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I was over 3kg and being a Filipino who is used to being given consideration, I threw a bit of my not so amicable self to the counter staff which later on I realized was too immature given how she was just doing her job. The museum displays gruesome, authentic, and very biased pictures and stories against American war crimes from the war, and as an American it was incredibly hard to get through, but very informative and an absolute must-see. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner. Opt to visit the Tonlé Sap floating village and the Angkor National Museum.
A hostel bed begins at a price of around €15, with restaurant meals costing just half of that. Of course, Nepal's most famous landmark is no other than Mount Everest - scaling the mountain is no easy (or cheap) feat but is the ultimate adventure for those who've done the training and are up to the task. Bucharest might be a bustling capital, but there's plenty of opportunity to wander the city's cobbled streets.
We also love Essaouira , where you can get the freshest seafood, learn to surf and work on your yoga poses at a fraction of the cost of European destinations. With hostel rooms for £6, budget meals costing just a few pounds, and local beer sold as cheap as 80p Bulgaria is a great choice for backpacking trips that are big on experience and low on cost. It's cheapest to travel to vietnam by foot around the city (obviously) although buses are also very affordable.
While you should spend some time (and money) visiting destinations such as Chichen Itza, if you stick to the coastlines there are plenty of picture-perfect beaches for you to enjoy. Our local guides add that extra personal touch with their extensive knowledge of each area, the flora, fauna and the outdoors. All life seems to take place outdoors on the busy streets; working, eating, cooking, playing, creating, feeding babies, laughing, or just sitting and chatting.
Crazy, beautiful and hectic, at times frustrating - a day in Hanoi is never dull! Later, when it became known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton' it was used by the Vietnamese to hold American Prisoners of War who had been shot down in planes over the skies of Northern Vietnam. There are some strange (rather staged looking) photos of prisoners playing basketball, putting up Christmas trees and playing chess - prison was a ball!
The buzzing city is a street food paradise with the interwoven alleys of the maze-like Old Quarter offering up a wonderful range of steaming local dishes. Read our article here for the not-to-be-missed meals. Discover more about the culture, art and rituals of the tribes of mountainous areas of Vietnam.
The famous Perfume Pagoda also makes for a good day out. Legend has it that the site dates back to over 2000 years when a Buddhist Monk began meditating in the area. Pretty much everything a backpacker could need (and many things you don't - steamed dog meat anyone?) can be found around the Old Quarter - which serves as a good base for exploring the rest of the city.
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Vietnam is generally considered a safe country for women to travel alone. I've been a Vietnam tour guide for 15 years now and believe me no one have time to give you free tours". It's kinda risky on a blog not to go whoo! Although Siem Reap is the more popular destination, visiting Phnom Penh en route to Vietnam is a great option for backpackers.
We haven't had any serious problems in the course of the trip, especially in dealing with our tour operators. Move over, Thailand: Vietnam food is where it's at. Get acquainted with the Vietnamese way of life while on a memorable home stay.
By the 1980s Vietnam's economy had all but collapsed, leading to further waves of migration out of vietnam travel information. Occupying a long, thin part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam shares borders with China , Laos and Cambodia Much of Vietnam's terrain is mountainous, particularly the north and central highland regions. Vietnam has a nice mix of interesting markets and small shops, with handicrafts, art and clothing among the best picks.
As one of the world's largest coffee exporters, Vietnamese coffee is among the world's best. Mekong Delta - This massive area of floating markets, emerald rice paddies and lush islands is home to some of the friendliest people on earth. The area is remote so the best way to experience it is on an overnight trek, spending the night as a guest of a local family.
It's worth coming here just for the drive. Hue - Jam-packed with imperial sites, Hue is one for the history buffs. Hoi An - This shoppers' paradise is home to more boot makers, tailors and handicraft than you could visit in a lifetime.
Ho Chi Minh City - Still known as Saigon to most, HCMC is a city on the go. It's fast-paced, exciting and full of amazing sites. Dalat - It's spring all year round in Vietnam's 'honeymoon capital'. Vietnam's ancient culture can be traced back centuries and over the years has been influenced in different ways by the Chinese, Khmer, French and American cultures.
Most festivals and holidays are spent with the extended family - participating in rituals, feasting on special foods, giving symbolic gifts and paying respects to ancestors. Having endured the hardship that the Vietnam War brought in the 1960s and 1970s, most Vietnamese people are keen to get on with life, living with a sense of optimism and humility. If you are planning on staying in Vietnam for longer than 15 days you will need to obtain a visa extension in advance (please contact your relevant Consulate or Embassy).
Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. Please keep this in mind while travelling. When bargaining at markets, stay calm, be reasonable and keep a smile on your face.
