Korea travel itinerary from Ho Chi Minh City, August 27 – September 2, 2026, for 12 people

Family trip · Seoul · 2026

πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Trip β€” SGN β†’ ICN

27 August – 02 September 2026 Β· 7 nights Β· 12 people Β· Budget travel

Duration
7 nights / 8 days
Group
12 people (mixed ages)
Budget/person
~25M VND
Total group
~300M VND
Base city
Seoul (ICN)
Season
Late summer / light rain

Flights (SGN β†’ ICN)

Recommended airlineVietJet, Vietravel, Bamboo
Flight time~5h 30m direct
Depart27 Aug (morning flight)
Return02 Sep (evening flight)
Est. price/person4–6M VND return

Accommodation

StyleGuesthouse / budget hotel
AreaHongdae or Myeongdong
Room typeShared rooms / dormitory
Est. cost/night/group~3–4.5M VND
BookingBooking.com / Agoda

Local Transport

Metro cardT-money card (ν•„μˆ˜)
Airport β†’ SeoulAREX train ~60K KRW
Daily metro~5,000–8,000 KRW/day
AppNaver Map / KakaoMap
Taxi appKakaoTaxi

Money

CurrencyKorean Won (KRW)
Rate (approx)1 VND β‰ˆ 0.054 KRW
1M VND β‰ˆ54,000 KRW
ExchangeMyeongdong, Sinchon
Cash vs cardMix both; ATM fee ~3K KRW

