Embarking on a 4-day, 5-night escapade in Thailand – a journey brimming with cherished memories.

Entry for the Travel Writing and Sharing Contest: 'Discovering Freedom – Your Way' by Nguyen Ngoc Phuong Thao recounting a 4-day, 5-night adventure in Thailand.

Preparations Before Departure

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Checked Baggage: On the outbound journey, I opted not to book any, sticking with just 7kg of carry-on luggage. However, for the return trip, I reserved 25kg for our group of 6, costing $26.25, approximately 670,000 VND, including taxes and fees. After booking, upon returning to Vietnam, we realized our mistake in dividing the luggage; each person ended up with not enough, and considering the restrictions on liquids over 100ml, it would have been wiser to split the baggage into backpacks to save more money.

Regarding Airasia, one advantage I noticed was punctuality – no delays. Although the baggage allowance specified 2 carry-on items not exceeding 7kg each, many passengers carried 3 items over 7kg without any issues. Airasia doesn't seem to weigh carry-on luggage. A drawback might be the interior of the plane, somewhat resembling...a bus. Taking pictures during check-in, one wouldn't even realize they're at the airport. However, considering the proximity to Thailand and the low cost, I didn't expect much. Overall, the quality was acceptable.

I exchanged currency three days before departure, around September 27th. The rate was 730 at Nhi Mai near Ba Queo Market. If you have cash on hand, it's wise to exchange when the rate seems favorable; otherwise, you can scout for better rates through online trading platforms. Buying baht from fellow travelers at a good rate is a trick to secure a favorable exchange rate.

I exchanged currency once more at Superrich near Pratunam Market. The rate that day was also 730 from Vietnamese dong to Thai baht. Generally, it's advisable to exchange currency in Vietnam, stock up, and if you have leftover, sell it back. Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, and monitoring them can be tiresome.

I packed light for the journey, but once there, I couldn't resist the allure of the local goods. Remember to bring a hat as Thailand can be scorching; wearing one will make your outings much more comfortable.

Bring along digestive aids, cold and fever medication, just in case you encounter unfamiliar foods. Also, carry vitamin C tablets to boost your energy as there's a lot of walking involved. If you're prone to muscle aches, adhesive heat patches are handy to have.

While I can manage basic English for communication, there are times when drivers or vendors may not understand. Hence, I recommend downloading the following apps before your trip:

Itranslate: This app offers a 7-day trial upon registration. It can translate speech or text messages, useful for communicating with Grab drivers or locals.

Learn Thai App: It's beneficial to learn some basic phrases and numbers in Thai for easier communication and bargaining during transactions.

Grab: Despite many recommending Lineman, personally, I find Lineman not very reliable. Sometimes, addresses don't show up, so I stick with Grab. There are plenty of promo codes available, and splitting the fare between six of us makes it quite affordable.

4G SIM Card: I bought two 8-day 4G SIM cards with 100 baht credit each on Mytour for 212,000 VND. With a promo code, I got a discount of 102,000 VND, making it 110,000 VND for two SIM cards. Keep an eye out for promo codes to save more on SIM card purchases. It's worth investing in a SIM card per person to get discounts for Grab rides.

Safari: I booked tickets for Safari Park, Marine Park, and buffet for 707,000 VND with a discount of 102,000 VND, making it 605,000 VND per person.

Hotel Booking: I booked all hotels through Traveloka because I found the rates here cheaper than Agoda. Here are the details:

- Day 1: G9 Bangkok Hotel (1032/26-27 Phaholyothin Rd. Soi 18/1 (Ruamsirimit), Chatuchak, Thailand, 10900) priced at 1,114,000 VND for 6 people. The room has 6 bunk beds, an ensuite bathroom, spacious and comfortable, with hot water. There's a water dispenser with hot and cold water, instant coffee, around 500m from Mochit BTS station, and just over 1km from Chatuchak Market. The hotel has an elevator, a rooftop with tables and chairs where you can enjoy food with a view of the running train. Friendly staff, rating 9.5/10.

