Buzz
The golden road - South Korea
Weather forecast
Located in the temperate zone, South Korea experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year. Spring brings an average temperature ranging from 5.2℃ to 17.4℃, providing ideal conditions for admiring the beauty of cherry blossoms. Summer heats up with temperatures of 25℃ and above, perfect for family outings.
Autumn - often considered the most enjoyable season of the four, with temperatures ranging from 6.9℃ to 20.8℃. The weather is pleasantly cool, allowing you to fully experience the beauty of rows of trees changing colors, a sight unique to this region.
Finally, winter arrives with its chilling cold and snow-covered streets. If you're a fan of the icy chill of snowflakes, then you surely can't miss the opportunity to travel during this winter season, can you?
Clothing
South Korea experiences four seasons, so make sure to pack suitable clothing for each season you visit. Also, don't forget to bring along a pair of sneakers when traveling in South Korea, as you'll do quite a bit of walking.
However, it's also a good idea to pack a pair of slip-on shoes, as you'll need to remove your shoes when entering South Korean palaces and dress modestly.
Currency
South Korea accepts both coins and banknotes as well as various forms of electronic payment. If you prefer not to carry much cash, you can easily pay with a Visa card (international credit card) at major restaurants and hotels here.
As of the latest update, 1 South Korean Won (KRW) is equivalent to about 20,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Essential Items to Bring Along
- Electric sockets in South Korea come in types C and F, with a common frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 220V. Therefore, you'll need plug adapters or a compact transformer device. Most hotels will have them available for borrowing or renting.
- Backup batteries, selfie sticks, Google Translate, Google Maps,...
- Carry some basic medications for common ailments such as cold, cough, fever, or food allergies. Especially if you're sensitive to spicy food as Korean cuisine tends to be quite hot.
Food
When mentioning South Korea, you'll likely think of spicy dishes, foods with soybean paste, chili sauce in vibrant colors, but be warned, they can be bland and incredibly spicy. Try to choose dishes wisely and consider whether your stomach can handle the heat.
Another note, if you're heading to South Korea, absolutely do not bring jerky or fresh fruits, as they will surely be confiscated at customs.
Immigration Procedures
- For items valued over 7 million VND (300 USD), you should declare them to customs beforehand, or else you'll be taxed upon re-entering Vietnam.
- Each person is allowed to carry 5000 USD and 15 million VND when leaving the country. If carrying more, you must have legal certification.
Baggage
- Each person is allowed 7kg of carry-on baggage and 20kg of checked baggage free of charge.
- Absolutely do not carry any metal objects in your suitcase, as well as liquids or gels,...
Airline Tickets
How to snag the best airline tickets? What seasons offer cheap fares?
Firstly, The ideal time to hunt for cheap airline tickets is just before 1-2 months before your flight. First, you need to have a fairly solid plan for your itinerary, then start searching for cheap airline tickets. Since these tickets are non-refundable, once you buy them, you have to use them, otherwise you'll lose that money.
Secondly, Pay attention to departure times. For countries like South Korea, the visa processing time is about 5-7 working days, so consider the timing of ticket purchases.
Thirdly, Book tickets through intermediaries, agents. There are many untrustworthy intermediaries and agents, so choose a reputable place to buy tickets. Don't be tempted by cheap ticket codes with no origin on the internet, as these codes may not exist when you get to the airport and you won't be able to fly.
You can consider purchasing cheap flights to South Korea at Mytour right away!
Hotels
Wons Ville Myeongdong hotel
When visiting South Korea, where should you stay for convenient transportation? Where is close to the center? Seoul has a modern subway system and bus network, making it easy to travel to shopping and sightseeing spots. However, for first-time travelers to South Korea, you should stay in the Myeongdong area because:
- There are buses directly from the airport here.
- It's easy to get to other attractions from Myeongdong subway station.
- Myeongdong is a shopping and street food paradise in Seoul.
- You can walk to Namsan Tower from here.
- There are buses to Everland directly from here.
A little note to remember is that hotels in South Korea usually have check-in times from 1-2 PM and check-out at 11 AM. Be sure to inquire thoroughly before booking to avoid any additional fees.
Personal Documents
- Visa: Considered as a certificate of immigration to enter South Korea, you should apply for it about 2-3 months in advance to avoid visa rejection or missing your trip due to the strict visa regulations in South Korea. Visa documents can be quite complex, and you may need the following key documents:
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months if you plan to apply for a visa to travel abroad for less than 90 days. You can renew it at immigration authorities if needed.
- Financial Proof: This is one of the important documents to apply for a South Korean visa. You must have proof of savings in a bank account with at least 5000 USD (equivalent to over 100,000,000 VND).
- Employment Certificate: Proof that you have a stable job or hold a certain position in society. This will help facilitate your visa application process.
Furthermore, always try to carry certified copies of your documents to avoid any unfortunate incidents with your original papers. This will help you avoid quite a few unnecessary troubles.
Traveling to South Korea
Or for a quicker option, you can check out South Korea tours at Mytour. No need to worry about documents, just prepare your health and luggage and you're good to go!
Author: Daisy Ng
