Thinh Pham

Category: Blog

  • How To Travel From Hua Hin To Bangkok By Bus, Train, Car And Plane

    How To Travel From Hua Hin To Bangkok By Bus, Train, Car And Plane

    For the trip to Hua Hin to be fulfilled and comfortable, all the travelers should know clearly how to travel from Hua Hin to Bangkok (or from Bangkok to Hua Hin) to save some traveling costs or time. Here are some tips you can all refer to.  

    The distance between Bangkok and Hua Hin is about 90 miles. To move from Hua Hin to Bangkok and backward, you get numerous choices of means such as by bus, by taxi, by train or by plane. But you must be wondering which is the best and the most suitable choice for your trip?

     Credited: kiwitaxi

    1. By bus/minibus

    Buses are the least expensive means that can help you save money a lot as well as get to the destination a little more quickly. Everyday, there are several bus tours between every hour or 30 minutes at least.

    Buses is mainly divided into 2 kinds: air-conditioned ones and non air-conditioned ones.  Traveling by bus often takes 3-4 hours or a little more moving from Hua Hin to Bangkok or backwards. Some popular bus companies includes Tara Tour Travel, Bell Travel… The price is really cheap with only 5-10$ per person so if you still don’t know how to travel from Hua Hin to Bangkok, bus is right on the top of your list.

    2. By train

    Not only a historical place, Hua Hin station is also where trains arrive and depart every day. There are some trains leaving for Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue station in Bangkok on a regular basis. But it takes quite much time (about 4 hours if using express train) to reach the destination.

    The fare for ordinary trains is divided into 3 different classes ranging from first-class ticket costing 202 baht to third-class ticket costing to only 44 baht. If you want air-conditioned seats, it will take a little bit more, up to 1522 baht (only if you go alone and pay for the whole room). However, you should consider your financial ability to make sure your trip is still in budget.

    As to third-class tickets, you don’t have to book in advance and you can buy them right at the station. Travelers should also keep in mind that you need to check prices, schedules thoroughly before departing.

    One more thing special bout taking trains is that you can see various exquisite, vivid landscapes like mountains, rivers, rice fields, temples…along the way. That can make your trip somehow more exciting and memorable.

    3. By van/minivan

    Instead of bus, van or minivan will be ideal choice if you want a fast and economical means of transportation. The costs is not much as you think, only approximately from 140-200 baht.

    Vans usually depart from several bus stations so you can easily find them there. It takes about 3 hours using this means and reaching the final destination. There are also many van companies for you to choose such as Nor Neane, Malee, Glassflower… and all vans are equipped with wifi, air-conditioners, comfy seats… For those getting confused of how to travel from Hua Hin to Bangkok on a budget, use this means right away!

    4. By plane

    Although both cities have airports, there’re not many commercial flights between two places. It’s recommended to take charter flight instead but remember that it will cost much money than you think (up to 2200 baht for an hour flight). But if your trip is really short and you can afford to use this transportation, you can make it a choice.

    5. By taxi

    Taxi is also a fast option if you want to move between two cities. You can find taxi services anywhere in Bangkok and Hua Hin. It takes about 3 hours moving and the price is quite higher than some means above. One thing you should remember is that you and taxi driver have to agree on prices before departing.

    6. By car

    If you have driving license, it will be a tough but interesting challenge to move from Hua Hin to Bangkok by car.  About how to travel from Hua Hin to Bangkok or backward, there’re two trails you can take:

    The first one starts from Thonburi-Paktho road, passing Samut Songkhram, taking Petchkasaem highway and then heading to Prachuab Khirikhan.

    For the second one, you move to Phuttamonthon route and go straight to Prachuab Khrikhan, passing through Nakhon Pathom, Petchaburi and Ratchaburi. This track is rather longer and takes more than 4 hours to reach the final destination.

    To move from Hua Hin to Bangkok, you just take these routes and go backward.

    7. By ferry

    From Bangkok, you can travel to Pattaya and try to get to Hua Hin from there by ferry. The trip takes about 2 hours but it’s really fun if you want to see some other interesting edges of Thailand along the way.

    Now, you all may know how to travel from Hua Hin to Bangkok, right? If you’re planning your trip to Hua Hin, don’t forget to use this information when calculating the total costs and pick the right, suitable means for your itinerary! Good luck and have a nice trip!

     – Darejourney team – 

  • Road Trip By Dream: What Does Love Mean To Us?

    Road Trip By Dream: What Does Love Mean To Us?

    There is a road trip to remember, there is a road trip we never forget, like Road Trip by Dream.

    Dream’s road trip story

    For most of you, Dream is a strange guy. For Minecraft video game fans, he is some of the most favorite Youtuber, primarily well-known for his viral Minecraft videos. The American content creator (his real name is Clay by the way) owns a super hot youtube channel “Dream”, which has attracted 23.7 million subscribers so far. That’s a BIG number if you’re familiar with Youtube, and this year, he launched another channel, “Dream Music.” And guess what? “Roadtrip” is his debut single. Listen now and enjoy yourself!

    It is such a surprise when a hardcore Youtuber of the best-selling video game series of all time turns his head to music realm. And his first ever inspiration happened to be a 20-hour road trip from Florida to the East Coast to visit a girlfriend during his teenage years. Now, whenever he travels on that interstate, it “is paved with memories” of traveling to see his former love.

    But Dream didn’t reveal his story alone. PmBata, a rapper and songwriter from Kansas City, also joins Dream on the track, but his feeling is absolutely in contrast. He recounts a 20-hour journey in his old Ford to visit an ex too, but the relationship became toxic in his case, mentioned in the lyrics “across the Midwest, thinking, ‘What for?’”

    Modern beats on classic affairs

    The beat of this song is crazy, ear-catchy and pleasant to hear. I also highly recommend playing it during a road trip, when you are in a van, driving at dawn or sunset, and see the skyline glowing slowly up or down. It’s such a beautiful and vibrant moment to immerse ourselves into, and be reminiscent of our love in teenagehood. How eager, keen and enthusiastic we were for love relentlessly.