Trip highlights at a glance

Day 1
Arrival Β· Myeongdong
Day 2
Gyeongbokgung Β· Bukchon
Day 3
Hongdae Β· Sinchon Β· Ewha
Day 4
Nami Island Β· Petite France
Day 5
Itaewon Β· N Seoul Tower
Day 6
Lotte World Β· Coex Aquarium
Day 7
Insadong Β· Cheonggyecheon
Day 8
Free shop Β· Departure
Group tip: Split into 2 sub-groups (younger 18–28 & older 50–60) for high-energy activities like amusement parks. Reunite for meals and cultural sites β€” they suit all ages perfectly.
Thu 27 Aug Arrival & Myeongdong first night
Morning
6:00
Depart SGN (Tan Son Nhat)
Check-in 2h early for group of 12. Download Naver Map & KakaoMap before boarding.
Flight
~12:00
Land at Incheon ICN
Customs, collect T-money cards at airport convenience store (GS25/CU). Buy each for 4,000 KRW + top up.
Free entry
Afternoon
13:30
AREX Express β†’ Seoul Station
Direct train from Incheon Terminal 1. 43 min ride. Comfortable, luggage racks available. ~9,500 KRW/person.
~55K VND
15:00
Check-in Β· Hongdae / Myeongdong guesthouse
Recommended: K-Guesthouse Myeongdong 2 or Stay B Hotel. Book 3–4 rooms for 12 people.
~3.5M VND/night group
16:30
Myeongdong shopping street walk
First walk to get bearings. Cosmetics, street food, fashion stalls. Exchange money at Myeongdongν™˜μ „ booths (best rates in Seoul).
Free (shopping optional)
Evening
18:30
Dinner: Myeongdong Kyoja (λͺ…λ™κ΅μž)
Famous kalguksu noodle soup & mandu dumplings. Iconic spot, affordable, suits all ages.
~9,000 KRW/person
20:00
Myeongdong street food crawl
Try tteokbokki, hotteok, tornado potato, egg bread. Great intro to Korean street food for the group.
~5,000–10,000 KRW/person
Stay: K-Guesthouse Myeongdong 2 or Ibis Styles Myeongdong β€” ~3–4.5M VND/night for group
Transport
~660K VND
Food
~360K VND
Accom
~3.5M VND
Day total/group
~4.5M VND
Fri 28 Aug Royal Seoul β€” Palaces & Hanok Village
Morning
8:00
Breakfast at guesthouse / convenience store
CU or GS25 kimbap set ~3,000–4,000 KRW. Affordable and filling for the group.
~20K VND
9:30
Gyeongbokgung Palace (경볡ꢁ)
Korea's grandest palace. Hanbok rental available at gates (~12,000 KRW β€” free entry in hanbok!). Changing of the Guard at 10:00 & 14:00. Great for photos, very accessible for 50–60 group.
3,000 KRW/person (~18K VND)
11:00
National Folk Museum (inside palace grounds)
Free with palace ticket. Outdoor exhibits, easy walking. Good rest spot for older members.
Free
Afternoon
12:30
Lunch: Insadong-gil street food or Tosokchon Samgyetang
Tosokchon famous chicken ginseng soup (삼계탕). Excellent for older travelers β€” traditional & nourishing. ~14,000 KRW.
~80K VND
14:00
Bukchon Hanok Village (뢁촌 ν•œμ˜₯λ§ˆμ„)
Traditional Korean tile-roof houses neighborhood. Scenic alleyways, views of Seoul. Walk slowly, respect residents (quiet zone). ~30 min walk from palace.
Free
15:30
Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden
UNESCO site. Optional garden tour in English at 16:00 (guide required). More intimate than Gyeongbokgung.
3,000 KRW / garden 8,000 KRW
Evening
18:30
Dinner: Gwangjang Market (κ΄‘μž₯μ‹œμž₯)
Seoul's oldest market. Try bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, raw beef yukhoe. Very authentic, great for adventurous eaters. Budget-friendly.
~8,000–12,000 KRW/person
20:30
Cheonggyecheon Stream evening walk
Lit walkway under the city. Peaceful for the 50–60 age group. Beautiful at night.
Free
Transport
~120K VND
Attractions
~360K VND
Food
~500K VND
Per person est.
~100K VND
Sat 29 Aug Youth & University Culture β€” Hongdae Β· Sinchon Β· Ewha
Morning
9:00
Hongdae street art & flea market
Weekend market starts 13:00 but area is lively from morning. Murals, indie cafΓ©s, street performers. Younger group will love this.
Free
10:30
Ewha Womans University campus
Beautiful glass campus valley architecture. Famous photo spot. Underground shopping. 10 min walk from Hongdae.
Free
Afternoon
12:00
Lunch: Sinchon area food street
Plenty of affordable options: dakgalbi, bibimbap restaurants. Set menus ~8,000–10,000 KRW.
~60K VND
13:30
Hongdae Flea Market (ν™λŒ€ μžμœ μ‹œμž₯)
Indie artists sell handmade goods. Great souvenirs. Street performers and K-pop dance battles at 2PM weekends.
Free entry; shopping budget
15:30
Mapo Bridge / Han River Yeouido Park
Take metro to Yeouido. Rent bikes (1,000 KRW/hr), picnic by Han River. Convenience store snacks. Relaxed β€” suits 50–60 age group well.
~6K VND bike rental
Evening
18:00
Dinner: Korean BBQ night (μ‚Όκ²Ήμ‚΄)
Group dinner at a samgyeopsal restaurant in Hongdae. μ‚Όκ²Ήμ‚΄ (pork belly) + soju μ†Œμ£Ό. Budget ~15,000 KRW/person with drinks. Best shared experience of the trip.
~90K VND/person
20:30
Hongdae nightlife (optional for 18–28 group)
Clubs, live music bars, norebangs (karaoke rooms). 50–60 group can rest or join a norebang for fun.
~10,000–20,000 KRW
Transport
~120K VND
Food + BBQ
~1.2M VND group
Shopping
Personal
Per person est.
~160K VND
Sun 30 Aug Nami Island & Petite France day trip
Morning (early start)
7:00
Depart for Gapyeong by ITX Cheongchun train
From Yongsan Station. ~1hr. Book seats in advance (highly popular on weekends). ~3,600 KRW/person.
~21K VND
9:00
Nami Island (남이섬)
Famous tree-lined paths, natural scenery, Korean drama filming location. Ferry to island ~4,000 KRW. Entry 16,000 KRW/person. Very accessible, beautiful nature walk for all ages.
~20,000 KRW/person (~120K VND)
Afternoon
12:00
Lunch on Nami Island
Cafeteria-style or packed snacks from convenience store. Budget ~8,000–10,000 KRW.
~55K VND
14:00
Petite France (μ˜λ ν”„λž‘μŠ€)
French-themed village near Gapyeong. Charming for photos, cultural exhibits, puppet shows. ~6,000 KRW entry. 20 min taxi from Nami.
