Just a stop enrouting to Dalat, Di Linh somehow, has its own identity of unique landscape and food.
Get in
The best relaxation way is to take an open bus of Phuong Trang or Thanh Buoi for around 200,000 dong.
Bike trip is good for adventure, the highway 20 condition is very good, flat and smooth, frequent bike service, so you have no trouble riding to Di Linh.
Best local food
I had a wonderful meal at a small food stall at 368 Hung Vuong. They cook very well, the dishes are cheap and tasty. I had yougurt with red artichoke flower, Xiu mai and chicken soup for only 32,000 dong in total.
There’s not popular specialty for Di Linh, and well-known restaurants in the town, also. The popular dish is Banh xeo, I saw a lot vendors offered it. Pho and Com (boiled rice) is quite cheap.
Attractions
Play as a quick stop to Dalat, Di Linh is not quite popular but still owns some attractions:
9km from downtown toward HCMc, by highway 20, the fall is abandoned now. At the time I visited, there were 2 little girls there, so I had them guard my bike and guide me to the fall, cost 20,000 dong for both. The fall was beautifully majestic and still very natural. I saw a lot of picnic leftover, so it’s possibly camping there. The fall flows fiercely in rain season so be careful when you travel that time.
Li Liang waterfall
Another waterfall, locating by highway 28, 13 kilometers away from Di Linh center. There’s not a high fall but rocks stacked not-quite-steeply, like a stream. Wild and pure, Li Liang waterfall is great for a stop and picnic, along with Bobla.
Kala
An artificial lake, 300 acre in square. It looks like a giant mirror reflecting the blue sky above, surrounded by shady pine forest. It’s quiet, poetry and fantastic. If you visit Li Liang, don’t miss Kala because they are very close to each other.
Ta Dung lake
Ta Dung lake
A huge lake just 30 minute riding from downtown. There’s nothing to do but take a tour follow highway and observe the majesty of nature from above: a combination of water, mountains and sky, like a breath-taking painting. A bike trip takes 3-4 hours.
You can follow a small road downward then rent a boat for fishing days. Price is negotiable.
Tea plantations
As many towns in highland, Di Linh offer an evergreen lines of tea on hills. You can park your bike and have stunning photography in sunny days, there’s almost no shades so it’d better pack along hats or umbrella for heat protection. You should spend 1-2 hours.
Suggested itinerary
Day #1: Tea/ cafe plantation in early morning, have breakfast in town, then heading toward Li Liang waterfall and have lunch, when it’s 3-4 PM, take a visit to Kala to shoot for the sunset. You should spend your evening eat local food.
Day #2: a bike trip exploring Ta Dung lake, you can rent a boat surfing around for whole morning. I think setting up a picnic or camp right inside the lake is a good idea for adventure. The late afternoon should you spend on Bobla waterfall.
Estimated budget for 2-day trip for couples
Because there’s no dorm/ homestay for solo traveller, so it’d better travel in group to share cost. I list the cost for two people, a motorbike, staying a room for 2 days in Di Linh. There are a few option for food.
Visiting Hanoi as a transit (to Sapa like me) and don’t have much time researching ? My ideal itinerary 24 hours in Hanoi will help you save much time and enjoy Hanoi fully
First, I don’t think we could use only one day for Ha Noi. It’s too big, too complicating, too many things to explore, from food to culture, even a street is able to get you lost in its own beauty.
But sometimes, time is not our friend, especially when we don’t have much of it. If for some reasons that you can’t take a complete Ha Noi holiday week, then my 24-hour guide hopefully useful for you.
Morning in Ha Noi
6AM (for ones flying): walk out of the arrival hall of Noi Bai airport, turn right and search for red bus of Vietjet Air or bus #86 – shutter bus to city center. Bus #86 costs 30.000 vnd, offering free wifi (weak signal) and English-speaking conductor, English instructions by voice, issued before reaching any stops, highly recommend for its useful and professional. Some time taking taxi or local bus is quite frustrating because of the infamous overcharging in Hanoi.
7AM: Breakfast with street food – if lucky, you’ll enjoy some delicious meal for only 10000 – 15000 vnd. If budget is not your problem then Pho is the best choice, Bun cha is also available widely. I had Banh Cuon for 15000 vnd in a sidewalk vendor stall near Quan Su street, and admittedly, I really like it. So delicious, so unique and so local way.
Sword Lake – a beautiful symbol of Hanoi
8AM: Sword Lake walk – see local do their daily lives: practising Tai chi, jogging, photography,… small lake round is suitable for a short run. Remember to photograph various unique tree poses as many professional photographers have done.
10AM: The Huc bridge – Ngoc Son pagoda. Famous for their landmark role in Sword lake, the religious site offer you a central point of observe the lake, some ancient trees with incredible roots, deepen your sense of local culture via ritual and other activities, historical pagoda and for the most: the giant tortoise inside a glass box, that many local respects as a character in legend.
Bun cha – Hanoi must-eat food
11AM: it’s time to have lunch. Old quarter is a real place to walk for a meal. But, you’re expected to queue for some food stalls because of the customer overwhelming. The dishes are various: Bun Cha, Mien Ngan (duck noodle soup), Com (boiled rice),… cost from 30 000 vnd – 50 000 vnd. You’re likely to be full after only a dish.
Ha noi at noon
Street view from highland coffee
12PM: getting away from sunburn and high heat. I recommend visit Highland coffee nearby, you’ll see it near Dinh Tien Hoang circle. Nice coffee, nice view, cost 40 000 vnd for mid-size local milk coffee. Very clear and quieter than crowded streets below. If you love sunbathing, take outdoor seats. Shady seats are depending greatly on time because of sun angle.
14PM: Hanoi Cathedral opens from 2-5PM. A beautiful Roman architecture to selfie. You can even join a ritual, which is quite interesting even if you’re a Christian, because of the point: the Mass performed in Vietnamese way. The other reason why you should attend a Mass that is to see a “alive” church, not just dead architectural building.
a walk in Old Quarter
15PM: Old Quarter is glowing in sunsets. A deep walk through streets is get you more understanding local lives: products, occupations, chit-chat at the end of the day. Don’t forget to have little bowls of hot sweet soup or other kinds of traditional food, they really make sense.
What to do in the evening til night?
17PM: Cooking and Dinning. You can visit Ta Hien street with dozen of street food stall. But I recommend taking a cooking class in Hanoi Cooking Centre (44 Chau Long Street). This is quite a famous destination. Some one says that “you have to eat local to enjoy local (culture)”. For me, cooking a local dish is even a better experience, and you can eat your labour fruits.
Water puppet sold at store
20PM: Shopping along stores at Ta Hien street is so entertaining. But remember to bargain hard or you’re likely rip-off-ed. Some of souvenirs are very sophisticating, like ceramics or mask, some are funny like t-shirt, some are very cultural mark like Water puppet toys.
22PM: Bar and beer. Ha noi is not a good place for night life because some strict policies (I don’t know whether government has put off them?). Remember to sip cheap beers at Bia hoi corner near Luong Ngoc Quyen – Ta hien intersection. They taste good and you enjoy watching local lives.
If you are a trekaholic, when you visit countries, what would you be? The highest summit – rooftop of the country or certain region, right?
When you in Lao Cai, a north-western province of Vietnam, don’t forget to trek the rooftop of Indochina – Fansipan summit, at the height of 3143m above sea level. The summit is always the most attractive destination for not only for the local but also travelers around the world.
And I really would like to tell you my Fansipan travel story – majestic and fanstatic!