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    The road we were rolling on then becomes a piece in mind that triggers the memories, both sweet and bitter, to come, like an old film and we are now just spectators. I’m kinda sure that for most of us, there is always a road trip to remember. A solo road trip like my motorbike ride in Sapa, Vietnam a couple of years ago. A road trip we did with our dear buddies and loves (I still remember vividly a road trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang with my travel buddies). A road trip that marked the end of such a long relationship. A road trip in tears when we tried to forget the one we couldn’t forget though, like a night road trip I did with a friend of mine to Vung Tau long time ago. And the roads somehow carved those memories in our naive mind, long for triggering chances.

    I love traveling after all, as most of the meaningful moments in my life happened on road trips during my twenty-something. And I feel the same feeling as Dream did when he put down words for lyrics. Dream could have written on his other stories and experiences, but eventually Dream’s decision was a memorable road trip in his teenagehood, and that makes it beautiful for a debut.

    Dream and PmBata each wrote their own verses, while the Dutch beatmaker Banrisk and frequent PmBata collaborator Perish Beats produced the track, which now receives positive responses from enthusiastic fans all over the world. The below is lyrics, if you’d like to save and sing along on your own road trip.

    Road Trip by Dream Lyrics

    Secure the bag, know what I’m sayin’?

    Banrisk on the beat

    Ayo, Perish, this sh- hot, boy

    People change like the tides in the ocean

    At least I think or am I dead wrong?

    Foot on the brake, at the light I don’t notice

    I sit and wait until the next song

    20 hours in an old van

    Up the east coast, through the cold wind

    Drove 20 hours by the ocean

    Up the east coast, what a road trip

    Now that interstate is paved with memories

    Of a past life I lived when I was 18

    And evеry winter, I think back to what we used to bе

    In that past life we lived at 18

    Uh, I reminisce about a past life

    Things change, I get it, ’cause nothing lasts right?

    Yeah, and I was thinking ’bout her last night

    Scrolling through our memories, debating ’bout our last times

    Ay, for a minute, we was cool

    Then we flew just a lil’ too close to the sun

    Now we finished, now we through

    Guess we knew one day we would have to grow up

    20 hours in an old Ford

    Across the Midwest, thinking, what for?

    Drove 20 hours, but it’s hopeless

    Across the Midwest, what a road trip

    Now that interstate is paved with memories

    Of a past life I lived when I was 18

    And every winter, I think back to what we used to be

    In that past life we lived at 18…

  • 21 Marvelous Benefits of Becoming A Digital Nomad

    21 Marvelous Benefits of Becoming A Digital Nomad

    The era of digital nomad is coming. Stay sharp!

    How does Covid pandemic change our life? I don’t know exactly how billions of people are impacted by the worldwide disease, but it changes COMPLETELY the way we live. The new waves of Covid come one after one, and all experts sadly admit: we have to live with it like seasonal flu, and it soon becomes a part of human history.

    For now, it’s a massive pandemic, it strikes us hard, but like most of the pivotal events in our life, it forces us to sit down and think about what’s our most priority in our lifetime and pursue it right here and right now. Why? We don’t know when covid calls our name (yup, who knows), whether it hits us deadly, or at least a long long lockdown in hospital then longer quarantine when we’re better. So the only thing we can do best now, is to follow our heart, not to be saying sorry later.

    Some now spend more time with family, while the others choose to go after their ultimate dream: become location independent workers and travel around the country (or world). Is it possible? Yes, many people have done it. Is it hard? Super hard but not like becoming a superman. Good news: Some travelers indeed generate enough money to pay the bills on the road, myself included, though, to be honest, it’s kinda rough.

    And like other businesses, becoming a successful digital nomad takes time and serious investment, say your valuable time and efforts of learning new skills, to take off at a certain level that enables you to harvest the fruits of labor eventually.

    So what is a digital nomad? According to Wikipedia, Digital nomads are “people who use telecommunications technologies to earn a living and conduct their life in a nomadic manner. Such workers often work remotely from foreign countries, coffee shops, public libraries, co-working spaces, or recreational vehicles.“

    Before we start to build that lifestyle, let’s dig into the essence of the matter: why should we become a digital nomad.

    1. No more 9-5 (plus Monday blue)

    This is the very first perk that you will see immediately, after you bravely quit the jobs, office jobs that lock you in stuffy cubicles, now you can take a rest on the weekend and no more blue monday, ever. It would be a bit empty of your feelings. It’s “job lag” and everything will be alright then. Just forget about your previous life, no more 9-5. Your schedule is all set by yourself. Wanna take a scuba dive or trail hike during the day and work at caffeine-fueled night with a cup of coffee? Just do it. It’s your life, and you are at the helm of every minute of the day. Control it well. And the next Mondays are brighter and brighter.

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    2. Choose your own uniform

    Yes, your own uniform, because no one would require you to dress in a suit, tie and trousers like in the office or … a mascot on the street. Actually, you still need to dress up a bit when you are on a video call session with a client, but free yourself from the burden of dress code for most of the time. The digital nomad lifestyle also enables me to practice minimalism on a daily basis, buy less but essential outfits, which also follow my own style, on the way I love. In tropical regions, I prefer patterned short-sleeve shirts well matched with capris and shorts. It feels truly comfortable, every single day.

    3. Save your creativity

    Doing daily jobs, day by day, over and over, is the best way to kill creativity. Truth be told, most sedentary workers are feeling “stuck” at the end of the day. Becoming a digital nomad will be the ultimate salvation, and it’s true. Say, you will be working with a wide array of new clients and complete new various tasks. In fact, start-ups and small businesses may be your very first clients and their crazy ideas will be blowing your mind. But I warn you that the dawn of your digital nomad era will be highly chaotic, but it is such a crucial test to our flexibility and creativity. You got the picture.

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    4. Working by the beach or in a coffee shop?

    One of the best perks of becoming a digital nomad in 2021 is the reality of location independent. Not locked in the cubicles, now you can choose the best place to boost your mood and creativity and performance. It may be on an airy balcony of a romantic coffee shop in the countryside or a tropical beach lounge with a beautiful sea view. But keep in mind that, you still have to work efficiently to complete all the tasks, get jobs done and earn income. At the beginning, I prefer instagrammable locations as I thought they would improve mood and efficiency, then I felt there were so many matters distracting my flow of thought, so I prefer quiet places, even in hostel lounges when everyone’s out exploring, and entirely focus on the jobs. Finishing them quickly, and enjoying a cocktail at the end of the day is much better than doing both at the same time – At least, it works fine to me. Words of wisdom: You have to recognize the pattern of working to get the best of both worlds, working – traveling, at perfect balance to stay longer on the road.

