Japan, Hong Kong and China are much cheaper to travel to than before, especially during the year-end travel season.
Japan
Previously, when mentioning Japan, Vietnamese tourists often felt hesitant because of the complicated visa application process and expensive prices. However, recently, visa application regulations have been gradually relaxed compared to before. According to the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, from November 1, 2023, Vietnamese tourists traveling in groups can be granted e-visas.
The type of visa issued electronically is a short-term, single-entry visa for tourism purposes within 15 days and is only issued to Vietnamese passport holders residing in Vietnam. The issuance of electronic visas has begun to be implemented gradually among travel companies designated to organize package tours. This regulation helps shorten the visa application process for passengers traveling on tours but does not yet apply to independent travelers.
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| Snow season at Mount Yotei, Hokkaido. (Source: Star) |
For those who want to travel individually, traveling to Japan at this time is also a very reasonable choice because the Japanese Yen exchange rate is quite low (1 Yen is equivalent to 164 VND, while in 2020, 1 Yen is equivalent to 220 VND). Therefore, the costs of traveling to Japan from buying air tickets, hotels, transportation, accommodation, and shopping are much cheaper than before.
At the end of the year, you can visit many places across Japan such as watching snow in Hokkaido, skiing in resorts, visiting fox villages in the snow season, visiting Shirakawa snow village. The price of a tour to Japan at the end of the year is about 20 million VND, you can also visit some destinations that are less interested in Vietnamese tourists such as Sendai, Yamagata, Fukushima.
Hong Kong
During the year-end tourist season, Hong Kong is always the top choice in Asia. The cultural exchange between Asia and Europe makes this special administrative region have a festive season that lasts from Christmas to Lunar New Year. In particular, Hong Kong is always famous for its magnificent Christmas decorations in outdoor areas. You don't need to spend money on entertainment areas, just walking on the street can feel the bustling Christmas atmosphere.
Since late November, a giant Christmas tree has been placed in Victoria Bay, facing the sea. This place is always a familiar check-in spot for Hong Kong people because every year a Christmas tree is placed and decorated beautifully.
Applying for a Hong Kong visa has also become much easier than before. Since the beginning of this year, the Hong Kong diplomatic agency has allowed Vietnamese visitors to apply for a visa to enter this special administrative region online, instead of applying for a hard copy and sending the application as before. This type of visa is valid for three months, allowing only one entry, maximum 7 days. The application documents are basically the same as those for visa applications in other countries such as Korea, Japan, Australia, upload to the official link and wait for the results. If you are approved for a visa, you will have to pay 230 HKD, equivalent to 700,000 VND, and can choose to pay by MasterCard, Visa, JCB, Union Pay.
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| Giant pine tree in Victoria Bay, Hong Kong. (Source: Star) |
Like Japan, Hong Kong used to be a symbol of luxury and expensive travel, and visa procedures were not easy. But this year, direct flights from Vietnam to Hong Kong by several low-cost airlines have helped reduce the cost of traveling to this special administrative region. Even during Christmas - the peak tourist season in Hong Kong, a direct flight from Hanoi costs less than 4 million VND round trip, much cheaper than before and even cheaper than many familiar destinations such as Thailand or Singapore.
However, the cost of living in Hong Kong is still very expensive, especially hotel room rentals. A cramped room can cost up to several million VND per night. If you want to save money, you should choose Airbnb rentals or rent dorms. As for food, you should prioritize eating at cheap restaurants or in the markets. Hong Kong has a very rich and worth-experiencing street food scene. In addition, you should minimize taking taxis because they are very expensive, instead use the public transportation system: metro, tram, bus, ferry.
China
Traveling to China has also recently become popular due to simpler visa procedures and direct flights with lower costs. Recently, a Vietnamese airline launched a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai at a preferential price. During Christmas, the price is only about 4 million VND round trip, half or even a third cheaper than before.
Shanghai is the number one economic, cultural and transportation center in China. From here, you can fly to almost all tourist destinations across China. Right in Shanghai, visitors can also enjoy a sparkling Christmas season when everywhere in the old town, models of pine trees, Santa Claus or giant gift boxes are displayed everywhere.
The city has a mix of French, British and ancient Chinese architecture. The area west of the Huangpu River is an old European-style town, interspersed with Chinese temples and pagodas. The eastern area is a modern financial center with countless shops. In addition, you can also immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere at Shanghai Disneyland theme park.
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| Huangpu River (Shanghai) at sunset. (Source: Star) |
In winter, some tourist areas in China close due to ice and snow, but many places also begin to enter the "profitable" season, such as Harbin. This city is located near the border of China and Russia, where the cultures and architectures of Asia and Europe intersect. In particular, this place is known as the city of ice and snow with the world's largest festival, which usually takes place at the end of December and lasts through the following winter, attracting millions of tourists every year.
A magical world recreated on ice in a space of 820,000 m2. More than 60 landscape clusters with more than 100 ice structures are displayed during the festival. This year, the ice exhibition area will open from December 17, the festival opens on January 5, 2024.
Nowadays, applying for a Chinese visa is easier than before. Independent travelers can fill out the online application, print it out, sign it, and make an appointment, and submit the application (including passport, application, photo, round-trip ticket, hotel booking, etc.) and have their fingerprints taken. The fingerprint fee is 685,000 VND paid on the day of application submission, and the visa fee is 60 USD paid on the day of visa receipt.
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