Vietnam

I bought myself tickets to Vietnam and Bali as a little present for my birthday last June. A small trip to celebrate life and love, to appreciate things and give thanks.  Left Jakarta on 15^th June late afternoon to Ho Chi Minh City, I didn’t plan my trip at all, didn’t have any guide books with me, didn’t even book my hotel, I only carried a small backpack for 18 days trip and of course money. It was all about.. just go and buy yourself a big bowl of happiness, lost in your own little adventure.

The only thing I read about Ho Chi Minh City before I headed to airport was about taxi scam. Many people recommended to take VinaSun or Mai Linh taxi company, it was around $9 from airport to the backpackers district, Bui Vien street. So, arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9pm, I changed my $100 to Vietnamese Dong, which I got around 2.000.000 Vietnamese Dong then walked out the airport, turn right to the domestic terminal and it was exactly in front of domestic terminal I saw few VinaSun taxi were parked. I talked to one of the drivers to take me to the backpackers district, with a broken English and a big smile, he helped to put my bag inside the taxi and took me to Bui Vien district. Let the journey begins !!!

Bui Vien street that night was packed with tourists sitting on the street had cheap local beers, while some local people tried to sell books, souvenirs and offered massage. This district reminded me of Patong at Phuket, and Kuta in Bali. Many selections of bars, hostels, restaurants, shops, and travel agents, so don’t worry if you guys haven’t booked any rooms or bus ticket, most of them  open 24 hours.

I decided to spend a night with Koniko Backpackers Hostel, the dorm room was very clean with 2 big toilets, lockers, AC and Wifi. I booked a bus ticket to Cambodia the next morning. Well, since I only got 15 days in Vietnam and Cambodia then another 3 days in Bali, I thought it’d be best to go to Cambodia ( Pnom Penh then Siem Reap ) then back to Ho Chi Minh. I’d be in a rush jump from one place to another, but this still gonna be fun. ( Feel free to check my previous post at Travelagys about Budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia for further budget details )

After checked-in, quick shower, I walked around Bui Vien street. I thought Jakarta’s traffic was the worst,  but not until I saw how hectic the traffic was in Ho Chi Minh City, almost got hit by motorcycles. Had Vietnamese noodles and fresh juice, pretty much enjoying Saigon at night, then back to my room to rest, get ready for Cambodia tomorrow. There I met my roomies, an American girl named Sheila and a Chinese girl from Shanghai – Vivian. She showed me some of photos she took when she was at the white sand dunes and fairy stream at Mui Ne, like 6 hours bus drive from Ho Chi Minh City. All her photos in Mui Ne were sooo great, made me think that I should stopped by there for couple of days, but we’ll see. These girls told me about their travel experience in Cambodia, recommended me where to stay and all those info a guide book couldn’t even tell you.

Leaving Ho Chi Minh at 9 am to Cambodia, I spent a week for both Pnom Penh and Siem Reap. I will write different post about Cambodia since the place was very unique and exotic, so I think I should share with you guys  special page for Cambodia with lots of photos and stories from Angkor Wat.

Back to Ho Chi Minh City after a wonderful Cambodia trip,  I spent a night again at Koniko Backpackers Hotel. This time I met two travelers solo named Monica from Portugal and May Liu from Hong Kong. We had a great evening talking about traveling, it’s unbelievable three of us coming from different place and have met  Sheila, the American traveler I met on my first day in Ho Chi Minh. What a small world. May Liu said Sheila was currently in Hoi An – Vietnam. May Liu would continue her journey to China, Monica would discover Ho Chi Minh then continue to Cambodia, while me super excited about going to Mui Ne the next morning.

6 hours journey from Saigon to Mui Ne was easy. I loved my sleeper bus – very comfortable, wish I had this one when I went to Cambodia. I stayed in Mui Ne Backpackers Resort for 4 days, paid $6 for my room per night and got these sun lounges and a really nice beach view right at the back of the resort, just exactly what I need after rush in Cambodia.  Went on a half day tour  to the white sand dunes and fairy stream with Rick, Mark, Jimboo and Sophie Provost, rent a motor and just riding around the sand dunes, then had some crocodile steak and beers.

Fairy stream

Rick and his new buddy, Mr.Ostrich

white sand dunes

fairy stream

..and thank you Mui Ne Backpackers Resort for having me...definitely recommend you guys to stay here in Mui Ne..

Left Mui Ne back to Ho Chi Minh City, I took a half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, going down to the tunnels wasn’t easy even tho I’m quite a small girl, but still fun to check out tourism places in Saigon. Then at my last day surprisingly I met Ilir Morina, the guy I met on the bus on the way to Pnom Penh. Ilir walked me around the city, showed me some interesting place from Ben Tanh Market, Reunification Palace, War Remnants museum, City Hall til Ho Chi Minh City museum, and this small juice shop, he was a great tour guide and made my last day in Ho Chi Minh. Overall I had an amazing birthday trip, thank you so much for those people I met during my trip. Traveling solo doesn’t mean you’ll end up alone, there’s always people around, I loved how each person I met simply gave me different stories and in the end they were parts of a great journey.    

