globevisions

Budget Adventures in the Far East Asia

 

Ever fancied going to Cambodia and Vietnam, and sampling the culture of the Far East? Though it may sound like it would cost an arm and a leg, it is possible to have a fantastic holiday in this part of the world without having to pay the earth. Basic essentials such as food and drink come very cheap, as does the accommodation. Getting from place to place is easier than you might think and cost less than a cheap train fare back home. For such little expenditure, you could be experiencing all the delights and surprises that the Far East has to offer.

With so much to see, Vietnam and Cambodia are a dream for most tourists. From the incredible Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap to the majestic Halong Bay in the north of Vietnam, there is never a shortage of sights and experiences that would amaze the most hardened of travellers. Visitors can see the remnants of Cambodia’s haunting past and sample the vast beaches of coastal Vietnam. The imperial city of Hue offers a throwback to Vietnam’s imperial past, while tourists can visit the embalmed Ho Chi Minh and take a journey through the hidden tunnels used during the American war. The Cambodian floating villages and the Vietnamese mud baths give the tourist a taste of local culture.

Rice and noodles are the staple diet of the locals, but the food gets more exciting than that, from the Cambodian amok dish which comes served in a whole coconut to the fantastic seafood of the Vietnamese coastal towns, all at incredibly low prices. Sample fried spider at a roadside stop, or be slightly more adventurous and taste dog meat in the markets of northern Vietnam! Forget bowls of cereal, the Vietnamese have a type of noodle soup for breakfast which is well worth trying, especially washed down with a few cups of green tea. Treat yourself to some of the local beers and you won’t be disappointed, especially if it’s the wonderful Bia Hoi served on every corner of Hanoi: at 7p a glass and preservative free you won’t be disappointed (or hungover). Try the local rice wine if you dare, but stay away from nasty-looking concoctions with whole snakes or scorpions inside.

Hot and humid, a trip to the Far East during the summer months will coincide with the wet season, with refreshing downfalls every so often. Enjoy a coach ride through Cambodia with local karaoke ringing in your ears, or go slightly more hi-tech in Vietnam and jump on a sleeper train crammed to the rafters and guaranteed to be one of the most interesting journeys of your life. You can sleep in comfortable and friendly accommodation that need not cost the earth, while meeting plenty of new friends along the way.

If you’re interested in making a trip to the Far East for some of the most exciting and stimulating times of your life, there are plenty of ways to prepare your holiday. Look into low priced accommodation and hostels in advance by visiting HostelBookers.com or Lastminute.com for cheap hotels, where you will find a large selection of hostels in both countries. You’ll also need backpacker’s travel insurance, for which Go Travel comes as highly recommended if you’re on a budget.