Buzz
Choosing the Travel Time
Experience the Songkran Festival in Thailand.
Best Time to Visit Thailand
Cutting Costs While at Home
To ensure a budget-friendly trip, start by minimizing expenses at home. One effective strategy is to form a group of 3-5 people, making it not only easier to organize but also more enjoyable for shared activities and conversations. (Too many people can lead to group dynamics issues.)
Another crucial step is to read travel reviews about Thailand or seek advice from experienced travelers. Gather essential information on food, accommodation, transportation, and more. Then, plan the most suitable itinerary for yourself and your group.
One of the reasons why people say 'traveling to Thailand nowadays is like going to a market' is because if you are Vietnamese, you won't need a visa to enter Thailand, but you still need to show a cheerful and cooperative attitude. However, remember to bring your passport and make sure to keep it safe. Also, be cautious about printing hotel bookings and have them ready in case you are questioned at the immigration. Moreover, leave unnecessary personal documents at home to avoid loss.
Currency
Currency in Thailand
Firstly, it is advisable not to exchange money at the airport to avoid unfair rates. Bring how much money? It depends on your spending needs, but on average, each person should carry around $300 or more. Some may argue that in Thailand, you can only spend in baht, but from my personal experience, in tourist areas, you can transact in both Vietnamese dong and US dollars. The seller will adjust the exchange rate according to the current rate (1 USD = 33 baht and 673,000 VND = 1,000 baht). It's recommended to exchange from VND to USD and get around 1,000 baht with different denominations for spending. Thai banknotes include 1000, 500, 100, 50, and 20 baht, while coins come in denominations of 10, 5, and 1 baht. So, carry 1000 baht in notes of 500 and below for easier spending, and also have some small denominations of dollars.
Packing Tips for Your Suitcase
Travel light for a better journey
Firstly, when it comes to clothing, opt for outfits suitable for the climate there. Avoid carrying unnecessary clothes. For those who are careful, bring some laundry detergent or soap to wash clothes if needed. Since there are many temples and shrines there, and even small shrines along the way (those who have seen ghost houses probably know), pack half of your suitcase with beachwear for Pattaya and the other half with longer clothing for spiritual spots. However, don't overpack. Next, bring a toothbrush and toothpaste because many hotels don't provide them or provide ones you might not be used to. Additionally, carry some medication and a first aid kit to be prepared for unforeseen situations.
Booking a Flight to Thailand
Next is finding budget flights to Thailand. Plan ahead and look for flights 1-2 months prior to grab affordable tickets. Some lucky ones might snag zero-cost tickets, but since they're not always available, focus on finding reasonably priced flights. Round-trip flights from Hanoi to Thailand can range around 2,000,000 VND per person, while starting from Ho Chi Minh City tends to be much cheaper.
Booking Hotels in Thailand from Home
Hotels play a crucial role in determining whether your trip is enjoyable or not, so be careful when choosing. Regardless of the city worldwide, a universal principle is to opt for hotels in the central area for easy transportation and better service quality. For hotel bookings, you can use platforms like booking.com or agoda.com. However, here's a successful alternative: browse these websites to find and select a hotel, then search for the hotel's contact information. Reach out to them directly to book a room and negotiate prices; this might get you a better deal. Additionally, consider choosing 2 or 3-star hotels or hostels to save on expenses. Here are some highly-rated hotels:
Pattaya: The central area in Pattaya is close to the beach, bustling with international visitors. Personally, I stayed at the Eastiny Seven Hotel, 1194 Pattaya Beach Road, Soi 7, Pattaya City, just about 200m from the beach. The rooms were decent, and they even had a swimming pool. The double room rate was quite affordable, just over 400,000 VND per room per night.
Eastiny Seven Hotel
Below are some well-reviewed and reasonably priced hotels in Pattaya:
- Duo Residence Jomtien: Priced starting from $13
- Red Planet Pattaya Hotel: Priced starting from $17
- Grand Bella Hotel: Priced between $25-$34
- Royal Heritage Pavilion Jomtien Hotel: Priced at $35-$37
- Serenotel Pattaya: Priced at $37
Bangkok: In Bangkok, it's recommended to stay in areas like Khao San, China Town, Sukhumvit, Sathorn, Banglamphu, Rattanakosin. Each area has its unique features; for instance, Khao San is the Western district, similar to Hanoi's Ta Hien, and China Town is the most Vietnamese-populated area. Overall, these areas are central, lively, easy to navigate, with numerous services and decent security. Personally, I stayed at Sam’s Lodge, 28/1 Sukhumvit Soi 19, Wattana, 10110 Bangkok, with a room rate of around 500,000 VND per night. The rooms here are slightly compact but beautifully decorated, and the service is good.
Rooms at Sam's Lodge might be small, but they are beautifully decorated and well-equipped
If you want to save time on preparation and are not savvy in booking rooms and flights independently, you can opt for a ready-made tour package to Thailand from Mytour Travel Company. With over 10 years of experience in the travel industry, Mytour.vn provides customers with reputable, high-quality tours at the best prices!
Giang Đỗ
Image source: Internet