+ Day 2: 18 Coins Cafe & Hostel (198/20 Soi Buakhao, South Pattaya, Banglamung, Thailand, 20150) priced at 782,000 VND for 6 people, featuring 6 bunk beds. The hostel's sleeping quarters are smaller than G9's, but it offers a rooftop laundry area, shared toilets and bathrooms, excluding hair dryers. Suitable for those who only return to sleep after a full day of exploration. Since Pattaya is all about day-long excursions and nightlife, we didn't mind the smaller space at such an affordable rate. Step out of the hostel, and you'll find plenty of food, bars, and clubs, bustling with activity at night and relatively quiet during the day, with the beach a little over 1km away. Notably, there are numerous currency exchange booths, ensuring you'll never be short of options.

+ Days 3 & 4: Home Mali Hostel at Hua Lumpong (60 Soi Phra Nakharet, Rama 4 Road, Mahaputtaram, Bang Rak, Thailand, 10500) priced at 1,507,000 VND for 6 people for 2 days, offering 6 bunk beds. This hostel feels just like home. Located between a mall and a temple, it's not as bustling. However, the surrounding area is packed with eateries. Unfortunately, we were too busy sightseeing to explore many nearby restaurants. The hostel provides laundry facilities, a fridge, microwave, utensils, and more, making it incredibly comfortable. The hostel owner was absent during our stay, but the atmosphere felt like visiting a friend's house. Checkout is at 12 pm, but we left at 3 pm without any issues, leaving the key in the room and waving goodbye to the camera.

I departed at 9:45 am. Despite agreeing to meet my friends at 8 am, they arrived closer to 9 am. Since we had checked in online and had minimal carry-on luggage, airport procedures were smooth. At the check-in counter, we presented our printed tickets to the staff, who then allocated our boarding gates. After passing through customs, we headed straight to the boarding gate. We arrived around 10 minutes earlier than the boarding time.

I've heard many say AirAsia doesn't enforce assigned seating, but on my outbound flight, it was crowded, and everyone sat in their designated seats. However, on the return flight, it was nearly empty, and I had six seats to myself, allowing for some seat-hopping.

Boarding the plane is smooth; about 30 minutes in, the flight attendants distribute immigration forms. Make sure to fill them out completely for easier customs clearance.

Since Thailand is close by, the flight lasts just over an hour, and we land at DMK. Upon arrival, shuttle buses await to transport us from the tarmac. Inside the airport, the first thing you'll encounter are currency exchange counters. Check the rates and exchange if needed, then proceed to the customs check-in counter. There are several customs lines: China, Domestic, and Foreign; make sure to queue in the Foreign line. DMK was quite deserted during my September visit, making the process swift and hassle-free. After handing over my documents, the officer stamped them, and I proceeded. Despite hearing about currency checks, our group passed through without any issues. Just smile confidently; most of the time, you'll be fine, only unlucky ones get checked.

After customs, head downstairs, turn right, and you'll find a Dtac counter to pick up the Mytour-purchased 4G SIM card. Insert the SIM, and you'll enjoy seamless internet; the airport Wi-Fi is excellent, perfect for gaming. Simply provide your passport and email.

Little did I know, the adventure was just beginning as we stepped into the scorching heat of Bangkok. I had read reviews recommending Magic Food at the airport, so despite our arrival being at noon, hungry and determined, we decided to try it out. Rather impulsively, we didn't research beforehand, relying on directions from the airport staff. First, we asked a lady named Gu Gồ; she pointed us to the right. Following her instructions, we wandered around the airport but found nothing resembling the famous food spot. A security guard redirected us, and asking around inside the airport led to more confusion. Desperate, we consulted online groups and finally discovered Magic Food's exact location: walk left, past the airport, turn right, then left again, under the bridge, and there it was. It's situated outside the airport building. Sweaty and exhausted, we finally reached it. Inside, we perused the offerings, calculated costs, and purchased coupons for our meals. The food, priced at around 40-60 baht each, was not only affordable but also delicious. I tried the instant noodles and mango sticky rice, both of which were delightful. Overall, it's definitely worth a try.