Visit your local site for relevant prices, offers and information. The country is changing at lightning speed, and with roads being improved, comfortable long-distance buses and a decent train network, it's easy to get from top to bottom - or vice-versa - of this long country in a short space of time.
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Vietnamese make up 85% of the population with Chinese, Cambodian and other Asian people making up the rest. Tourist visas are valid for a 30-day period from the day you enter and you should be able to get one at your local travel to vietnam (https://www.vietnam-travel.org) agent. The best place to exchange your currency is in banks which are open on Mon-Fri between 8am-11.30am and 1pm-4pm. Get quick answers from Hanoi Free Tour Guides - Private Tours staff and past visitors.
The anticipation of what's around the corner? Days 7-8 Visit iconic temples such as Bayon and Ta Prohm Cycle through tall grass, past ox carts, stilt homes, old Chinese tractors, and ponds teeming with kids swimming or fishing Spin through quiet rural villages Take an early morning bike ride to Angkor Wat and wander around the temple grounds on foot. Of course, we can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace a poorly maintained road.
Upright handlebars are safer and more comfortable over these mixed-surface roads. Several phone numbers were given to me, I called each one, & received calls & accolades from every person. And, what better plade than exotic Asia?
We saw so much but felt relaxed and unhurried. Our guides were phenomenal and they were very in tune with the flavour of the group. Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Vietnam and Cambodia, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance.
Our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. In Vietnam and Cambodia you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options.
A great bike is obviously critical for a great biking trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Go with a safe and professional tour operator and Vietnam's best guides!
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Spend 10 days taking in the true wonders of Vietnam on this small group tour, accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide. Before leaving your hostel be sure to take a moment to review the long list of dress and behavioral requirements for entering the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. In true Hannah style I skipped the remainder of the country to wind up in Ho Chi Minh City. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone.
Evening we explore Ben Thanh market and District one for different shopping and food options. It is also brilliant value potentially costing as little as US$30 ( latest prices and more great info on trains in vietnam awesome travel ). If you take some night trains this may push the cost up to around US$40-50 depending on whether you take the slightly higher quality SE trains or not (It's even cheaper for the locals). Journey: 7 hours 40 mins, passing through Thanh Hoa and Vinh which have little going on really but may be a nice stop if you fancy seeing a completely tourist-free town.
It is also close to one of the nicest beaches in the country and makes it into our Top 10 New Backpacking Hotspots. When backpacking through Vietnam, most travellers head here either first or last. The city is also the base for seeing the far south of the country which enjoys a hot climate and is a bit more chilled out than much of this fabulously crazy country.
Of course in Vietnam, there are cool places that are not on or near the trainline, you may wish to visit.
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I took a nap keeping my valuables secured while I dozed off for the next 4 hours. My driver was really kind to ask me if there is somewhere I still want to see but he might have seen the confusion in my face that he was happy to drive me somewhere really remarkable. The bus ride to Song Than station took 30 minutes and another hour train ride to Saigon that I arrived in Ho Chi Minh at 7:30 in the morning which is 2 hours late of my expected arrival depriving me of some time to rest. Try visiting the Bitexco Tower where you can get a 360-degree view of the entire city.
It is safer and lets you take advantage of the strong USD exchange rates. You may think I am such a cheapskate but you wouldn't really want to spend over 100.000 Dong buying yourself water every now and then. Did you book for your accomodations in advance?
I am trying to finalize my itinerary to Vietnam and since I will be landing to Ho Chi Minh , it will be a reverse to what you did when you travelled. Hi Keza, your blog is very informative and helpful. I just browsed the internet for budget hotels there.. I went to Vietnamnon the last week of March last year.
I was surprised at what a long way the city has come since the war - there are lots of chain restaurants, skyscrapers, and parks throughout the city. Perhaps the biggest cultural draw in the city is the War Remnants Museum. Outside of HCMC are the Cu Chi Tunnels which were used by the Viet Cong during the war, and also an authentic peak into Vietnam's horrid past.
Most hosts speak decent English, so no need to worry about the language barrier! Hotels - More expensive, but still a bargain, there are plenty of hotels and private rooms that you can book right before coming to each city. Beer - Tiger and Saigon are Vietnam's local beers, starting at 25 cents USD for a glass.
A heady combination of remote stilted villages, unexplored rainforest, bright green rice paddies and fabulous, showy cities, vietnam travel information (https://www.vietnam-travel.org/) vacations offer an enthralling and perfectly balanced fulcrum on which Asian tradition and modern world comfort rests. Please don't add any punctuation to your first name. Please don't add any punctuation to your last name.
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Cruise back to the port and take a private van to Hanoi. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town.
Spend two full days exploring all Hoi An has to offer. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project. Travel day with border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia.
Guided tour of Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields).
