Vanuatu is one of the happiest countries in the world, boasting not only fertile land but also serving as a natural tourist destination. Compared to other islands in the Pacific, Vanuatu offers more unexpected surprises. Immigrate to Vanuatu to live in one of the world's happiest nations.
Air Travel
The main airport in Vanuatu is Port Vila Airport. Air Vanuatu provides flights between Port Vila and various global destinations, such as Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Nadi in Fiji, Nouméa in New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands. Air Vanuatu also offers direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Luganville.
Air New Zealand, Aircalin, Solomon Airlines, and Air Calédonie also provide flights to Port Vila.
Key facilities at Port Vila Airport include banks, currency exchange offices, luggage storage, duty-free shops, bars, restaurants, and lounges for business class passengers. You can reach the city center by bus or taxi.
There are currently no direct flights between China and Vanuatu. Chinese tourists traveling to Vanuatu can transit through Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, or New Caledonia.
Shipping
Shipping routes between China and Vanuatu include: Guangzhou—Hong Kong—Sydney—Port Vila; Shanghai/Tianjin—Busan—Port Vila.
Cuisine
Vanuatu's diet features Melanesian influences. While Western food is popular, it is typically mild and not spicy. Fish, shrimp, beef, cold cuts, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, and tomatoes are common staples for the people of Vanuatu.
Local specialties include Lap-Lap and coconut crab.
In the capital, Port Vila, you can find French, British, Polynesian, Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese cuisine. The local beer is Tursky.
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but it is best to consume bottled mineral water on the outer islands.
Shopping
Port Vila is the only duty-free port in Vanuatu. You can pick up a free map at the Tourism Office. Here, shoppers can experience a perfect fusion of French, British, and Melanesian cultures.
In souvenir and jewelry shops, you can purchase French perfume, champagne, French pastries, and clothing, including colorful sarongs, hand-painted T-shirts, shorts, and beachwear.
Chinatown, located on Rue Carnot, is a great place to find bargains, ranging from electronics to straw hats and camping gear. Near the Vanuatu Tourism Office, there is an exhibition area where artists from the outer islands often display and sell their artwork.
In Luganville, you can buy traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. There are also many small restaurants, cafes, sports clubs, dive shops, grocery stores, and Chinese shops. From food to Santo souvenirs and crafts, everything is available. Souvenirs can also be purchased at island resorts and hotels. Luganville Airport also has a souvenir shop. On the main street, there are several duty-free shops selling electronics, gifts, French perfume, CDs, cosmetics, wine, spirits, and French crystal. Tourists must present their passport and return ticket to make purchases. These shops will deliver your items to the airport or wharf upon your departure.
Etiquette and Taboos
There is no custom of tipping. In Vanuatu, tipping and begging are considered uncivilized behavior. It is best to ask for permission before taking photos (especially in villages). Residents of the outer islands rarely wear transparent clothing; try to avoid revealing attire outside of cultural villages and tourist areas. Before entering a village, you should first obtain permission from the villagers. Knocking directly on a resident's door is considered impolite. Most vegetables, fruits, and other plants growing by the roadside are private property; do not pick them.
Activities
The fusion of diverse cultures has rapidly developed Port Vila into a culinary hub of the South Pacific in recent years. The city is filled with restaurants and roadside cafes where tourists can enjoy French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Mediterranean, and Melanesian cuisine.
At night, tourists can attend entertainment programs hosted by hotels, visit bars, kava bars, try their luck at the casino, go to the cinema, or enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner at a themed restaurant while listening to local or international musicians. Port Vila is a safe and friendly city; there is no robbery, and you can stroll along the waterfront alone, walk through quiet backstreets, or chat with local residents.
There are various shops and open-air markets in Port Vila. When shopping here, there is no forced selling; prices are fixed in advance, and haggling is considered unfriendly behavior.
Artists from various islands display their handicrafts at the open-air market on the waterfront promenade. Tourists can walk along the promenade, admiring the colorful coral and tropical fish in the sea while selecting exotic handicrafts.