After eating, we hailed a Grab to return to the hostel. Speaking of Grab, there are two types commonly booked in Thailand:

Regular Grab: Typically accommodates 4 passengers; it's rare to find a 7-seater despite any notes, as drivers often don't pay attention. Chat with the driver to confirm the seating capacity before booking.

Grab taxi 6-seater: A Fortuner SUV with 7 seats, operates on metered fare. The app's price fluctuates between x and y, depending on traffic conditions, usually averaging between the two.

Oh, and the Grab fare doesn't include toll fees; you'll have to pay extra for expressways, which the driver will add when calculating the total and deducting any discounts (if applicable).

We, a group of 6, were clueless rookies and managed to book both regular and 7-seater Grab rides, thanks to a promo code. Surprisingly, one ride cost less than 100 baht, so it wasn't too bad. The first driver didn't speak English or know the way, dropping us off 600m away from the hostel, leaving us to walk. The other driver, a lovely lady, knew the correct drop-off spot, arriving before us despite our group trailing behind.

A tip for booking Grab: Use Traveloka to get the hostel address, then click 'Directions' to open Google Maps, which accurately pins the location. Copy the address from Google Maps into Grab for booking, while keeping Google Maps open to track the route as the driver navigates.

Upon reaching the hostel, our group checked in, leaving a 1,000 baht deposit. I've previously reviewed the hostel in another post. After settling in, we geared up and headed to Chatuchak Market for some shopping.

Chatuchak Market offers an abundance of goods, from top-tier to bargain finds. However, we arrived at 3 p.m., and by 6 p.m., the market was closing, so we couldn't shop much. If you plan to visit, go early in the morning to explore the entire market. Right at the entrance, there's a stall selling delicious coconut ice cream for 50 baht. Also, if you're buying soap for gifts, this market is the place to go, with prices as low as 100 baht for 3 bars, and some places offer 4 bars for 100 baht. Oh, and Thai sandals here are also affordable, with pairs as cheap as 50 baht, providing comfortable walking experiences.

After the market, we headed back to shower, change, and then went out for dinner. It was only 7:30 p.m., but the food stalls that were abundant in the afternoon seemed to disappear. However, we found some delicious smelling fried chicken, which was also reasonably priced. We bought a packet of chicken drumsticks and thighs for only 100 baht. Then, we went to 7-Eleven for some shopping. There are plenty of 7-Elevens in Thailand, with one every few steps. The variety of food available is diverse, so we stocked up for dinner and card games before heading to bed. Everyone was quite tired from the first day, so we all went to sleep early to rest for an early start to Pattaya tomorrow.

Setting an alarm for an early start didn't do much.

We didn't get up until 7 a.m. Called everyone to get up, brush teeth, wash face, and have breakfast. Stepping out of the hotel, there was a plethora of food options, and for some reason, everyone ended up at a restaurant serving a bizarre and somewhat horrifying rice dish. Although it seemed to be a traditional Thai dish since we saw it in many places, our team couldn't appreciate its taste. It was priced at 50 baht per serving, which was reasonable, but for those not accustomed to swollen rice, it might be challenging to eat, plus the seasoning was peculiar. After that, we went for coffee; there are many beautiful cafes nearby. Enjoying our time, we didn't worry about the time too much. I forgot the name of the cafe, but it's on Phaholyothin Road, near our hostel, across from the Media Studio. The drinks were delicious, and outside, there were great spots for taking Instagram-worthy photos.

Back to the hotel to check out and straight to Pattaya.

We decided to take the bus to Pattaya. Heading to Mochit station (BTS), we were told to go downstairs. However, knowing from reviews that we should catch the bus at Mochit, we persisted and eventually found where to buy bus tickets at the BTS station. After some sweating, we confirmed with the team that we needed to take either bus 03 or 77 to Mochit 1 (Mochit bus station) to catch the bus. The fare for bus 03 was around 10-15 baht to Mochit 1. Since Mochit 1 is the final stop, we just sat there and waited for the driver to announce it. Despite the rugged appearance of the buses, they were equipped with air conditioning, TVs, and comfortable seats. At Mochit 1, we went straight to buy tickets to Pattaya. If unsure, just ask around; here, everyone knows where to catch the bus to Pattaya unlike at BTS Mochit. If you have spare time after buying tickets, visit 7-Eleven to buy some snacks, although not many eat on the bus despite its air conditioning. 7-Eleven here sells bottles of water for only 7 baht, and they make great souvenirs too. The bus ride to Pattaya takes a little over 2 hours, and there's even a restroom on board. Upon arriving at Pattaya bus station (Bell travel service), grab a Grab to your hostel, which costs around 100 - 150 baht. With a discount code, we ended up paying only 40 baht for a 4-seater Grab, incredibly cheap and convenient.

Pattaya boasts numerous hostels, mostly adopting the trend of opening a cafe in the front and a hostel in the back, ensuring a trendy check-in experience. Upon arrival, everyone stowed their belongings and went out to find something to eat. There's an abundance of food at reasonable prices; just come and experience it for yourself. After satisfying our hunger, we changed into beachwear and headed to the beach to mingle with the locals. While some of us went to exchange currency, others went for a stroll along the shore. Unfortunately, due to the exchange rate of 1/10 baht, we couldn't exchange money as it was too high. The Pattaya beach was relatively calm, but compared to Nha Trang or Da Nang, it didn't seem as beautiful. Generally, Vietnam has more beautiful beaches, but it's worth experiencing with friends and family. Near the beach, there are services offering boat trips or jet skiing. We didn't try it due to budget constraints. After a quick dip, we returned to the hostel to freshen up, change clothes, and head out for dinner, followed by a stroll and a visit to Walking Street. People in Vietnam are lazy to walk, but here, walking is like a divine experience. After dinner, we strolled to Walking Street. Thai food tasted unique, but personally, we preferred Vietnamese cuisine. Along the way, we tried pomegranate juice for 50 baht per bottle, which was delicious and definitely worth a try. Both sides of the street were bustling with vendors, and souvenirs were available at reasonable prices. At Walking Street, there were people inviting us to watch shows. Asian performers were at the entrance, showcasing various cosplays, while in the middle, Westerners were charming and captivating. We were mesmerized by the beauty of the girls. On this street, there are many seafood stalls worth trying if you have the chance. Also, there's a Miniso store selling various affordable items. Feel free to stop by and grab some souvenirs.

After a whole day of walking, our legs were tired, so we decided to grab a Grab back. The most frustrating thing was not being able to speak English when booking Grab. We managed to book a 7-seater Grab for 125 baht. The most ridiculous thing was giving the motorbike taxi directions to the Grab driver. Encountering a polite person was fine, but dealing with someone rude was annoying. We asked the motorbike taxi to guide the Grab to our location, but he refused because this street didn't allow cars, so we had to either walk to the main road or walk a few kilometers back. In Vietnam, we're used to persuading motorbike taxis to take us anywhere, but it was impossible here. We asked some nearby police officers and had them talk to the Grab driver. Problem solved. Just had to wait for the Grab to arrive. The ride was quite long and winding. Back at the hostel, everyone was exhausted, but since our goal was to enjoy beer, we rested for 30 minutes before heading to a bar/pub. Our area had many lively bars/pubs. Although there were many 'shady' bars, we just wanted to drink beer, so we chose a bar with live music. Drinking beer in Pattaya is a must; otherwise, the trip would be wasted. We drank for fun, having about 1 - 3 cans of Ken beer each, priced at 80 baht per can. There was a pizza place nearby, so we bought some to try, and it tasted decent at a reasonable price. The Ken beer was delicious, and we planned to drink more, but we lost interest when we realized we were short one can while paying. We just wanted to settle the bill and leave, as it was already 2 a.m.

