East Asia · South Korea

Seoul Travel Guide

Flights, places to stay, and the best things to do in Seoul for travelers flying from Vietnam.

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Seoul Travel Guide
Currency
Korean Won (KRW)
Language
Korean
Timezone
UTC+9
Flight Time
5 hours from HCM

Overview

Seoul is where 600 years of royal history collides with K-pop, K-drama, and some of the best street food in Asia. For Vietnamese travelers, South Korea has become the second most popular destination after Thailand, driven by the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon. The city is incredibly efficient — a world-class subway system, 24/7 convenience stores that serve actual meals, and fast WiFi everywhere. Seoul rewards the curious: ancient palaces at dawn, design cafes at noon, BBQ at dusk, and karaoke at midnight.

Flights from Vietnam

SGN → ICN
Ho Chi Minh City → Seoul
Compare prices from 87 airlines
HAN → ICN
Hanoi → Seoul
Compare prices from 87 airlines

Where to stay

Budget$25–50/night

Hongdae

University area with indie music, street art, nightlife, and affordable guesthouses. Young and vibrant atmosphere.

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Mid-range$50–120/night

Myeongdong

Shopping district for cosmetics and fashion. Central location, excellent subway access. Tourist-friendly with multilingual signs.

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Luxury$120–350/night

Gangnam / Apgujeong

Upscale district. K-pop entertainment companies, high-end shopping, and fine dining.

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Things to do

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Seoul's main royal palace (1395). Rent a hanbok (traditional dress) for free entry. Guard changing ceremony at 10am and 2pm.

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Bukchon Hanok Village

600-year-old traditional Korean houses on a hillside between two palaces. Best visited early morning (before 10am) to avoid crowds.

N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

Iconic tower with panoramic city views. Take the cable car up. The love locks fence is a must-see at sunset.

Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu

Locals eat BBQ in Mapo district, not Myeongdong. Try Maple Tree House or any restaurant with Korean-only menus — that's where the real food is.

DMZ Tour

Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. Must book organized tour — cannot visit independently. Half-day trip.

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Best time to visit

September – November

Autumn foliage. Perfect 15–22°C. Clear skies. Festival season.

March – May

Cherry blossom season (early April). Comfortable weather. Seoul's parks at their best.

December – February

Cold (-5 to 5°C) but ski season, winter festivals, and cheapest flights.

Travel tips

  • 1

    Use Naver Maps, not Google Maps. Google Maps doesn't work properly in South Korea due to national security restrictions.

  • 2

    Get a T-money card at any convenience store — works on all buses, subways, and even some taxis.

  • 3

    K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) required for Vietnamese citizens. Apply online 72+ hours before departure.

  • 4

    Convenience stores (CU, GS25) serve hot meals — kimbap, ramyeon, and rice bowls. Legitimate dinner option.

  • 5

    Free WiFi is everywhere: subway, cafes, even buses. But get an eSIM for GPS navigation.

Practical FAQ

Q:When is the best time to visit Seoul?

A:September to November is the best time to visit Seoul: autumn foliage, clear skies, a comfortable 15–22°C and festival season. March to May is the other strong window, with cherry blossoms in early April and Seoul's parks at their best. December to February is cold at -5 to 5°C, but it brings ski season, winter festivals and the cheapest flights.

Q:How long is the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul?

A:Flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Seoul takes about 5 hours. It is a manageable half-day of travel from Vietnam, and many travellers take a red-eye to arrive in Seoul in the morning. Note that Seoul is two hours ahead of Vietnam, so build that into your first-day plans and airport transfer timing.

Q:What currency and time zone does Seoul use?

A:Seoul uses the Korean Won (KRW) and sits in UTC+9, two hours ahead of Vietnam — 12pm in Ho Chi Minh City is 2pm in Seoul. The language is Korean. Vietnamese citizens also need a K-ETA electronic travel authorization for Seoul, applied for online at least 72 hours before departure.

Q:Which area of Seoul should I stay in?

A:In Seoul, Hongdae is the budget and nightlife choice at roughly $25–50 per night. Myeongdong is the mid-range favourite at about $50–120 per night, central and packed with shopping. For a luxury stay, Gangnam and Apgujeong run around $120–350 per night. Seoul's subway connects all three, so pick by budget and vibe.

Q:What should I do and know before visiting Seoul?

A:In Seoul, put Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower on Namsan at the top of your list, plus Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu and a DMZ tour. Use Naver Maps rather than Google Maps, which does not work properly in South Korea, and buy a T-money card at any convenience store for buses and subways.

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