~35K VND
16:00
Return to Seoul
ITX or local bus back. Arrive ~18:30.
~21K VND
Evening
19:00
Dinner: Dongdaemun area or delivery to guesthouse
After a long day trip, relax with easy dinner. Gopchang Alley or jokbal pork trotters. Or rest night β€” free time.
~8,000–12,000 KRW
Train + Ferry
~500K VND group
Nami entry
~1.4M VND group
Petite France
~420K VND group
Per person est.
~250K VND
Mon 01 Sep Itaewon multicultural & N Seoul Tower
Morning
9:00
Itaewon neighborhood exploration
Diverse food, antiques, clothing. Muslim Food Street (μ’‹μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ halal options available here for dietary needs). Great for leisurely walking.
Free
10:30
War Memorial of Korea (μ „μŸκΈ°λ…κ΄€)
Free admission. Impressive outdoor tanks, planes. Indoor museum covers Korea's history. Educational for all ages. 1–1.5 hrs.
Free
Afternoon
12:30
Lunch: Itaewon international food street
Try Korean fried chicken (μΉ˜ν‚¨) + beer concept, Indian, Thai, or Vietnamese options. Budget ~10,000–15,000 KRW.
~85K VND
14:00
Namsan Seoul Tower / N Seoul Tower (λ‚¨μ‚°νƒ€μ›Œ)
Cable car up (~12,000 KRW return) or hike 30 min (free). Observatory 21,000 KRW. Padlock wall! 360Β° panorama of Seoul. Perfect at sunset. Accessible for all ages via cable car.
~12,000–21,000 KRW
16:30
Namsan Park walk & golden hour
Forested path around the tower base. Beautiful late afternoon light, cool breeze. Good rest for 50–60 group.
Free
Evening
18:30
Sunset from N Seoul Tower then dinner
Dinner at Myeongdong or Itaewon. Try haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) at a traditional restaurant.
~10,000 KRW
Tower cable car
~840K VND group
Observatory
~1.5M VND group
Food
~1M VND group
Per person est.
~200K VND
Tue 02 Sep Lotte World + COEX Aquarium (split-group day)
Split group suggestion: 18–28 group β†’ Lotte World Adventure (full day). 50–60 group β†’ COEX Mall, Bongeunsa Temple, relaxed shopping.
Option A β€” Young group (18–28)
9:00
Lotte World Adventure (λ‘―λ°μ›”λ“œ)
Korea's largest indoor theme park + outdoor Magic Island. Rides, performances, parade at 17:00. Book online for discount. ~62,000 KRW/person day ticket. Metro: Jamsil station.
~360K VND
18:00
Lotte World Tower Sky 100 Observatory (optional)
World's 5th tallest building. View deck at 100F. ~27,000 KRW. Book ahead.
~160K VND
Option B β€” Senior group (50–60)
9:30
COEX Aquarium (μ½”μ—‘μŠ€ 아쿠아리움)
Large indoor aquarium in COEX Mall basement. Sharks, rays, jellyfish. Relaxed indoor activity. ~32,000 KRW/person. Perfect for late summer heat.
~190K VND
12:00
Lunch at COEX Mall food court
Wide variety β€” Korean, Japanese, Western. ~10,000–15,000 KRW.
~85K VND
14:00
Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple (봉은사)
Peaceful temple right beside COEX skyscrapers. Beautiful contrast. Free entry. Incense, prayer halls, large Buddha statue. 30 min walk-through.
Free
15:30
Starfield Library & COEX shopping
Stunning library interior photo spot. Rest in cafΓ©. Samsung d'light store visit (tech showcase β€” free).
Free
Evening (reunite)
19:30
Group dinner: Garosugil or Gangnam-daero street
Trendy Gangnam area. Try Korean fried chicken chain (BBQ Chicken, Kyochon). Great for big group.
~10,000–15,000 KRW
Lotte World (7 pax)
~2.5M VND
Aquarium (5 pax)
~950K VND
Food group
~1M VND
Per person est.
~350K VND
Wed 03 Sep Insadong & Last Seoul wander
Morning
9:00
Insadong (인사동) arts district
Galleries, traditional craft shops, tea houses. Great for souvenir shopping. Ssamziegil courtyard β€” indie boutiques in a beautiful spiral building. Perfect for 50–60 members.
Free; shopping budget
11:00
Jogyesa Temple (쑰계사)
Main Buddhist temple of Seoul in the city center. Colorful paper lanterns year-round. Calming atmosphere. Free.
Free
Afternoon
12:30
Lunch: Cheonggyecheon area or Gwangjang Market repeat
Revisit favorites or try Jongno-style restaurants. Soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) ~8,000 KRW.
~50K VND
14:00
Cheonggyecheon Stream daytime
5.8 km linear park along a restored stream through the city. Art installations, cultural exhibits along the banks. Easy walking, free.
Free
15:30
Namdaemun Market (λ‚¨λŒ€λ¬Έ μ‹œμž₯)
Seoul's largest traditional market. Great prices on clothes, dried foods, Korean sauces for gifts. Active haggling culture.
Free entry; shopping budget
Evening
18:30
Farewell dinner: Jongno 3-ga pojangmacha tents
Traditional Korean street-side tent restaurants (포μž₯마차). Very local vibe, cheap beer & soju, grilled skewers, kimchi pancakes. Great group send-off atmosphere.
~8,000–15,000 KRW
20:30
Final walk along Myeongdong & packing
Last-minute cosmetics, snacks for home (Choco Pie, Shin Ramyun, seaweed), souvenirs.
Personal
Transport
~100K VND
Food + dinner
~850K VND group
Shopping
Personal
Per person est.
~90K VND
Thu 04 Sep (departure early AM) Duty-free shopping & fly home
Morning
5:00
Check-out & head to Incheon ICN
AREX from Seoul Station or Hongik Univ Station. Allow 2.5 hrs before departure for group check-in. Return T-money remaining balance at airport machine.
~55K VND
7:00
Incheon duty-free & last shopping
Best duty-free prices on cosmetics (Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, Laneige). Use your passport + boarding pass. Group can split and meet at gate.
Personal budget
9:00
Board flight back to SGN
~5.5 hrs flight. Land back in Ho Chi Minh City early afternoon.
β€”
Tip: Pack an extra empty bag for Korean goods. Lotte Mart duty-free at Incheon has excellent snack packs, cosmetics sets, and gift boxes at airport prices.

