Tag: Travel Tips

I’ll note some quick information for travelers who wish to travel from Ho Chi Minh city to Vientiane by bus.

The bus will depart at Ho Chi Minh city, go through Hoa Lu border checkpoint (Vietnam) and spend a half day in Cambodia, until they reach Stung Treng border crossing station to Laos.

The on-bus time is approximately 28 hours.

Bike transportation will very harsh, so it’d better take a bus to Vientiane and rent/buy a bike to travel across Laos. I saw many ads selling bike mostly everywhere in Laos, most of them are from Vietnam.

Okie, this is the main point: We only found ONE bus driving DIRECTLY (no-transit) to Laos. It’s VIETLAO bus, but it merely works at the weekend. However, there are many buses reaching Pakse, from there, you can transit to norther bus station to take another bus to the capital, more hassle!

We used two bus brand for back and forth:

1.HCMc –> Laos:

We used Minh Vu Bus (+84 989 96 1239/+84 918 181 797, 196 Tran Huy Lieu, ward 15, Phu Nhuan district, HCMc).

It costs 1,3 million dong/ person, including transit and ticket from Pakse to Vientiane. You have breakfast and lunch (Vietnamese delicious dishes), starts at 4 AM everyday, 5PM you reach Pakse, then they will help you transit to northern bus station, buy ticket for you. We were on King bus for 170,000 kip/ person, bunk bed, departing at 8:30PM, so you have mostly 3-hour transit, and reaching Vientiane at 5 AM the following day.

Note: You should take no more than 50,000 kip for tuk tuk to downtown.

Minh Vu bus doesn’t support slippers, so you should bring a pair to get in-and-out easily for custom border and meals. I wore shoes and it’s completely hell when I had to put it on and take it off many times, while my feet smelt terrible.

Note: the agency also offers changing money at good rate, so you can take advantage of it to save money and time. Just call them first and ask how much they can exchange (Lao kip is quite not popular in HCMc).

Note: Viet Lao bus also provide route HCMc-Laos, departs at 4 PM, on Monday and Thursday.

2. Laos-> HCMc:

Vietlao bus for 550,000 kip/ person (no transit). We departed at 5PM Friday (Southern bus station/ Km9 bus station, Vientiane) and reach HCMc at 6PM Saturday (Eastern bus station, HCMc). Indeed, VietLao bus offer regularly departure at 4PM on Tuesday and Friday.

It’s a sleeping bus, like Minh Vu. The bus does provide flippers, so no need to bring yours. The agency provides 3 meal totally, mostly are Vietnamese food.

Phone:  0985421028 (vietnam) và 02098717979 (laos).

Note: there’s no toilet room in both bus so besides restaurant stops, sometimes bus stop for “natural toilet”, be aware!

Bargain is simply like a game of negotiation, where you take advantage of all reasons to down the price and enjoy the victorious feeling somehow.

Some tips for you to win the seller in markets:

1. Is it bargainable?

Try to bargain in a fix-price supermarket is a useless idea, so you can ask whether sellers accept bargaining. Most countries in southeast asia allow bargain as a culture.

2. Half-price/ wholesale price

The very first price seller give you worths a fortune, mostly. You can estimate these stuffs by comparing to similar ones in your hometown, by your instinct, your buddies’ hints,… then bargain for it,

Another way I usually apply is to ask for half price first, then slowly up-price to seek good price.

Some vendors offer special low price for a wholesale purchase, so you just pretend to be a wholesaler searching for goods and ask for better price.

3. The more vendor you ask, the cheaper you possibly get

My experience shows that when the first vendor give you the price, as a natural reflection, you turn on your suspicion mode, feel like they try to cheat you or rip-off. How to deal with it?

Politely ask for more details like the quality, wholesale price and of course half-price strategy to have a reason that “I can not accept the price you give, I’ll get around to look for better deals, maybe I reconsider”, then there are probably two scenarios: the seller accepts your price or just up a bit to their real price to close deal (because when you’re gone, they lose chance to earn money from you), or they let you go.

