Budget in Ho Chi Minh & Vung Tau (5D4N) for SGD350

This is my first-time travel to Vietnam. We spend total $350 which included flight, accommodation, food, and etc.

Flight 

Singapore - Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh

VietJet Airline is Vietnam budget airline.


To take note, many locals said that VietJet Airline always delays more than 2 hours. Please try your luck. We are lucky enough that our flight no delay and very smooth.

VietJet Airline (round trip) - $130 

Accommodation  

All our accommodation for this trip was book through Airbnb. Our hosts are very friendly and helpful to share with us what to eat and where to visit.

One of the Airbnb Accommodations

Toilet and bathroom are outside the rooms.

4 Nights - $55 per person.

We stayed at district 1 and 3 in Ho Chi Minh. However, we love to stay in district 1 because everything is just a walking distance to tourist place. You can save your money in transportation. 

Transportation 

*Please take Uber or Grab in Ho Chi Minh for your transportation especially in the airport. Taxi drivers in the airport always charge more than 200,000 VND to drive you to district 1. 

GrabCar

International Airport to Ho Chi Minh (District 3) - 70,000 VND 

Hoa Mai Limousine (Recommend by my Airbnb host)

Hoa Mai Limousine

Hoa Mai Limousine Office in Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh (District 1) to Vung Tau - 140,000 VND

Pro: It provides water and wet tissue.

Con: Driver neither understands nor speak English. It is hard for us to tell the driver where we want to stop.

Address: 93 Nguyen Thai Binh, Quan 1 Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Website: www.hoamaivungtau.com.vn

GrabCar

Ho Chi Minh (District 1) to International Airport - 85,000 VND

Total price for transportation in Vietnam: 295,000 VND 

What to eat in Vietnam?

1.  Bánh Tráng Nướng - Rice paper wrapper with minced pork, dried prawn, egg and etc.

Price: 1,500 - 2,000 VND

2. Spicy Squid

Price: 45,000 VND

3. Banh Khot - Vietnam crispy pancake

4. Goi Cuon - Vietnamese Spring Roll

Price: 5,000 VND each

5. Bánh Kẹp Gốc Cột Điện - Bánh Bông Lan Trứng Muối - Cake with salted egg (Very famous in Vung Tau)

Price: 25,000VND packet

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What to do in Kaohsiung?

Here are my top 5 must do in Kaohsiung.


1. Cycling in Cijin Island

Cijin Harbour

Motorbike in the ferry.

Tianhou Temple

Fresh seafood

Selfies with Spiderman

Street vendors

Seaside Park

Cijin Star Tunnel

Dried seafood market

Local ice cream

Cihou Fort

View from Cihou Fort

Cijin Island is a tiny island just a 5 minutes ferry journey from Kaohsiung Harbour to Cijin Harbour. This Island will definitely give you unforgotten memories.

Here are some attractions in Cijin Island: Cijin Seaside Park, Cihou Fort, Cijin Star Tunnel, Tianhou Temple and etc.

How to get there?

•      Take the orange Line and get off at Sizihwan (O1)
•    Go to exit 1
•    Please follow the signboard. It takes about 10 minutes’ walks to the harbor.
•    Take the ferry to Cijin Island. It’s cost 15NT per person.
•     It take about 10 minutes to reach Cijin Island

    

    2. Eat and Shop at Rui Feng Night Market

Outside the night market.

Food!

More food!

Fresh bread.

More hidden food

BBQ and mini Steamboat seafood.

Throw throw!

More throw!

Outdoor massage.

Shoes shop

      Ruifeng Night Market is the best and busiest night market in Kaohsiung. There are lots of food stalls selling all kinds of local delights, from drinks to beef steaks.

       

       How to get there?

•             Take the red line and get off at Kaohsiung Arena (R14)
•             Go to exit 1
•             Please follow the large crowd and you will be able to see the bright Signboard "瑞丰夜市"
• 
  

   *Closed on Monday and Wednesday.*

     3. Dragon Tiger Pagodas / Lotus Pond

Enter at Dragon mouth

      This is an iconic landmark in Kaohsiung. The attraction is free. You must enter through the mouth of the dragon and leave through the rear of the tiger.

      How to get there?

•        Take the red line and get off at Zouying (R16)
•        Walk down Mingtan Road to Lotus Pond or Public bus red line #35 at platform 5

     4. Shopping at Kaohsiung Arena / Hanshin Arena

Arena

      The Kaohsiung Arena is nicely located at central Kaohsiung. It is also beside the biggest mall with many nice restaurants, cafes and etc.

       How to get there?

•      Take the red line and get off at Kaohsiung Arena (R14)
•       Exit from No.1

2    5. Take a stroll at Ai He (Love River)

Cycling path

      The love river is a long river in Kaohsiung. The river is best to view during night time. You can also travel by boat and enjoy the scenery. There is also a few bars and restaurant.
   
      How to get there?

•         Take the Orange Line and get off at Yanchengpu (O2)
•         Exit to Wufu road and walk east up Wufu road toward the Love River

s   I spend a total of 250 SGD for 4D3N in Kaohsiung.  