    5. Goodbye to commuting

    Well, I have saved at least 2 hours per day of my life so far as I work from home during covid. It is the fact of becoming a digital nomad in 2021, too. You don’t have to drive/ride home – office back and forth every working day, as you mostly work at your chosen offices, like cafe, lounge, hotel room and your room at home, to name a few, as long as you get the jobs done by the deadline. Take that 2 hour per day to build up your lifestyle, you may admire the sunrise and the good mood at the beginning of the day, practise yoga, swim in the sea, and not be stuck in a boring drive from home to the office.

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    6. Long long leisure time

    When we’re trapped in cubicles with a task-and-deadline circle, there’s little time for daily leisure. We start the day with roasted sandwiches and hot dogs (instant noodle is prefered in some countries too), then we commute to the office in time. Checked! Try to be a real busy staff member as best as we can, then go home late with tiredness spreading throughout the body. Weekend comes and we try to go around for a while, just to rush back to welcome a blue monday. It’s a rat race but we are not rats actually, we are human, and we deserve a better life. A life to breathe in fresh air and eyes open to admire nature. A digital nomad still has to work, but they can arrange at their own pace to enjoy more leisure time.

    7. It’s stressful, but in a positive way

    Is there stress when becoming a digital nomad? Yes, it is, due to the uncertainty of the nomad lifestyle. Most travelers work as freelancers for temporary projects and start-ups, until they build up a successful business like respected travel bloggers, hostel owners or adventure tour operators. They may not know how the income fluctuates month by month, not a steady stream of money so say a “digital nomad salary“, it depends on projects. Digital nomads frequently move around when visas expire, and getting acquantainced to the new destination may be stressful to somebody. But in contrast, it’s kinda boring when you have nothing to deal with on a daily basis, besides paying visits to points of interests or hang-out with other guys. So a certain level of stress is also essential to have a good experience on the road, and trust me, it’s not like the stress you face on a 9-5 lifestyle or paying the monthly bills in an expensive metropolis. It’s the stress of freedom.

    8. More time for yourself

    What I love most when becoming a digital nomad is having more free time for myself, to start a clear thought about who I am, what I truly love, what kind of careers to follow in so many years instead of short-term jobs not ever igniting a flame in my soul. I have more time to digest the books in my backpack, watch inspirational travel movies, to consider get some best travel tattoos, to write about my journey on this blog – my little nest in cyberworld and to enjoy a cup of coffee in a slow morning, and to spend more time on the favourite destinations in my solo travel bucket list.

    9. Immerse in new cultures

    Digital nomads frequently drift to different regions and countries during the expedition and encounter the new cultures from time to time. Not all of them are sweet, as the culture shocks still happen here and there, but after all, they are all new and feed our curiosity well. I admired the openness to LGBT in Thai society when my country Vietnam was still reversed with the local community many years ago. I love the way Laotians practice a slow-living lifestyle and nature-friendly manner, the Hindu religious activities in Malaysia, or Catholic cathedral and religious-related during my walk across Intra Muros in Philippines, the first time I felt scary but also excited at the Black Nazarene parade on my first day in the Manila, while working on laptop from the hostel’s lounge. Or a calmness rising inside my soul when I was in the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque at the heart of the Brunei long-named capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The scenery may be same same but the cultures make it different!

    10. Becoming a digital nomad boosts your skill

    Becoming a digital nomad means a hard-working life, as you will work not only remotely but also independently. I started as a freelance writer – a “pen for rent” job. I was self-employed and under no line manager. I had to seek clients via my networks, pitch the creative portfolio, then build myself professional skills to meet the criteria and deadline, take feedback positively and move on. The way you look at digital nomads relaxed posing on their laptop outside is different from inside. But at the end of the day, it’s worth working like that to be independent and flexible. I chose that lifestyle, no matter what it costs. And the price? I gain more digital nomad skills like team-management, time-management, pitching, problem-solving, etc. because most of the time, I learn and work on my own, out of my comfort zone and grow up over time.

    11. Start your own business

    With digital nomad skills, world-traveling workers can actually build their own business and earn mainstream flows of income. Not a few travelers now try to build a sustainable blog or vlog in hope that it will help them pay the bills on the road one day. The cake is still enormous enough for dreamers who persistently advance the business to monetizable scale. If you are a designer, it’s a chance to establish a design firm, hire freelancers and build up a reputation cyberworld-wide to earn money for traveling. The same model can be applied for marketing consultants, translators, language tutors, etc. A business helps you have more financial sustainability when coming back home. A popular balanced work-life living now is to spend constant 3 – 6 months in digital nomad bases like HCMc or Bali for business and travel for the rest of the time.

    12. Eat – Pray – Love

    Becoming a digital nomad enables us to travel long-term far away from home and explore myriads of experience we’ve never ever been to. One of my favorite journey is to do food tours in a new town, visit local wet markets and try cuisine in a bistro. New foods always make me a happy, just like little kids putting all things in their mouth to explore the world around, we adult eat to know. The lifestyle also allow people to well-known religious countries like India, China, Iran or Israel to dig into the very deep wells of the popular religions in the world. And the value of love in our life: digital nomads drifts here and there everytime and only great love makes them compromise the lifestyle.

    13. Spend less

    It may sound ridiculous but traveling on a budget with a minimalist-oriented mind requires less money than living out of home with office jobs in terms of daily cost. In fact, staying in suburbs is cheaper than in downtowns and daily expenses in third-world countries are often less than first-world nations. Digital nomad lifestyle enables people to take advantage of that unbalanced scale while enjoying the change of scenery during their journeys. Just find one or two favorite cheap countries to travel to and enjoy the low-cost living there. Vietnam and Thailand are often among the most popular destinations for budget travelers, in case you start typing on search engines for a clue now.

    14. Earn more

    Yeah, this is a surprising result of the digital nomad lifestyle when you actually build a sustainable business when traveling. Imagine you work for clients from rich countries to earn so-called “digital nomad salary” then only spend a few bucks living in affordable countries and cities. That’s why more and more Western workers now strive to build an independent business, travel the world, set based on a digital nomad paradise and get rid of stressful monthly utility bills at homeland. Sounds unreal, but it’s true.