Prologue
Despite a solo traveler, I didn’t choose to go alone this trip. Especially I heard the news that there had been a foreign trekker found dead months before. The poor guy really made an impression on how hard the incoming challenge would be. So I chose an safer option, that to go on a tour.
I booked VietDiscovery a tour of climbing Fansipan, 2-day-1-night, and price was reasonable: 50 usd, [link] the lowest one compared to the other. The introduction was good, especially when my friend suggested me a group of Fansipan hikers, which connects to the company. I believed this company was trustful.
That was my first time conquering the roof of Vietnam so it was excited but anxious a bit. I wasn’t sure that my health was able to fulfill the trip, I just kept in my that I had to make it, because one simple reason: we are born to do new things everyday and challenges make our life worthy.
Day 1 – trekking toward 2800m camp
Preparation at agency office
I woke up early, eager to the lifetime experience. Not as the day before, with a dense of fog, It was very clear, expected to have a sunny day of trek. I took a taxi bike to Sapa town for 30000 vnd. What a nice deal!
It was sunny in the city center. The agency office was very busy preparing for a trekking day, I saw them bring fresh chickens, pork, cooking oil, some veggies and water, which are necessary for a trek stop. We were also issued some personal stuff like a paper roll, raincoat, 4 bottles of water and a toothbrush along with a tiny paste tube.
“Crews” on trip
I made friend with a girl named Tra. She’s cute, big a bit and very open-minded, a typical travelers. Her English was good, I really admired her for the self-study. Ah, she also made two Vietnam bicycle trip (so shame that I haven’t made it).
During the trip, I also fell in friendship with Monica from Poland (she’s really good at hiking with an excellent base health), Daniel (and lovely Filipino guy) and Sunny (an American teacher, solo female traveler, you’ll admire her for what she’d done) and a group of young people, who are staffs from THE KAFE in Hanoi, they are cute, adorable and funny all the time.
We had a tour guide named Tung and two porters are Trung and Vac, who are just teenagers. They are very cute and I honestly miss them after trip.
Tram Ton station – the beginning
We started the journey at Tram Ton station. When you ride via O Quy Ho pass, you see a complex named Love waterfall, that’s it. The station is 1945m at height, so it’s the shortest and fastest route to the summit.
The dry day made it very easy to do trek, the path was clean and very clear to follow. Sunshine shot through leaves, coloring the ground with green. My guide said that the weather was rarely so those day, I was a lucky boy. Yeah, thank God for the blessing.
Though our crews included porters, we didn’t have them carry our backpack, everyone held a strong will and do-it-themself whole the time, so the porter’s main task was to guide and support people though.
After a short hike, we rested in a plain ground, and people did selfie, it was very happy when you were surrounded by energetic people, making the trek more funny and memorable.
There’s a stream crossing over the path at the beginning. Because it was a sunny day in dry season, so we passed it easily. Imagine its fury in rainy season, oh, so furious and dangerous!
I was impressed by sceneries here: sky was clear and blue, fantastic ambiance made by sunlight, ancient trees with giant, twisty roots, even shades also contributed greatly to the beautiful path. Some dead trees are really tasteful if you can shoot them at right angles.
Every time you climb higher, you have chances to change perspective and the landscapes are different, as well, which make it more exciting to keep going and explore something new ahead.
The path from Tram Ton station to 2200 height was quite ease and enjoyable, stairs built neatly so you hardly get lost.
2200m-height camp
This is where we had our lunch. After a long trek, any food you consume will own a beautiful taste, because you are in a great hungry pit. But we had to wait for nearly 30 minutes later that the tables were clear for us. Many trekking groups joined that day which made it quite a “traffic jam” at the camp.
There was a fatty cat walking around and to be honest, I did love it. I wanted to hug, tease, feed him (I didn’t really know his gender, who knows!!).
We did enjoy the meal, there were boild rice wrapped in silver screen, fish sauce, chicken cooked with sauce, boiled egg, cabbage,… it was not a party but really delicious, loud and happy. People were talking to one another, making the dining more “entertaining”.
We had a while to rest. I stayed awake and strolling around whistl foreign friends and Tra were talking, sharing theirs stories. I just enjoyed the precious sunbeam landing on my skin. It’s so “expensive” there, while fog were waiting all the time to hide my sun.
Here we go again!
The upcoming path would be more challenging, some of the trekkers who had just been back from the summit told me so. They said that the path from 2200 height to 2800-height camp was very hard ascending, so more fatigue. It was, as they said.
The sun was high, atmosphere drier and no more fog surrounding, no more fanstatic sense. After an hour away, we stopped another plain ground, which offers a panoramic view of mountain range, it was breath-taking and I couldn’t stand shooting a panoramic photo, here it is:
The group of young people from The KAFE – most of member are beginners, I think – were hiking slowly. They were really fatigue after a long trek because of not getting used to the pace. That’s why I think the practice before a trip is very important, especially when you do trekking or some games which require much physical strength.
The path features a cliff (indeed, it’s not a cliff but from a right angle of shooting, it makes an illusion of height). Tung – our tourguide showed us that was able to reach it firstly, by moving like a artful jumper and landing safely at the cliff, making everyone breathless.
Then Daniel joined the posing show, later is Sunny. It’s really exciting to get there, though the strong winds with its severe cold make you think carefully before putting steps.
Our group was not the same completely, someones strong, someones weak, so after all, we were usually splitted up in to 2-3 groups, guided by Tung, Vac and Trung. The stronger went first, and got the rest ground soon, then waited for the weaker.
In the late afternoon, the sun gradually turn into orange, which made the landscape more amazing. The trail was sometimes changing the color, as if neckos stick to every pieces of forest. They were all beautiful: rocks, trees, roots, bamboos, bushes,… it was cool down, and I felt so energetic again to conquer steep stairs. It’s very weary, but worthy.
Indeed, my body turned hot overtime, so, despite the very cold atmostphere at that time, I put off most of my warm clothes, but a slim t-shirt. But by the time we rest at the stop, my body temperature got balance and I had to dress up a bit to remain warm. Staying healthy when doing a trek is very important because the support is rare in remote area like mountains.
I was surprised that when we hiked high enough, it’s true that we could see the horizon at far, in a very clear day. The mountain range then piled like a giant sand dunes painted by green, so gorgeous, splendid and majestic!
2800m-height camp
When the sun was nearly down for his sleep and the light drew back to hideout, I reached the second camp, at 2800 height. Just few people of my group did it as soon as I did, so we had to wait for the rest.
It turned very cold and windy at camp. At first, I ran into a dorm to hide from the winds. But there’s a crowded fire-camp outside and there’s no reason not to join them. By the way, the fire could warm up me. So cool!
They roasted pigs and chicken. The flames were big and the smell was really tasty. I was very hungry at that time, you know. After a long trek, my body got tired and the promising delicious food was really a curse. Haha.
I tend to wash my hand with the water but when the tap was running, I pulled my hand out. The water was so cold that it was possible to make an ice-burn. There was a makeshift canteen selling mineral waters, energy drink,… but the price was double/triple so I used mine.
The campfire was very warm that I could heat my body from-top-to-toe while waiting for my group. There were a group whose members were up to 50 people, and they were very exciting sharing their painful experience to entertain the other, that was good. Sometimes I joined their joke.
What a cold night!
Very long time later, our friends reached the camp. They looked so tired, but full of happiness. The guide finally led us to our dorm and we could unpack. It was so so weary and hungry, and it went dark quickly. Someone brought along a tiny travel stove fuel by alcohol and she boiled water to make coffee while sharing some heat to the companions. It was nice.
To prepare for a definite cold night, we set up our belongs. Sunny used the heat patch for her back and really cool, I used it when I slept to find some precious warmth. Some people hang their flashlight to light up the room, which was very useful in the dinner later.
And when we rested for a while, then our dinner was served very in time. We had tofu, pork, chicken dish with small bowl of fish sauce. Very simple but extremely delicious. I found a theory that instead of having a delicious food, you can very enjoy your meal when you in a great hungry. It’s true!
After dinner, because the extremely cold atmosphere outside, we almost got into issued sleeping bag and enjoyed the warm while trying to close eyes. I recharged my devices and reviewed all the media I recorded on the day. They were so nice.
Outside, the sky was very clear with milions of stars shining bright. I loved them so much.
Day 2 – to the summit
Trekking at dawn
I just slept a bit at previous night, better than ones who couldn’t stand the freeze causing them headache and a red-eye night. I didn’t know that until the morning, they confided the truth, which made them weary quickly by the time.
Around 4AM, Tung woke us up, and prepared our breakfast. Everyone seemed awake all, no sleepy sound was made. 15-20 minutes later, everyones finished their personal hygiene and packed up belongings. Then the hot breakfast came in. After a frozen night, everyone loved the meal. It brought us heat and energy, they were not delicious dish but in our case, they were super tasty. The situation really made sense. After that, we had a hot coffee to stay awake physically.
I came out, it was really cold. The sky was super clear, promising for a nice trek. It’s very dark and we had to use our flashlight to see what ahead.
There were a group who had started before us, so crowded. However, gradually, they couldn’t keep the pace and slow down, which meant we passed them easily. It’s very dark, but my sight was still good enough to see stars above, Sapa town far far away below and they were seperated by a blurry horizon. I had to dress warmly, every pieces of my body touching the dawn cold made me frozen, a sense of cold-burn. I used a scarf to cover my nose, keep my breaths warm. It’s very essential if you don’t want to get cold easily.
The first step was not tough, but some spots would be slippery a bit due to the moisture and small stream along the trail. Halfway was good, but the rest was more challenging because there was no clear path, and we had to climb by hands as well. Some steep slopes downward really made us carefully and slow down the pace for some times. Finally, we splitted up again, when Tung waved us to stop, we were only me, Daniel, Sunny and Monica as a leading group, the other were so slow. I asked Tung whether we should wait for the rest of team but he said there was no need because the 2 porters could lead them rightly and we were late to watch sunrise at the summit. So we had to hurry up.
From time to time, we saw a small water pool at side of the trail, made of plastic screens to get water from rains and condensed fogs, it was very clear and cold, some one said it was drinkable. I tried once, but I was not sure about the hygiene, while I still reserved a lot of water.
When we saw a station lit up by orange color, my guide told us that we nearly reached the summit and just 30 minutes or so and we would put our feet on the rooftop of Vietnam.
That’s news encouraging us to keep forward excitingly.
Final steps
5:30 AM, we saw a little lights from the east, they divided the sky into two half: light above and dark below. Then everythings got clearer and we could turned off our flashlight while it was still possible to trek in low light condition.
Some times we had to climb up metal ladders, which was very cold when I touched. Some times we climbed over trees growing horizontally blocking the path. It was tough a bit. When the strong sunbeams appeared, bringing us more vision, we saw cables were moving up and down, bringing staffs and stuffs, I thought so.
When approaching 3000m in height, we saw a construction site – Fansipan legend, a tourism complex – looking like a strict fortress.
The high we were, the less oxygen we could breath, yes, it got more and more fatigue. It was really a fight against your will and the body. I just kept going and followed the tourguide, if he could make it, so could I.
Finally we made it. Yesss, we made it!!! We reached the complex at late 6 AM, so the sun rose just a bit higher. There’s a barrier blocking you, just passing it and we. Despite tiredness, I tried as quick as I could to climb upstairs but I had to wait again to recovery my stamina, it was really tough, and I had to touch the summit, I had to do it…
Fansipan conquerors
6:30AM. I was stunned by the landscape mother nature showing me then: all the clouds were staying below me, like a vast ocean that we usually enjoy at shores and right at the center, the sun was shining so bright, as it possibly blinded me but I couldn’t stand watching a sleeping beauty waking up after a long dark night.
The sun was really like a princess attracting thousand of people to watch her getting up. Wow!
My fingers was almost frozen, though I tried to heat them by sunbeam uselessly. It was too cold at the summit. I walked around and enjoyed my victory and thought of all the challenges I passed. Oh ops. I forgot to take a picture with that trophy – a paramid engraved with words “Fansipan – 3143m”.
The ground was made of wood, so it look quite natural but indeed, I didn’t expect so many man-made objects at the summit, making it like a garden that you pay 600 000 vnd to touch at ease.
I took photo for Sunny, she seemly loved the gorgeous sceneries and Daniel intentionally took photo himself – an instagram-aholic. Afterall, we had a photo together to memorize these experience. That was a moment of lifetime.
Way back
8AM, sun was high and shiny above the sea cloud. It was getting hotter while cable cars were bringing more visitors toward the summit. When the summit base was full of people, and we had enough rest to get back.
But some of us chose to use cable car, including Sunny. That was the best route to save more time and stamina, but you then had to take taxi back to town.
For the way back, it didn’t take us much time to go back because of slopes downwards. I had chance to see what I hadn’t seen when on the way to the summit due to the dark. It was really nice when you lost in fog again, sometimes alone among forest, so peaceful. And I sang my favorite, enjoyed my life so deeply. I love it, my youth, because, you only live once, so live full.
Epilogue
My first attempt was fascinating, I really enjoyed it. However, there are still other routes more challenging like Cat Cat village route or Sin Chai one, hopefully I had chances to trek these ones.
Fansipan is a must-have experience, you travelers. Book a trek tour or do-it-yourself and you won’t be regretful for what you got.
After trekking Fansipan, Biking around Sapa is also a nice choice. Rent a bike and conquer Sapa steep roads!!
The reason why I write Ninh Binh budget travel guide is a huge request of ones who have watched Kong: Skull island movie and wish to travel Ninh Binh – the background, featuring Karst scenery like Trang An, Tam Coc,..
A secret to reveal: they are just a part of majestic Ninh Binh. There are many destinations and experience waiting for you to explore. My Ninh Binh travel budget guide will include transportation options, destination list, what to do, food and drink section also, a recommend itinerary and FAQ for more handy information.
For my experience, Ninh Binh budget travel is really possible – buses and accommodations are cheap and well-equipped. So don’t miss it when in Vietnam
Top destinations to go in Ninh Binh
One of the hottest question in Sping 2017 is “WHERE WAS KONG: SKULL ISLAND FILMED (In Vietnam)?”. And the answer is among Ha Long bay, Ninh Binh and Quang Binh. So I’d recommend you visit the destinations that many scenes were filmed in Ninh Binh first.
Trang An and Tam Coc, also known as “the Ha Long Bay on land”, is famous for boat ride with skillful locals have the ability of rowing using only their feet. These two spots are quite close to each other. They are similar somehow: A river passing through rice paddy field, mountain cliffs and caves.
While Tam Coc is still well-preserved nature, featuring mostly rice paddy field and cliffs, Trang An is stunning because of the system of caves dug by the river. Someone says that these caves have been compromised for tourism service, so they are likely less natural than Tam Coc. The tour is also getting you to visit some pagodas. It last for 3-4 hours, depending on how long you spend in each stop.
Bike parking fee is 10,000- 15,000vnd. The ticket for a boat ride is 120,000 – 150,000 vnd, in case some touts telling you so. They are best visited in the morning (8AM) and last rides start at 4 PM (winter) or 5:30 PM (other seasons), when the bus from Hanoi bring more visitors to fill all the boat and your photos.