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Updated: MAXTHER - Unique experiences at lowest prices in South East Asia

Unique experiences at lowest prices in South East Asia

Maxther.com

Maxther.com had her baby steps in January 2017, and now provides more than 80 different experience from 8 countries in Southeast Asia. And their listenings are still growing!

Maxther is a travel marketplace for Southeast Asia local experiences, begin with a group of tech nerds and travel addicts who have more than 30 years of experience in Southeast Asia travel industry. Their extensive travel in Southeast Asia and interactions with the locals over the years has inspired the concept for Maxther, that is to help locals maximize their resources and be connected globally for alternative opportunities while allowing travelers to maximize their local travel experiences. 

The concept allows for local tour operators, boutique travel agencies, local rural/urban communities, and individual (really anyone) to participate.

While there are many established online travel marketplace platforms around, this is how Maxther distinguish itself:

1) They focus on Southeast Asia/ ASEAN countries only. We look for unique, one-of-a-kind local experiences in Southeast Asia to list on their platform.

2) Maxther has free help plans, built on their travel experiences, in areas like enhancing itinerary ideas, operationalising local experiences, I.T. setup, English language etc., to assist our local partner (aka Maxperts) to put up their unique experiences successfully online. You will not find these help plans on other established platforms.

3) All Maxperts working with them are verified via checking of license & personal identification documents and face-to-face interviews. This is their assurance to their guests that their Maxperts are authentic people and licensed companies.

Review

My first impression of the Maxther that they have unique activities that allow me to learn their daily lives. None of the travel agencies can provide local experiences.  As a backpacker, I will definitely join one of the activity to learn and experience from the local lives. The activities are affordable too!

For example, they have an activity to allow you to walk in a traditional Khmer Village and the school visit in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Khmer Village is one of the poorest villages in Siem Reap Province. You can get to see the house made of palm leaves and their daily lives. Last but not least, you will be joining one of the local villager's house for lunch!

I can't wait to join this activity in June. Do check it out for my next post about this activity!

Do sign up to be Maxpert - http://maxther.com/registration/

Referral code: MAX-DIARI (USD$5 or SGD$7)

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Japan Rail Pass & trains

Do I need Japan Rail Pass?

In this trip, we did not get the rail pass because we did not travel out of Osaka.

Disclaimer - This is based on our knowledge. Any amendments please do comment.

This is my favorite website: http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

Japan Rail Pass News (taken from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html)

1. On a trial basis, the Japan Rail Pass will become available for sale at selected stations inside of Japan from March 8, 2017, to March 31, 2018. However, the pass will be more expensive when purchased inside Japan.

2. From April 1, 2017, the pass will become unavailable to Japanese nationals with permanent residence outside of Japan.


There's been confusion on a need or a want? Here are the things that can be broken down to suit your needs.

1. JR Pass

Normally the pass will include Shinkansen, airport express train, JR region lines, bus, and trams package all in one. Prices will be steep but it's a very good value if you're visiting Japan longer and want to experience other places.

An example of a rail pass will be categorized in places called 'area'. Pick the appropriate ones and choose wisely. When purchases made online, it will be exchanged for a physical pass to use on your travels. While this is a good option to have, be cautious of the train services. Some Shinkansen trains will be affected by your ticket. If the service is not on your pass, you'll have to pay the price difference.

2. Cost per travel - Buying tickets at the train station

Best suited if you're making arrangement for short distance journey. This option is made by going to the ticketing automated machine or through the ticket counter if you're not sure how to purchase the ticket. Most of the machine in Japan are in Japanese but using the machine is very easy when you're used to buying it. Just selected the desired location amount that you want to go and pop in coins or notes into the slot. If let's say you have reach upon the station and the amount is not sufficient to exit, there will be a "fare adjustment" machine to match the exit amount.


Different type of trains

But first, before hopping onboard the train, do check the timetable of the train. Japanese trains have a vast variety of services. Subway trains are less complex. Look at the timetable and be sure about it or you can ask the friendly staffs there for assistance. Most of the time we are using Google Maps as timetable are integrated into the app itself.

Trains are categories as follow:

1- Local (Stops at every station)
2- Rapid (Skip most stations. No price difference)
3- Limited Express (Stops at major station. Surcharge will be applied)
4- Super Express, Shinkansen (Runs on different track and platform. Different charges may apply for your rail pass)

Before entering the paid zone, be aware of where to slot in your ticket. If you do not have the ticket in your hand, the barrier will close automatically.

When at the station platform, there is guidance where to stand. Signs will indicate how many cars depending on the service. For example, a rapid airport express route will be having a 9 car formation (3 cars + 6 cars). Station announcement will indicate before the train arrives at the platform. So listen carefully. Most services have combined trains such as the rapid airport express which will uncouple at a station before the train proceeds to the next destination.

Inside the train, it's very quiet. Please take note that there are few of priority seats. Announcements are made in both Japanese and English.

Be sure to get ready your ticket when exiting the machine. Any adjustment of fare can be made at the fare adjustment machine.

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