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    15. Making new friends

    Friends on the road, I miss them so much and still get in touch with some via social media. Working as a digital nomad, some of the clients may eventually turn into lovely friends, other typing-and-clicking guys at the coworking space could be your partners by chance too. Friendships in the digital nomad world like kaleidoscope experience, making new friends in the working space as well as on the road is such a compelling reason to pursue this lifestyle. While working on the laptop during the ride with my travel buddy in Laos, I met enthusiastic cyclists on uphill and downhill passages across the mountainous country. Jobs were done and I walked around Kota Kinabalu with a young local boy who ran a bakery at the airport. They all paint vivid colors in my life.

    16. Bonding in the relationship

    I used to ignore all the opinions and worries from family members on my uncertain digital nomad. But a life-changing moment happened when I was alone in Brunei capital, living on the tightest budget ever due to the pickpocket accidents in Manila a couple of days before: I missed my home pretty much, wondered why I should travel to eventually get stuck in that miserable situation and whole-heartedly yearned for the return. After that, I didn’t quit traveling, LoL. But I have been spending more time talking with families and friends while I’m on the road. I share more empathetic feelings with beloved people that form a strong bond in my relationship.

    17. Enrich the experience beyond the boundary

    Too much discussion on how to earn money with a digital nomad lifestyle and we forget about one thing: to enrich the experience and living out of the laptop enables people to do volunteer work too. Between commercial projects, digital nomads are long-term travelers and applying for missions to save environments, wildlife and aid local communities is a good aspect of this living after all, not in home country but other continents that digital nomad travel to.

    18. Self-learning accelebration

    Working as a digital nomad is a self-learning journey, especially when you have no background on digital nomad jobs that are conveniently digitalizable. Let’s become proactive and start learning whatever is essential for the lifestyle to take off. Focus on your core skills and try to pitch them online to attract potential clients. Read more books and surf more websites to sharpen the valuable digital nomad skills as well as interesting knowledge about the upcoming destinations to visit. Living as a digital nomad often pushes eager individuals beyond their limit more quickly than leading a sedentary lifestyle.

    19. Learning new languages

    I live in Vietnam, a country dominated by one single language – mother tongue Vietnamese. Most students “learn English for a better future” (most language centers say so), but only a small percentage could actually use the language fluently enough in the workplace. We lack a ground for playing with foreign languages. Things change when I become a digital nomad and start traveling. As I’m forced to communicate with the locals, firstly by English in big cities then native language when traveling to more remote regions, I get adapted quickly. Learning the local language then turns into a hobby on the road. I know that if I can speak around 20 words & phrases in basic greetings, numbers and “yes-no”, the experience becomes more interesting: the local surprises when hearing foreigners saying their language and I feel more connected to them too. And if we stay longer in a country, even score a temporary job there, or frequently have a seat in coworking space, we have more time to absorb the new language, which is a part of the indigenous culture.

    20. Joining the future workforce

    Sounds cliche and sci-fi themed right? But there’s a best-kept secret in work from home era that people don’t tell you: they work from everywhere providing good internet and low-cost living. There are estimations, which assume that by 2035 there will be 1 billion digital nomads on this planet, just more than a decade from now. Freedom of work-life balance in the experience-oriented era is so irresistible that more and more workers demand remote jobs to fulfill their lives.

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    21. The world at your doorstep

    Last but foremost, the ultimate reason to become a digital nomad in 2021 is to see the world in the limited time of human lifespan. Air travel costs a fortune, and for a standard 9-5 worker (it’s 9-9-6 in China, which means 9AM-9PM, 6 days a week), several days of annual leave plus national holidays only suffice to pay a brief visit to one or two countries, several touristy destinations and worse, in peak season of travel. A digital nomad may choose the best time to travel to the countries in their wishlist. And that should guarantee the best travel experience. But it is just one of the perks of travel as a digital nomad. Look above for the other and you see a huge “why not” to live this lifestyle.

  • Best Hua Hin Itinerary For 4-Day Trip

    Best Hua Hin Itinerary For 4-Day Trip

    Are you looking to visiting Hua Hin in your 4-day trip? It’s quite difficult to discover it all but Hua Hin is a really great destination for any traveler. Here below are best Hua Hin itinerary recommended for your information.

    Hua Hin is a famous tourism spot in Thailand. It’s not so large but owns a lot of landscapes, historical places, sea activities, food, traditions… that it must take very much time to see it all.  Therefore, if you concentrate on this itinerary  below, your trip will be fulfilled somehow.  

    Hua Hin is a beach town lying to the south of Thailand with tons of things that definitely surprise you at once. Not only sandy beaches, Hua Hin also has a plenty of shopping sites, caves, palaces, pagodas and temples,  parks… Watersports, food tours, massages are additionally experiences you shouldn’t forget to try when in Hua Hin.  

    Moreover, from Hua Hin, you can easily approach a great numbers of tourism spots by taxi/bus/motorbike. If you only move from places to places within town, taxi  and tuk tuk will be perfect choices.

    Day 1

    There’s many means to move from Bangkok to Hua Hin (if you travel to Bangkok by plane). 3 main ways includes: bus/minibus, train and taxi. To catch a bus or train, you should go to Victory Monument Sky train station. And taxi can be found everywhere in Bangkok.

    Tourism in Hua Hin has recently received a lot of of investments and popularity so there’s quite a lot of hotels, motels, resorts here. To choose the best accommodation, you can look it up on the Internet and find what’s more suitable for you.

    On the first day of this best Hua Hin itinerary, you should spend time visiting the northern region of Hua Hin.  Several attractions can be found here, such as Swiss sheep farm, Maruekataywan palace, FN factory outlet, Cha Arm beach and surroundings. If you’re a shopaholic, Plearnwan village, The Venezia will be the place where you can buy something along with enjoying their amusing atmosphere.

    Around this site, it’s not hard to seek a restaurant or drop by  a small night market for tasting local food.

    Day 2

    If waking up early, you can watch sunrises at Hua Hin beach. This is also one of the most exquisite beaches in Hua Hin. After breakfast, you should move to Khao Sam Roi Yot national park to see how nature grants this place with such beautiful landscapes, distinctive creatures and a whole lot of mysteries to discover.