We woke up at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Unlike the night time, mornings in Pattaya are quite serene. We grabbed breakfast at a local eatery before checking out and taking a Grab to Safari. Luckily, we managed to snag a 7-seater car for 1930 baht, including the expressway toll. The driver sped up to 130km/h on the expressway, so we arrived at the safari swiftly, around 11 a.m. We exchanged our Mytour voucher for tickets and left our belongings for complimentary storage until 4 p.m.

The first thing we did upon arriving at Safari was to find a buffet restaurant. It seems like there's some kind of superpower in Thailand that makes us hungry quickly because we couldn't resist the buffet. The buffet at Safari was decent, but luckily we arrived early before the crowd rushed in. After finishing our meal, we watched shows and observed the various animals. The dolphin show was the highlight, drawing a large crowd. We also enjoyed watching the giraffes. There was a spot to buy bananas to feed the animals: 100 baht per bucket, approximately 15 bananas. However, it seemed like the animals weren't allowed to eat, or they were just begging for food from tourists. It was both heartwarming and amusing to watch. It's best to arrive early, around 8 a.m., to fully explore Safari. We bought full tickets but didn't get to see much, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, the safari was just okay, with more animals than Dam Sen Park. It's worth visiting once to experience it, but probably not worth a return visit.

At 4 p.m., we stepped outside to retrieve our belongings to avoid late fees. Our nightmare began when booking a 7-seater Grab resulted in consecutive cancellations. We ended up losing a SIM card. It turns out, Grab accounts from Vietnam work just fine there. Finally, we booked a 7-seater Grab taxi using our Vietnamese account, costing 640 baht to return to our Bangkok hostel (including the expressway toll). Unfortunately, we were 'tricked' out of 150 baht. Since it was a Grab taxi, the fare was displayed at the end of the ride. The driver added the fare, expressway toll, and an additional 150 baht, claiming it was for the 7-seater. We questioned it, but he insisted that the fare displayed on the app was within the limit. It seemed like an excuse for overcharging, but we paid anyway. Lesson learned: when booking a ride from Safari, for 4-5 people, it's okay to book a Grab car, but for 6-7 people, book a Grab taxi and be prepared to pay extra. Grab cars here are all 4-seaters; there are no 7-seaters. Canceling multiple Grabs will lock the cash payment feature and require linking a bank account for booking.

Back at the hostel, we freshened up and took a tuk-tuk to Siam. A tip for bargaining with tuk-tuks is to check Grab prices and negotiate accordingly, offering 20-50 baht depending on traffic and the driver's attitude. The first tuk-tuk we hailed was driven by cheerful Mr. Mana, with a booming music system in his vehicle, creating a lively atmosphere. If anyone wants to party, here's his number: 0846598836 (Mana). It cost us 100 baht for six people from the hostel to Siam, incredibly cheap. We arrived around 8 p.m., had dinner, did a bit of shopping, but most places were closing by 10 p.m. So, we stopped by a small market opposite to buy some items. The items were ordinary, and the prices were average. We didn't try the food, but heard it was not very good. There was a Vietnamese lady selling pomegranate juice at the market entrance, priced at 60 baht, more expensive than in Pattaya and not very tasty. She wouldn't budge on the price. We suggest not buying from her. The market was small, so we quickly finished shopping. Then, we took a tuk-tuk back, still costing 100 baht, but this uncle wasn't as friendly as Mr. Mana. He didn't know the way, drove in circles, got frustrated, floored the accelerator, cursed, then dropped us off at the wrong end of the alley, making us walk in. Sigh. It was late, so we stopped by 7-Eleven to grab some food and drinks. Since most of us were beer enthusiasts, we decided to try Chang and Singha. Beer prices were high due to taxes: 108 baht for 2 large Chang and 124 baht for 2 large Singha. Also, note that there's a ban on selling alcohol during certain hours, so if you want to drink, make sure to buy early because no matter how much you beg, they won't sell during the prohibited hours.