All costs estimated per person in VND. Based on 12 people, 7 nights. Exchange ~1M VND = 54,000 KRW.

CategoryPer person (VND)Group total (VND)Note
✈️ Round-trip flight SGN–ICN5,000,000–6,000,00060–72MBook 2–3 months ahead
🏨 Accommodation (7 nights)2,000,000–2,500,00024–30MGuesthouse shared rooms
🍜 Food & drinks3,000,000–4,000,00036–48MMix of street food & restaurants
πŸš‡ Local transport (metro/bus)700,000–900,0008.4–10.8MT-money card daily usage
πŸ›οΈ Attractions & entry fees2,500,000–3,500,00030–42MPalaces, Lotte World, Aquarium, Tower
πŸŽ’ Day trips (Nami Island etc.)600,000–800,0007.2–9.6MTrain + entry fees
πŸ›οΈ Shopping & souvenirs1,500,000–3,000,00018–36MPersonal estimate
πŸ“± SIM / WiFi200,000–300,0002.4–3.6MPocket WiFi or Korean SIM
Total estimated~16–21M VND~190–250M VNDWithin 20–30M target βœ“
Budget tip: Shopping is the biggest variable. Set a personal shopping budget of 3–5M VND/person to stay comfortably under 25M total. Book flights early for 4–5M VND range (avoid peak Chuseok holiday travel β€” check Korean calendar).

Money-saving tips

Buy a T-money card at the airport β€” saves on every metro trip vs single tickets
GS25 / CU / 7-Eleven convenience stores for cheap breakfasts (kimbap ~1,500 KRW)
Visit palaces on weekdays β€” slightly less crowded, same price
Use Naver Map for subway routes β€” built-in fare calculator
Exchange at Myeongdong ν™˜μ „ booths (best rates in Seoul, better than airport)
Hanbok rental = free palace entry (saves 3,000 KRW Γ— 12 = 36,000 KRW)

Weather (Late Aug – Early Sep)

Temperature24–32Β°C (hot & humid)
Rain chanceModerate β€” tail of monsoon season
PackLight clothes, umbrella, sunscreen
Indoor ACVery strong β€” bring a light jacket

Emergency numbers

Police112
Fire / ambulance119
Tourist helpline (24h)1330 (English)
Vietnam Embassy Seoul+82-2-739-2065
Lost card (KEB Hana)1800-1111

