Wondering how you could explore 5 foreign destinations, earn a total of 6 passport stamps, visit numerous temples, experience off the beaten path adventures, eat exotic foods, meet new friends and locals, and just have that YOLO time of your life in 7 epic days all for a budget of 11,000 PHP?!
That’s possible, my friend. I must say, this trip is the cheapest (considering the number of days and the experiences) and the most amazing one I had (so far!) I wouldn’t exchange the memories and fun times I got with anything! I just had the best experience ever, and I want you to experience this too!
Pre Travel Guide
Indochina Route:
We started our Indochina Adventure in Bangkok Thailand, and ended it in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam. There are several airlines that offer flights to/from Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh (Check: Skyscanner for flight comparisons)
As for us, we had our RT fare at 3800 PHP!
Do we need Visa for these countries?
For Philippine Passport holders, we don’t have to apply for any visa to these countries. Yeay!
Where to stay?
Accommodations in these countries are pretty cheap, in fact you can even score a hostel for only 150 PHP a day! Check out these direct links for Accommodation Choices:
- Bangkok Accommodation
- Pattaya Accommodation
- Chiang Mai Accommodation
- Siem Reap Accommodation
- Ho Chi Minh Accommodation
PS: Carefully read the Guide below since not all countries we visited needs an accommodation to stay. There are nights that we weren’t in an accommodation, but in a Overnight Bus trip.
Note:
This is a SUGGESTED itinerary and budget assuming that you’re conscious with your funds, wherein you will be traveling in a cheap way: stay in a hostel, eat in cheap restaurants, use local transportation, etc. You’re actual expenses may vary depending on how you manage your funds.
7 DAYS SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAY 1- BANGKOK, Thailand
Places to Visit
- Wat Pho
- Golden Palace
- Floating Market (if there’s still time)
How to get to these places?
- Ride the MRT to Saphan Taksin Station. Go out Exit No. 2. Beware of Tour Agencies that overprice boat fees- just simply proceed directly to Chao Phraya Express Boat. Ride it for only 20 BAHT, and drop off Ta Chang Pier (No.9.)
- How to get around / proceed to hotel: We made use of their MRT Train which is the most convenient way for me. I usually avoid tuktuk/ taxis since most of them overprice their fares knowing that you are a tourist.
- PS: We weren’t able to visit the Golden Palace since its so expensive and a lot of my friends told me that it’s not going to be worth it because the temple’s filled with crowds.
- PS: We also weren’t able to visit the Floating Market since we were tired already from our flight and we somewhat lack time too.
Expenses:
- MRT Fare (RT): 104 PHP (80 BAHT)
- Boat Fare (RT): 104 PHP (80 BAHT)
- Food: 156 PHP (120 BAHT)
- Entrance Fee- Wat Pho: 130 PHP (100 BAHT)
- Accommodation: 275PHP (Hide Bangkok Hostel)
- T O T A L: 769 PHP
DAY 2- PATTAYA, Thailand
Places to Visit
- Cartoon Network Amazone
- Read more: Travel Guide: Cartoon Network Amazone
- Purchase Tickets here: Discounted CNA Tickets
How to get to these places?
- From Bangkok, ride a bus to Pattaya in Ekkamai Bus Station (Near BTS Ekkamai), Drop Off Pattaya Bus Station (Travel Time: 2 hours)
- Ride a White Jeep near the highway, and tell the driver to drop you off at Cartoon Network Pattaya (Travel Time: 45 mnts)
NEXT STEP: Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- From Pattaya, return to Bangkok Hotel and pack up things
- Proceed to Mo Chit MRT
- Ride a Motorbike to the Mo Chit Bus Station
- Take the OVERNIGHT BUS to Chiang Mai (Travel time: 9 hours)
- Walk ins are allowed
- Book online for sure slots: Book Here
EXPENSES:
- RT Bus Fare: 280 PHP (216 BAHT)
- RT Jeep Fare: 52 PHP (40 BAHT)
- Cartoon Network Amazone Fare: 1338 PHP
- Food: 148 PHP (114 BAHT)
- No Accommodation: Spend the night in an Overnight Bus
- MRT Fare: 61PHP (47 BAHT)
- Motorbike: 78 PHP (60 BAHT)
- Overnight Bus Fare: 629 PHP (484 BAHT)
- T O T A L: 2586 PHP
DAY 3- CHIANG MAI, Thailand
Places to Visit
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
- Book Here: Half Day Visit Tour
How to get to these places?
- From Chiang Mai Bus Station, ride a Red Jeep going to your accommodation
- Pickup from hotel / accommodation is already included in the package
EXPENSES:
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Afternoon Visit): 1680 PHP (1400 BAHT)
- Red Jeep Fare: 52 PHP (40 BAHT)
- Accommodation: 251 PHP (9 Hostel)
- Food: 156 PHP (120 BAHT)
- Dinner included in the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Package
- T O T A L: 2137 PHP
DAY 4- CHIANG MAI, Thailand
Places to Visit
- Motorbike Tour around the city
- There are A LOT of temples around the city. As in almost every corner has one! So your day won’t definitely be boring- you got a lot of temples to visit!
How to get to these places?
NEXT STEP: Transfer from Bangkok to Siem Reap
- Ride an overnight bus back to Bangkok
- Travel time: 9 hrs
- NOTE: Make sure you have to arrive Bangkok earlier than 7AM, since bus bound to Siem Reap only has two schedules: 7AM and 9AM.
