Buzz
Ms. Phuong Hao (born in 1990, Hanoi) recently embarked on a solo 3-day, 3-night trip to Bangkok with just 3 million dong, despite her limited English proficiency.
3-day Bangkok getaway for just 3 million dong
Traveling solo abroad for the first time can be daunting, with a high chance of facing entry issues. Customs officials will likely inquire about various matters, such as whether you possess the equivalent of at least 10 million dong. Phuong Hao shares her secret: “In such situations, it’s crucial to remain composed rather than showing fear. confidently explain that your funds are available on your visa card and present it to them. Display yourself as a serious and confident tourist, and they’ll likely ease up.”
Hunting for budget airfare
There are numerous budget airlines flying to Thailand. With a bit of patience, you can secure round-trip tickets for as low as approximately 1.5 million dong. If you’re committed to traveling on a tight budget, you must adopt a proactive mindset.
Book Accommodation Online
Phuong Hao shares that she booked her accommodations through online booking platforms. It's essential to have funds available on your Visa card for hotel bookings and flight tickets. You can also withdraw cash using your card while abroad.
A hostel is a shared accommodation with bunk beds, similar to a dormitory. Each person has their own bed, with lockers for belongings and individual keys.
Phuong Hao opted for her first hostel in the Khao San area (Bangkok) due to its proximity to various attractions and nightlife spots. It's advisable to choose a room with air conditioning as Thailand can be quite hot, even at night. She booked a room for 135,000 dong per night. Despite the slightly worn-out appearance, the room was relatively clean, and the hostel staff were very hospitable.
“The most significant aspect was the opportunity to mingle with numerous young backpackers from around the world. Most of the people I met on my recent trip were younger than me, and the list of countries they've visited is impressive. Many of them combine traveling with earning money. In the evenings, we would all head to the bar together, which was a lot of fun,” Phuong Hao recounted.
Later on, she chose a hostel in the Pratunam area. While this area was less bustling, the rooms were much more glamorous and luxurious compared to Khao San. The price also ranged around 135,000 dong per night. Surrounding the area are primarily shopping centers and bustling markets.
Explore Traveling by Bus
Thailand boasts a diverse transportation system, including buses, subway trains, motorbike taxis, regular taxis, and tuk-tuks, offering ample choices for travelers. Opting for buses provides a budget-friendly, safe, and convenient option.
Buses in Thailand come in various types. Among them, shuttle buses operate on short routes and are free, with a trip every 5 minutes. The second type is non-air-conditioned buses. Although these can be hot and infrequent, they are clean and inexpensive.
The third type is air-conditioned buses, with fares ranging from 10 to 15 baht (equivalent to 7,000-10,000 dong). These buses are clean, air-conditioned, and have more frequent trips. Bus ticket sellers in Thailand are very friendly, with 90% proficient in English.
There are 2 ways to check bus routes:
– The quickest way is to ask police officers or students in uniforms, as they have a high likelihood of being proficient in English. Thai people who speak English are very enthusiastic about providing directions to tourists.
– Option 2 is to use a map. You can utilize the Here WeGo app on iOS, which offers an offline map feature. Simply enter your destination and select the bus option. The app will suggest routes and bus lines. Hop on the bus and follow the route on the map.
Dining
For delicious yet budget-friendly meals, head to local markets, preferably residential ones. Alternatively, you can explore the food sections in shopping malls for affordable and diverse food options.
Thailand is renowned for its variety of fruits, smoothies, and juices. Two famous dishes are pad Thai and mango sticky rice.
Ice cream in Thailand is delightful, especially coconut ice cream. Street food is clean, with prices ranging from 20 to 100 baht depending on the type of food.
Exploring Independently
Her approach to sightseeing involved opening the map and heading to places that caught her interest. All her experiences were the result of her own exploration and minimal English communication.
“Traveling solo, it's crucial to be adventurous and proactive in mingling and making friends with everyone. If you can't speak English, body language works just fine. The downside of exploring as you go is that you may not cover many places, but the thrill of discovering a beautiful spot on your own is both exciting and fulfilling,” the cheerful 20-something shared.
Source: Vu Quynh Khanh Linh/Zing News
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourFebruary 24, 2017
