Even when you are on a tight budget, you can still travel overseas without burning a big hole in your pocket. Here are 3 value for money cities you can visit.
1. ANGKOR, CAMBODIA
Located near Siem Reap town, Angkor is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is an ancient protected area consisting of many temples. With a one day pass, you can enter from 5pm the day before, which allows you to see the sunset over the temples and then spend as much time there as you like the following day. You can rent a ‘tuk-tuk’ (trailer pulled by motorbike) to take you around as the area is very big. Some people spend 2 or 3 days in Angkor but you can already see quite a lot in one day. The most popular temples are Angkor Wat (the biggest and main temple), Angkor Thom, Bayon and Ta Phrom (the movie Tomb Raider was filmed here). Dry season is usually from November to March.
Hotels in Siem Reap range from cheap hostels to high-class ones. Food is cheap but most things are priced in US dollars (USD) so it is a good idea to bring along some before you arrive there.
Below are some estimated costs for 4 days 3 nights stay:
| Flight and mid-range hotel from AirAsiaGo, KL – Siem Reap | RM600 |
| Transport – tuk tuk to take you around Angkor per day | RM60 |
| Transport – taxi between airport and town (2 trips) | RM60 |
| Angkor entry – day pass | RM160 |
| Budget per day (RM80 x 4 days) | RM320 |
| Others – airport tax (Siem Reap – KL) | RM110 (pay USD25) |
| Total cost | RM1,310 |
2. HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is the largest city in Vietnam. USD is accepted here but it is cheaper to use the local Vietnam Dong (VND), into which you can change some ringgit first in Malaysia (RM1= VND5,500). A bowl of noodles from a food court is around RM7-9. Cheap street hawker food is also easy to find where you can buy a sandwich for a few ringgit. Try a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee, delicious soup noodles (‘pho’) or traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. Some spring rolls even have chempedak (jackfruit) filling.
Worth visiting is the very interesting War Museum, which displays many items, pictures and stories from wartime. Other landmarks are the old Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace and Opera House. Go to Ben Thanh Market for bargain fake handbags, clothing and food. Most places are easy to walk to. Take a half-day tour to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels about 40km from town. Here you can see long and narrow underground tunnels where Vietnamese soldiers would hide for months during the war.
Below are some estimated costs for 4 days 3 nights stay:
| Flight and 3-star hotel from AirAsiaGo, KL – HCMC | RM500 |
| Transport – taxi between airport and town (2 trips) | RM80 |
| Budget per day (RM80 x 4 days) | RM320 |
| Cu Chi Tunnels half day tour | RM90 |
| Total cost | RM990 |
3. BALI, INDONESIA
Bali is famous for its beaches, scenery and shopping. Balinese people are kind, and have rich customs and traditions. Kuta, Legian and Sanur have popular beaches. Tourist attractions include Tanah Lot, Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur), Mount Batur and Ubud. Located high on top of a steep cliff, Pura Lahur is one of nine Hindu temples meant to protect Bali from evil spirits while Tanah Lot is built on rocks in the sea, about 100m away from shore. Ubud, located in the cool mountains, is known for its antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, textiles, jewellery and restaurants. It is possible to hire a driver (who can also be a guide) to take you around Bali in a minivan from 4 – 8 hours.
Below are some estimated costs for 4 days 3 nights stay in Kuta if travelling alone. Costs will be lower if travelling with a few people.
| Flight and 3-star hotel in Kuta from AirAsiaGo, KL – Bali | RM600 |
| Transport – minivan (Bemo) between airport and Kuta (2 trips) | RM10 |
| Budget per day (RM80 x 4 days) | RM320 |
| Driver and van (for 8 hours, 2 days – minivans can fit up to 5 people) | RM400 |
| Total cost | RM1,330 |
Travelling is easier when you have saved for it. You can put aside a small amount of extra money each month into a ‘travel fund’ such that you can even afford to travel somewhere every year.
