How do Vietnamese adventurers travel through Russia? (Part 2)

However, we will surely enjoy exploring our favorite places, which is considered the main reason for those who prefer independent travel over buying pre-packaged tours.

How do Vietnamese adventurers travel through Russia? (Part 2)

Money Exchange

Russia only uses the ruble. You should exchange only a small amount at the airport, as the exchange rate is quite low. Currency exchange in Russia is very easy. You can find exchange rates displayed in most banks everywhere, and be sure to compare when exchanging. There are also some private currency exchange points in the city center or near tourist attractions with even better rates for backpackers.

Reasonable Food Costs

You'll spend approximately 250-300 rubles for a meal at KFC or McDonald's. But if you want to truly feel like a Russian, add a fresh beer for about 80-120 rubles. I usually cook in the hotel, so the cost will be almost half compared to eating out. The ruble's lower value compared to the USD is also an advantage for travelers when backpacking in Russia at this time.

Affordable Sightseeing Costs

Most tourist attractions almost always sell tickets, with various prices for different groups such as adult visitors, students, or retirees, as well as children.

At a tourist spot, there are also many additional services you have to pay for. For example, at St. Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, if you want to climb the bell tower to admire the cityscape from above, you need to buy an additional ticket for this. Student tickets are usually 50% cheaper than adult tickets.

Some places even offer free admission for students like the Winter Palace Hemitage. That's why I visited Hemitage twice to fully enjoy the grandeur of the exhibits here.

A small note is that you may spend a little money for photo shooting inside some churches or museums, usually 100 rubles.

The luggage storage system at tourist sites and train stations is very convenient

When traveling alone, the most concerning thing is where to store your luggage. Most tourist sites like museums, palaces offer free luggage storage services for tourists. So, you can relax and enjoy the sightseeing without having to carry your bags around. Train stations, airports also provide this service at reasonable prices. For example, the luggage storage fee at train stations is 170 rubles per item per day.

Buying souvenirs

This is also an interesting part for tourists to bring back home characteristic souvenirs. In Russia, there are many souvenir shops for tourists. You can buy them outside tourist attractions, in museums, churches, palaces, metro stations, train stations... The prices are relatively the same. If you buy at souvenir shops at airports, central streets or shopping centers, the prices will be slightly higher. Based on my own experience, you should buy outside the Winter Palace, where souvenir prices are the cheapest and you can negotiate a little compared to other places I've been through.

Mobile phone SIM card

At airports, train stations, metro stations or shopping centers, SIM cards are available for sale. I bought a super SIM card for 500 rubles (about 170,000 VND) with unlimited local calls and 3G for my days in Russia.

Many airlines offer routes from Vietnam to Moscow

Some airlines provide direct flights like Vietnam Airlines, Aeroflot, while others require one or two transit stops, such as Qatar Airways, S7 Airlines, Etihad Airways... Securing affordable tickets may take some time hunting for promotions. Airlines have different promotional programs depending on the season. I chose Turkish Airlines for its excellent quality and booked nearly 3 months in advance online.

The weather is more pleasant than you might think

Many visitors from tropical countries like Vietnam often find Russia's weather daunting. In Moscow, temperatures can drop several degrees below zero Celsius during winter and spring, and some attractions may be closed. However, summer or early autumn is more suitable for Vietnamese tourists. I traveled in late August, enjoying clear skies and witnessing the northern foliage transitioning into beautiful shades of gold. Temperatures ranged from 15-25 degrees Celsius, dropping to around 10 degrees at night, but still suitable for backpackers without the burden of bulky cold-weather gear.

You'll receive very enthusiastic assistance from elderly Russians

Elderly Russians are very eager to help tourists, offering assistance with genuine warmth. Despite language barriers, they are often willing to assist travelers, providing directions or recommendations with sincerity and kindness.

You'll encounter fewer curious looks from locals compared to tourists from other Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries. For me, this is a comforting experience. And there have been occasions where Russians correctly guessed I was Vietnamese.

Russia's lifestyle is evolving. Russian youth are busy with work, so sometimes you may find them indifferent or less enthusiastic in helping tourists. However, elderly Russians are still very kind, warm, and hospitable. They will be helpful despite language barriers being a significant obstacle. You won't have to worry about needing assistance, as such people are still present in today's developed society like Russia.

Is Russia safe for Vietnamese backpackers?

The answer is yes. Even in wealthy Western countries, security issues are prevalent everywhere, not just in Russia, if you don't equip yourself with necessary safety skills.

In Russia, the wealth gap is quite evident, leading to social issues such as illegal immigration, begging, violence...

Russians often consume alcohol, even during daily meals. You'll often smell alcohol in elevators or subway cars. Or you'll see many people heavily intoxicated in the mornings, and there are occasions where they engage in street fights. As a foreign tourist, you should steer clear of them not only in Russia but also in other Nordic countries—considered among the world's safest.

Traveling alone requires essential life skills, such as not venturing into desolate areas or initiating conversations with strangers. Before embarking, I also read about racial discrimination by Russian skinheads or the gender bias of Russians. However, none of these occurred during my trip; instead, I received warm assistance from elderly Russians who correctly guessed I was from Vietnam.

How much will you spend for a trip like mine?

Let's calculate the expenses I incurred during my 16-day trip to Russia.

Round-trip airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Moscow: $600 USD (promotional price, subject to availability; otherwise, it ranges from $700 to $1000 USD per ticket).

Accommodation: $60 USD for 8 nights.

Third and fourth-class train tickets for the entire itinerary: $190 USD.

Food expenses: $176 USD.

Sightseeing: $75 USD (I used a student card).

Souvenirs: $42 USD.

Russian visa: $200 USD (I applied through a service).

Laundry fee: $7 USD.

Metro, bus, tram tickets: $14 USD.

Other expenses such as hygiene, luggage storage at train stations: $9 USD.

The total cost is $1,373 USD (about 31 million VND). Currently, a 10-day tour to Russia typically costs $2,000-2,500 USD, of course, guests will enjoy some good services such as 3-4-star hotels, 2nd class trains, or domestic flights.

But if you travel independently, you will have the freedom to explore the places you love. This is considered the main reason why people prefer independent travel over buying tours from travel companies. If you are an adventurous person, Russia can now be a great destination for your backpacking trip.

Source: Zing News

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour