20 Things to Do in Busan, South Korea (Free & Budget-Friendly)

Busan is one of those places that surprised us.

While Seoul has the energy of a massive capital city, Busan felt different. It has beaches, mountains, traditional markets, colorful villages, temples, cafés, and a slower coastal atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy the city at your own pace.

During our trip to South Korea, we explored different parts of Busan and discovered that you don’t always need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the city.

From walking along the beach and exploring traditional markets to watching the sunset from the mountains, here are 20 things you can do in Busan, South Korea.

For this trip we stayed in Nampo Area. Our hotel was K-Guesthouse Premium.

10 Best Places to Visit in Vung Tau, Vietnam: Our Complete Travel Guide

Looking for the best places to visit in Vung Tau, Vietnam? We visited this coastal city as part of our Vietnam trip and discovered that there is much more to Vung Tau than just its beaches. I specifically chose Vung Tau for our babymoon because I wanted a place with a small-town vibe, beautiful beaches, cafés, and historical landmarks without being too far from Ho Chi Minh City.

Felix Hotel Ho Chi Minh City Review: Cheap Budget Stay

If you are looking for a very affordable place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Felix Hotel may be an option to consider, especially if you only need a place to sleep before continuing your journey.

We stayed at Felix Hotel during our trip to Vietnam as our transit hotel before heading back to Manila. The main reason I booked this hotel was simple—it was cheap, and we only needed a place to stay before our flight home.

We paid around PHP 800 per night for two people, making it one of the most affordable accommodations we experienced during our trip.

Annata Beach Hotel Review: A Beachfront Stay at Back Beach, Vung Tau

If you are looking for a beachfront hotel in Vung Tau where you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea without spending too much, Annata Beach Hotel is worth considering.

Photo from Agoda

Annata Beach Hotel is located directly across from the newly developed Back Beach (Bãi Sau) in Vung Tau. The beachfront location was the primary reason I booked this hotel for our 6th wedding anniversary. I wanted a place where we could enjoy the view, the beach, and the overall hotel experience while celebrating this special occasion.

We visited in August 2026 with our friends and stayed for four nights. Based on our experience, I can say that the hotel is suitable for couples celebrating special occasions, families on vacation, and even groups of friends visiting Vung Tau.

A FREE Tour, Local Food, and New Friends: Our Saigon Hotpot Experience

I usually plan all the travels that we do, whether with friends, family, officemates, or even for other people (I have a travel organizing business), but when my friend Claire mentioned to me that there are free Saigon tours with students, it's a no-brainer that we should try booking with them.

I wasn't expecting anything anyway. This Vietnam trip of ours is just a slow down and chill trip because this is a Babymoon.

Saigon Hotpot

When I tried booking on their website, it looked very professional and full of advocacy. They have various tours such as City Tour, Chinatown Tour, Night Food Tour, Saigon Inside and Out (Food Tour), and Tailor-Made Tour (yes, you build your itinerary and they will be your local companion). They offer half-day or full-day tours depending on your itinerary.

Saigon Hotpot was established in 2006. Its mission is to promote cultural exchange and the beauty of Vietnam, provide memorable walking tours to foreigners, and create a proactive environment for local students to improve their interpersonal skills in communication and problem-solving. In short, to improve their English communication.

Honestly, with our experience, the latter is no longer needed! Our guides are very good English speakers!

Let me repeat in case you missed it, this is a FREE guided tour with students. What you need to cover are your transportation (if needed, and in our case, Grab) and their meals.

Nicecy Ngan Ha Hotel Review: A Budget-Friendly Stay Near Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City

If you are looking for an affordable and convenient place to stay in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Nicecy Ngan Ha Hotel is a good option to consider. Its location near Ben Thanh Market was the primary reason we chose this hotel, along with the fact that it offers a buffet breakfast at a very reasonable price.

Nicecy Ngan Ha Hotel is conveniently located at the back of Ben Thanh Market

We visited Ho Chi Minh City in August 2026 and stayed at Nicecy Ngan Ha Hotel during our trip. The hotel is ideal for couples, families, and groups of friends because of its convenient location. It is close to many of the places you may want to visit, eat at, and explore in District 1.

Seoul Slowly: An 8-Day Journey of Work, Wander & Winter

A decade ago, you had to file for a week or two if you were traveling to any destination. You worked 8 AM–5 PM, had weekends off for a quick trip or hike to the mountains, planned for a major local or international trip in anticipation of a promo fare, and targeted holidays adjacent to weekends—that was the cycle.

Until the pandemic happened in 2020. Everyone was working from home. Desktops were replaced by laptops, and soon you could even work using your iPads. The pandemic really changed the way we work. Although people are now going back to the office, many still have the privilege to work remotely or at least on a hybrid setup.

How We Got Our South Korea Visa in 2026 | Simplified Visa Application for Filipinos

Applying for a South Korean tourist visa was one of the things we had to take care of before our trip to Korea.

Honestly, I thought the process was going to be complicated. I've heard stories about the documents you need to prepare, financial requirements, bank statements, and all the other paperwork that comes with applying for a visa.

But fortunately for us, we were able to take advantage of the Simplification of Visa Application Documents for eligible credit card holders, which meant we did not have to submit some of the financial documents normally required for a tourist visa application. This is extended until Dec 31, 2026.

Japan Tourist Visa for Filipinos: Requirements, Application & Our Experience

Last Updated: August 2026

Important Update: This article was originally published based on our Japan Tourist Visa application in 2023. Japan's visa application process in the Philippines has since changed. As of 2026, visa applications are generally submitted through the Japan Visa Application Centre (JVAC) operated by VFS Services Philippines. Please use the current requirements below and treat our 2023 application experience as a personal reference.

Japan has always been one of those countries that many Filipinos dream of visiting. But before you can enjoy Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, or Mount Fuji, there is one important thing you need to prepare: your Japan Tourist Visa.

Japan Budget & Itinerary: 8 Days in Nagoya, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto & Kobe

For many, Japan is a dream destination. Now I understand the feeling.

When I started traveling 10 years ago, I did not set my eyes on East Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. My eyes were set on Southeast and South Asia. But the pandemic and recent world events changed my perspective, and I started planning trips around East Asia.

Japan was the first country on my mind. But as it turned out, we were able to visit Taiwan first—because why not? Japan is such an incredible country, and I knew that we would eventually make our way there.

In this blog, I will share our experience, our 8-day Japan itinerary, and our actual travel expenses from our trip. We visited Nagoya, Gifu, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and Kobe, and I will also share how much we spent on airfare, transportation, food, attractions, accommodation, and shopping.