MORE INFORMATION

Visa: You can apply for a Pakistan e-visa via https:// visa.nadra.gov.pk/. You need to prepare a photo, a copy of your passport and an invitation letter, which can be purchased from travel agencies, to request an e-visa with a fee of 76 USD. A Pakistan tourist visa can also be obtained at the Embassy of Pakistan in Hanoi. Necessary documents include: a passport, two photos, proof of employment, financial proof, travel insurance and an invitation letter from Pakistan.

Itinerary: From Vietnam, there are no direct flights to Pakistan. Transit can be made in Malaysia, Thailand, China... Round-trip ticket prices range from 500 USD to 800 USD, depending on the time.

Transport: Public buses, taxis and rickshaws are quite popular in big cities like Islamabad. For travel between provinces, there are long-distance buses and airplanes... If you go in groups, the best way is to rent a car and a personal guide to ensure health and security. From Islamabad, there are NATCO public buses going to Chilas, Karimabad and Sost at a cost of 2,000 Pkr/person. Tickets can be purchased at Rawalpindi bus station. To save time, you can fly from Islamabad to Giglit or Skardu for about 100–130 USD.

Currency: The currency in Pakistan is the Pakistan Rupee (PKR). The exchange rate between USD and PKR is 1 USD = 100 PKR, which is quite easy to remember. However, in Pakistan, there aren’t many places to withdraw money from credit cards, so it’s better to bring cash.

Cuisine: Pakistani cuisine has many similarities to India and other South Asian countries such as spicy, curry and oily tastes. Most dishes are made from lamb, beef or chicken. Milk tea here is called chai and is just as popular as Vietnamese iced tea or hot tea. In particular, Pakistan is a paradise of delicious fruits such as apricots, apples, persimmons and pomegranates... and they are unbelievably cheap.

Other notes:

 There are a lot of checkpoints on the way, and you will have to stop and register. So, when traveling to Pakistan, always bring your passport, and keep several copies of your passport and visa with you.

 Pakistani people are very hospitable and friendly, but in some areas, women and children do not want to be photographed, so always ask first before taking photos.

 Some places still have no electricity and use generators; power outages are very common here.

Estimated cost:

 About 1,000 Usd/person for a 7-day, 6-night journey: about 500 USD for round-trip tickets, 400 USD for a land tour, about 100 USD for meals and other expenses. Prices in Hunza are quite cheap and the service is not very developed. If you go in a large group, purchase a land tour that includes cars, meals, drivers and a local English speaking guide at a cost ranging from 40–50 Usd/day/person.

 If you travel by public transport, pay for meals and accommodation by yourself, you can easily travel in Pakistan, sleep in a private room and eat 3 meals in restaurants for less than 20 Usd/day.