Budget for Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam trip?
- Thread starter Onket
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sheothebudworths
Up the bum - no babies!!!
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Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
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sheothebudworths
Up the bum - no babies!!!
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Onket.. we just returned yesterday from this exact trip. (except we went to Laos too).
It can be done very cheaply indeed - for example, buses between destinations that are advertised at travel agents are tourist-only buses (in general) - you could go to the bus station and take the local bus for a fraction of the price (for example - the bus from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City was about $9 for tourists on a "VIP bus" - the local bus will cost something like 50p). We twice ended up on the local buses. One was a trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang in Laos - a simply terrifying trip up some large mountains with numerous blind bends with large sections of road missing from mudslides and overtaking wherever possible at speed! On that trip every single seat was full, the aisle was stuffed from floor to ceiling and there were about 7 mopeds on the roof. It was, surprisingly, quite a fun trip. Another trip from Chau Doc to Rach Gia (Vietnam) involved us being stuffed on a minibus for 13 - only with anywhere up to 20 people at once. The bus slowed down through every single village, hamlet etc and honked it's horn repeatedly to pick up new business. That was slightly less fun as we were under the impression we'd be on the "VIP" bus and found ourselves on this minibus with absolutely no idea how long it would take - many attempts at finding out only told us that the journey was either arriving at our destination at 8am - 8pm or would take 8 hours.
Places to stay could range from $1 to $300. We tended to the more pricey - the cheapest place we stayed was $10 per night and we stayed in a few at about $30 per night - but we were on our honeymoon. The more expensive places we stayed in were when were sick and needed to be in relative comfort, close to a toilet and appreciated having a TV with satellite. Otherwise we were only using hotels to sleep and there was no point in paying for frills.
If you have any specific questions pm me - when are you going? We still have a little left over currency, shit loads of photos etc.
Here are some of our photos
It can be done very cheaply indeed - for example, buses between destinations that are advertised at travel agents are tourist-only buses (in general) - you could go to the bus station and take the local bus for a fraction of the price (for example - the bus from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City was about $9 for tourists on a "VIP bus" - the local bus will cost something like 50p). We twice ended up on the local buses. One was a trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang in Laos - a simply terrifying trip up some large mountains with numerous blind bends with large sections of road missing from mudslides and overtaking wherever possible at speed! On that trip every single seat was full, the aisle was stuffed from floor to ceiling and there were about 7 mopeds on the roof. It was, surprisingly, quite a fun trip. Another trip from Chau Doc to Rach Gia (Vietnam) involved us being stuffed on a minibus for 13 - only with anywhere up to 20 people at once. The bus slowed down through every single village, hamlet etc and honked it's horn repeatedly to pick up new business. That was slightly less fun as we were under the impression we'd be on the "VIP" bus and found ourselves on this minibus with absolutely no idea how long it would take - many attempts at finding out only told us that the journey was either arriving at our destination at 8am - 8pm or would take 8 hours.
Places to stay could range from $1 to $300. We tended to the more pricey - the cheapest place we stayed was $10 per night and we stayed in a few at about $30 per night - but we were on our honeymoon. The more expensive places we stayed in were when were sick and needed to be in relative comfort, close to a toilet and appreciated having a TV with satellite. Otherwise we were only using hotels to sleep and there was no point in paying for frills.
If you have any specific questions pm me - when are you going? We still have a little left over currency, shit loads of photos etc.
Here are some of our photos
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
We had a fab fab time - although I did have an emergency dash to hospital narrowly escaping surgery (long story) and we both got pretty bad food poisoning after doing a day's cooking course which then recurred for me (I have to get it checked out now I'm back in case it's summat wierd). Also gaijinboy lost his wedding ring 3 weeks into the holiday!! 
Luckily we knew this would happen and spent very little money on his ring.
The upshot is that I managed a whole month of cocktails, eating and drastically reduced exercise without gaining more than a couple of pounds...
We also saw some amazing places and did some amazing things. It was wonderful.
I'm SO not looking forward to tomorrow - new term, school is falling apart and I've accepted a promotion that I'm not entirely sure about... and also it will be the first day in well over a month that I haven't been with gaijinboy all day.
Luckily we knew this would happen and spent very little money on his ring. The upshot is that I managed a whole month of cocktails, eating and drastically reduced exercise without gaining more than a couple of pounds...
We also saw some amazing places and did some amazing things. It was wonderful.I'm SO not looking forward to tomorrow - new term, school is falling apart and I've accepted a promotion that I'm not entirely sure about... and also it will be the first day in well over a month that I haven't been with gaijinboy all day.
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Onket
Je suis [CONTENT REMOVED]
I'm not one of the ones deliberately pretending not to understand a straightforward request. A request that several posters have found it perfectly easy to answer. But thanks for your opinion anyway.