Apps to download

NavigationNaver Map (ν•„μˆ˜)
SubwayKakaoMetro
TaxiKakaoTaxi / UT
TranslationPapago (better than Google for KR)
Food deliveryBaemin (λ°°λ‹¬μ˜λ―Όμ‘±)

Group logistics

CommunicationKakaoTalk group chat
Meet pointsSet clear subway exit #s
PaceSlower for 50–60 group
Walking shoesEssential β€” 15,000+ steps/day
MedicationBring from VN β€” Korean pharmacies limited

What to pack

ClothingLight summer + 1 jacket (AC)
ShoesComfortable walking shoes
DocumentsPassport, flight tickets, hotel confirm
Power adapterType C (EU type, 220V) β€” same as VN
Reusable bagPlastic bags cost 100 KRW at stores

Cultural tips

Bow greetingLight nod = polite, not bow deeply
Shoes offRemove shoes at traditional restaurants
TippingNot customary in Korea
Eating/subwayAvoid eating on the metro
QueueKorean queues are strict β€” follow them

Getting from Incheon Airport to Seoul

1
AREX Express Train
Terminal 1 β†’ Seoul Station, 43 min, 9,500 KRW. Best for group β€” runs every 5–10 min. Luggage racks. Recommended
2
AREX All-Stop train
Cheaper 4,150 KRW but slower ~60 min. Stops at Hongik Univ. (Hongdae area) β€” useful if staying there.
3
Airport Limousine Bus
~17,000 KRW to Myeongdong. 60–80 min depending on traffic. Good if hotel is not near metro.

Must-try Korean foods

μ‚Όκ²Ήμ‚΄ Samgyeopsal
Grilled pork belly with soju β€” the group dinner experience
떑볢이 Tteokbokki
Spicy rice cakes β€” iconic street food
κΉ€λ°₯ Kimbap
Rice rolls β€” cheap, filling, perfect on the go
μˆœλ‘λΆ€μ°Œκ°œ Soondubu
Soft tofu stew β€” warm, comforting, ~8,000 KRW
삼계탕 Samgyetang
Ginseng chicken soup β€” loved by older travelers
ν˜Έλ–‘ Hotteok
Sweet filled pancake β€” street food must
냉면 Naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles β€” perfect in hot August
μΉ˜ν‚¨ Chimaek
Korean fried chicken + beer (λ§₯μ£Ό) β€” evening ritual
λΉ™μˆ˜ Bingsu
Shaved ice dessert β€” refreshing in summer heat

Photo spots

Bukchon Hanok Village
Alley no. 2 β€” rooftop hanok view, best at 8 AM before crowds
Gyeongbokgung Throne Hall
Geunjeongjeon gate in hanbok β€” iconic
N Seoul Tower locks wall
Thousands of love padlocks with city views
Starfield COEX Library
Towering bookshelves β€” best indoor shot in Seoul
Nami Island tree paths
Metasequoia road β€” tunnel of tall trees
Cheonggyecheon at night
Stream light reflections, bridge arches
Ewha campus valley
Glass & concrete cliffside building β€” unique architecture
Hongdae street art walls
Colorful murals near the park (Sangsang Madang)

Souvenirs to bring home

Shin Ramyun / Buldak noodles variety packs β€” cheap, loved by everyone
Korean face masks (Mediheal, JM Solution) β€” ~500 KRW each at Daiso
Choco Pie family pack β€” classic Korean snack gift
Dried seaweed (κΉ€) packs β€” Myeongdong or Namdaemun
Gochujang / doenjang paste sets (for cooking)
Cosmetics: Laneige, Innisfree, Some By Mi β€” best at duty-free ICN

Hidden gems & rainy day options

Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Colonial history museum β€” sobering but powerful. Free entry. Indoor.
Rainy day
Seoul Museum of History
Free admission. Central location near Gyeongbokgung.
Free
Noryangjin Fish Market
Live seafood market open 24h. Buy & have grilled upstairs at low prices.
Hidden gem
Seoullo 7017 Sky Garden
Elevated park on an old highway overpass β€” 1 km walkway with plants
Free
Norebang (λ…Έλž˜λ°©)
Private karaoke rooms β€” hilarious group activity, 15,000–20,000 KRW/hr per room
Group fun