    Famous Phraya Nakhon cave is also here in this park. This cave is the place that has been the inspiration for many generations of Thai King. The only thing that annoys much is some mindless travelers left their signatures on the wall. The cave is not dark as you think, it lets light pass through a semi-open roof on the top. To reach here, it must take many hours hiking over hills. Or else, you can take a boat with 400 baht for a round-trip ticket.  And it will take you less time than hiking.  

    When you get back from there, you must drop by Hua Hin railway station and take a little walk around the town.  For the dinner, you should go to Hua Hin night market or some smaller night market such as Cicada, Chatsila, Chat Chai,  Grand night markets to enjoy best dishes of Hua Hin.

    Day 3

    On this third day of this best Hua Hin itinerary, you should travel to the northern region of Hua Hin where Phetchaburi province is located to visit Khao Luang cave which owns hundreds of amazing Buddha statues. In the cave, you can find a lot of impressive stalactites from all sides.  

    After leaving the cave, take a short ride and go visiting  a historical park named Phra Nakon Khiri. King Rama IV constructed his palace on the top of this hill. Nowadays, it has become a famous museum which displays numerous old remembrances and the Thai royalties’ ways of living still lingers here.

    For dinner, you can go to night market or try some restaurants in resorts, hotels in town for a change of air. You can’t help but definitely falling into its food quality’s temptation.

    Day 4

    Before getting back to Bangkok, remember to visit Plearnwan village or The Venezea to buy some stuffs to present your family, your friends, colleagues…  

    If you have enough time, you can try to explore the west of Hua Hin. There’s ton of things you must see such as Mongkol temple, Baan Sillapin, Black Mountain water park, Hua Hin Hills vineyards Khao Hin Lek Fei viewpoint, Pala-u waterfall…

  • Mondulkiri Photography tips: The pine hill

    Mondulkiri Photography tips: The pine hill

    Photography is one of the reasons why people love travel.

    It is admittedly that people have to pay a chunk of money to travel to a incredible destination, why don’t they have a stunning album to show off to boast our journeys?

    However, most of us are amateur shooters and photographs are just for beautiful memories, the landscape is picturesque but through our lens, it looks so ordinary, not as subtle as ones captured by professional travel photographers.

    This post won’t turn you into a super photographer overnight, but possibly improve your shooting skill.

    The shooting field location is not included so that you will focus on how to shoot perfectly instead of “Could you please tell me where it is?”, which is not the purpose of the post. 

    Here we go !

    The trunk

    The models are my companions on the trip and we had a wonderful shooting time with every amazing poses. 

    As you can see, we set up by a big old trunk playing as a background. 

    The first tip is to find a contrast background so that it will color the photograph naturally, highlight the models and reduce hard-working effort in post-process stage.

    We chose the trunk due the high contrast compared to the verdant vegetation behind, so people will be easier to recognize the subject. 

    Then, the color of the costume should be (again) make some contrast. Black and white is never old-fashioned but if you’d go for some vibrant color choices, stay contrasted (red-green, yellow-violet, orange-blue,…) and no one could ignore you.

    Also, stock some poses to use at once instead of waiting for posing advices from the photographers (sometimes, our friends or companions, who are not talented at composition and photography in general).

    The grass

    The brownish grass field is good case for playing color contrastly.

    The black fits perfectly for most case while the reddish orange scarf is a good partner featuring the model and also, contributing to the contrast range including green grass background.

    There is a trick to wear sunglasses due to the fact that your eyes look slightly closed to prevent the sunshine. So even the model face the sky, she boasted very air of confidence. 

    The hill

    Another reason why you should bring along a scarf (I suggest 2 contrast colors, blue on for warm-colored background and red/ orange for cool-colored landscape) is to visualize the wind. 

    Yes, we can not see the wind, but with a scarf, wind become our ally: He bring us a sense of freedom in the photograph, which is all travelers look for.

    With scarf, we have more options for posing ideas.

    The view by the hill

    Last but not least, don’t forget to take some unmanned photos. Sometimes we just love to enjoy a clear vista while sipping a cup of tea recollecting a time when we are young and wild. 

  • Wild food you should try once in Central highland

    Wild food you should try once in Central highland

    Food is a great way to explore a country culture.

    So I bet you might find it adventurous trying this food.

    But it is worthy, maybe you would love it or hate it, but a lifetime moment tasting something new, right?

    Ok, let’s try these typical food when in Central highland of Vietnam.

    1. DRIED-BEEF (Bò một nặng)

    It cost me 14$ for 0.5 kg of the special dried beef.

    I will explain a little bit why it should be in your checklist. We usually enjoy smoked bacon, a kinda pork put in salt and smoke but this one require a special marinade including garlic, onion, lemongrass, chilli along with salt, sugar,seasoning and chilli paste, well-mixed then massaging the beef with the mixture then getting it dried under scorching sun within 9 hour and done! When you have a picnic, put the cut on red charcoal grill and tear it apart with your bare hand (recommended) or chop into pieces.

    2. ANT SALT (muối kiến vàng)

    The next might be weird on your judge but the taste is awesome, trust me, this salty mixture, a good “friend” of the above beef cut, is made of ants, and these tiny creatures taste sour and smell so unique that I bet you would never taste anything similar before (otherwise, tell me what it is).

    3. Tube/stem wine

    If you are in France or California, I would suggest a red wine, but in Central highland of Vietnam, tube/stem wine is a must.

    Originally, the highland people collect special leaves to create a particular enzyme to produce a wine that the local people would prefer using a tube (or a long straw) to enjoy. And when it runs out, just pouring drinkable water and “happy together” again.

    So all you need to do is to tear a bit of beef cut, dip it into the ant mixture, chewing the beautiful taste and drink off a tube wine. That makes an amazing highland night, no doubt!

    To reveal where the best place to get a cut, it is Gia Lai specialty.

    Ask the host for “bò một nắng” when you are in the region and share your experience, how taste it is.

  • Highway 27: From Coffee Capital to Land of Flower

    Highway 27: From Coffee Capital to Land of Flower

    Central Highland of Vietnam is house to spectacular ranges of mountain and lakes. Among the best route, highway 27, connecting Buon Ma Thuot and Da Lat, features Chu Yang Sin mount, Lak lake with a secluded resort, Buon Tua Srah lake as reservoir for a hydro dam and a beautiful look out from a pass in Phi Lieng that you will never forget.

