Budget Tip: Ride Your Own Bike
If you go on a tour, you are most likely to be chauffeured around in air-conditioned buses. But what is the fun of following a fixed schedule? Be brave and experience the exhilarating traffic of Vietnam! Try renting a small motorbike, which cost around US$5 per day, and discover the life there on your own.
Make sure that you know some traffic rules in Vietnam and put your helmet on. If you don’t feel like driving in another country, try getting on a xe om (motor taxi) for at least once in Vietnam! The price is as low as half of taxi fare, and you can still experience travelling with helmets.
The motor taxi drivers can be easily spotted at the corners of almost all streets in big cities such as Hanoi or Saigon. Tell them your desired destination and ask for the price in advance. You might want to try bargaining first before agreeing on any price.
Some people might say that doing so is not possible, provided that you are barred by the difference in languages. The fact is that you can you can totally do this on your own without knowing Vietnamese. Drivers in Vietnam can signal the prices with their fingers or with a calculator.
Therefore, the first thing to remember is to bargain. Look out for scams and double pricing. You are still foreigner in the end!
Budget Tip: Never Pay Full Price
If you are a foreign tourist, you would surely encounter one of the most problematic issues of global tourism – two tiers of pricing.
Budget Tip: Try Local Drinks
When it comes to drinking, Vietnamese coffee rules, in terms of both taste and price! It is strongly recommended that you try Vietnamese coffee, which costs less than $1 in most places.
Budget Tip: Eat Street Food
This tip is great for those possessing a quality stomach and wanting to save extra bucks.