Note: Because rowers are paid minium wage and eligible for few tours/ month, so you are kindly advised to tip them or buy some souvenirs.
The next spot that you can see in film is just a few kilometers north, a large wetland called Van Long Nature Reserve, kinda rice paddy field, caves and … monkeys, yeah! 50,000 vnd/ pax.
For one loving top of height, then Hang Mua peak is definitely a must-visit destination. From here, you can view 360 degree entire region: rice paddy fields, mountains,… everythings are simply like a 3D google map. To reach the top, you’ll hike 486 steps, so had better train a bit your strength beforehand. And one more thing, the fee entrance is 100,000 vnd
Bich Dong Pagoda: a old pagoda complex with three levels in a quite steep mountains side, offering nice views, including: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas. Some temples are built into caves. After reaching the highest temple, you should climb up the rocky path to the top and enjoy the view, which is really amazing.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is also a choice of culture explorer, but don’t expect much to do, because the city now includes only some archway and temples of Dinh – Le emperor. 20,000 vnd/ pax for entrance.
Phat Diem Cathedral is once a “Vatican of North Vietnam”, built since 1874 in 24 years, mixing Eastern and Western style of architectures. A really holic place for pilgrims.
Bai Dinh pagoda complex is also a must-visit architecture, owning many labels: The biggest bell, biggest buddha bronze statue, biggest well and most La han statues in Vietnam. My experience show that: you should take a walk around here, it’s completely worthy every steps.
Cuc Phuong national park: A chance to live among forest, seeing wild life and hiking trails. 40,000 vnd/ person for an entrance fee.
Kenh Ga hot spring: take a bath and relax, it’s a hot spring, natual massage, a lot of mineral good for your health. Usually it cost 200,000 vnd/ person (boat transit + entrance fee + bathing). Bathing until you get bored!
Thung Nham bird field: Birds and birds, birds everywhere, If you love bird watching, you definitely come here! 100,000 vnd/ pax. It’s costly, I know.
Taking a Boat ride: (in Trang An or Tam Coc) is an amazing experience, offering boat riding along river through paddy fields and stunning landscape of mountain cliffs, pagodas inside caves and wet caves.
Bike trip: it’s quite flat so you could follow Trang An/ Tam coc route to explore destinations and scenery privately.
Mountain hiking: Hang Mua is a wonderful place to check-in because of panorama view. Besides, Bich Dong pagoda is also an alternative.
History tour: Hoa Lu ancient capital bring you a flash of Vietnamese history with some temple and archway.
Forest hiking: Cuc Phuon national park is a great place for trail hiking and wildlife exploration.
Bird watching: Thung Nham bird garden is a spectacular spot to view birds and other animal, as well.
Religion tour: Both Phat Diem cathedral and Bai Dinh pagoda are must-see landmarks that every pigrim should visit once
Comfort tour: Visit Kenh Ga hot spring and enjoy your day of comfort. It’s also booking a homestay and live a local life for 1-2 days, it’s very peaceful ambiance here.
Food tour: Enjoy the local specialities with list of must-eat below (along with local drink).
Recommend itinerary
Day 1: Trang An (4h) – Hang Mua peak (2h) – Tam Coc (4) (optional) – Bich Dong pagoda (2h)
Day 2: Phat Diem Cathedral (2h) – Thung Nham bird garden (4h)
Day 3: Hoa Lu ancient capital (1h) – Bai Dinh pagoda (4h)
Day 4: Van Long natural preserve (4h) – Kenh Ga hot spring (3h) – Cuc Phuong national park (overnight)
Day 5: Cuc Phuong national park (4h)
What to eat in Ninh Binh
Mountain goat (de nui) meat is a local speciality. The taste is good, and it’s usually served with fried rice. Cơm cháy is another dish of rice, specificly, burnt rice at the bottom of a pot, and you eat with pork cooked with fishsauce.
Sometimes you see duck stores, which is quite worth a try if you haven’t eaten in Hanoi. And for the last, dog meat, very popular in the Northern Vietnam. If you love animal, I don’t think you love the food, but, yeah, it’s really a weird food that you should try in Vietnam.
Some local restaurant you should try:
Cô Hoa – Bún Canh Riêu (79 Luong Van Tuy, Ninh Binh city): good rice noodle soup with crab top up and veggie, 15,000 vnd/ bowl, so cheap! De Quy 135 (Trang An str, Hoa Lu, Tam Coc area): famous for Goat dish, the cheapest dish cost only 50,000 vnd!! But the menu is in Vietnamese, and it’s hard to translate to English. Huhm Lac Hong restaurant (near Hang Mua peak): it seems every specialities you can eat here. Nice design, both interior and dishes. Price is 50,000-300,000 vnd, you should have a group to share a big meal, which you can eat many food at budget price per person.
For popular local drinks, you should enjoy Bia hoi along river bank for only 5,000 vnd/ glass. A plate of snack or peanuts is also a good companion!
A glass of sugar cane with ice is also a good pick, same as beer: 5,000 vnd. I love sweet, I do enjoy Vietnam the drink.
First thing to do a Ninh Binh budget travel – How to get there, cheaply!
Because the province is very close to Hanoi – Vietnam capital, it’d better depart from here.
Open bus: The best budget vehicle is open bus at Giap Bat terminal, Hanoi, for only 70,000 vnd (3 usd). They start at early morning, takes 3-4 hours, depending on traffic situation. Because of the strict policy in bus regulation of government, you should buy ticket in the hall. You’d better write down the destination (Ninh Binh/ Tam Coc/ Trang An/…) and show driver to let them know exact destination. Vietnamese is still not popular English-speaking country.
Taxi: Though it’s not a budget option, but taking taxi as a share ride is sometimes a good choice, because you needn’t have to transit so much, save more time. For those departure from Hanoi, it cost 65 usd/ ride and plus 15 usd if getting from Noi bai airport.
Tips: Asking people for a share ride, a 7-seat cab for totally 6-7 travelers only cost 10 usd/ person, and no transit, which means it’s better than bus (no extended time, transit budget and stress of language barrier).
Train: it’s good news that the railway now offer e-booking, you’d better choose cushioned seats with air-con for more relaxing, but cheapest option – wooden seats (or “market carriages” for better local experience, I always get this because it’s a quick ride (2.5-3 hours) so no reason why we don’t enjoy more local culture. Fee: 60,000-150,000 vnd. Check the official booking website [http://dsvn.vn/] for more info.
The cart will be strolling around, which offer meals, food and drink, even sometimes specialty cake.
Tips: there’s a canteen at the end of the train, where you could buy a cafe and enjoy landscape, too!
And don’t forget that the new train station (used by Vietnam railway now) is 1 kilometer away from the old one (referenced by most of hostel, restaurant,…).
There’s no airport in Ninh Binh.
Hiring motorbike or bicycle in Ninh Binh ?
Motorbike is the best way to enjoy the city and surrounding sceneries. 10 usd/ day/ bike, plus 70,000 vnd for fuel and (in case you want) 5 usd for a guide. It’s cheapest and most exciting vehicle.
For quieter and more eco-friendly, a bicycle would suit you, only 3 usd/ day. And you should bring more water and energy bars.
Though some guides saying that Ninh Binh is walkable because it’s small and the attractions are close, walking is quite annoying because taxi bikes are mostly asking you to buy their ride. (I don’t really like it).
Where to sleep in Ninh Binh
Dorm is quite popular in the area. You’d better stay around Tam Coc area, which is very comfortable, but there’s still some hostel in old train station (town center) good to take. I see about 7 options that you can sleep under 10 usd/ night. Private room is range from 15-20 usd/ night, double is around 30 usd/ night.