    The very first scenery that made me stop by was a countryside road surrounded by paddy field but on top of that, the line of tree topped with white blossom gave me a sense of spring and far away, the mountain range played a perfect background for all.

    Turn my head left and I saw ox wandering on fields of green and yellow while the sky was crystal clear painted by gorgeously deep blue. The red figure to the left was an old lady tending grazing cattles.

    Lak lake locates just by a town center but when I passed by, it seemed people heavily partied that I saw few ones. It looked like an abandoned town at that time (Tet holiday).

    When I mostly reached Nam Ka Reserve, the landscape turned more mountainous separated by small rivers bending as snakes. The outlook was so beautiful!

    Along with evergreen mountains, the slope was sometimes occupied by plantations of coffee or other industrial trees, so the landscape looks more artificial.

    And when I enjoyed these views, it took my breath away immediately! How nice it was, the river branched from Buon Tua Srah, with plantation hills touch the water, as heaven on earth.

    The Boun Tua Srah was ahead, welcoming, promising to explore!

    And there I was, a massive lake where a person can see far away though skyline is hidden by mountain ranges. It is simply a majestic view.

    I rode though various passes in Dam Rong, before got stop by this nicest sunset ever in my highland experience, everything was perfect: landscape, the pass, the lake and the timing.

    Last but not least, highway 27 road condition diverses among dust, potholes and even trucks, so remember to pack up with good helmet, mask cover and hold your hand tight as sometimes it turns off road significantly.

  • Best beaches to visit in Phu Quoc island

    Best beaches to visit in Phu Quoc island

    On my journey to every provinces in Vietnam, I was surprisingly stunned by gorgeously best beaches in Phu Quoc. I do enjoy vitamin-sea, and the beaches in the ‘Pearl’ island are just wonderful.

    Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Phu Quoc features serene resorts well suited to relax, have fun with family, and experience aquatic adventure. But on the other side, the island also welcomes solo travelers with its natural solitude to immerse into. In this post, we’ll look at some of the best beaches in Phu Quoc.

    Ganh Dau beach (Gành Dầu)

    On the northwest-most point of the island, Ganh Dau is a little serene corner of flour-white sand fringed by the line of coconut. Water is still and shallow, with a cluster of wooden fishing boats anchored offshore. Interestingly, You can even see the several Cambodian islands just a few kilometers away with its blue silhouettes turning fantasies when sun rises and sets. It was exactly what I enjoyed with my travel buddy years ago. We two lay on an ancient coral rock, cheered with cans of beer, some peanut packs and watched the sun disappearing gradually into the skyline. In fact, Ganh Dau is named for the entire northwestern cape, consisting of the picturesque fishing fleet by the calm harbour, next to a bustling fishing town with an active market, local life and, of course, street food. That’s why Ganh Dau is one of my best beaches in Phu Quoc without any doubts.

    Ham Ninh fishing village

    Once a thriving port, Ham Ninh now features fresh seafood and serene landscape. In fact, Ham Ninh doesn’t really have a beach, instead, a cluster of dwellings made out of concrete & corrugated-iron and surrounding a small river mouth, where a long pier reaches into the sea. Nowadays, boats no longer dock here, that pier turns into a seafood-market-cum-outdoor-restaurant. As home to informal eateries and street food stalls, it is particularly popular with budget travelers, who always seek the best and freshest seafood with reasonable price. The pier is definitely an ideal spot for sunset seafood dining.

    Duong Dong town & harbour

    In the middle of the western coast, the sprawling town is a busy, hustling place where you possibly explore specialty food like “bún khèn” without effort. On the harbour anchors the fleet of wooden tour boats while a new narrow pier stretches to the sea to welcome gigantic cruise ships. There is a beach next to Dinh Cau temple, which is perfect for travelers to sunbathe and watch boats moving back and forth, especially at sunset. It is noted that the beach is littered and crowded on golden hours. The nightlife is also a “specialty” of Duong Dong town with a night market consisting of street food vendors and informal food stalls (Rolled ice-cream and flavoured peanut). During the day, you would probably like to visit the ornate Cao Dai temple which is just a stone’s throw away from the night market.

    Long beach (Bãi Trường)

    Stretching for almost 20km along the southwestern coast of Phu Quoc, Long Beach features yellow sand backed with rows of coconut along. Long beach is home to some of the most high-end resorts like InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach (I had a chance to experience in 2019, the beach is ultimately one of the best destinations for sunset, especially viewpoint from the highest bar of Phu Quoc – Ink360), as well as other pampering properties of colossuses like Novotel, Hyatt, etc. Despite the increasing development in construction, you still find serene facets when riding off the main road to the beachward to access some nice swimming spots and enjoy lifestyle bars like Golden Sand Bar, Shri Bar and Sunset Sanato Beach Club,to name a few!

    Khem beach (Bãi Khem)

    It was my first ever trip to Phu Quoc in 2016 that I had a chance to glance at Khem beach at its purest nature along with a few food shacks for the public access. At dawn, you can even buy the freshest seafood from the fishing boats at a very reasonable price. Now, the beach is home to some of the most luxurious resorts on the island like JW Marriott Emerald Bay and Premier Residences that I visited during a fam trip at the end of 2018. I was particularly impressed by the luxury property of Marriott, whose concept is based on the idea of a fictional university “La Marck”. The slender concrete road leads, along a steep and jungled hillside by the sea, to Ong Doi Cape on which upscale property of Premier Village managed by AccorHotels locates. The secluded area features white villas, including some top-ends even built on stilts over the rocky bay and sandy coves. This place is a wonderland to stay, if you can afford the rate!

    Sao beach (Bãi Sao)

    Distinctive turquoise water, a long and attractive stretch of white sand as ice-cream with arcing coconut trees, Sao Beach is one of the best beaches in Phu Quoc and it is accessible to the public. To visit Sao beach at its best, here is the plan: Wake up early at dawn, take a ride to the beach, watch sunrise here, stroll along the stunning sandy bay then you can enjoy a lazy morning with delicious breakfast and fresh coconut before flocks of tourists occupy the beach.

