Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mediano tzu]

Hi all,

I am supposed to leave for Bangkok with my wife mid-December for a 6-week trip to these 4 countries. It was looking good when we made the plans, booked tickets, etc., but I am beginning to get nervous that we won't have enough money to make it through at the current rate of exchange. Our plan was to land it Bangkok, spend a few days in Ko Samet, then up to Chiang Mai, boat over to Luang Prabang, head overland across N. Laos (I know that's supposed to be a tough bus ride) and into Vietnam to Sapa, down to Hanoi and Halong Bay, bus down to Hoi An, then on to Saigon before heading into Phnom Penh and then taking the boat up to Siem Reap.

I know that 6 weeks isn't copious time to see all this, but more importantly, is about 4 million won enough to cover two people to do all of this in 6 weeks? I'm hoping for semi-clean guest houses and buses we can actually sleep on to save in accommodations, as well as relative safety. Been to Thailand once before and I actually fell through a floor at a bungalow, so I don't want repeats of that when traveling with the wife. But there would seem a very real possibility of having to cancel our plans and take the loss on some ticket cost, cost we spent getting visas, etc., because I am really starting to doubt that our 4 million won (or now $2,655 USD) will cover us at this rate.

[D.D.]

That should be enough. Why not have a chilled holiday with less moving around. Most spending happens on the days when you move around. Once you get settled in a place you usually don't get ripped off as much and spending goes down.

[mediano tzu]

[partialtone]

Ah, three months ago that would have been more than enough money, but I still think you can get by without worrying too much. Since you're crossing though so many countries my biggest warning would be to watch out for exchange rate scams. No matter how nice your tour guide seems, I would never take their advice on where to change or withdraw money.

[nysushi]

thats heaps

[thrylos]

That 4 million, I hope you're not taking that in Won. Outside some major places in Thailand, (not sure 'bout Vietnam), actual (man)won bills are useless. US dollars are your best bet, as they can be used in Cambodia and Laos as legal tender. It should be enough, but why not have some travellers checks as backup? They're safe, though a bit more expensive.

[mediano tzu]

[midgic]

According to my calculations, you will have about $65/day. That should be plenty. I did a similar trip with my wife and we averaged about $30/day. We stayed in budget (but decent) accommodation and didn't even try too hard to save money. That was in 2004, but I wouldn't think that costs have risen so much since then.

It would be useful to have cash in US dollars in small denominations as most guesthouses and travel agencies set their prices in US dollars. Also, I think visas are normally paid in US dollars.

You should have no problems completing the trip in six weeks as follows:

Thailand (1 week)
Laos (1 week)
Vietnam (2 weeks)
Cambodia (1 week)
* Thailand (1 week)
* I assume you will fly out of Bangkok at the end?

Happy Travels!

[mediano tzu]

[nizpaz]

It's enough. If you're carrying all that as cash, take good care of it.

You can go cheap in VN, especially in Hanoi and HCMC. The lowerpriced "budget" hotels offer a lot more than lower priced budget in Thailand, it's a conumdrum I could never figure out! Plus competitive and is worth bargaining hard. Spend more in the resort areas.

The place to save cash is on food. Really you cannot beat SE Asia for cheap food. In all these countries drink local beer. In VN drink it by the jug in beer hoi's.

To me, that's plenty of money for that trip.

Now just enjoy it! Incredible places. But take care of your cash!esp in vn

[Hanson]

[mediano tzu]

[jajdude]

US dollars for sure, and no scam for USD in Vietnam money changers, at least the ones I used (in 2004). The locals are something else though but generally won't hurt for more than a buck or two here and there I imagine.