We brought the beer and snacks back to the hostel to play cards (my friends bought a deck for 300 baht in Pattaya, there's only one type available here, but it's fun). The beer was good and easy to drink. After drinking and playing cards, it was time to sleep.

Waking up at 9 a.m., we changed and went out to find a currency exchange and breakfast (been watching the exchange rate anxiously but still couldn't manage to get more money for shopping). We stopped by a Chinese-style noodle shop for breakfast, the taste was unique. Oh, in Thailand, we love the boiled eggs with runny yolks, they're visually appealing and delicious. After breakfast, we looked for a Kasikornbank to exchange currency. The exchange rate was too high, so we decided to exchange dollars for baht to save. Somehow, we forgot to bring our passports, so we couldn't exchange. Since we still had money, we decided to exchange later in the afternoon. We couldn't hail a tuk-tuk, but we saw a bus station nearby, so the six of us decided to take a bus to Wat Pho. Taking the bus was cheap, and we passed through Chinatown, enjoying the lively scene. It took about 30 minutes to reach Wat Pho, and we were dropped off right at the entrance, so no worries there. There was a coconut vendor at the gate selling refreshing coconut water for 50 baht each. The entrance fee to Wat Pho was 100 baht, including a complimentary 200ml bottle of water. The architecture was beautiful, but the temple was quite small. We spent about an hour wandering around taking pictures. It was just a quick visit. Next to the temple was the Royal Palace, which we heard was stunning inside, but the tickets were around 1,000 baht, so we just walked around outside. Then we hailed a tuk-tuk to go to the pier, intending to visit the Dawn Temple, Wat Arun. But our biggest mistake was taking a tuk-tuk to the river. I remember skimming through the group's post warning not to take a tuk-tuk to Wat Arun because they'll drop you off at some place where they overcharge for a boat ride across the river, but I didn't pay attention. We ended up wasting 50 baht for nothing. There was a guy there asking us if we wanted to visit the temple, how many people, and how long. We said just a quick visit, maybe an hour. He said something in Thai, which I didn't understand, then suddenly said it's very close, only a short run away, it'd take about half an hour, and it'd cost 500 baht per person. I was shocked and immediately refused. I remembered reading that the boat ride costs between 15 and 50 baht per person.

Since we skipped the temples, we decided to head to Pratunam for shopping. Tuk-tuk drivers refused to go because it was too far, about 8km, so we opted for Grab (with a discount code). We got two 4-seater cars, one for 103 baht and the other for 100 baht. Upon arriving at Pratunam, we went to Superrich to exchange money for shopping. The exchange rate that day was 729.9, the same as in Vietnam. After exchanging money, we happily shopped and ate. There were many things to buy at Pratunam, but it's best to go early because by evening, the inner parts of the market are closed, leaving only the street vendors. Important tip: remember to bargain, as no matter what they say, they'll always lower the price. We bought 10 items without negotiating, thinking 100 baht per item was cheap, but later, we saw the same items at another stall with a sign saying buy 3 items and get a discount. Shopping in Thailand requires vigilance because there's so much to buy, and everything looks interesting, so every few steps, there's a crowd rushing to buy, making it exhausting to carry all the stuff.