Biddlybee
making knots with sticks
Jaysus... take it you're ok?
Also gaijinboy lost his wedding ring 3 weeks into the holiday!!
YayThe upshot is that I managed a whole month of cocktails, eating and drastically reduced exercise without gaining more than a couple of pounds...
was having a look through your photos yesterday... looked like a great trip
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
I'm still waiting for gaijin's mad dash to hospital story
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
oh.. it was just my bloody gallstones, I've had attacks before (agony, first time I thought I was having a heart attack and/or dying - see Firky's post for reference - being a boy he actually ended up in hospital on morphine). Normally they last about 30 minutes or so. But I had one which started just before getting on the plane on the way out that lasted about 5 hours (this involved me having to be interviewed by the pilot who wanted to assess whether he'd let me on at all - luckily I was wacked out on a cocktail of beta blockers, diazepam and temazepam due to my fear of flying and managed to grit my teeth and smile through the pain, so he let me on the plane - otherwise we'd have had no honeymoon).
Then I had another in Bangkok that lasted even longer - when that happens it all gets a bit dodge and it looked like it was colitis and I'd have to have my gallbladder whipped out. Luckily the woman examining me was so enthusiastic with her prodding it seemed she dislodged the gallstone (more agony). It was a bit worrying going onwards from Bangkok because everywhere else - if it had happened again, I'd have had to be bloody airlifted out back to Thailand!
Anyway - I'm fine now.
Then I had another in Bangkok that lasted even longer - when that happens it all gets a bit dodge and it looked like it was colitis and I'd have to have my gallbladder whipped out. Luckily the woman examining me was so enthusiastic with her prodding it seemed she dislodged the gallstone (more agony). It was a bit worrying going onwards from Bangkok because everywhere else - if it had happened again, I'd have had to be bloody airlifted out back to Thailand!
Anyway - I'm fine now.
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
oh.. it was just my bloody gallstones, I've had attacks before (agony, first time I thought I was having a heart attack and/or dying - see Firky's post for reference - being a boy he actually ended up in hospital on morphine). Normally they last about 30 minutes or so. But I had one which started just before getting on the plane on the way out that lasted about 5 hours (this involved me having to be interviewed by the pilot who wanted to assess whether he'd let me on at all - luckily I was wacked out on a cocktail of beta blockers, diazepam and temazepam due to my fear of flying and managed to grit my teeth and smile through the pain, so he let me on the plane - otherwise we'd have had no honeymoon).
Then I had another in Bangkok that lasted even longer - when that happens it all gets a bit dodge and it looked like it was colitis and I'd have to have my gallbladder whipped out. Luckily the woman examining me was so enthusiastic with her prodding it seemed she dislodged the gallstone (more agony). It was a bit worrying going onwards from Bangkok because everywhere else - if it had happened again, I'd have had to be bloody airlifted out back to Thailand!
Anyway - I'm fine now.
blimey, hope you've got insurance
Did you declare your condition?
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Yeah.. we had insurance. It only cost £60 though for all the tests etc in the hospital. The level of service, cleanliness etc was amazing. It was like being in some posh spa rather than a hospital!
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
but have you declared your condition? Would you have been covered if you ended up in hospital for longer?
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
I go to all 3 quite often and was last in the region from 12/31/07 to 3/14/08, most of the that time in PP, in Cambodia. Sadly , like the rest of the region, things are costing a whole lot more. It also depends on the strength of the dollar since that is the defacto currency in all 3, especially Cambodia. I believe Thai Baht were trading at 34 per dollar and Cambodian Riel at 4000 per dollar on the street, and 3800 in banks. The dollar is still weak and I do not imagine prices have fluctuated all that much.
IF you change currency, in Cambodia, do it across from Central Market, but of course as anywhere you must only change small amounts and thoroughly count your bills because most will rob a Farang if they can (assuming you are not SE Asian looking of course).
Also, change each nation's currency into dollars before crossing borders. It is a real pain to change Baht outside of Thailand, and Riel are not even accepted anywhere outside of Cambodia , except for a few border towns in Laos and you do not seem to be heading up there.
In PP you can cop a room in a Guesthouse, for as little as 1.50 US a night at places like Sunrise, all the way in back of the Mosque by Beong Keok Lake but it is hard living for sure. Mosquitoes are a terror. Generally speaking, 5 dollars can get you a great room with a huge fan and cable TV (if you look or even care). On the Lake the best place is probably Simon II, right next to the alley leading to #9 Guest House (if you face the alley for #9 it is the large pink stucco 2 story building with small yard/garden on the right of the alley). Rooms there with 2 beds, huge fan and cable are 10 to 20 US per night.