The most beloved one is Go NinhBinh Hostel, or an old train station. The room is good, Facilities are even better: “…free computers, free hair driers, free wi-fi, free paper map, free dart board games, pool table available and free car parking,…” (wikitravel.org). I do love the design, and backpacker smell here. It makes me hungry for a new journey whenever I see it. The only shortage is the location: city center, which is nothing to do at night but drinking beer and chit-chat. 6 usd/ dorm bed. So good.
Ninh Binh downtown backpacker: high view from dorm (great!), free breakfast (we can save some pennies), price is super good: 6 usd.
Tam Coc Homestay: Amazing local experience, from design to surrounding landscape, price is also good, 6 usd/ night/ dorm bed. You’ll lost in rice paddy field, bare brick and bamboo walls, dried-leaves roof and (ridiculously) a duck lake (you can feed them, ahha).
More comforts, check in Hoa lu Backpacker homestay, everything is clean, and some are free: hammock sleep, fruit picking, mountain view from 2nd-floor toward. Price is higher: 7.5 usd/ dorm night
Tam Coc bamboo Homestay: 8 usd/ dorm night, and you are living among mountain cliffs, it’s great, room is clean, free wifi. But I don’t love the design, it’s poor.
Tam Coc Bungalow: free break fast, wifi. Only 6 usd/ night for a dorm bed. River view, well-equipped.
Ha Trang Hotel: ok, it’s cheaper, only 4 usd. Not beautiful, no breakfast but wifi.
Budget tips to Ninh Binh
A typical expense for a day in Ninh Binh
Dorm: 6 usd
Food: 4-20 usd (normal or specialities)
Attraction entrance fee: 5-7 usd
Bike: 8 usd in total and 4 usd/ person (you could share ride)
Totally: Only 20 usd/ day minium expense. For 5 days discovering Ninh Binh, you need 100 usd to see Kong: Skull island film background landscape and other amazing sceneries. It’s such a cheap trip!
FAQ for Ninh Binh budget travel
Q: Where should we depart for Ninh Binh
A: from Hanoi
Q: Where can I rent a bike in Ninh Binh
A: most of hotels/ hostels offer bike rental, ask the receptionist. You should ask for helmet and go to gasonline station, get full tank and explore a full day.
Q: Where to camp in Ninh Binh
A: Cuc Phuong national park, Thung Nham bird gardens,…
Q: How long should I spend in Ninh Binh
A: 5 days is a fix time to explore most of attractions. A week is more relaxing.
Q: Where can I rent a budget accomodation in Ninh Binh
Before traveling to one of the destinations where Kong: Skull island was film, 9 Ninh Binh travel facts below will help you understand more about the beautiful province in Vietnam.
I’m at Bai Dinh main chamber yard
Vietnam records pagoda: Bai Dinh is not just a normal pagoda, it’s a complex, very very large area, including so many interesting structures that you should do a slow travel to have more deep experience. There are many Vietnam records happening here: the largest pagoda, the most Arhat statues, biggest bronze bell,… Free entrance and you only pay 10,000 vnd/ bike parking fee.
Rowing by feet: taking a Trang An boat tour and you’ll see artful rowers using their feet to drive the boat. (I can’t even drive a boat by hand, they are so admirable).
A wildlife tour are also available here: Cuc Phuong national garden is 22,000 acre quare area, a “homestay” of 71 animals, 319 birds, 16 amphibians and so so, and you have a chance to meet them. and ticket is cheap, 40,000 vnd. Take it!
An “ex” Christian capital: Phat Diem Cathedral complex was completed in 1899. Many typical structures in a mix of Western and Eastern architecture remains here. A historical site that attracts thousands of pilgrim coming every years. It’s free entrance (nice!)
You can enjoy hot spring: Kenh Ga hot spring is a real relaxing experience. It’s cheap (10 usd/ person), hot water, essential minerals, natural massage therapy,… most of travelers come here the last day for rejuvenation.
Trang An – beautiful destination that you should come once
Food is cheap, unique and awesome: Cheap beer and sugar cane for only 5,000 vnd. You can survive with only 3-5 usd/ day for full of delicious food around. Variety of goat meat dishes and burnt rice are two of must-try specialities.
Mountainous snails: you may heard a lot of snail in rivers, seas but on mountains, that sounds strange. It’s said that because those snails enjoy mountainous herbs and other natural elements, they are very good for your health and tasty – taste of a truly natural food.
There are two Emperors used to locate the region as their capital: Dinh emperor and Le emperor located Ninh Binh as the heart of Vietnam (or “Dai Co Viet” at that time), so some ancient structures remaining in Hoa Lu district may reveal interesting historical facts. 20,000 vnd/ ticket
Trang An scenic landscape area is a complex offering a dual world heritage UNESCO’s world heritage site for both cultural and natural features – a must-see destination for around-the-world nomads. Price is quite reasonable: 150,000 vnd for a 3-4 hour boat tour, very relaxing.
Travelling to Bai Dinh pagoda is one of my greatest experience
A budget travel heaven: read my Ninh Binh travel guide and you’ll see: this place offers very cheap accomodation, bike rental is only 100,000 vnd/ day and you possibly spend only 100 usd for 5 day-trip here, while checking most of the famous attractions, including ones in Kong: Skull island.
“Photos worth thousands of word”. I spent a day travel around Hanoi and took an album of “hanoi people street photography 2017”, which tell a lot about Hanoi local lives. From young people to old ones, each of them has an own story, that they won’t let us know, but through their face, we know some!
Hanoi Old Quarter lives
An old man were making products daily by his skillful hands, transforming metals into useful stuff to meet people’s need. The way he did was very passionate, from torching to bending materials.Another craftman, skillful cutting metal. He’s old, but still well-done.I didn’t know what the old woman thinking, but her facial features showed a deep burden deep inside her heart, some worry for days. I do love the picture.You usually see a typical mechanic like this man in Hanoi: smoking a cigarette with a shady glass and a loud fierce voice when you annoy them. I was scary a bit at first, but if you know how hard to survive in Hanoi, you will sympathy them.An middle-aged woman preparing food for evening service. Her eyes was the reason why I took the picture. Two men having an late afternoon talk, I didn’t see them, but the glass reflection is a true new angle that made me photograph. ‘An old man reading wall newspaper. The politic talks are very popular in Hanoi.
Sword Lake photography
An old woman rest after jogging around Sword Lake, she was using her smartphone. That’s really interesting that old people still keep in touch with technology.Taxi bike rider rest in a sunset. He’s curious when I took a photo of him.Three old women chatting on a bench…… and the opposite three men. Many old people choose to have a seat in benches in Sword lake every sunset as a pleasure.A woman sitting alone on a bench, looking at the lake. Nice shot!
Queuing at “Street restaurant” in Hanoi
Take a look at how Hanoi people queuing for a famous food stall. I was stunned by the service, but after all, I accepted it as a local culture instead of a bad service.Hanoi people love crowded place, it somehow indicates that the restaurant offer good food.Young people enjoy a meal. I don’t highly recommend Hanoi streetfood because sometimes the hygiene is not guaranteed.
Work in Hanoi
A guardian warning a cyclo driver for not touting a tourist. Hanoi capital now enforces many very strict policies to keep the city clean and tourist-friendly
A Hanoi in Old Quarter
This is the picture that I love most, taken outside a store in Old Quarter area, showing a relaxing man after smoking a Vietnamese tobacco. The face was very enjoyable, very Vietnamese and somehow, funny.
The photography tour could fit perfectly a 24-hour itinerary, remember to read it to save more time to enjoy Hanoi if you come here as a transit.