After shopping, we took a tuk-tuk to Terminal 21 for dinner. The food here is cheap and diverse. Terminal 21 is great for photo ops, especially the area with the bridge. Inside Terminal 21, you walk around to see what food you want, then go to the counter to get a card with the amount you want to spend, they load the money onto the card, and then you use the card to buy food. When you're done shopping and have run out of money, they refund the remaining balance back to you, so you get to keep the card. I brought back a Terminal 21 card and a Big C card as souvenirs, hope it's not against the law. Then we hailed a tuk-tuk back. Generally, in Bangkok, the six of us mainly used tuk-tuks for transportation. It was a bit cramped but fun, and splitting the fare made it cheap. The tuk-tuk drivers were all different, some were easy to negotiate with. When we hailed a tuk-tuk from Terminal 21, the driver initially asked for 500 baht, but after bargaining, we got it down to 150 baht. Generally, just search for Grab prices and compare before bargaining. It's usually cheaper to go from the hostel than from the mall. Prices during peak hours are also higher. And don't hesitate to negotiate harder. Once they agree, it's okay to go, but if you feel the distance is too far or the ride takes too long compared to the money you paid, you can tip an extra 20-50 baht.

After a full day, we were all a bit tired, arriving back at the hostel late at night. After freshening up and changing into our new clothes, we went to a beer club. We went to Si Phraya Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok. This area has everything, even Fresh Boy. No matter where you go, you'll be lured into cool bars. Inside, the music is pumping, and there are some eye-catching six-pack guys dancing nearly naked. If you're interested, go ahead, but if not, check out Shenanigans Irish Sports Bar & Restaurant Bangkok, also on the same road. We ordered Budweiser beer, 150 baht for a 500ml bottle, very tasty. After drinking, we hailed a tuk-tuk back to the hostel. My friend absent-mindedly dropped his wallet in there. When we realized, we chased after it, shouting helplessly as the tuk-tuk disappeared into the distance on the bustling avenue. Luckily, the driver turned back and returned it, adorable and charming (I was too flustered to tip him extra, sigh).

For beer enthusiasts, one bottle is never enough, so we stopped by 7-Eleven to buy more beer. Unfortunately, they only sell beer during certain hours, so we tried Family Mart but they didn't have any beer either. Ended up buying some snacks to eat before going to bed. Another day over in Bangkok.

Since it was our last day, we just went shopping for souvenirs and headed back. Big C here is huge, they have everything. We regret not coming here sooner. Some of us even joked about 'accidentally' losing our passports to stay a few more days. The variety of products here is unparalleled, the food is extremely enticing, and they have all kinds of beer. It's a paradise here. Ironically... Made a mental note to book a hostel near Big C next time, and only leave once the supermarket is empty. We bought a ton of stuff for souvenirs: bento boxes, seaweed snacks, biscuits, jam, tea, coffee, drinks, and more. Remember to check the prices, don't buy too much and end up wasting money. Oh, if you think the bento is good, well, let's just say I didn't find a single tasty piece. And those long squid snacks weren't great either. I recommend buying souvenirs like essential oils for your home, oil, soap, those Line character plush toys, dried fruits... basically things that aren't commonly found in Vietnam. Because seaweed snacks and bento & beef jerky here are delicious but when imported to Vietnam, they're sold at cheap convenience stores, not much more expensive, so I don't recommend buying them here. At Big C, there's a place to get cardboard boxes for packing to check in at the airport, so no worries. However, the tape costs 20 baht/roll. Weighing is 1 baht/time at the front of 7-Eleven, so no need to worry about that either. If you have extra items to pack, just put them in your backpack or carry-on luggage, and you're good to go.

Gotta say, looking at the traffic during rush hour in Bangkok is truly daunting. But Bangkok is like a breeze compared to the traffic jams in Saigon. Here, it may look congested, but it's not because of traffic jams, it's just that the red lights are a bit long, and when they turn green, the cars zoom off. I booked a Grab to the airport, but unfortunately, the location on the app was wrong, so the driver had to drive around for 30 minutes. Luckily, the driver was patient, otherwise, he would have canceled the trip long ago. Total cost was 600 baht including toll fees. At the airport, it's just time to fly back, nothing special. It's fun to explore the duty-free shops in the airport early. Wanted to try Magic Food again but didn't have time, so if you can, make sure to arrive early and have another meal here. Bye Bangkok, regret not trying the massage, but will definitely try next time we meet.

With the super thoughtful itinerary above, you'll surely feel much more confident traveling independently in Thailand, right?

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