If you are in the medium range you can opt for the World Star Hotel on Monivong Blvd. right down the street from 85 Street (road leading to the Lake), directly across from ALCEDA Bank's HQ building. It is next to an electronics shoppe, and like all hotels and guesthouses has a flock of tuk-tuk (moped taxis and trikes)m drivers harrasing any Farang who passes by. there are 4 floors, rooms have double beds, crisp AC and cable TV. There is also a resturant on the first floor, next door, that serves great Camdodian cusine, which is not simple to obtain as one would otherwise imagine. Great Pepper Crab which is the specialty of Kompot, south of the city.
Other food? Well it depends on your tastes. Street food like the stereotypical Cambodian lunch and breakfast (boiled white rice, sliced fatty pork chop , cuke slices and vinegar) cost 85 US cents if you get the local price. Count on paying at least a dollar if you are white and without local friends. Not bad. Cans of pop, like Sprite, cost 1500 to 2000 Riel, the latter being the usual Farang price.
The Lake is stuffed with foreign food though. All down 93 Street, the main drag there, you can get all you can eat southern Indian for 2 US, or splurge and get a real English breakfast, etc for 5 US.
Entertainment? Well, not much to do there unless you are into drugs or illicit sex. There ARE the usual places like the prison and Killing Fields but they are a ripoff run by Japanese concessionaires who do not feed into the local economy so if you are concerned about social justice, skip it and go instead to one of the many other unofficial killing fields. there ARE plenty of nightclubs, and even a gay scene for those that go for it. Certain clubs are a bit dangerous, like "Heart of Darkness" due to noveau riche kids who openly carry firearms and like to get nice and drunk, and usually smoke Yaa Maa (local methaphetamine tablets that are smoked and now cost 4 US per). Indeed, I was told that US diplomatic personel are forbidden to enter it and for once the US warnings happen to be prudent.
If you understand Khmer there are move houses, there is also the Naga World Casino. It used to be on shoddy riverboat moored at the quay on the Mekong but is now a multi storied (maybe 20?) building, down around Mao Tse Tung and the Mekong and is now the tallest building in PP. Also, if you dig gambling, and are crossing from Thailand into Cambodia by land, you can spend time in Poipet, across from Aran. in Thailand. Several very large and foreign owned casinos are in the town. Also a alot of danger in that town so tread carefully IF you do go.
There is a brand new Western style waterpark for 5 US, all day admission. It is on Russian Blvd, the road leading to Immigration and the Air Port, as well as the train station
There is the famous Russian Market as well as the Central Market.
There is a tired old sad elephant for 15 US, in the park across from the Riverfront.
That is about it really, sad to say. Smart folks go to Siem Reap and see Angkor. If you go there, go after 5 PM and it is free, and you beat the crowds of Euro hippies and Korean tourists in terrible outfits. Best photo ops in the evening as well.
Also, Sihnoukville Beach is breat as well, another party town though.
Prices for both the latter towns are a tad bit cheaper than in PP.
In Thailand it depends on your locale entirely. Places like Chaing Rai are pretty reasonable all given. but BK is a dreadful place. Thge usual thing to do in that region is take either a Hill Tribe tour which allows an overnight stay in a family of Hill Tribesmen, and the Opium Tour which includes an Opium Museum in Chaing Mai. The more expensive way to do those things is on elephant and there are also combo Opium-Hilltribe tours. Be careful on the river between Burma (Mynammar) and Thailand because it is always a contentious place as well as the Ground Zero of the Yaa Baa (in Thailand Yaa Maa is called Yaa Baa) and heroin trades (after all it IS the Golden Triangle).
Nam? I would imagine if you are hitting Thailand, Cambodia, AND Nam that your destination is Ho Chi Minh, right? Prices are rising fast there I am told although to be honest I have not been there in a few years. I was last in the north and prices had risen a tad bit but still very reasonable all told.
The best place now? I would say Laos hands down. Perhaps you might be able to go. It is changing fast so if you are at all able you might wish to.
Good luck.
IF you change currency, in Cambodia, do it across from Central Market, but of course as anywhere you must only change small amounts and thoroughly count your bills because most will rob a Farang if they can (assuming you are not SE Asian looking of course).
Also, change each nation's currency into dollars before crossing borders. It is a real pain to change Baht outside of Thailand, and Riel are not even accepted anywhere outside of Cambodia , except for a few border towns in Laos and you do not seem to be heading up there.
In PP you can cop a room in a Guesthouse, for as little as 1.50 US a night at places like Sunrise, all the way in back of the Mosque by Beong Keok Lake but it is hard living for sure. Mosquitoes are a terror. Generally speaking, 5 dollars can get you a great room with a huge fan and cable TV (if you look or even care). On the Lake the best place is probably Simon II, right next to the alley leading to #9 Guest House (if you face the alley for #9 it is the large pink stucco 2 story building with small yard/garden on the right of the alley). Rooms there with 2 beds, huge fan and cable are 10 to 20 US per night.