- From Bangkok, ride a bus bound DIRECTLY to Siem Reap (Travel Time: 7 hrs)
EXPENSES:
- Motorbike Rental: 455 PHP (350 BAHT) / 2 PAX = 227 PHP
- Gas: 39 PHP (30 BAHT)
- Food: 260 PHP (200 BAHT)
- Bus to Bangkok: 624 PHP (480 BAHT)
- Bus to Siem Reap: 975 PHP (750 BAHT)
- No Accommodation: Spend the night in an Overnight Bus
- T O T A L: 2125 PHP
DAY 5- SIEM REAP, Cambodia
Places to Visit
- Pub Street
How to get to these places?
- From Siem Reap bus terminal, ride a tuktuk to accommodation
- How to get around / proceed to hotel: Via Tuktuk. Usual fare is 1USD.
EXPENSES:
- Tuktuk: 43 PHP (1 USD)
- Food:
- Bangkok: 84 PHP (60 BAHT)
- Siem Reap: 64.5 PHP (1.5 USD)
- Accommodation: 150PHP (Siem Reap Pub Hostel)
- T O T A L: 342 PHP
DAY 6- SIEM REAP,Cambodia
Places to Visit
- Angkor Wat Park Tour
- Read more: Travel Guide: Angkor Wat Tour
How to get to these places?
- Book a tuktuk for a whole day tour around Angkor Wat Park Tour. I highly suggest you choose the mini tour, since it covers most of the recognized ones.
NEXT STEP: Transfer from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh
- Book a bus for your overnight trip to Ho Chi Minh. You can ride a tuktuk for 1 USD if it’s far from you.
- PS: If you want a cheaper bus rate, book DIRECTLY to bus companies instead of agencies. We availed Virak Buntham Express.
EXPENSES:
- Tuktuk tour: 559 PHP (13 USD) / 2 PAX= 280 PHP
- Angkor Wat Entrance Fee: 1591 PHP (37 USD)
- Food: 215 PHP (5 USD)
- Bus to HCM: 731 PHP (17 USD)
- No Accommodation: Spend the night in an Overnight Bus
- T O T A L: 2817 PHP
DAY 7- HO CHI MINH, Vietnam
Places to Visit
- City Tour (Saigon Free Walking Tour)
- People’s Committee Building
- Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
- Saigon Central Post Office
- Independence Palace
- War Remnants Museum
- Ben Thanh Market
- Want a thrilling City tour? Hire a Motorbike City Tour! Read more: Travel Guide: Explore the HCM city by Motorbike
How to get to these places?
- Just learn to read the map, and you’re good to go!

Expenses:
- Food: 250 PHP (110,000 VND)
- T O T A L: 250PHP
Expenses:
Day 1: Bangkok | 769 PHP |
Day 2: Pattaya | 2586 PHP |
Day 3: Chiang Mai | 2137 PHP |
Day 4: Chiang Mai | 2125 PHP |
Day 5: Siem Reap | 342 PHP |
Day 6: Siem Reap | 2817 PHP |
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh | 250 PHP |
T O T A L | 11, 026 PHP |
Told yah! For only 11,000 PHP, you get to experience A LOT that are beyond your expectations! This trip is more than worth it, I swear.
Overall:
Well, dude, you just have to take this trip. We live in a beautiful world – maximize it. Explore it. Appreciate it. Coming from a person (me) who have traveled to 5 foreign destinations, discovered off the beaten path places, witnessed magical sunrises and sunsets, breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring hidden gems, experienced unique cultures- I am deeply, sincerely, oa-ly, encouring you to go- and say yes to this adventure!
Did you like this article? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more travel updates! YES TO ADVENTURES! ❤
Thank you for this!! This is so helpful for my upcoming INDOCHINA trip. Thanks a lot.
LikeLike
GREAT WORK
LikeLike
Hi Colleen, ito talaga yung nagpa-GO sakin na magtravel. Your blog post is one of my inspirations in my first solo travel! Keep on inspiring! 🙂
LikeLike
Sweeeeet!!!! PLS TRAVEL! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Just wondering how your trip at Virak Buntham went? I just saw bad reviews about the bus company and was curious if you had the same experience too. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi! I just wanted to ask, after Vietnam, how did you go back to bankok back to Manila?
LikeLike
I’m very curious about who takes your photos! Do you use a tripod? Hehe Love your blog, btw ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a travel buddy on that trip, babe! ❤️ Oh thank you so much!!
LikeLike
how about the airfare? how much will it cost basically from manila? and what airline dud you booked the flight?
LikeLike
Got it for 3800 RT, Cebu Pacific Airlines 🙂
LikeLike
hi planning this trip for 2pax, safe naman po bah even sa mga first timers?
and about sa currency CC/Visa lang or mas convenient to bring USD at magpalit na lang dun?
thanks
LikeLike
I highly suggest you bring USD 🙂 Some stores don’t accept visa cards eh.
LikeLike
Hi,
Safe lang po ba bumyahe ng gabi from siem reap to Saigon?
LikeLike
Yes we didnt had any problem naman, so I guess its safe!
LikeLike
Hi po.. Is the budget stated above for 1 person or 2 ? Thankies…
LikeLike
For 1 peeson 🙂
LikeLike
Hi,
Thanks for your blog, we’re really interested to try that adventure. May i know when is the best month to visit those countries?
LikeLike
Hi Ayen! As for us, we went there last June 2016, and our experience was great!
LikeLike
hi! how about the airfare? how much will it cost basically from manila?
LikeLike
Hello, I think you had a typo there. It should be Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam not Ho Chi Minh, Thailand. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi AJ! Corrected it na. Thanks so much!!
LikeLike
ms colz magkanu po ung airfare nxo?
..tnx and Godbless
LikeLike
We got our airfare at 3800 PHP RT! 🙂
LikeLike