DIY South Korea Travel Review: 5 Days in Seoul During Cherry Blossom Season
This is a personal recount of our recent trip to Seoul to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. From securing visas and flights to booking accommodation and planning the daily itinerary, we handled everything ourselves for a truly bespoke experience.
1. Pre-Trip Preparation
- Tourist Visa: We applied for a single-entry visa through a service, costing approximately 4,500,000 VND for two people.
- Flights: We booked return flights with Bamboo Airways for about 8,400,000 VND for two. We timed it perfectly to catch the cherry blossoms at their peak in Seoul.
- Accommodation: We stayed at Starria Hostel right in the heart of Myeongdong. It was clean, offered great privacy, and was incredibly convenient for transport. The cost was 4,800,000 VND for 4 nights.
- Budget: We exchanged roughly 30,000,000 VND into Korean Won to cover our meals and shopping.
- Essentials: Pack a solid pair of sneakers! Exploring Korea involves a lot of walking, so comfort is key.
2. Detailed 5-Day Seoul Itinerary
Day 1: Incheon Arrival – Myeongdong – Namsan Tower
- Transport: From Incheon Airport, we took the 6015 bus directly to Myeongdong (17,000 won per ticket). The buses are clean, comfortable, and offer a great first look at the city.
- Top Tip: Grab a T-money card immediately for easy access to the subway and local buses.
- Afternoon: We strolled up to Namsan Tower to catch a stunning sunset before heading back down via the cable car.
- Dining: We grazed on fish cakes, skewers, and fresh strawberries at the Myeongdong Night Market, then finished the night with a hearty beef hotpot in Dongdaemun.
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace – Bukchon Hanok Village – Gwangjang Market
- Hanbok Experience: We hired traditional outfits from Ohnelharuhanbok (approx. 470,000 VND for 2 hours, including hair styling). It makes for incredible photos against the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
- Sightseeing: Explored the Bukchon Hanok Village. Note: This is a residential area, so it’s important to keep noise levels down.
- Foodie Finds: We braved the famous live octopus and raw beef tartare at Gwangjang Market. The street snacks like Tteokbokki and mung bean pancakes are delicious and very affordable.
Day 3: Gangnam – Lotte World – Noryangjin – Hongdae
- Check-in: Visited the iconic Starfield Library in Coex Mall and snapped a photo at the Gangnam Style statue.
- Entertainment: Spent time at Lotte World Adventure. The cherry blossoms surrounding Seokchon Lake this time of year are absolutely breathtaking.
- Seafood Feast: Headed to Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market for King Crab and abalone. Dinner cost us about 3,100,000 VND, but it was worth every cent.
- Vibe: Finished the evening in Hongdae, enjoying K-BBQ and the local busking scene.
Day 4: Ikseon-dong – Namdaemun – Myeongdong
- Memories: Had a chibi-style caricature drawn in Ikseon-dong, a trendy neighbourhood filled with artistic cafes.
- Shopping: Hit up Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong for skincare and souvenirs. Pro tip: Always carry your passport to claim instant tax refunds at major cosmetic stores.
- Dinner: A classic Korean BBQ experience where the staff grill the premium cuts of meat right at your table.
Day 5: Seoul to Vietnam
Check-in at Incheon Airport was seamless and efficient. It was the perfect end to a meaningful anniversary trip.
3. Final Tips and Budget Summary
- Total Cost: Approximately 25,000,000 VND per person (for a comfortable mid-range experience).
- Navigation: While Google Maps works for basic locations, Naver Map is essential for accurate walking directions and finding hidden gems in small alleys.
- Tax Refunds: Keep your passport handy at all times when shopping at malls or large skincare boutiques to save on GST/Tax.
Choosing a self-guided "DIY" trip allowed us to enjoy our own pace and create a truly personal experience. Hopefully, these tips give you the confidence to plan your own South Korean adventure!
Source: My Trang
