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Understanding the concerns that travelers may have, Mytour is here to guide you on the basic things to prepare for a fantastic journey to this lovely country.
Visa and Passport - the two most crucial things
Why are these two things crucial? Because they serve as the entry ticket for traveling to Malaysia in particular and most other countries in general. To go anywhere, including Malaysia, you need to prepare a passport and apply for a Visa. Getting a passport is easy; you just need to visit the local immigration office and register. The passport fee is quite affordable (I only spent 250,000 VND + 20,000 VND for the photo), and it's valid for up to 10 years. You can comfortably travel multiple times with just one passport. Fortunately, Vietnam is currently among the countries exempt from Visa fees for travel to Malaysia. So, just grab your valid passport and go.
Note: Despite the Visa being free, your stay is limited to only 30 days.
Make sure to have your passport ready.
When buying plane tickets, consider getting a round-trip ticket.
This is the second important thing to note when traveling to Malaysia. If you're on a guided tour, this matter will be easily handled as the tour guide takes care of all procedures. However, for solo travelers, especially solo female travelers, it's advisable to purchase a round-trip ticket to clearly explain and avoid any issues at customs gates, preventing potential deportation.
Round-trip ticket from Malaysia to Da Nang.
Currency - Essential for a trip
The currency unit in Malaysia is the Ringgit (abbreviated as MYR). 1 MYR is equivalent to 5,086 VND at the current exchange rate. You can bring around 150,000,000 VND to Malaysia for shopping or entertainment. Additionally, the country still uses various denominations of coins, so it's advisable to prepare some for convenient purchases.
However, when traveling in Malaysia, based on my experience, it's advisable not to carry much cash. Keep a small amount on you, and for the rest, use your Visa Card. Most shopping centers and small retail stores in Malaysia accept card payments, so you can feel at ease.
A piece of advice regarding currency exchange from VND or USD to MYR is to do it beforehand in Vietnam as it will be more cost-effective than exchanging in Malaysia.
Essential belongings to bring when traveling to Malaysia
Here are the items you should pack for a convenient journey:
Consider bringing a crossbody bag when traveling to keep your passport safe.
- Regarding clothing: Since the weather in Malaysia is quite similar to Vietnam, it's best to pack lightweight and compact clothes. However, as it's a Muslim country, avoid wearing excessively short or revealing attire, as it may create a negative impression among the locals. Especially when visiting temples, opt for long dresses and long-sleeved shirts.
Another clothing tip is that while it's hot during the day, the temperature drops rapidly at night. To avoid getting cold, bring a jacket with you. Jackets not only protect you from the nighttime chill but also come in handy when exploring elevated areas like Genting Highlands in Malaysia.
- Regarding footwear: To save on transportation costs in Malaysia, many people prefer walking. Therefore, choose comfortable sneakers or sandals for easy and comfortable walking.
Wearing sneakers or sandals is the most practical choice.
- Additional accessories: Firstly, prepare a bag that can carry all the essentials such as money, phone, and passport for easy accessibility at all times.
Note:
Do not leave your passport at the hotel; it's not safe as all hotel rooms have spare keys. It's better to be cautious and keep it with you.
In my opinion, wearing a crossbody bag is better than carrying a backpack as you can easily rotate the bag to the front for safety.
- Personal items: I recommend bringing your own personal items when traveling; there's nothing cleaner and better than your own belongings. So, it's advisable to bring essentials like face towels, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
In addition to the above, you can prepare some other items based on your needs, such as packed snacks, medical supplies like headache pills, tissues, books, etc.
Prepare knowledge about the culture and customs in Malaysia
No matter where you go, the first step is to explore the culture and customs of the place to easily integrate. Here are some insights into the culture and customs in Malaysia that you should know before visiting this beautiful country:
The administrative parliament building in Malaysia.
Avoid touching the sacred statues of Malaysians, as they hold great religious significance.
As mentioned earlier, this is a Muslim country with conservative clothing norms. Consider your attire carefully before visiting temples or going out in public.
No matter how beautiful your yellow outfits are, it's best not to bring them to royal palaces. In Malaysia, this color is reserved for royalty.
Another cultural insight about Malaysia is that many Muslims adhere to strict rules based on their faith. Even if you find these rules irrational, it's best not to discuss them extensively.
Muslims do not consume pork, so avoid mentioning it while dining at a Muslim restaurant.
These are the basics that Mytour thinks you should prepare for when visiting Malaysia. If you're not confident in your solo travel abilities, consider trying a guided tour in Malaysia. You won't have to worry much about documents and associated procedures. Hopefully, you'll have everything you need and enjoy a fantastic journey to this beautiful land.
Mai Uyen
Photo Source: Mai Uyen
