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Let's explore India with Mytour through the detailed travel guide below, discover what's interesting in the country known as the “land of diverse cultures”.
Traveling to India: A Comprehensive Guide
Overview of Traveling to India
India has a unique geographical location, with the Himalayas in the north, facing the Indian Ocean to the south, and two major rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, flowing like “two streams of fresh milk” nurturing a vast plain and also the cradle of ancient agricultural civilization. It is considered the birthplace of many religions and the oldest philosophical schools in the world.
Transportation and Getting Around in India
Visa Requirements
To apply for a visa to India, you can choose between applying for an e-visa or applying directly at the Indian Embassy in Vietnam. For tourist visas, it's recommended to apply for an e-visa, which is the most convenient and straightforward option.
Requirements for e-Visa to India:
– You must be a citizen of one of the 165 eligible countries for an Indian visa.
– Your purpose of visit must be tourism, business, or medical treatment.
– Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of entry and at least 2 blank pages.
– The information on the visa application must match exactly with the information on the passport.
– Entry is only allowed at designated Immigration Check Points (ICPs), including 29 airports and 5 seaports. Refer to the list of authorized ICPs here for details.
Travelers can find detailed document requirements here.
Flights to India
Currently, several Vietnamese airlines operate direct flights from Vietnam to India with multiple destination options and maximum flight frequencies. Among them, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are the two best choices for this route.
Flight ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Delhi: prices range from 6,717,000 VND/one-way. The flight duration is 4 hours and 49 minutes.
Flight ticket from Hanoi to Delhi: prices range from 6,066,000 VND (round-trip, including taxes and fees). The flight duration is 6 hours and 50 minutes.
Before entry
Use the Air Suvidha portal to declare detailed travel itineraries for the past 14 days (passengers should install the Aarogya Setu app on their phones).
Present a negative RT-PCR test result for Covid-19 obtained within 72 hours before departure or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination. (Children under 5 are exempt from both pre- and post-arrival testing).
After entry
Passengers must self-monitor their health for 14 days after entry. During the self-monitoring period, if experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, passengers should notify the nearest medical authorities or call the hotline number 1075.
Transportation in India
Trains: From anywhere in the country, travelers can easily purchase train tickets and enjoy their journey without worrying about their luggage; this is one of the most common modes of transportation in India.
Best Time to Visit India
Winter in India is considered the best time for travel, sightseeing, and relaxation. This season lasts for about 3 months, from December to the end of February. During this time, the weather in India is more pleasant and slightly chilly in the evenings. It's also the peak tourist season, making the sightseeing atmosphere livelier than ever.
Must-Visit Places in India
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra. It is built on a vast land, and at its center stands a fortress-like structure, the mausoleum of Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz Mahal. This is a stunning architectural masterpiece that you must visit when traveling to India.
Not only is the Taj Mahal a unique and beautiful architectural marvel, but it also becomes more captivating with the timeless love story of an Indian emperor for his wife. Here, tourists not only get to explore but also learn about many mysterious stories.
Shanti Stupa in Ladakh
Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist stupa with a white dome located on a hilltop in Chanspa, preserving relics of the Buddha, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama.
Palace of the Winds
This is the most famous architectural marvel in the city of Jaipur. From the outside, the palace resembles a giant beehive, with a total of 953 windows adorned with intricate carvings and craftsmanship.
King Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of the Mughal dynasty was the one who commissioned the construction of this magnificent palace. The palace is built of pink sandstone, consisting of 5 floors with a unique architecture resembling the shape of Lord Krishna's crown.
Visitors can capture stunning photos of the dazzling beehive-like structure early in the morning or enjoy the vibrant hues of the palace against the sunset in the evening.
Athirappilly Waterfalls
Located in Athirappilly Panchayat in Chalakudy Taluk town, situated on the Chalakudy River, offering a mesmerizing beauty to tourists and dubbed as the 'Niagara of India'. Visitors can engage in activities such as hiking, boating around the falls to admire the serene and majestic scenery of Athirappilly Waterfalls.
Khajjiar – “Mini Switzerland of India”
This is a small meadow located in the picturesque Chamba valley, where visitors can breathe in the fresh air. Khajjiar is an ideal adventurous destination for families and couples seeking a serene, romantic yet captivating space.
Surrounded by towering deodar trees, it is known as one of the most enchanting spots in the Himalayan ranges.