Budget travel opens door to the world! I used to think “travel is expensive”, that travelers had to very rich to travel overseas.
How did I begin travelling on a budget
I, a son in the middle-class family in a city of third-world country. All we cared was how to earn enough money to survive everyday and tried to save money for rainy days. I thought simply that though I loved traveling, I wasn’t born to do it.
Money problem wouldn’t let me follow my passion – travel around the world and see wonderful things, real eyes.
Time proves I was wrong. And all my reasons were just excuses.
Travel is cheap. When we think it’s expensive, it “will” be expensive, but just in our mind, not in practice.
Travel means your choice, that if we focus on one thing, some day we will make it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Our lifetime is always long enough for any dreams that we do desire to pursue.
But note that: you have to be serious, in making your dream come true. A great difference between a real dreamers and a boasting guy is action.
When I was a young boy, I didn’t have much money, just some pennies from my parents. And when my friends showed their overseas trips, I honestly admit that I was very jealous of them. I grew up with a mind set that I couldn’t afford to travel.
Vietnam on bicycle
My turning points
Then I joined a forum, and started to read travel blogs. There were some backpackers wrote their lives on road with very tight budget, and they even earn money while traveling, sound some way I could follow.
So with my bicycle, I started my first journey, just 60-kilometer away from my home, pedaled to a beach, alone, and enjoyed my freedom. Very cheap. I couldn’t forget. I loved the moment – my turning point.
Sequentially, I thought I would travel around the world, country by country, on bicycle and live in tent, watch sunrise and sunset everyday, make friends with people around the world. My dream appeared realistic a bit.
But soon I realized that I couldn’t live like a tramps, that I needed to earn some money to fund my trips. I started working, and saving. The real push was from my research of the destinations. They are so beautiful that I knew I could save money for airline tickets instead of weekend meals.
My first journey overseas was to Cambodia, a nearby country. Phnom Penh, Siem Riep, stunning Angkor Wat, first-time experiences, unforgetable! I love the morning biking around Angkor. I couldn’t turn down traveling, it was really my life.
Bus is very budget transportation, but couldn’t get me everywhere and I’d never took a flight before, I thought it’s so expensive (in my country, people told me so, they flied by national airlines).
It was a trap, and I was trapped. I thought travel was expensive, again. But there had to be some way, I had to figure it out.
Travel around the world – sound great to me
Another turning point – budget airlines, was coming. Jetstar, Vietjetair, Airasia. They were all bringing my wings to travel. First trips to Phu Quoc and I met a long-term traveler, who taught me how to fly cheap. Since then Malaysia – Singapore, ancient vs modern, cheap hostels, splendid sceneries, blab blab blab,…
“Travel to every countries in the world – 197 countries” – a blogger suggested his journey. And he did it. Why I couldn’t do the same? Travel to every countries, sounded very challenging and life-time experience. I had to embrace it.
I set up a plan that I would travel around the world, visit country by country to 197th one, before I am 30. It did inspire me! I live everyday meaningfully and purposefully.
Just save and go! Budget travel opens the door!
A budget travel means “cheap traveling”?
It’s a common misconception. The core of budget travel is to save money (you would treasure every dollar you spend) and spend it purposely and wisely (gain the most value for each dollar you spend).
Cheap travelling focuses on hacking expense, making people “wow” but almost ignore worthy experience. That’s sometimes so bad because we don’t have much chances to visit certain places, so it’d better spend money purposely on what you put your travel bucket list (you should compose one, it’s very interesting and inspires you every mornings).
When you travel on a budget, most of people think you travel cheaply. Actually, it isn’t “cheap” as its original meaning. I totally agree with Matt Kepnes – a well-known budget traveller that “budget travel is about getting the most value for every dollar you spend”. Yes, and what you should spend is anythings that you know if you have the only chance but you don’t take it, you will be regretful. As Mark Twain once said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Coastal road in Vietnam on bike
Where is a budget travel heaven in the world?
South east asia – many budget travellers around the world totally agree that the region is true heaven for travel on a budget. It’s just like a small-scale world, where you find almost every aspects and I was lucky to be around here for years.
Need some modern north American ambiance – get to Singapore. You love Roman architecture but budget is low – take a tour around Philippines, the country also offers beautiful islands and beaches. Islamic atmosphere is what you’re searching for? – Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei are the answer. Thailand, Cambodia and Myanma – Buddha pilgrim holy land. Mountain trekking and highland roadtrip – welcome to Laos and northwestern Vietnam. Jungle adventures? – Borneo (Malaysia) and Vietnam are the best. Low living expense is one of the top reasons why so many Western settle here, and enjoy their life at relaxing pace more than the homeland. Southeast asia is true heaven to backpacking.
How to travel on a budget
The number one budget travel tip is to well plan your trip. The destinations are some how considerable factors affecting the expense. The number one (dot five): save money, today! Number two: know how to find perfect deals. Numbet two (dot five): install travel apps, they are really awesome these days. Number three: collect travel miles or budget airlines – your choice. Number four: subscribe to travel hack blog. Number five: ask the local for budget travel guide – it works usually (if you’re not lucky enough that meeting a wrong guy try to rip you off the money. Number six: travel in group and take advantage of sharing economy (beds, meals, rides,…)
What if you run out of money on the road?
Budget travel didn’t mean you spend your last penny and broke. Despite sounding romantic that you’re burnt out for your passion, it’s not a smart move. A practical traveller always keep enough budget for (not mentioned in most of inspirational travel blog posts but the fact is that people have) a return ticket. Sorry if I paint your beautiful travel vision in black, but don’t ever ever run out of money when you’re in a oversea country, that’s a direct catastrophe and you won’t like to be in.
How to deal with an oversea broke? Always bring back up visa card so that your relatives or friends can support you from homeland, don’t be like me in Manila.
Is budget travel exhausted?
My answer: Absolutely Yes! It’s quite tired to spend a lot time seeking any good deals in websites and apps, red-eye flights and sleep at airport under bad condition sometimes and when you save money for the trip, it turns very temptation of every things: food, TV, gym,… and you have to strike against them and keep value penny for flights, accommodations and promising experience. It’s worthy!
Bike trip in Sapa
What is your budget travel mantra?
Deep local experience: live overseas as your home. The master of budget travel is that when you see a pictures including travelers and local, you can’t even distinguish them. The thorough research plus your practical experience in the country will hint you how local live and spend, then you can imitate them to find out best local food/ restaurants or off-the-beaten-tracks that few travellers could come.
One of my most memorable budget travel experiences was to live in a dorm in Phu Quoc island. I initially travelled alone, but fate led me to other travellers and we had wonderful time together snorkling, biking, cooking and sharing our travel stories and tips. That was one of my turning points. Whenyou travel on budget, you’re not alone, there are always like-minded friends around the world.
The most frightening incident I’ve experienced while traveling was to be pick-pocketed in Manila in the last day. Keeping a low budget help me a lot that I just lost a portion of money. Phew! And when someone asked me if I would turned back on Philippines, I said “no way!”. Getting incidents is what you expect in life, not only on road but also at home. So learn from them, get experienced and become an advanced travellers in general.
What’s difference between a amateur and professional budget traveller: to be flexible.
Though we should plan carefully before hand, don’t be obsessed with it. To be honest, time is the most important resource you have, so don’t waste time when troubles come, be flexible! If you’re stuck in traffic jam, walk! If your flight gets delayed, take your time visiting around the town. If you realise that the map is wrong, get lost!
Plan helps us know more about the destination: attractions, things to do and budget reference. Keep those in mind but your travel itinerary is likely to change continuously, just go with the flow.
