Buzz
Taiwan stands out as one of the most appealing tourist destinations globally, attracting visitors from various parts of the world, including Vietnam.
For those planning to embark on a journey to Taiwan but lack experience or clarity on destinations and activities, I aim to share some of my insights through this article.
Exploring Taiwan
Applying for Taiwan Visa
First and foremost, we'll book our flight tickets and prepare our passport and visa. Applying for a visa to Taiwan is crucial as Taiwan has strict regulations on immigration.
To obtain a tourist visa for Taiwan, you need to meet certain requirements: have round-trip flight tickets to Taiwan or onward destinations; a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Taiwan and no record of working illegally abroad.
There are two ways for you to apply for the visa: applying online via the internet or through representative offices/embassies. To apply for a free online visa, visit the website https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw, choose the appropriate language, fill in the available form, and submit it online to the immigration department for approval.
If successful, you will receive a visa certificate via email, print it out, and it serves as your legitimate visa for entry and exit. However, if you are not approved, visit authorized representative offices for consultation and visa assistance, but you will incur fees.
Please note, when arriving at the airport, you must carry all personal documents such as ID card, passport, visa, and some cash in case the airport requires payment. However, if you have a valid visa for the US, Korea, Australia, or countries within the Schengen area, you will be exempted from the Taiwan visa requirement.
Selecting Vietnamese as the language/country to facilitate the procedures easily.
Exchanging Currency to Taiwanese Dollars
Once you've ensured your flight to Taiwan with all necessary documents, proceed to exchange currency for easy spending.
In Taiwan, the currency used is Taiwanese Dollars (TWD) and Chinese Yuan (CNY), with only a few major stores accepting USD. You have two options: either exchange from Vietnamese Dong (VND) to USD and then to TWD upon arrival in Taiwan, or directly exchange from VND to TWD. Consider the exchange rate between Vietnamese Dong and Taiwanese Dollars, which you can inquire at banks or gold shops. Currently, 100,000 VND equals 133 TWD. Monitor the official exchange rates before inquiring at shops to ensure you're not at a significant loss due to unfavorable exchange rates.
The second method is to exchange directly from VND to TWD. Regarding the exchange rate between Vietnamese currency and Taiwanese Dollars, you can check at currency exchange points such as banks or gold shops. Currently, the exchange rate is 100,000 VND = 133 TWD. Keep track of the official exchange rates before inquiring at various shops to ensure you're not at a disadvantage due to excessively high exchange rates.
Another point to note is that you are not allowed to bring more than 60,000 TWD upon entry, however, there is no limit with USD; you only need to declare to customs if carrying more than 10,000 USD.
Denominations of Taiwanese Currency
Learning Taiwanese Language
In Taiwan, the most commonly used languages are Mandarin Chinese, also known as Standard Chinese, and Hokkien. English is also widely used and is often accompanied by Chinese on signage.
So make sure to equip yourself with basic English skills for communication, although people in Taiwan may not speak English as much as those in Singapore or Hong Kong, you'll certainly need it at places like hotels, shopping centers, or especially at the airport.
However, I still recommend learning some basic Mandarin phrases for self-defense because not every Taiwanese person knows English, and even those who do may not speak it fluently.
A little tip for those with limited language proficiency: use body language as much as possible or simply download language translation apps on your smartphone that don't require Wi-Fi or 3G (in case you visit places in Taiwan without Wi-Fi like street food stalls).
I use the Chinese Dict Box app, which is a popular Vietnamese-Chinese dictionary and translation app. If you're traveling in a group, consider getting a SIM card for convenience or using mobile data.
Chinese Dict Box App
Luggage Guidelines for Taiwan Travel
Regarding luggage, airlines only allow 7kg of carry-on luggage. To avoid complications, carefully consider and select the most essential items for your trip, especially avoiding metal objects and liquids (including bottled water) in your carry-on luggage if you wish to avoid airport hassle during security checks.
If your luggage exceeds 7kg, estimate and purchase additional checked baggage, but try to do so when booking your flight as purchasing at the airport will incur high fees for excess baggage.
Additionally, preparing basic medications when visiting unfamiliar cities is essential, especially digestive and allergy medications in case you're not accustomed to the environment or local cuisine.
Discovering Taiwan Travel
Crucially, familiarize yourself with Taiwan before your trip and plan your itinerary accordingly, especially accommodation to avoid getting lost in unfamiliar cities; check the weather in advance to pack appropriate clothing; must-visit places in Taiwan or iconic local dishes you shouldn't miss.
Research and book your hotel room in advance; you don't need to book too far ahead, just 2-3 days prior is sufficient. To book, visit websites like booking.com or agoda.com to select suitable hotels based on price and room availability, then follow the instructions to make your booking.
If possible, join travel forums like TripAdvisor to learn from the experiences of the online community. Lastly, ensure you have good health to make your trip a memorable experience.
Tuong Gioi Thach Memorial House in Taipei
Sea Travel in Taiwan
Variety of Fried Dishes
Street Food in Taiwan
If you're unsure about what to do or don't want to deal with a mountain of complicated tasks as mentioned above, you can also opt for a Taiwan Tour with Mytour to receive the best service from travel companies and not worry about anything, just 'pack your bags and go'.
Image source: Internet
Thao Chi