    Dam Beach (Bãi Dăm)

    Accessed via a scenic concrete road, Bai Dam is a wide bay of jungle by the sea. The most popular attraction here is Ho Quoc Pagoda with the colossal statue of Goddess of Mercy (Quan Âm) and a cluster of shrines, sculptures of Buddism deities and staircases. This is where you enjoy the calm of surroundings, do religious practice or just find your inner voice while observing the beautiful landscape. The religious complex looks over the serene bay with a lapping sea, making it a worldwide excursion.

    Dai Beach (Bãi Dài)

    With the long stretch of fine sand and turquoise water, Dai Beach is now occupied by luxurious integrated resorts like Vinpearl, where you will indulge in experiences in recreation park, play with friends in waterpark, try some golf game at green courses, safari, try finding your luck with gambles in casino and stay overnight in glamour villas. This is definitely a place for leisure fans!

  • Best Camping Site in Ho Coc, Vietnam

    Best Camping Site in Ho Coc, Vietnam

    A fantastic spot for weekend camping (and selfies)!

    For a long time, Ho Coc is famous for its picturesque coastal road with beautiful sea and beach resorts as well as local restaurants hidden inside casuarina forest in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

     Sunrise in Ho Coc beach

    Half a decade ago, the route was still a sleeping beauty, pristine and secluded. Years later, the construction of coastal resorts began to develop, awakening the “lady”. The earliest five-star resort was The Grand Ho Tram Strip, along with its brother Ho Tram Bluff golf course. They were striking landmarks standing alone by the massive beach that ignited the dream for a luxury holiday at that time (My dream came true 5 years later in a Fam Trip in the role of an editor working for a luxury magazine).

     Far far away is The Grand Ho Tram resort

    Time flew by and most of the constructions were suspended, leaving behind a coastal landscape full of abandoned areas with long lines of fence and wall and “unauthorized person is not allowed here” signs.

     The restaurant-cum-campsite

    However, covid is a game changer and Ho Coc as well as Ho Tram now look like Mui Ne at its primitive stage, with awakening power and a cluster of high-end residences and resorts drop on, side by side. The pivotal development stuns me considerably as a traveler who has observed the region for quite a long time. One of the latest five-star beach resort in the neighborhood recently – Meliá Ho Tram is such a popular choice for luxury leisure experience.

    For years, the coastal route is still one of my favorites but I have not stayed overnight here since 2014. Even before, I merely chose well-equipped motels. This time I picked a camping site in Ho Coc to practice some camping skills. Here is what I found.

    The campsite at a glance

    Indeed, this was originally a restaurant but now the owner expands the service to meet the new demand as camping is now kinda trendy in Vietnam recently.

    Modern travellers seek to immerse themselves among natural backgrounds, around a campfire with grilled food and acoustic music (they often prefer portable bluetooth speakers in case there’s no guitarist in the band).

     The entrance to the wooden bridge is “guarded” by a couple of old cannons

    Back to my time camping here. To be honest, I did enjoy the solitude at night here. How immersively natural it is! The site also houses a crowded pack of dogs and somehow, they were really noisy during my night in the tent.

     Boiling water for morning coffee

    Imagine how annoying it was when they barked and howled all night, but in contrast, these “guardian angels” made me feel safe and sound, at least in case some thief plans on my belongings.

    You may wonder where is the best position to pitch your camp: on grass, sand or wooden platforms, in open areas or under a canopy.

    Here are my thoughts: grass and sand are best as they are like a natural mattress, contributing greatly to your good sleep in a tent. But don’t stay on high grass or bushes as they attract reptiles and insects. Grass is usually wet as fog drops on at dawn, so it is also humid and cool.

     A pack of dog left its track on sand

    Sand is perfect for campfires, they are soft too, like a good mattress under the tent floor.

    The wooden platform is often used as a balcony for view by the lake (the upper platform indeed is used for ceremonies during gala dinners or large group celebrations). It is dry to camp but the open area means the tent is fully exposed to sunshine and gets pretty hot after 9:00 am till sunset.

    During dry days, I prefer to pitch my tent under the shade of a canopy for fabric protection and cool fresh atmosphere. However, this location turns pretty badly in the rains and storms.

    The problem is trees act as lightning rods in thunderstorms while branches also potentially fall during and after heavy rain and storms. So it depends on the weather and the number of members to choose a suitable area to camp.

     Wood pile for campfire

    As a restaurant originally, the camp site is able to serve you seafood, chilled drinks and refreshments, which is very convenient in case you don’t prepare adequately.

     Sandy yard for group campfire

    The bathroom area is just brick-and-cement built but clean, like ones you see in restaurants on most of the public beaches in Vietnam.

     Parking space is huge, ready for big groups of travelling buy cars, pick-ups

    Last but not least, the campsite is super clean and clear, as the ground is frequently cleaned by staff. It definitely elevates the outdoor experience and is also a good reason to stay in a paid campsite.

     The host’s lodge – where you can buy stuff like chilled cokes and take bathroom

    The littering at natural sites across Vietnam like popular mountains, streams or waterfalls is very concerning. So while local awareness is still a controversial problem, I recommend staying at a paid site for a good experience instead of being annoyed by piles of trash.

     The camp site has a cluster of hut for individual and group dinning

    Activities at the campsite

    The first moment of the day, I recommend a stroll or yoga exercise by the beach, not to mention the selfie at dawn. Very fresh and clear. Panoramic vista will definitely knock you out. It was such a very gorgeous sunrise that I couldn’t stand staying inside my tent.

     A yoga on the beach at dawm, why not ?!

    Then you might consider taking photos around the campsite and I bet you would not miss the wooden bridge floating on the laguna with nice wooden seats as well. Actually I had a wonderful coffee time there, happily enjoying the early sunrise as well as seeing myself on the reflective water surface like a giant mirror.

    For teambuilding, the host also provides an inflatable boat for rent at a fee of 200,000 vnd/ hour (I don’t know whether lifevest is free of charge). It is such a pity that there’s no rental camp available here, so you have to pack all on your own.

     The inflatable boat for rent

    Reasonable fee for “camp-aholics”

    The owner charges 60,000 VND/ person for a night at the site (last updated on March 2021). Remember camp check-out at 10:00 am, in case you would like to stay longer, all pay in advance and free to leave no matter what time.