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Vietnam looks absolutely beautiful and I think backpacking is definitely the best way to see all the country has to offer. Again, I only do this when it's off-peak. Personally, Vietnam was a country that I loved to hate, until I fell in love with it. Many pick strong sides about the country either completely loving it or hating it. It's just one of those places. And if you love to drink, especially beer, then you're in for a treat.
12PM) so be sure to line up early and double check the times. DAY NINE: Before it gets too hot jump on a boat and ride through Tam Coc to see all of the limestone formations and caves. If you need to move on quickly then go to a shop for a fitting as sometimes they need 2-3 fittings to get your piece exactly as you want it. You can then spend the afternoon lounging on one of Hoi An's beaches that lie just outside of town.
Take a cooking class in Hoi An because they have some unique dishes that are only made in this area of Vietnam and are some of the best dishes in the country. It's a four step process and after you can relax by the pool. You can head out that evening on another night bus to your last destination.
Ho Chi Minh is full of war history that's both interesting and good to know. There are some Vietnam destinations that I didn't mention, Dalat is one of them. vietnam awesome travel is a country so vastly different from North to South that it needed to be broken down like this.
You will be able to do everything you want and drink you heart out at night while backpacking Vietnam easily for under $50USD a day. Be open to the people, the customs, and the food when you go. Don't go into Vietnam with any expectations. Welcome to Taylor's Tracks - a travel blog dedicated to learning from mistakes made while traveling the globe, and growing up as a millennial.
Please check that both items are correct before trying again, or use the ‘forgot your password' and ‘forgot your username' links for assistance. We will email you a link you can use to easily create a new password. HO CHI MINH CITY — Nguyen Vinh Phat has plenty of reasons to resent Americans.
But as he grips a bus seat to keep balance while careening through Ho Chi Minh City traffic, he shows only a smile as he explains how he came to be a tour guide catering in part to Americans. I learned that the best parts about Vietnam are the ones you don't see coming. The pictures on posters, and descriptions in pamphlets generally do not match reality.
But with the tourism industry now accounting for nearly a tenth of the country's GDP, the scramble is on to capture the expanding market. If you're comfortable traveling with flexibility and spontaneity, you'll stumble upon everything you could want and more in a vacation in Vietnam.
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Going out won't burn a hole in your budget as more popular licensed beers and spirits are equally as cheap. Museums and temples are scattered all over Vietnam and only require a small entrance fee. With an abundance of affordable hostels, amazing street food and cheap drinks, Mexico is a trip as cheap as tacos! Built by the French a the beginning of the 20th Century, the prison was first used by the Colonial Regime to detain Vietnamese Freedom Fighters.
About half an hour motorbike ride from the Old Quarter, the Museum of Ethnology is an interesting glimpse into the cultures of the ethnic minorities of Vietnam. As a capital city, Hanoi is perfectly positioned as a base for adventures into the amazing surrounding areas. Head North to Sapa to visit the hill tribe villages: Just an overnight train journey (350km North of Hanoi) towards the Chinese border, lies the misty, mountainous market town of Sapa.
Vietnam Backpackers' newest and very popular trip, the Buffalo Run (you can read our article about the trip here) is a great value for money way to explore the coast of Vietnam. Backpacking in Vietnam is a great choice for the broke backpacker because of the super cheap cost of living and the plentiful adventures. In spring, March and April have the lowest rainfall across all destinations and temperatures are pleasant, though still cool in the far north.
However, we missed everything between Saigon and Hoi An. Keep any valuables hidden in a bag which you keep close to yourself at all times, and particularly avoid carrying a camera around your neck in populated areas. Most hotels and hostels provide this and water can be bought easily and cheaply.
For woman is it best to keep shoulders and knees covered to avoid any unwanted attention. Select your travel to vietnam style-whether it's our signature expeditions, our active outdoors adventures, or our lower-priced journeys. Sail a traditional style wooden junk boat in stunning Ha Long Bay, and set out in kayaks to explore secluded lagoons and beaches.
Trek across the Laotian countryside and visit remote hilltribe villages for a glimpse into the daily lives of local farmers. After time to relax or explore the city, meet for an orientation and a welcome dinner. Then fly to Hue—capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 until 1945—where our home is a former French colonial governor's mansion on the banks of the Perfume River.
Tonight, join a local family for a Buddhist Baci ceremony followed by dinner in their home. After breakfast, visit Wat Xieng Thong, a temple whose swooping, overlapping roofs shelter a treasure trove of Buddhist and royal artifacts. There will be time to relax or swim at the pool before dinner at the hotel.
For a single room add $1,100 in 2017 and $1,200 in 2018. The group flights within Southeast Asia are $675 in 2017 and $725 in 2018 (subject to change). You simply can't visit Vietnam without casting eyes on the awe-inspiring natural wonder that is Halong Bay.
