Buzz
With direct flights to Macau and a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultures, the appeal for tourists during the 2019 Lunar New Year travel season is undeniable.
Exploring Macau: A New Lunar New Year Getaway
Amidst Taiwan causing concern with news of 152 missing tourists and acquiring a visa to Hong Kong proving challenging, Lunar New Year travel to China remains daunting. However, traveling to Macau becomes a fresh option for many. Macau, a special administrative region under the Chinese central government, situated near Hong Kong and not far from Vietnam, bears the Mediterranean cultural imprint, harmoniously blended with traditional Chinese elements after centuries under Portuguese colonial rule.
How to travel to Macau?
From Vietnam, you can fly directly with Air Macau, Air Asia, or connect with Vietnam Airlines, China Airlines, Bangkok Airways. With direct flights from Air Macau, travelers can fly directly from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours, with prices starting from $110 (around 2 million Vietnamese dong).
How to Obtain a Visa?
As Macau is a special administrative region, you need to apply for a separate Macau visa and cannot use a Chinese or Hong Kong visa. The application requires: a passport valid for at least 6 months, 4 photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm, a copy of household registration book, a copy of ID card...
Regarding financial proof, you need a minimum of 60 million Vietnamese dong. For employment verification, you need a labor contract, a leave application in English. Retirees need a retirement card or a pension statement. Self-employed individuals need a notarized copy of business license.
Submit the application at the Chinese Embassy and provide fingerprints. Alternatively, you can use travel agencies with prices starting from $100 (around 2 million Vietnamese dong).
Where to Explore in Macau?
This is one of the iconic images of Macau tourism. Built in the 17th century with Portuguese architectural style, it is recognized as a World Heritage Site. The church, constructed with granite, is known for its preserved facade, a popular spot for photo enthusiasts in Macau. The four-storey architecture stands tall, showcasing the cultural diversity of Macau with sculptures depicting God, angels, demons, Chinese dragons, Japanese chrysanthemums, and Portuguese ships.
Senado Square
Located within the cluster of historical landmarks in Macau, Senado Square is not far from the Ruins of St. Paul's. Today, it continues to be a venue for various events and commemorations in Macau. The flooring of the square is paved with characteristic wavy patterned tiles. Senado Square also serves as a complex of shopping malls, boutiques, high-end restaurants, attracting a large number of visitors every year.
Macau Tower
The Macau Convention and Entertainment Center, or simply the Macau Tower, stands over 300 meters tall, making it the tallest structure in this region. The tower features an observation deck where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Macau, along with numerous restaurants and shopping centers. Notably, a skywalk X ring provides tourists with a thrilling tour around the tower at a dizzying height. Additionally, the tower hosts a bungee jumping area for thrill-seekers, offering jumps from a height of 233 meters.
Venetian Macao
A visit to Macau for tourism would not be complete without a visit to the casinos, even if you're not a gambling enthusiast. This is because Macau's casinos are not just gambling venues but also integrated with hotels, restaurants, and extravagant entertainment complexes. Among them, the most famous is the Venetian Macao casino, designed to resemble the city of Venice, Italy. Canals are built inside the premises, with flowing water and constant boat traffic. If you can't travel to Italy, you can still enjoy boat rides under charming artificial bridges, steered by European gondoliers. It is also a 3,000-room hotel, accompanied by a vast casino floor. The gambling activities in this region generate revenue five times higher than Las Vegas.
Taipa Village
Besides the European modernity, Macau also preserves many corners of traditional Chinese heritage, such as Taipa Village. Here, you'll find not only temples and ancient Chinese-style houses but also Portuguese-style restaurants and charming alleys. Taipa Village is a major tourist attraction in Macau, accessible via various transportation options, including free shuttle buses.
As reported by Ha Nguyen/The Star
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourDecember 31, 2018
