Vietnam: Budget, Takeaway Thoughts and Tips

Vietnam, particularly HCMC, is a simple country. Simple, clean, and relatively uncomplicated. The language barrier will be a fun challenge. Not everyone speaks English, but the locals were quite nice and helpful.

A monk in the streets

If you are itching for a different adventure, Mui Ne is a good option. The bus ride from HCMC is just 5 hours. 

Sand dunes, anyone?

Here's the table of expenses for our Vietnam leg of the Indochina trip. Some costs are divided by two because I have a travel buddy this time.

VIETNAM EXPENSES	USD	VND
Day 1: DIY HCMC City Tour
Arrive in airport
Supermarket purchase: Water and jackfuit chips		11,300.00
Entrance fee in Reunification Palace		30,000.00
Avocado Shake		35,000.00
Entrance fee in War Remnants Museum		15,000.00
Pre-dinner Meal at Pha Lau Li		39,000.00
Dinner near hotel		73,500.00
Water from K-mart		9,000.00
Bich Duyen for two nights - $17 per night - double bed, 2 nights	17.00
Pick-up service from airport - for the whole taxi - $14	7.00
Bus from HCMC to Mui Ne	6.00
Day 2: Bus going to Mui Ne + Mui Ne Tour
Bahn Mi Sandwich at bus stop		20,000.00
Jeep tour in Mui Ne	8.00
Fairy Stream tip to kids (too much!)		75,000.00
Sled rent - VND 100,000 per sled		50,000.00
Overnight in Mui Ne backpackers - $25/night for a poolside room	12.50
Dinner at Bamboo Bamboo, Mui Ne		82,000.00
Day 3: Bus back to HCMC, Pasalubong Shopping
Bus going back to HCMC	6.00
Croissant snack at bus stop		15,000.00
Ben Thahn Market food		41,000.00
Late Lunch at Pho Hoa		75,500.00
Water		6,600.00
Trung Nguyen G7 instant coffee - 2 packs		96,000.00
Vinatural Jackfruit Chips		67,400.00
Day 4: Cao Dai Temple + Cu Chi Tunnel Tour
Lunch during tour		80,000.00
Entrance fee of Cu Chi Tunnel		90,000.00
Mineral Water		7,000.00
Dinner		96,000.00
Iced Coffee in the streets		10,000.00
Bich Duyen for two nights - $17 per night - double bed, 2 nights	17.00
Cu Chi Cao Dai Tour	8.00
Bus to PP - Mekong Express	14.00
Total in USD/VND	95.50	1,024,300.00
USD to VND conversion (1 USD = 20,700)		20,700.00
Expenses in USD	95.50	49.48
USD rate (rate that I bought my USD)	42.00	42.00
Expenses in PHP	4,011.00	2,078.29
Total in PHP		6,089.29

Other expenses not in the table:
MNL-SGN airfare via 5J - with 15kg luggage: PHP 1,313.00
Airport terminal fee: Php 550.00
Travel Tax: Php 1,620

Some takeaway thoughts and tips:

• The money changer in the airport gave the best rate with no charges. The other money changers around the backpacker's area charge a fee. 
• Learn how to say "Thank you" in Vietnamese: Cám ơn (Gahm uhn). Use the phrase whenever you can.
• To get across that motorcycle-filled street, just cross. Or follow someone who looks like an expert in crossing the streets
• Please try their iced coffee!
• Haggle your way in the markets
• Print your own map from google maps. The hotel provided us with a map but I found Googlemaps more accurate.
• It would help if you read a bit about the country's history.

Filipinos in Vietnam?
A waitress immediately identified us as Filipinos when we sat down and ordered. She said she watched Filipino soap operas everyday - like Mara Clara, and another soap opera that I can't remember. True enough, we found Kim and Gerald speaking Vietnamese on TV!