Ben Thanh Market



Cu Chi Tunnels

For daily budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia, feel free to check my previous post "Budgets in Vietnam and Cambodia". Everything was pretty easy and cheap there, don't worry if you haven't booked any hostels, tours, or bus tickets, Bui Vien street or Pham Ngu Lao street the backpackers district - has so many travel agents, even hostels will help you to book your tickets. I will post my Cambodia trip soon, stay tuned and happy traveling !

Budgets in Vietnam & Cambodia

I definitely had a great birthday trip last June backpacking to Vietnam and Cambodia. Was staying there for 15 days, many of my friends asked me the total budget I spent and most of them were shocked it didn’t really cost you much, in fact it was much cheaper than the budget we normally spend in Bali J

Staying in dorm rooms is great when you’re traveling solo. It’s cheap, around $ 6 – 7 per night, plus you can always make new friends ( Isn’t it why we’re all traveling ? ) Except I don’t really like it when they put me in the top bunk, I had to climb up the ladders but anyway, I had great nights when I was staying in Koniko Backpackers Hostel in Ho Chi Minh City. Koniko is a new hostel located in Bui Vien street – a backpacker district in Ho Chi Minh - very clean, the receptionist lady was very friendly and helpful, free internet access, lockers, AC, $1 breakfast, and you just have to across the street to enjoy some cheap cold beers and local food.

 The same thing when I was in Pnom Penh and Siem Reap – Cambodia. Since I haven’t booked any hostel when I arrived there,  I wanted to try what it  would be like if I ask the tuk tuk driver to find me a backpacker hostel,  ( I knew they would scam me, but seriously what’s the worse thing could happen ? ). Out from Mekong Express Bus station in Siem Reap – 2 km away from Siem Reap backpacker’s district, I asked Jackie my tuk tuk driver if he knew any clean backpacker’s hostel. Then he took me to this old hostel ( sorry I forgot the hostel’s name ), $15 for a night, no AC, my room was in the corner of 4^th floor in their second building. They have 2 separate buildings, and this building I was staying in way too quiet and dark. I didn’t see anyone but only me. After changed my clothes I decided to walk around the neighbor, buy shampoo and late lunch. While my mind still thinking about what’s the worst thing could happen to me staying in an old building, I talked to my best friend Ana Dupont on facebook and she said “you gotta trust your feeling. If you don’t feel any comfortable, then move and find another hostel. Safety is always number one, darling.” Ana was right, then I grabbed my bag, returned the key to the receptionist, she gave me back $7 and I walked to the Wat Bo Road Street 22 which not so far from Pub Street or Backpackers area, find Bun Kao Guesthouse ( www.bunkaoguesthouse.com ).  $ 6 only for a single room, $ 4 for dorm rooms. What a sweet deal ! I decided to take a single room, was staying there for 3 nights.

Done with Siem Reap and Cambodia, I caught a bus back to Ho Chi Minh City then Mui Ne - beach area 6 hours bus drive from Ho Chi Minh. Staying in Mui Ne Backpackers Resorts four 4 days. Another $ 6 per night, with a perfect beach view and sun lounges. Took a half day tour on my second day for only $ 8 to White and Red sand dunes, fairy stream and fisherman’s village, then the rest I didn’t do anything but relaxing on the beach, you know – the joy of laziness.

Mui Ne Backpackers Resort in Mui Ne.

$6 per night in dorm rooms at Mui Ne Backpackers Resort with a perfect beach view and my fave sun lounges.

Speaking about transportation, I walked everywhere in Ho Chi Minh, Pnom Penh, Siem Reap and Mui Ne. Enjoy walking and taking my times trying new food, taking pictures, talk to local people. But of course if you’re too lazy to walk, take tuk tuk to show you around Siem Reap and Pnom Penh. Meanwhile for food, Vietnam and Cambodia have many western restaurants with different range of price, or if you’re kind of people who loves traveling for culinary / local food, of course they’re much cheaper than the western one. Do not missed the the happy hours( 3pm to 9pm ) in Pnom Penh, all the drinks costs $1 - $2. Sitting in a café or rooftop bar, either read books or do people-watching while sipping your cheap cocktails or beers, oh heaven !!

$ 3 breakkie at Pnom Penh before catching my 8 am bus to Siem Reap.

$1.50 Mekong Mud ( mix of kahlua, baileys, cocoa powder, tastes like White Russian )

Sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne

Budgets in Cambodia & Vietnam

Hope the info helps you to plan your trip. Feel free to leave any comments or email me if you have questions.