At the second vendor, you have very good information about the goods before, use it to choose better ones. If the goods are similar to the first vendor, so you can bargain cheaper price by trick the seller with your price but saying that the number the first vendor tells you. It usually works and save you more 5-10% price.

You may continuously apply half-price again to leave for the third vendor. When you check over three sellers for a thing, I’m sure you know the best price for it, but it takes your time a lot. I think three is maximum number of vendors you should check.

4. Watch for local/ previous customer deals

There are usually different price for locals and foreigners that someone consider it as rip-off. So the best way is to watch how much the local pay for goods and do the same. When sellers ask for higher price, only explain that the previous customer buy it for…., why I should get overpriced.

5. Try to find some disqualifications

While the price is so fixed, try to find some bad points, disadvantages compared to other goods to lower price. Sometimes it works and save a little bit more.

6. Research travel budget from bloggers

Budget travelers should always add price preferences, advices and tips of destinations they travelled, so read them first to expect what you would deal with.

7. Be fun

Bargain is a game, someone will be good players, someone not. Because it’s a game, try to practice and have fun as much as possible, your trips will much more cheaper and the experience is also more funnier.

Warning: These simple packing tips may save you tons of time and frustration !

Travelling is awesome, but exhausted, especially when you have to change constantly hostels to hostels, these places to those places, on trains, planes or open bus,… And your “house” is your backpack.

So if you know how to pack well then everything is easy.

Otherwise, it’s hell when you have to put stuff in-and-out dozen of times (and sometimes forget something ->  too bad).

You will do this quite often so this is actually an important skill but few travellers admit. Whether you are beginner backpackers or travelling for years but never notice packing problem, this post is for you.

After many times packing, I come up with some strategies-to-go:

Packing tips #1: Grouping (and put them in right containers)

We usually face a problem: we can’t get what we want because of the disorganization. Have you ever get wet because you put your back-up rain suit at the bottom of the backpack or you’d thought you lost your travel documents but finally you found it right in your backpack, but a place you didn’t expect.

So that’s why being organized is essential.

Clothes

Packing cubes are a great tool to keep your clothes organized and minimize clothing wrinkles.

They are a lightweight cube/box/ bag to pack your stuff in. There are various size: big ones for sweaters and other warm clothes, the smallers for shirts and pants/ the smallests for socks and underwear, for instance. Grouping makes it easy to locate whatever it is you’re looking for.

Toiletries

After a long day of travelling, you would want to take a shower and relax, but because most of hostels offer shared-bathroom, so you have to walk for it with toiletries in hand. It’s also important to keep your toiletries organized and handy.

A travel waterproof portable toiletry bag is very essential in this situation. It’s small enough for backpacking light, built-in hook to hang up and along with some travel-sized for liquids/ gels (shampoo, bodywash, etc).

Note: If you’re going to take flights so don’t forget the rules of liquid restriction. Make sure your liquids/ gels are contained in small (usually under 100ml) bottles/ tubes and total volume is not over 1 liter. They are easily accessible at security check so you don’t have to unpack entire backpack to reach.

Plastic (ziplock) bags

Ziplock bags are very handy in storing multiple things and keeping liquids from spilling over all your stuff (I always keep my passport in a plastic bag for safe, anyway, it’s paper right?)

Remember to vacuum (get air out of the bags) to prevent it from opening unattendedly because of the air pressure.

Compression bags

A compression is nice for keeping dirty/wet stuff away from the clean clothes (especially in rainy days), or the inflated like warm clothes to save more space. I usually take advantage of compression of my sleeping bag to keep my stuffs when it’s not in use.

Electronics container

These can mostly be packed in your backpacks pockets but I recommend a small (waterproof and shock-absorbing, if possible) container for your electronics. Your electronics are very vulnerable to moisture and temperature so a good container is worthy investment.

A small with built-in pockets bag works really well to protect electronics and part them perfectly to use at your fingertips.

Packing tips #2: Arrangement in handy order

I come up with five simple rules:

Rule #1: Put rarely-used stuffs but soft (clothes/ sleeping bag/ dirty stuff/etc) at the bottom because you won’t unpack them often and they probably play as shock-absorbing thing also.

