Exploring Indochina: Expenses

You've already read it from countless travel blogs yet you still think that you need to have lots of moolah to travel, so I'm giving you another proof to debunk that notion. 

Below is a breakdown of our expenses per country and per item so you can have an idea of how much you need per day to get by.

Yes, you don't need to break the bank to travel to three countries for more than a week.

ACCOMMODATION

1 - 3 nights accommodation based on twin sharing

2 - 3 nights accommodation based on twin sharing - Amount indicated is just an estimate since we got a package (accommodation + tour) from the guesthouse.

3 - 3 nights accommodation based on twin sharing - Amount is significantly higher than our Vietnam and Cambodia accommodations because we stayed in a hotel.

You can obviously bring down the cost further if you don't mind staying in backpacker hostels or if you're traveling with a group.

FOOD & DRINKS

Vietnam - Food is very cheap in Vietnam. A bowl of Pho costs about VND40,000 ($2/Php80)

Cambodia - Food and water can be quite expensive since prices are in US Dollars. A meal can cost between $3 - $6. By the way, the buffet with Apsara dance ($8) is included in the cost above.

Thailand - We ate a LOT in Bangkok but we still did not spend much. Yes, we survived on street foods (if you're not picky)! :D Typical meal can cost between THB30 - THB50 ($1-$2).

TRANSPORTATION

4 - Cost includes airport pickup and bus from Vietnam to Cambodia

5 - Cost includes tuk-tuk/remork for Angkor tour and bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok

TOUR & ENTRANCE FEES

Vietnam - Includes Mekong Delta tour, Cu Chi Tunnel tour and admission

Cambodia - Includes one day Angkor pass and tour guide fee

Thailand - Includes entrance to Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace, and Wat Pho

SOUVENIR

Cost obviously varies for this one. 

Vietnam - We bought souvenirs from Benh Thanh Market which is a tourist trap. We found out the Saigon shirt we got for VND250,000 can be bought for only VND125,000 from a souvenir shop in Pham Ngu Lao. 

Cambodia - We went to Angkor Night Market but went home empty-handed. Again, we were turned off because items are priced in US Dollars.

Thailand - We bought most of the souvenirs in Khao San Road. Unfortunately, our last day in Bangkok fell on a Friday so we weren't able to shop much in Chatuchak.

MISCELLANEOUS

Includes laundry, tip/gratuity, IDD call (because my roaming wasn't working)

***

If you do the math, we only spent roughly about Php5,000.00 per country! It may not be the cheapest, but it's not that expensive either. :) 

K