Vietnam Hiking

vietnam hiking"vietnam hiking"
Travelling alone (female) in South East Asia?

Im planning to backpack around SE Asia for a couple of months on my own (This has been my dream since FOREVER) and just want to know a couple of things.. Im planning on visitin Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and Ill be there in December-January 2010-2011

Has anyone done this before? What were your experiences?
Is it easy to meet people? (Other travellers and locals)
How much money would I need to bring? Im planning on slummin it =)
Do I need proper hiking boots for the treks or will ordinary sneakers suffice?

Thanks!! ;)

1) Has anyone done this before? What were your experiences? My wife and I have hosted several single female travellers here in Thailand, and have heard no horror stories. The worst that will happen is you'll be overcharged for something; common sense will prevent theft. Thais are not confrontational nor will they go through your things in your room closet, and will only steal your valuables if you do something dumb like leave your money sitting there on the bed while you're out. If you're friendly, soft-spoken, and smile, and learn a few words of Thai, only good memories await you. There are bad people everywhere in the world, however, so keep up the usual guard. Laos is similar to Thailand, but poorer, more backward. Vietnam is fine as well, but the Vietnamese are a little more aggressive about stealing and ripping you off. But they're not confrontational people either, just a little more persistent, and a little more desperate than Thais. Keep an eye on your cell phone at all times. I put mine down on a chair, and the next moment it was gone. (The cell phone, not the chair!!!) For the most part Vietnamese are super-friendly and welcoming. Cambodia is a very poor country with a bad government. Exercise the most caution there, but you should be OK if you stick to the touristy places, like Angkor Wat. The worst place to go in any of these countries is a rowdy bar full of drunks, but that can apply to anywhere, can't it?

2) Is it easy to meet people? (Other travellers and locals) Yes. Just don't be shy when approaching people, and be friendly when people approach you. If you don't wish to continue to be with someone, they'll go away eventually, and you can stand firm in a polite respectful way that you have plans which don't include them. Telling white lies is fine in Asia, so you can make up a friend that you have to meet even if you don't have one to meet. Probably better to approach local women than men, unless you get a really good felling about a guy.

3) How much money would I need to bring? Im planning on slummin it =)
Check out these websites for free accomodation:
www.couchsurfing.org
www.hospitalityclub.org
www.globalfreeloaders.com

You can get a cheap room in SE Asia for $5 - 10 per night. If you have $40.00 per day you'll be fine. Better too much than too little.

4) Do I need proper hiking boots for the treks or will ordinary sneakers suffice? A pair of hiking sandals is all you'll need.

Have a look at travel books such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guide for more pointers and more opinions. And feel free to message me with any specific questions about Thailand or Vietnam.

Vinamilk Aloe Vera Yogurt is the Best :: Hike Vietnam


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