A Dreamer's Journey in Seychelles

Each island in the Seychelles boasts numerous breathtaking beaches. Photo: Dinh Tai

Seychelles, one of the smallest countries in the world with an area of 455 ^km² , is also located in the Indian Ocean like the Maldives, but it seems that the Republic of Seychelles is still relatively unknown to Asians.

For Nguyen Dinh Tai (35 years old, Hanoi), although he has traveled to many countries, Seychelles is truly a new land that he had never even heard of. Therefore, this journey is full of "first-time" experiences, exciting and unforgettable.

New land

As an East African nation, Seychelles comprises 115 islands of varying sizes. However, the majority of these islands are uninhabited or privately owned for tourism purposes. Seychelles has only three major inhabited islands.

Of these, Mahé is the largest island, covering an area of over 150 km² ^. The capital, Victoria, is located there. Mahé Island is known as the "heart" of Seychelles because it houses the main international airport and is a vibrant cultural center for tourists to explore .

Mahé is famous for its beautiful beaches such as Beau Vallon, Anse Intendance, and Anse Takamaka, known for their fine white sand and clear blue waters. Numerous marinas are located on the island, making it easy for visitors to participate in activities such as windsurfing, snorkeling, and fishing.

Praslin Island, with an area of approximately 38 km², is the second largest island in the Seychelles archipelago. The island retains its pristine beauty and rich ecosystem of marine and tropical rainforests.

A must-visit location when on Praslin Island is Vallée de Mai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, because it preserves the Coco de Mer tree - an endemic species found only in the Seychelles archipelago, famous for having the world's largest and heaviest seeds, shaped like a heart.

Despite its small size of only about 10 square kilometers, La Digue Island ^boasts Anse Source d'Argent beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with its fine white sand, crystal-clear water, and large granite rock formations.

During his 6 days in Seychelles, Mr. Tai spent 3 days on each island. Initially, he had no intention of visiting this country. However, after accidentally discovering a direct flight to Seychelles at a reasonable price while checking Indian airfare, he immediately booked his ticket.

At that time, the Vietnamese male tourist hadn't even thought about planning an itinerary or booking a hotel. Curious about the rather unusual country name and its many beaches, he told himself, "Just take a chance."

A typical photo spot in Seychelles. Photo: Dinh Tai

Island paradise

Anh Tài shared: “This country is surrounded by sea. In the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Seychelles is truly a green paradise. The seawater is clear and blue, the sand is white, and what I like most is that every beach is very uncrowded with tourists, not at all as crowded and chaotic as the beaches in the Philippines, Maldives, or Bali.”

"I was able to comfortably dive and swim all day by myself without being disturbed at all. It seems Seychelles is still a rather unfamiliar country to Vietnamese people, and even many locals here don't know where Vietnam is because they've never met anyone from Vietnam here," the male tourist added.

According to Mr. Tài, tourists here are mainly from Europe and usually enjoy luxurious vacations on yachts and resorts. During his week-long stay in Seychelles, Mr. Tài encountered very few Asian tourists, mostly from South Korea, Japan, or China.

Taking a bus in Seychelles is a fun experience that Mr. Tai recommends tourists try. Public buses travel along beautiful coastal roads, offering views of mountains, hills, and pristine beaches; this allows for a more authentic and vivid glimpse into the lives of the local people. However, public buses here mainly operate on Mahé Island.

Anh Tài revealed: “Mahé Island has many gentle trekking routes to explore pristine natural forests or forest trails leading from one beach to another. If I have the chance to return to this country, I will definitely make time for trekking.”

A Vietnamese male tourist highly appreciated the natural beauty of the Seychelles archipelago. However, the cost of living there is quite expensive, as it is a country with the highest per capita income in Africa. During his week there, he spent approximately 60 million VND, including airfare of around 15-20 million VND, round-trip ferry tickets between Mahé and Praslin islands at 5 million VND, and a mobile phone SIM card costing 1 million VND.

The cheapest rooms cost around 2.5 million VND per night, while luxury resorts can cost between 30 and 100 million VND. Taking the bus around the island costs around 100,000 VND per day, while renting a car can cost millions of VND per day. For food, budget-conscious travelers can opt for street food, costing around 2.5 million VND per day. These expenses don't include additional costs from day tours, entrance fees, coffee, etc.

“The food in Seychelles is similar to European cuisine, easy to eat but expensive. The locals here are friendly and kind. However, one day, because I had trouble with the last bus and couldn't find a ride along the way, I had to climb 5km uphill to get back to my homestay. It's okay, just go and experience it, that's the goal of every trip I take,” Tài confided.

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