Years of travel and I’ve learnt one thing: some times travel blogs and beautiful pictures can not bring us emotions until we are really standing there, see it, touch it and sense it and decide whether we should stay longer or leave for the other. Those moments you wish won’t last forever, so when you found them, keep enjoying! We can sacrifice and spend less time on the rest whilst focusing on the real things that make us stunned!
On top of that, you should be flexible to enjoy travel more slowly and deeply.
Kotakina Balu island travel
Budget travel + a great desire for “travel around the world” = Darejourney
I started ‘Darejourney’ as my travel journal, and when my sharing spreaded, many friends asked me how to travel on a budget, I inboxed them so many times that I decided to share systematically on my blog, hopefully helping people around the world who don’t know what I know have a better preparation and more relaxing travelling time.
Darejourney is also a diary where I share my journey conquering every countries in the world, inspire people to dare (their own) journeys. Maybe start travelling, maybe do one new thing every day, that is “journey” meaning
Tram Chim national park is a very famous spot in nature trail along Mekong delta. Located in Dong Thap province, 4 hours ride away from HCMc, the park is really a great place for bird-watching activities with dozen of species, a promising photography destination, as well. The price is affordable if travelling as a group.
What is the best route to Tram Chim national park?
Off-the-beaten-track: Go northwest, follow countryside road.
When is the best time to visit?
Bird homing at the beginning of rainy season (March-April) when the water level rises bring more fish for them. So it is the best time for bird watching activity.
Floating season (or rainy time) from September to December is also a good time because the whole landscape is painted in green and brand-new smell after hundreds of rain feed the forest.
Sua hat sen – popular drink in Dong Thap
Food & Drink & Take-away
“Sua hat sen” (Lotus seed drink) is quite popular in Tram Chim.
In general, Lotus is a speciality in Dong Thap, you can buy fresh lotus seed to eat fresh, or make it as ingredient for a dish cooked at home.
Fish and dishes are quite popular here, well-cooked with delicious taste, truly local.
Food is a real mean to explore culture.
Accomodation
Few people stay overnight because it’s quiet and almost nothing to entertain at night. But if you want to rest and enjoy peaceful countryside atmosphere, there’s several choices.
The most interesting but still very budget friendly that you can sleep in a private room right inside the park center, price ranges from 7-15$/ day. At night, you can walk around a bit, but all you see is likely darkness and sound of (con trung va coc nhai’).
In low season, it doesn’t matter booking in advance but in bird watching season, you should do so.
Packing
not too far from travel hub HCMc, so there’s no need to bring a lot in your backpack, just few essential stuff: mosquito repellent, sunscreen, t-shirt, hat, slippers and swimsuit in case you’d love to swim in the river.
Activities
tram chim national park information center
Study
A wide range of bird is really ideal for anyone who wish to study nature, you can collect many information in the park center complex and a real experience on boat into the park.
Cruising
very exciting and peaceful. You rent a small wooden boat, order delicious food and enjoy them directly, while surfing quiet along route into forest, seeing bird, listening to wild life. It’s simply amazing.
Kayaking
Young and active? Rent a kayak and you can explore the national park in your own way at your own speed. Gopro is definitely a good choice for sport shooting style.
Speedboat cruising
Wanna a brief visiting, rent a speedboat tour and a pretty-girl tourguide will take you around, representing all interesting facts and maybe answer all your queries
Fishing
A big fan of fishing love Tram Chim, many kinds of fish here, and a good rob can make you rich with fish.
I’m on a speedboat
Photography tips
The cruise follows a route like a triangle: the first line is grass on water, the second leads you into the Melaleuca forest and the last one is really a lotus showcase.
Photographers had better visit Tram Chim in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is in perfect color – orange – blended with blue clear sky if you’re lucky.
To shoot birds, arrange your trips in homing season (see When session), to see most of them flying around.
Tele lens are the best choice, and a CP-L filter will give you more power in shooting water and also, make the color better.
Budget tips
Price board
You can buy a tour “Mekong Delta exploration”, including Tram Chim national park in Bui Vien, for 50$.
Rent a bike (5$), get fuelled (5$) and make a DIY tour for a cheap trip on day. It’s not far from HCMc.
Group travelling is advised because there are few options for a solo traveller here. Sharing is really ideal.
Typical expense:
Drink: no more than 20,000vnd/ bottle
Lotus seed: 50,000vnd/ pack
Kayak: 50,000vnd/ hour/ 2 seats
Entrance ticket: 5000 vnd/ adult, 2000 vnd/ child (no need if you catch a boat at the port and directly deal with boat rider)
Bike parking fee: 5000 vnd
Transit to rest stop inside the park (electric car): 30,000 vnd/ pax
Combo: 150,000 vnd/ person (for a group at least 6 people)
You have a trip that you’ve been dreaming for years and now you make it come true. After choosing must-visit destinations, read many guide books and consult travellers before, suddenly you recognize that how much will this trip cost? How much travel budget do you need to pay on whole your trip?
So to have a good budget travel trip – spend least earn most, you should sit down and make a list about travel budget. Why do?
Because travel expense can depend on how you travel, what destinations, food and so on. So, make a loose travel budget plan is very essential.
Now, let’s try!
Travel budget for transportation. It saves you money!
Travel budget for Transportation
Firstly, you determine what attractions you will visit in a city and popular means of transport there, as well. As usual, public transportation like bust, metro is the best option because they are cheap and friendly, also giving more local perspective. If you want to save more travel budget for transportation, so walk is not a bad option, especially when time is tight and tourism spot is quite close to one another. Taxi is usually the most expensive option, but group travelling or urgent cases.
A way simple to know tickets cost is to search the official website of the transport. Most of them provide schedule along with cost tables so that you can estimate how much you would pay to get around the city. If you’re going to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), it’d better check the Myrapid fare table to estimate the cost. You should take advantage of packages so that you would know a fix cost for a week/ month.
Not only do you research ticket bus but also you need to expand your options getting from places to places by bus, train or boat – specific prices… then make comparisons to get the best cost.
Choosing good accommodation and cheap price are difficult
Travel budget for hostel/ accommodation
A big part of travel budget will depend on where you sleep. Shared bed is quite popular choice, cheaper, more friend more fun. It’s quite easy to estimate cost because there is dozen of accommodations booking website like booking.com, agoda.com,… hostelworld is my favorite. For free bed then couchsurfing is a good place to start, but it requires your travel profile and time search for good hosts.
Access booking accommodation platforms, choose what hostels -> kinds of room you like, then multiple your nights there, plus all the nights in different hostel/ dorm, then you have a relative cost for your nights.
travel budget for food
Travel budget for food you will eat at the destinations
(To be honest, I hardly save money on food)
Okie, let’s start with a minimum daily food expense, you have breakfast/ lunch and dinner, so you should search budget travel guide of the destinations you go, there’re generally preference cost tables so that you have knowledge of food expenses, allowing you to guess how much your meals will cost.
After you have the number of basic food expenses, then make second list of Specialties you would definite enjoy and price, as well. If you love some alcohol (you definitely know your taste, right?), it’d better add them here.
Finally, plus some bucks in snacks and water. Now you get the total number.
If you want to save more on food budget, let’s look for hostels, hotels or homestays including breakfast or premise cooking. Even if you buy groceries and cook just a few times but you will save money more.
Last but not least, different countries have different price, so consider this factor into your plan or it would become not practice anymore. If you’re travelling to Australia or New Zealand, eating out will probably cost you approximately the same as it does in the US or Canada, maybe even a little bit more. Contrary to South America or Asia, you can enjoy anything you want with cheapest price you’ve ever seen.
travel budget for activities
Planning budget for activities
Travelling is to must-go and sightseeing beautiful destinations, do once-in-a-life experience,, you will go to museums, visit pagodas, parks or do some trekking, skydiving, shark cage experience, Coral reef snorkel…. But now everything is mostly not free. You must add up these costs too, so you must list them on travel budget document.