Rule #2: Electronics/ fragile stuffs should be above/ inside soft ones or in built-in socket of backpack.

Rule #3: What you use frequently (water/ food/ camera/ charger/ earplug/ etc) should put in quick accessable places (ziplock part, usually at the front)

Rule #4: liquid/ spillables should put side pocket in case something wrong happen, they won’t damage your clothes and electronics.

Rule #5: very Important stuff (PASSPORT, BACKUP MONEY, TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, SELF-DEFENSE TOOLS, etc) should be put in a secret but handy place. You never know what is worse so just prepare for it.

Packing tips #3: Practice and optimization

Last but not least, Practice is the key to be fluent in mostly everything. In fact, few people consider packing is a big problem among planning, experiencing and sharing the trips. But if you’re planning to travel for long, you should take packing skill into account.

The practice is simple: make a list of “what if…” like “what if I want to use my camera/ wear rainsuit/ use laptop/ etc then how to take it quick?” then optimize the time by put things in more appropriate places in your backpack.

For instance, I wonder if it rains then where should I put my rainsuit so that it doesn’t take so long to take and get dress. Or if I do love photography, then where should I put my camera bag in handy but well-protected location in my backpack.

Keep practising and optimizing your placements and when you master the skill, there’s no worry for your stuff because they are well-protected while at your fingertips.

Small tips

Roll your clothes to save more space and minimize clothing wrinkles (especially your shirts or kaki pants).

If you have an extra pair of shoes, stuff socks or other small things in them so you don’t waste that extra space.

Put all liquids in sealable bags just in case there is a spill.

Read this carefully or you lose your value travel money on trips.

Some basic concept you need to know

Currency: Most of the countries have their own currency and you cannot use the other kinds of dollar there so you have to exchange your money (Vietnam law only allows people to use ONLY domestic currency (Dong) so the payment in USD is illegal).

Some regions (like EU) use a common dollar, it’s quite handy because there’s no need to exchange money. You save not only time but an amount of exchange fee.

Some countries where people accept multi dollars, you need to do research what kind of dollar can be used there (For instance, you can pay directly USD in Cambodia or I read that Singapore dollar is also accepted in Brunei, etc).

Exchange Rates: The exchange rate is simply show how much one currency is worth in terms of the other. Because the rates are up-and-down daily in tiny numbers but in a long time it possibly becomes a big chunk , especially most of budget travellers are booking tickets in advance. It’d better check the current exchange rate so that you know how much budget may change compared to your plan.

There are many apps and website to check exchange rate but I see Xe.com and its app are quite a popular tool. If travelling for several days, try not to exchange twice [your home currency -> strong currency (USD/EURO) -> local currency] because you’ll charge more fee. It’d better exchange money at your city before departure.

ATM – my best way to get cash

I usually use ATMs for cash – no paper and very quick. Also, they are mostly  everywhere in most cities. Every ATM is English-friendly interface so you won’t face language barrier like local hell banks. Sometimes, you take the exact current exchange rate while money changer booth often give you a bad rate.

Something you should know if you wanna save money when withdraw cash from ATMs:

Credit Card matters: You SHOULD NOT use credit card at the ATM because it will be considered as “cash advance” and hitting huge fees. Only use an ATM or debit card at ATMs.

Bank Fees: Your bank probably charges a fee when you use another bank’s ATM — this also applies to international ATMs too. The fees will either be only a flat number between $2-$4 and plus a small percentage of the withdraw of 1-3%

The best way to save these fee is to sign up for no-fee card. I wrote a post  “Budget travel website to save more money” mentioning some ways to find these card.

Withdrawal Limits: a budget traveller should notice this: set a low limit to force yourself to save money on road, and in case your card is stolen, it won’t damage so much. However, when you plan for a leisure trip spending a lot of money, then raise the limit should be done before departure.

Friendly-ATMs: just a fun adjective. I mean there is third party ATM existence not affiliated with your banks and might charge higher fees.