Valley of Flowers
Located in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India, this valley is also known as a gigantic national park, boasting colorful flowers on the high Nanda Devi mountains, where the misty, surreal atmosphere creates a picturesque landscape recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Here, visitors can delight in the vibrant array of flowers, relax amidst the cloudy skies, and capture photos of the breathtaking views, exuding a charming and romantic ambiance.
Nohkalikai Falls
Nohkalikai Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in the world. Here, visitors can marvel at a majestic space where the glistening white waterfall cascades down the slope. Sitting here, gazing at the vast expanse of the mountain forest, and capturing photos with friends will be an unforgettable experience for travelers exploring India.
Lakshadweep Islands
Located in South India, the Lakshadweep Islands boast crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, truly a magnificent gem of the Arabian Sea.
The Lakshadweep Islands form an eco-system on land. Visiting here, admiring the natural scenery, and participating in experiential activities will provide travelers with a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
Some festivals in India you should attend when traveling to India
Diwali Festival of Lights
Diwali festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the largest traditional festival in India. During this festival, the country is decorated with the brilliant light of numerous lanterns. It is considered a New Year celebration for Hindus, a time for everyone to pray for peace and righteousness to push back darkness and poverty, bringing warmth and happiness to life.
Holi Festival of Colors
After completing the traditional lamp lighting ceremony, people are free to enjoy food, throw colored powders, and immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of unique traditional dances. This fun color-throwing game always attracts everyone, creating a vibrant and colorful artistic picture.
Ganesha Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi festival lasts for about 10 days, from mid-August to mid-September every year, and is one of the most important festivals of the year for Hindu devotees. It commemorates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity known for bringing happiness and luck to people, so he is highly revered and respected by the locals.
Monsoon Festival
The Monsoon Festival is an important and unique festival dedicated to women, aiming to pray for the best for their husbands. Essentially, the festival celebrates the reunion of the goddess Parvati - the goddess of love and marriage, with the god Shiva - one of the three supreme gods of Hinduism.
What to Eat and Drink in India?
Naan Bread
A distinctive bread of India, made from wheat flour and dry yeast but elaborately processed. The bread has a mild taste, often served with cheese or curry.
Indian Curry
This is a signature dish representing Indian cuisine, with a diverse cooking formula from various ingredients, suitable for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences.
The meal consists of rice, Naan bread, lentil curry, potatoes, unsweetened yogurt, and a few other ingredients to enhance the flavor. All these dishes are placed together on a tray.
Chicken Tikka
Chicken marinated with tikka masala powder, unsweetened yogurt, and some spices. After cooking, it is served with sauce made from cream, spice powder, and tomato powder. The delicious flavor of this chicken dish will surely make you irresistible.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun, also known as fried milk balls, is a dessert resembling Vietnamese glutinous rice balls but with a honey-colored appearance. The balls are made from kneaded flour mixed with a traditional Indian milk, then fried and soaked in rose-flavored sugar syrup.
Masala Tea
Masala tea has been in existence for over 5000 years in India. The tea has a characteristic spicy taste, brewed with milk and ginger to create a sweet, refreshing flavor, extremely good for health.
A familiar dessert of Indian cuisine. The crispy Golgappa shells are accompanied by a filling mixture of tamarind sauce, mashed potatoes, and black gram. This is considered a favorite dish of the Indian people.
Dosa Pancake
A pancake made from a mixture of rice flour and black gram. Typically, Dosa does not have a filling but is served with various types of dipping sauces, mainly spicy curry.
Where to Stay in India?
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Hotel
Novotel New Delhi Aerocity Hotel
Address: Asset No 02 Gmr Hospitality District, Igi Airport, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Address: 150 Feet Ring Road Circle, near Mavdi, Rajkot, Gujarat 360004, India.
Attide Hotel, Bangalore, India
Address: New Airport Road, Yelahanka, Opposite Jakkur Aerodrome, India.
Travel Tips for Visiting India
– Indians don't shake hands, hug, or kiss in public. They usually greet each other by folding their hands lightly, while slightly bowing their heads. This gesture is to express respect or courtesy.
– Avoid giving strong-scented flowers as gifts as they are often used in funerals.
– Followers of Islam consider dogs unclean animals, so never gift items with dog images. Meanwhile, Hindus worship cows, so gifting leather items is offensive.
– When visiting temples, tourists traveling to India should not wear jewelry made of leather.
According to Mytour
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourAugust 22, 2022