If you are in the medium range you can opt for the World Star Hotel on Monivong Blvd. right down the street from 85 Street (road leading to the Lake), directly across from ALCEDA Bank's HQ building. It is next to an electronics shoppe, and like all hotels and guesthouses has a flock of tuk-tuk (moped taxis and trikes)m drivers harrasing any Farang who passes by. there are 4 floors, rooms have double beds, crisp AC and cable TV. There is also a resturant on the first floor, next door, that serves great Camdodian cusine, which is not simple to obtain as one would otherwise imagine. Great Pepper Crab which is the specialty of Kompot, south of the city.
Other food? Well it depends on your tastes. Street food like the stereotypical Cambodian lunch and breakfast (boiled white rice, sliced fatty pork chop , cuke slices and vinegar) cost 85 US cents if you get the local price. Count on paying at least a dollar if you are white and without local friends. Not bad. Cans of pop, like Sprite, cost 1500 to 2000 Riel, the latter being the usual Farang price.
The Lake is stuffed with foreign food though. All down 93 Street, the main drag there, you can get all you can eat southern Indian for 2 US, or splurge and get a real English breakfast, etc for 5 US.
Entertainment? Well, not much to do there unless you are into drugs or illicit sex. There ARE the usual places like the prison and Killing Fields but they are a ripoff run by Japanese concessionaires who do not feed into the local economy so if you are concerned about social justice, skip it and go instead to one of the many other unofficial killing fields. there ARE plenty of nightclubs, and even a gay scene for those that go for it. Certain clubs are a bit dangerous, like "Heart of Darkness" due to noveau riche kids who openly carry firearms and like to get nice and drunk, and usually smoke Yaa Maa (local methaphetamine tablets that are smoked and now cost 4 US per). Indeed, I was told that US diplomatic personel are forbidden to enter it and for once the US warnings happen to be prudent.
If you understand Khmer there are move houses, there is also the Naga World Casino. It used to be on shoddy riverboat moored at the quay on the Mekong but is now a multi storied (maybe 20?) building, down around Mao Tse Tung and the Mekong and is now the tallest building in PP. Also, if you dig gambling, and are crossing from Thailand into Cambodia by land, you can spend time in Poipet, across from Aran. in Thailand. Several very large and foreign owned casinos are in the town. Also a alot of danger in that town so tread carefully IF you do go.
There is a brand new Western style waterpark for 5 US, all day admission. It is on Russian Blvd, the road leading to Immigration and the Air Port, as well as the train station
There is the famous Russian Market as well as the Central Market.
There is a tired old sad elephant for 15 US, in the park across from the Riverfront.
That is about it really, sad to say. Smart folks go to Siem Reap and see Angkor. If you go there, go after 5 PM and it is free, and you beat the crowds of Euro hippies and Korean tourists in terrible outfits. Best photo ops in the evening as well.
Also, Sihnoukville Beach is breat as well, another party town though.
Prices for both the latter towns are a tad bit cheaper than in PP.
In Thailand it depends on your locale entirely. Places like Chaing Rai are pretty reasonable all given. but BK is a dreadful place. Thge usual thing to do in that region is take either a Hill Tribe tour which allows an overnight stay in a family of Hill Tribesmen, and the Opium Tour which includes an Opium Museum in Chaing Mai. The more expensive way to do those things is on elephant and there are also combo Opium-Hilltribe tours. Be careful on the river between Burma (Mynammar) and Thailand because it is always a contentious place as well as the Ground Zero of the Yaa Baa (in Thailand Yaa Maa is called Yaa Baa) and heroin trades (after all it IS the Golden Triangle).
Nam? I would imagine if you are hitting Thailand, Cambodia, AND Nam that your destination is Ho Chi Minh, right? Prices are rising fast there I am told although to be honest I have not been there in a few years. I was last in the north and prices had risen a tad bit but still very reasonable all told.
The best place now? I would say Laos hands down. Perhaps you might be able to go. It is changing fast so if you are at all able you might wish to.
Good luck.
I appreciate it's a tricky question & there are a lot of influencing factors but any advice/experience would be appreciated as I'm getting a bit nervous/worried.
Thanks.
The best way to see a country or two is stay in clean but simple hotels and eat street food.
It's cheaper to do it that way but the real bonus is that you get to know the country and the people far better than those who hang out in posh hotels and eat in fancy restaurants.
Maybe best to avoid Bangcock (yes i did spell it spell it like that on purpose) at the moment. Looks like more trouble on the way.