For attractions, wikitravel.com and guide books (lonely planet, rough guide,…) will mostly tell you how much the attractions/ experiences cost. Some activities like skydiving, flying balloon, yacht surfing,… even has their own website, check it for more practical number.
Depend on your travel bucket list, you will know how much your trips costs.
I give you a travel budget example:
You’re planning trip to Ninh Binh, Vietnam and you want to take 5 day trip at here. So what would you do in these days?
You can enjoy with this itinerary:
Day 1: Trang An (4h) – Hang Mua peak (2h) – Tam Coc (4) (optional) – Bich Dong pagoda (2h)
Day 2: Phat Diem Cathedral (2h) – Thung Nham bird garden (4h)
Day 3: Hoa Lu ancient capital (1h) – Bai Dinh pagoda (4h)
Day 4: Van Long natural preserve (4h) – Kenh Ga hot spring (3h) – Cuc Phuong national park (overnight)
Day 5: Cuc Phuong national park (4h)
A typical expense for a day in Ninh Binh
Dorm: 6 usd
Food: 4-20 usd (normal or specialities)
Attraction entrance fee: 5-7 usd
Bike: 8 usd in total and 4 usd/ person (you could share ride)
Totally: Only 20 usd/ day minimum expense. For 5 days discovering Ninh Binh. Total for 5 days: 100 USD. So cheap for whole trips at Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
In general, when you have a planed trip with realistic travel budget, you can easily know how much budget your trips require, and have a plan, a goal to earn/ save money. This step also helps you make quicker decisions when cut-cost is in need.
Many people backpack nowadays, but few one know what “Backpacking” is.
I’ll tell you what I think of the lifestyle and why I love it!
What is backpacking travel and who are backpackers ?
Backpacking is the art of travel the world with a backpack, and anyone carrying a backpack and a soul of travel is backpacker. It’s simply.
When you “backpack”, you feel completely independent and authenticity. you eat what you wanna eat, visit any destinations in your travel bucket list and meet like-minded people, whom you can talk with whole day.
It’s your life in a way you want it to be. It’s not just a holiday, it’s a life-changing moments, and you’ll love that.
When I was a student, I didn’t have much money. So I practiced budget travel – save money, do whatever part-time jobs to earn enough money and backpack with a low-budget plan to my dream destinations. That’s lifestyle now I’m pursuing, and I don’t have a plan to stop.
Do you know, we backpacker, we carry our “home” along journeys so by the time, we learn to love our backpack. I love my backpack. Sometimes I tease people backpackers get familiar with their backpacks more than the girlfriend/ boyfriend in term of time. A solo backpacker knows it’s true.
With such a low-budget most of the time, I admire some “super” backpackers who can survive for years with just under 10$ per day. I really wanna learn that technique and share with you guy, who also really wanna quit the job and start travelling.
Be you – be authentic !
Backpacking culture – be Authenticity
“Authenticity is the degree to which one is true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures” – Wikipedia
And independent backpacking is a must-have experience for youth – to seek Authenticity.
I think that most of the people don’t know what they really love, what will fulfill their life completely. I love Steve Jobs and his speech “You’ve gotta find what you love” in Stanford. I used to read it everyday, but now, I live it !
Travelling around the world is a way not only to know outer world when you see people and beautiful things but also to know more about yourself, your inner voice, which sometimes, covered by pressures from society, and our dear family.
So my opinion, one of benefits of backpacking lifestyle is you know who you are after so many life-changing experience.
Once you know yourself, your life begins blossoming
Best destinations for a backpacking travel
Low-cost airline put wings on our feet, budget accommodations like AirBnB or travel communities like Couchsurfing take care of our sleeps. Nowaday it’s easier to travel the world than our father age.
Southeast Asia is always the top of mind, I think this is mostly a “Mecca of backpackers”. Cheap hostels, amazing activities, delicious food, multi-culture experience, and people are super friendly. Wooohooo!
Next, I would fly to Oceania, live in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where Working holiday visa is available. You can work officially to earn money, fill your wallet enough to get back on road.
It’s also great to have backpacking holidays in Fiji or Papua New Guinea, where it’s said that “The country is one of the world’s least explored, culturally and geographically. It is known to have numerous groups of uncontacted people, and researchers believe there are many undiscovered species of plants and animals in the interior” (Wikipedia) -> Super amazing !
Then Africa would be my next step. Many traveller buy a one-way ticket to the “Black continent”. Is it dangerous? Yes, but it’s safe for some countries, also and low-cost practice is available.
What’s next? South America! Backpacking there is quite easy, visa is not strict for travellers and public transportation can bring you from country to country. And most of the countries like Chile, Argentina or Brazil are amazing.
Then you can go up to Latin America, which cost just rises a bit. It’s not a problem if you can find a job in local bar or volunteer work.
Asia is so huge. So I would visit some countries as a break. China, Japan and Hong Kong is very costly, but South Korea is good. India is cheap, and I should reserve some money for Everest base camp. In general, Asia is very diversity in cost, depending greatly on certain destinations.
East Europe is also a good region for budget travel.
North America and West Europe would be my last ones for the feet. It’s costly, but everything is easily accessable. It’s just matter of money. And I hopefully solve it at that time.
Light backpack makes travel easy !
Backpacking gear and why you should travel with less than 7kg on back.
The reason why I always carry no more than 7kg on my back because of the airline limit-weight regulation. The number forces me to smartly pack the stuff, and because it’s quite light, so I have no problem travel from A to B.
I have only one backpack so I rarely buy more room for luggage, which I can save a bit more money and spend them on things I love.
One backpack means when I leave dorm, I hardly forget anything (it’s pity that many people leave their belongings at hostel). Everything is on my backpack or my bed, and I just collect all of them and put in one place. No need to think much. Packing doesn’t bother me anymore.
One backpack means you can easily take public transportation from airport to downtown and get around instead of taxi, which is quite expensive in some countries. Saving more money !
So many benefits when you travel light. You should practise it as soon as possible and travelling become easier.
Research saves you money! Why not do?
Planning and research: funny and useful part of backpacking lifestyle
Sometimes I still book a tour, but one of the reason why I prefer backpacking lifestyle is to do research and planning myself. When booking a tour, I bet that most of us won’t research anything, and just depend on everything the tour guide tell us.
Research give you more clue about the destinations, more interests in the place you’re going to, and an in-depth research really useful for ones who wish to live as a local.
Planning – is it hard-working? Is it important because we’re on holiday? Yes and no! If you just travel for a short time, so no need to plan, but a long-term travel will require it. Budget travel is extremely in need of planning, because you just save more money when you know cheap places to buy, it and sleep.
I admit that research and planning step is very hard-working, but the result is satisfactory ! Some locals admire me that I know their cities more than them! And when I leave a place for others, I know that I have complete most of the things I should.
Have you ever thought you’d sell bananas to travel !! hahah
Work and Travel: a real lifestyle !
Money is always the main problem prevent us from quitting jobs to travel. But the world is open now, more jobs are offered for foreigners, so with a quick research, you can earn money on road instead of being locked in cubicles for a load of money (and sadness).
Working holiday visa in Australia and New Zealand, Au pair, Volunteer works,… – chances for you to work for local in the farm/ school or wherever, live a true local life and refill your wallet for the next trips. I take it a box in my bucket list and so do you. It’s worthy for our journey.