Security: Many banks may warn you but I warn you once again so that you raise your alert enough when using ATM overseas or money gone. Some useful notices: check ATM whether it’s weird, no one behind you, no look-like-robber people surrounded and take advantage of your intuition also. Afterall, money is quite important, right?

Backup Card: Sometimes ATMs accidentally eat your card, without a backup card means saying goodbye to your easy cash.

Purchase using credit card/ debit card

Note: Cash is king, most of the developed countries accept cards but the developing I’m not sure for all.

Inform the bank before travelling overseas: read newspaper daily and sometimes there’s news telling a man is sleeping at home but his money in credit card is used overseas so his provider blocks card immediately to prevent further fraudulence. So you need to inform your bank that you’ll be using your card overseas or they see it big trouble.

Purchase with ONLY a credit card/ or cash: Why? Waiter or shopkeepers possibly easily clone your credit/debit card and steal your value money with a special card reader and making hundreds of charges before you notice.

A credit card case is much easier to dispute but Debit card is connected directly to your account. So it’s YOUR MONEY, not bank money. The money is gone when thieves use your card. Luckily, it takes weeks to get your money back. Unluckily, you say goodbye to your money.

Again, a debit card should only use at ATMs.

Pay in local currency: Some “good guy” will ask if you want to be billed in your home currency for your “true convenience” but you’re rip-offed, dude. You’ll usually be charged more this way.

Surcharges: Some restaurant/ hotels charge an extra if you use a card, so cash is very important, especially in developing countries.

Some tips in exchange money overseas

Money exchange booths in every major airport/ train station will mostly offer the worst rates. It’d better look for exchange booths or local banks in the downtown.

Avoid currency exchange booth looking not professional. W

These final checklist before boarding will be sure you get a well-prepared trip.

Passport

This is the most important document right? Indeed, when you just travel overseas. If you’re Vietnamese, you can summit for a passport for 200,000 dong and it takes one week, then you can receive at the office.

Visa

It depends on your target countries. If you travel to visa exemption countries then no need to add it to the list. For Vietnamese passport, you can travel around Southeast Asia region at no cost, except for Timor East.

Credit/ Debit cards

Remember to bring them because most of the time we can have quick money from ATMs.

Note: If you travel overseas and don’t want to be charge transaction fee, be sure to register for no foreign transaction fee at bank. (Read budget travel websites to extend saving money).

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is also a smart investment, you don’t know what the hell your journey turns out to be, so it’s likely to save you a lot of money then.

Photocopies of the travel documents and credit cards

Make a few copies of your passport/ visas and credit cards, then put ones in your backpack, then email yourself copies, leave some at home with ones you trust. There’s no need to bring your passport all the time.

I usually just carry a copy and leave the passport locked up in the hostel. You’ll probably never get asked to show your passport in case you did something wrong. And if you’re required to get your passport by officers, Make sure those are REAL guys.

These copies will speed up the replacement time if you lose your documents.

Travel note

It should include Passport number, phone numbers, credit card info, every reservation number you receive, address/ directions to places you’re staying,… Anything you think you’re in need of in most situations.

Foreign currency

If your home country owns strong and popular currency, then you have no trouble exchange it at almost every oversea countries. Otherwise, you should get foreign currency at home. Some local money will make you feel calm in some cases (especially you’re beginners).

You possibly withdraw local money at ATM machines at the airports but at some transaction fee and foreign exchange rates, which you can save if get currency at home.

First hostel address

Booking your first-day hostel, then note down the hostel address because the Immigration Officers probably ask you where you’re staying before allowing you to enter the country. Some countries is very strict about this. I was asked while travelling to Malaysia and Singapore.

Basic local language note

Some words like “hello”, “please” and “thank you”,.. they may help you get warm welcomes that you’re even not expecting.

Subscription services suspension

Remember to suspend your mobile phone service, Internet, gym memberships, etc. to save more money.

First aid kit and medical prescriptions

packing any medicine you’re required, your health status reports so that when you get trouble, local doctors know what to do.