Three days on the duty-free island of Langkawi.

Below is a suggested three-day itinerary for visiting Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Malaysia, from a Vietnamese person with over 10 years of experience in the tourism industry in Langkawi.

Resort and Marina on Rebak Island, Langkawi Archipelago

Langkawi is ideal for Vietnamese travelers who have "traveled too much" and want to immerse themselves in nature on their next trip, away from mass tourism. The locals are friendly, the cuisine is diverse, the primary forest is almost perfectly preserved, and there are many duty-free shops.

Day 1:

Morning, noon:

Tourists fly a domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur or Penang to Langkawi Island the night before, with a flight time of 30-45 minutes depending on the departure point, to rest and prepare for exploring the island the following morning.

On the first day, visitors go to Maha Square in Kuah village and enjoy panoramic views of the Langkawi seascape from the observation deck of Maha Tower.

In the local language, "maha" means omnipotent. The tower is considered a symbol of confidence and courage, and also honors Mahsuri, a beautiful local woman from the 18th century. Legend says that when Mahsuri's husband went to war, she was falsely accused of adultery by the villagers. When she was executed, her blood, instead of being red, turned white, signifying Mahsuri's innocence.

Maha Tower is located in the center of the island, near luxury shops selling international brands. Many cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops are set up at the base of the tower, perfect for visitors to stop by and enjoy a drink. In the evening, the tower is illuminated with electric lights, standing out against the night sky.

Today, the Maha Tower and the tomb of Mahsuri, located 10 km from Kuah village, are two popular tourist attractions in Langkawi.

For lunch, visitors can dine at Dee Thai restaurant, specializing in Thai cuisine. Some dishes that suit Vietnamese tastes include fried eggs, sour fish soup, tom yum soup, steamed fish, stir-fried water spinach, and steamed clams with soy sauce. The restaurant has two floors and is located on Persiaran Bunga Raya Road in Kuah village.

Langkawi's cuisine is a blend of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and Thai influences, creating a unique mix of flavors. Whether you're a vegetarian, a seafood lover, or a meat-eater, you can find something to satisfy your palate. Besides local restaurants, you can also find Japanese or Russian eateries.

Afternoon, evening:

The Skybridge Cable Car, located in Oriental Village, a popular tourist and shopping area in the northwest of the island, is our next destination. The 2.2 km cable car takes visitors from the base to the summit of Machinchang Mountain, one of the island's highest peaks. From an altitude of over 700 meters, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque bay below on clear days.

Upon reaching the top, visitors continue their tour by exploring the Skybridge, a 125-meter-long, winding glass bridge suspended in mid-air, offering panoramic views of Langkawi Island and the Andaman Sea.

The cable car and 3D art museum at the foot of the mountain cost 85 ringgit (US$20) for adults and 65 ringgit (US$15) for children. Opening hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Walking to the glass bridge costs an additional 6 ringgit for adults and 4 ringgit for children. Visitors can also take a train tour, with tickets costing 16 ringgit (US$3.70) and 11 ringgit (US$2.60) respectively.

In the evening, tourists visit the beach area in Chenang to admire the night sea, watch local fire dances, and have dinner in the square of the same name. This area has many shops selling local goods, supermarkets, and duty-free shops.

Day 2:

Morning, noon:

It would be a shame to miss a trekking or mangrove forest tour in Malaysia, including an eagle feeding tour. A 3-5 hour tour, including lunch, costs from US$260 per person.

In 2007, the Langkawi archipelago was awarded the title of UNESCO Global Geopark, becoming the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia. Its pristine nature, crystal-clear waters, gently sloping sandy beaches, and picturesque bays are major attractions for tourists, according to the Langkawi Tourism Authority website.

According to tour guide Nghi Dat, who has visited Langkawi more than 10 times, visitors can book tours from Vietnam or purchase day tours upon arrival. The tours include exploring islands and bays, and visiting beautiful locations within Langkawi Geopark to observe birds, forests, and immerse oneself in the wild nature. Visitors are transported by speedboat and receive pick-up and drop-off service at their hotel. A local guide accompanies the tour.

This tour includes a visit to Dayang Bunting Island in the Langkawi archipelago and a hike to Lake Tasik Dayang Bunting. Visitors can spend an hour admiring the tranquil lake surrounded by lush green forests and mountains, or take a dip in its crystal-clear waters. According to local legend, those who bathe in the lake will experience improved health.

Afterward, visitors continue to Pulau Singa Besar (Big Lion Island) to observe eagles flying up close. Visitors don't need to board a boat to reach the island as the boat will float on the water. The final destination is Beras Basah Island, where visitors can sunbathe and enjoy the salty sea air at the pristine Pulau Beras Basah beach.

Afternoon, evening:

Visit Thamkisap Temple (Wat Tham Kisap), a sacred and famous temple on the island.

The temple's main tourist attraction is the elaborately carved Buddha statues, nestled in a quiet little path. Visitors, dressed respectfully, can stroll around the temple to admire the statues and take souvenir photos.

In the evening, have dinner at Dragon Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, a Chinese and seafood restaurant located at Lot 106, Batu 1, 07000, Pulau Kuah, Kedah. Afterwards, you can visit supermarkets and large stores for shopping. Langkawi is famous for being a duty-free destination, as most essential goods on the island are tax-free. Chocolate products are a popular souvenir among Vietnamese tourists because they are "delicious and inexpensive".

Dayang Bunting Lake in Langkawi

Day 3:

Morning and Lunch: After breakfast at the hotel, visitors can visit Langkawi Agro Tech Park to learn about the tropical plants grown there and enjoy a complimentary buffet of freshly picked fruit. Admission is 40 ringgit (9 USD) for visitors 13 years and older and 25 ringgit (6 USD) for children aged 4-12. Children under 4 years old are free.

Afterward, tourists have lunch in the Pentai Chenang area near the airport and board a flight back to Kuala Lumpur or Penang, from where they fly back to Vietnam, ending their trip.

Arriving in Langkawi and getting around the island:

From Vietnam, travelers can fly via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi - Kuala Lumpur - Langkawi. They can visit the Malaysian capital a few days before flying to Langkawi to make the itinerary more varied.

On the island, the most convenient way to get around is by booking a Grab or renting a motorbike and contacting your hotel to arrange the service. Motorbike rental costs around 25-30 ringgit (6-7 USD) per day. "Gasoline is very cheap in Malaysia, so motorbike rentals are also inexpensive," Nghi Dat said. However, he still advises Vietnamese tourists to rent a motorbike with a driver because they need an international driving license to drive on the island.

According to data from the Langkawi Tourism Department, the island currently has over 500 hotels, hundreds of restaurants, 250 duty-free shops, and more than 800 attractions.

Langkawi is still a relatively new destination for many Vietnamese tourists. Besides traveling independently, visitors can book tours with travel companies in Vietnam to receive assistance with travel itineraries, sightseeing destinations, and dining options. The price for a 4-day, 3-night tour from Vietnam to Langkawi is approximately 12-13 million VND.

VN (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/ba-ngay-o-dao-mien-thue-langkawi-393475.html