Indochina: Summary of Expenses and Insights

Budget

The total financial damage of this adventure:

EXPENSES	USD	VND	BHT	PHP
MNL-SGN/HCMC via Cebu Pacific (15kg baggage)				1,313.00
BKK-MNL via Cebu Pacific (20 kg baggage)				2,396.69
Philippine Travel Tax				1,620.00
Terminal Fee				550.00
Vietnam - HCMC and Mui Ne	95.50	1,024,300.00
Cambodia - PP and SR	205.25
Thailand - Bangkok			4,181.00
Subtotal 1	300.75	1,024,300.00	4,181.00	5,879.69
VND/USD	49.48	(1,024,300.00)
Subtotal 2	350.23	-	4,181.00	5,879.69
Conversion Rate to PHP	42.00		1.40
Converted to PHP	14,709.79	-	5,853.40	5,879.69
Total in PHP (excluding pasalubongs)				26,442.88

Some would say that our expenses are quite high. The plane fares are relatively high compared to their seat-sale prices three years ago. Airfare prices are relatively high nowadays but don't let that stop you from traveling - just budget it! Also, our trip is quite long, compared to some itineraries which run from 7-9 days for these countries. Not that cheap, but not that expensive either. Not bad eh for a couple of stamps on the passport.

Breakdown, per country:

Summary:	PHP Costs
Airfare, Airport Fees	5,879.69
Vietnam	6,089.29
Cambodia	8,620.50
Thailand	5,853.40
Total	26,442.88

Research:

Forums: Pinoyexchange and Girltalk

Chyng Reyes  - DIY solo backpacking Indochina, pretty inspiring if you want to do this adventure on your own. I read about her cool adventure back then but Indochina wasn't in the "immediate future" bucket list.

Excursionista - has a detailed itinerary and table of expenses; includes details in crossing the borders.

There are a couple of other websites but these are my personal picks. Detailed enough to get you reading and dreaming about your own Indochina adventure.

Packing:

I brought a 40L backpack and my laptop bag. I also had an eco-bag for shopping. After shopping in Bangkok, I had to buy another bag for all the goodies. 

An extra eco bag will come in very handy

Daypack/Totebag	Notes
Passport	Scan a copy of your passport/take a picture and save it in your email.
Pen	For immigration forms
Valid IDs	Calling cards
Printed itineraries	Trip itinerary, plane itinerary, hotel reservations
Camera and Accessories	Free up some space in the memory card
Cellphone and Charger
Laptop
ATM/ Credit Card	Call up bank to inform about CC and ATM usage overseas
Hat
Umbrella	Bring during tours, check in baggage in flight
Sunglasses
MP3 player
Light jacket
Raincoat
Mints
Money
The Backpack
Outfits for layering	It may be too hot during the day or it might rain Shorts are okay except for temple days Leggings + Shirt
Underwear
Toiletries	All kikayness. Nail clippers, Tweezers
Laundry soap
Towel
Sleepwear	Shirts and shorts. Something presentable in the breakfast table
Towel
Footwear	Slippers/Tribu sandals/pocket shoes
Journal and pen
Sewing kit
First aid kit	Band aid, Betadine, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Diatabs, etc.
Food stash	Not much
Contact list of embassies
Contact list of family members

            

Have fun! :)

Takeaway thoughts & tips:

• It is fun to travel with your best friend! You get to have a whole bunch crazy pics together!

Mui Ne, Vietnam

• You get some photos while you are busy doing something else, like finding out where the heck you are and where you are headed.

I have someone to take my pics while looking haggard and lost

• There is a language barrier, but this is manageable.  Yes, it can be frustrating at times. Don't complain too much about this, you will get by. Don't make the language barrier as an excuse not to travel to a place. Don't belittle their knowledge of English. Traveling is not a "Best in English" contest.
• Learn the "Thank you-s" in their native language. Practice it!
• Made us realize that almost everything in the Philippines is translated into English (Pedro's Store, Juan's Bakery). There's no sense of getting "lost" here.                        

Indochina Part 2?

This trip roused our interest in doing another Indochina adventure. The planned route: MNL-Hanoi-Laos-Chiang Mai. This would probably include long bus rides, so I'd have to put some city in between. Nothing concrete yet. For now, I dream again.

Whew