    The parking fee may vary, depending on the size of the vehicle (my bicycle cost zero, while my findings on reviews show that a car was charged 60,000 VND for parking).

    Other campsites in the neighborhood

    Beside Ho Coc, there are also some spots in Ho Tram allowing travelers to put up tents like Lê Minh Hồ Tràm,… They are indeed beach lodge & restaurant with extended facilities for camping so the basic facilities like restaurant and bathroom are usually available for daily use.

    The fee may vary, you can contact via phone number on the map app in advance to get more information and potential pitch for good bargains.

  • A Guide to Hon Tre Island, Vietnam

    A Guide to Hon Tre Island, Vietnam

    Merely 45 minutes away from Rạch Giá port, Kiên Giang, Bamboo Isle (Hòn Tre) is a small yet pretty, promising island to travel. But whether a little bit off-the-beaten-path destination is always among good choices for all? Read the story below to find out (with some useful tips & guidance included)!

    My story

    On my road trip by bicycle to Mekong Delta as well as the cluster of islands in the region, Hon Tre seemed very promising: small, good review but little coverage on the internet, which probably meant no overtourism yet. So I embarked on a boat of a local transport company for less than an hour to reach the island, with camping intention in mind.

     The journey reminded me days in the popular islands in Vietnam like Cát Bà, Phú Quý and Côn Đảo

    The sunset was stunningly gorgeous, the sea bird even followed the boat while small waves embraced the moving vehicles. It reminded me of days in the popular islands in Vietnam like Cát Bà, Phú Quý and Côn Đảo.

     Transit service price list in Hòn Tre

    Right the first steps on the island, I was advised (quite compulsory for a traveler) to register for covid 19 report at the checkpoint (say, you will have to write down your syndromes if any, the departure and some personal information for contact in need, which is popular in Vietnam these days).

     I rushed quickly around to enjoy the twilight in time

    On my arrival, the taxi bike first approached to have me travel to some guest houses or certain destinations around on the island (the price list is written in Vietnamese sadly). As I had the bicycle along and my own plan to enjoy camping, the taxi rider friendly suggested me to the only beach on the island: Chén Beach (Bãi Chén). It was sunset but almost turn to twilight in minutes. So I took my chance to ride around and enjoyed the moment as quickly as I could.

     Cycling around Hòn Tre is a real challenge!

    Uphills and downhills, steeply and perpetually. So adventurous, so exciting. The journey required me to maneuver swiftly, to change gears smoothly or miss the momentum, resulting in walking uphills. The brake sometimes was so hot that it smelt like burnt metal.

     The construction at the pristine side of the island

    It took me around half an hour to ride on coastal road, exploring through communes with local life, food, public park, forested cliff by the gentle sea, as well as “the other side of heaven” – the waste factory construction, close to trash dumps, which were still burning with toxic smoke.

    By the time I visited Chen Beach, it was twilight. The accommodation facility was still a work-in-progress, so there was no overnight option but a little chance to go on camping (which depends on the owner’s will, in my case, it was a failure officially, but you might be lucky).

     Camping on Chén Beach of Hòn Tre: Better think twice!

    I gave up the  camping idea after minutes to persuade the host. My last enquiry was to find accommodation at a reasonable price. Returned and I explored a couple of guest houses around the town center, which is marked by a gigantic government complex, and found one matching my budget eventually.

    It is an interesting fact that this is the ONLY in the area (a cluster of island including Nam Du & Lại Sơn) located an ATM (of Agribank). That’s quite lucky for me as I supposed every island probably was set up an ATM for tourists and locals.

    How to reach Hon Tre

     Inside one of the well-equipped guest cabin of Superdong ship

    There are various choices but the premium is Superdong, you have a large air-conditioned cabin, decent seats, but the schedule is one-shot per day: only at 6:45 from Rach Gia (to Hon Tre at 7:20).

     The cabin of the local shipline operator is jam-packed with passengers.

    There are other local boatline operators with more flexible schedules like Muoi Dung, Khanh Dung with 4 departure times (7:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00). Same price 70,000 VND/ pax. These locals even nod to transport small vehicles (like the 100/150cc motorbikes which are very popular in Vietnam), but their boats are old and small, jam-packed with frequent passengers and loud hard sound from the open-hooded engine at the back.

     Passengers enjoy the sunset on the front deck

    The speed was so slow that some men even sat on the cabin roof (along the front deck as usual). I had used to take on Superdong before (the trip to Nam Du) so the local taste was my call this time and it turned out to be such a memorable experience.

    Accommodation

    There’s probably no hotels but 4 – 5 motels among choices. A few ones look old and rustic while the other is standardly neat and clean, price ranges from 180,000 VND (fanned room)/ 200,000 VND (air-conditioned) up to 400,000 VND (air-conditioned double beds). All gather at the town center (just one kilometer to the west of the port) so you should find no problem getting a bed safe and sound.

    Attractions

     Chén Beach in twilight time

    After a late afternoon around, I found Hon Tre less attractive to wanderers partly due to its lack of interesting destinations to nail in: There’s only a church in the isle and a pristine Chén beach. Furthermore, the beach is not really joyful to swim in, except for some selfie shots with an abandoned path on stilts (plus no accommodation available) and that’s all. My greatest moment was riding on the coastal road, painted in such a beautiful sunset.

    Food

     A bowl of rice noodle (bánh canh)

    As not really struck hard by waves of mass tourism, the island is basically different from the other, like there’s no “tourism market” (mostly serving tourists with specialties and various seafood) by the port. Instead, a local market is located beside the public park, selling normal stuff and street food.

     The local market is located beside the public park, selling normal stuff and street food

    The price is expected to be the same as inland, some more reasonable. The price for 1kg of jackfruit ranges from 20,000-30,000 VND, a rice noodle bowl (bánh canh) costs 25,000 VND, while a glass of condensed-milk-mixed-bean-paste is surprisingly only 10,000 VND.

    Moving on next day?

     Superdong ticket agency on Hòn Tre – inside a cafe by the port

    In case the island get you bored soon, so you may like to get up early next day and rush to the cafe close to the port at 15 minutes to 7:00, to get boat tickets to Lại Sơn (aka Hòn Sơn) or Nam Du, or return backward Rạch Giá. Remember to drop by the covid 19 checkpoint for reporting before embarking. Have a nice trip!