for SGN-SIN and SIN-MLE.
*When flying with Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com), you'll need to depart from Bangkok. This means you'll have to purchase an additional leg from SGN to BKK. Tickets to Male with Bangkok Airways are rarely cheap, averaging around 700 USD. There are several options from SGN to BKK such as Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia. Alternatively, you can consider Turkish Airlines or Thai Airways for the SGN-BKK route, with round-trip prices approximately 200 USD. At normal times, ticket prices average around 150 USD (so check regularly). This choice may require changing airlines, long layovers, inconvenience, and expense. However, Bangkok Airways offers the convenience of lounge access at Bangkok airport for economy passengers. You can dine in this lounge.
*If flying with Sri Lankan Airlines (www.srilankan.aero), you can depart from Bangkok or Singapore. Departing from Bangkok typically costs between 350 USD to 600 USD (depending on whether there are promotions). Departing from Singapore or Malaysia averages around 475 to 500 USD. However, flying with Sri Lankan Airlines may present an inconvenience as even if you check-in on time, there's a chance of being bumped to a later flight due to overbooking. Generally, if flying with Sri Lankan Airlines, it's advisable to transit through Bangkok and check-in online beforehand or arrive very early. Occasionally, Sri Lankan Airlines may also change flight times at short notice.
On the other hand, if you're flying with Sri Lankan Airlines and don't choose a suitable flight time, having to fly from MLE to BKK in the middle of the night can be extremely exhausting as it involves two legs and the flight time isn't long enough for a decent rest, making waiting at the airport very tiresome.
Special note when traveling with Sri Lankan Airlines: to reach Male, you'll have to transit at CMB (Colombo, Sri Lanka) regardless of whether you're departing from Bangkok, Singapore, or Malaysia. Pay close attention to the transit time when booking your ticket. If the transit time at CMB exceeds 8 hours, you'll need to apply for a transit visa in advance (either at the embassy or online). It's best to choose a transit flight with a duration of less than 8 hours to avoid unnecessary hassle.
In summary, if you want to go directly to Male, currently the most convenient and economical option is to fly with Malaysia Airlines (including considering transit costs and risks).
Note: Most resorts do not provide airport transfers at night. If you've booked a resort, you'll need to ensure you arrive at the right time. If you arrive at night, you'll have to stay in the capital Male until morning when the resort can arrange your transfer. It's advisable to contact the resort when making your reservation to arrange your transfer timing.
Accommodation options:
*Resort:
The Maldives airport is situated on a separate island (Hulhumale island). To get to the capital or any resorts, you can only travel by boat or seaplane. Resorts typically have their own means of picking up guests at the airport.
The prices of resorts in the Maldives are quite reasonable, even cheaper than many other places in the world. However, the cost of transportation to the resort islands can sometimes be more expensive than the airfare from Vietnam to the Maldives. Generally, resorts near the airport have higher room rates but lower transportation costs (as they are reached by speedboat). Resorts farther from the airport require transportation by seaplane, resulting in higher transportation costs but potentially cheaper rooms. When booking, resorts or hotel booking websites often require you to pay for transportation upfront.
The round-trip speedboat fare (between the airport and the resort) starts at around 60-80 USD. The minimum round-trip seaplane fare is about 300 USD. If traveling by seaplane, some resorts have dedicated waiting lounges at the airport where you can rest and have light refreshments.
You can book rooms on various online booking websites or contact the resorts directly. Food at the resorts is expensive, so it's best to book a full-board package (including breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
*Hotel:
In the capital city Male or the Hulhumale airport island, there is a range of hotels available, from budget to luxury. Even the cheapest hotels would cost around 100 USD per night. Some hotels offer airport pickups. Local boat rides from the airport to the capital cost about 1 USD.
Getting Around:
Shopping and dining in Male are relatively inexpensive due to the low cost of living. You can try local restaurants for affordable meals. Taxis in Male do not have meters. Since the capital is small, you can hop on a taxi for a flat rate of 1 USD regardless of the distance. However, considering the small size of the capital, you might not even need a taxi. Walking around can be enjoyable. If you find shops closed occasionally, don't worry. They might be closed for prayer time and will reopen for business afterward. Le Cute shopping center offers discounted genuine items, mostly imported from Europe, of good quality.
You can explore the neighboring residential islands for fishing and sightseeing.
Budget Travel Tips:
Experience the allure of Maldives by staying at a budget-friendly hotel in the capital city of Male, no need to splurge on a resort. From here, you can embark on day tours to nearby resort islands, indulge in beach activities, capture picturesque moments, and relish exquisite cuisines. Prices range from 80-100 USD per excursion.
Witness the mesmerizing beauty of Maldives through a captivating video compilation showcasing its finest beaches and sceneries:
Source: Insights from Travip.me
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For further guidance, refer to the travel handbook provided by Mytour
MytourFebruary 17, 2016
