Some Vietnam Sights I Will Have To Miss (For Now)

Mia proposed this itinerary, for what she likes to call our "sojourney weaver" to Vietnam and Cambodia.

November 1: ETD: 11:30 PM Manila

November 2: ETA: 12:40 AM Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) : Whole Day Saigon

November 3: ETD: 7:00 am Saigon (via Bus) ETA: 2:00 pm Phnom Penh whole day PP, overnight PP

November 4: ETD: 7:00 am PP (via Bus) ETA: 2:00 pm Siem Reap whole day SR, overnight SR



November 5: whole day SR November 6: ETD: 7:00 am SR (via bus) ETA: 8:00 pm Saigon

November 7: ETD: 1:00 am Saigon ETA: 4:00 am Manila

One Sunday we decided to go online and talk about what to do and where to stay. The thing is, I would have wanted to stay a bit longer in Vietnam, to be able to visit sights such as Halong Bay, Hue and Hanoi.

Mausoleum of Tu Doc in Hue (from virtualtourist.com)

Limestone karsts in Halong Bay

We toyed around the idea of extending our trip in order to accommodate the side trips to Vietnam's other sights. But then we remembered Camarines Sur. Nine straight days and non-stop traveling and we were getting on each others' nerves.

So we decided to stick to the plan and settle for a city tour of Ho Chi Minh (funny how all the interesting places in Vietnam start with an H.) So we decided to split the planning - Mia would take care of the Cambodia leg of our trip, and I would oversee Vietnam.

It's the most overwhelming thing actually. There is just too much information from all sorts of sources. I've browsed through the Lonely Planet website, scanned a Frommers Travel Guide in a book store, hopped from one website to another.

I'm giving myself a deadline. Tomorrow, I will post an initial list of hotels and sights that I've collected. I'll try to connect with someone from Vietnam on Facebook as well. Let's see how that goes.

Friendly Neighborhood Airline

By now you might know that one of the best budget carriers here in the Philippines is Cebu Pacific. Every so often, the airline comes out with these promos for ridiculously low prices for any of their domestic and foreign flights.

I myself have flown from Manila to Cebu in January for 2,500 php (US 256 dollars), roundtrip. Or Manila to Davao, several times with fares ranging from 3,500 to 4,000 pesos (US 80-90 dollars).



The key really, is to know that prices plummet in November. I get the updates in my email, which can be activated by clicking their site here.

My best friend Mia and I have been wanting to go on a trip for a long time. So when Beijing and Shanghai fares dropped, we thought we'd go. But then we decided the visa process would a bit tedious for now.

So Southeast Asia then. She wanted to go to Cambodia, I wanted to see Vietnam. So why not both? We waited two more weeks because initially the plane fare costs 7,000 php (US 160 dollars), and we know it wouldn't be long until Cebu Pac would lower its rates.

And that was how, we were able to book roundtrip ticket from Manila to Vietnam for only 4,000 php (US 90 dollars).

Our trip is scheduled for November 1 until 7, and now we're just figuring out how the rest our trip will fit into a shoestring budget.

I Will Travel The World

My lifelong dream is to be able to travel all over the world. I always thought only the rich had the luxury to do this. Not anymore.

Starting with Vietnam and Cambodia this November, I vow to visit as many places in the world as I possibly can. And I'll show you how that's possible.