Asia Backpacker Travel Information
Travelling through South-East Asia with just a backpack on your back is both a challenging and highly rewarding experience. Whether you are travelling alone, with companions or have even hired a guide, you will find yourself faced with unanticipated culture shocks, miscommunications, and – most likely of all – some form of stomach flu.
|
|
The First Step
Assuming you are planning your trip on a budget, it is a good idea to start off at the travel agents for some quotes and ideas for the type of trip you will be able to afford.
The travel agent should also be able to explain all the visa information you will be needing – most tourist visas are available for 30 days at a cost of between US $20 to $30, except for Burma, where visa entry is more complicated if you require more than one day’s stay.
When budgeting for the trip, your easiest option would be to select one large city as your ‘key-port’ into the region, and get a good deal for a return flight from your country of origin. (Of course, if you are planning to travel further then you can ignore all this.)
|
Use the links below to find backpacking information for specific Asia countries.
And one without a flag!:
Myanmar backpacking
Insurance
Don’t forget about travel insurance! Especially cover small valuables such as mobile phones, as there is a high risk of being pick-pocketed.
Health Check
See You Doctor
If you’re planning to carry a backpack and migrate around countries of humid, tropical weather, you really should consult with your doctor. Firstly, concerning whether or not you are in fit enough shape for this form of exercise, and secondly to discuss any necessary immunizations or vaccines.
It is recommended that you consult your doctor at least six weeks prior to the departure date of your trip. However, keep in mind that it is never too late to get vaccinated, so if you are reading this and you only have two weeks until your trip, you should still go see your doctor.
Malaria
In general, the doctor would be advising you about Malaria and Hepatitis. If you are only planning to stay in the major tourist ‘hot spots’ and cities, anti-malarial pills should not be necessary, and plenty of mosquito repellent should be the only prescription. (If you want to be seriously over-prepared, bring your own mosquito netting, or remember to buy one from a local market as soon as you land!)
Stomach Problems
Anti-diuretics are a must, as well as fever-reducing medication. If you know you are prone to sensitivity in your digestive system, you should stay away from raw vegetables, as they may contain various strains of local bacteria. Antacids are also a great idea if you are prone to getting heart burn from spicy foods.
Other Health Precautions
Don’t be surprised if you experience heat rash. Bring whatever creams or remedies you are used to using when heat rash occurs (or ask your local Pharmacist for product recommendation).
Remember
Tap water is undrinkable. Only drink from bottled water, and usually ice is contaminated as well.
Basic Essentials Checklist
- MANY packets of personal tissues. (Most public toilets in South-East Asia do not provide toilet paper – in fact it would be a minor miracle if you found one that did).
- Hand sanitisers.
- Mosquito repellent. (Though it is controversial to say whether or not DEET in mosquito repellent is toxic, in small amounts – if your stay is not for months or even years – it should be reasonably harmless to use repellent containing DEET every day throughout your trip. It is rather unlikely that choosing ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ repellents will repel the local mosquitoes in South-East Asia).
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat. (It will be HOT – no matter what month in the year, unless you are planning to visit northern Vietnam during its winter months of November to March).
- Anti-diuretics/fever-reducing medication/antacids/vitamins/personal medication.
- Small torch/spare batteries/power adapter (the sockets are the same as US).
- Personal padlock – in the hostels, or even hotels, you may wish to keep a locked drawer for your passport, etc.
- Clothes, swimwear, etc. (Leave some room for your souvenirs!)
Currency
The US dollar is generally accepted in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In Burma, the receiver is required to have a license to hold US currency. (Most Burmese will accept US notes, however, keep this fact in mind in case one does refuse your notes).
Thailand’s currency is the ‘baht’ (THB, ฿), written in Thai as บาท or บ.
Travellers’ cheques
Accepted in the major cities of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. If someone in Burma accepts your travellers’ cheques, they may be operating something dodgy.
ATMs
Available for foreigners’ use in the major cities of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. You cannot expect to withdraw any funds if you visit Burma, so be prepared to bring the exact amount of cash you wish to spend during your stay.
Credit cards
Accepted in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. No such service in Burma.
Daily Use Estimate
Getting around any South-East Asian country should not cost you more than US $30 a day. (And that’s a very comfortable estimate; depending on your own ‘comfort levels,’ you could minimise spending to $15-$20 a day).
Hostels/Hotels
Hostels and guesthouses should not be charging you more than US $10 a night.
Hotels in Laos, Cambodia and Burma start from US $20 a night.
Hotels in Thailand and Vietnam start from US $50 a night.
Food
Local food eateries should only cost around US $1 to $2 for a normal portion of food.
Transport
Costs will vary depending on your chosen method. (See the ‘Transport’ sections of each country for more information.)
Internet
Available in the major cities of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
Cultural Awareness
Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are very conservative and largely Buddhist populated countries. Vietnam has a variety of religious followers, however, remains conservative in its people’s culture as well.
Dress with modesty
Women should take special care not to wear anything too revealing, particularly when visiting sacred sites such as temples or pagodas. Shorts should remain knee-length, and shirts should have sleeves. If you are in the city where many tourists are also present, normal Western dressing should be acceptable. (Just don’t be surprised if you get some stares for wearing short shorts in a local small town or bikini at a beach area).
Women and monks
Women should also keep in mind that some monks are not allowed to touch women, so do not be offended if he does not accept an offering from you if you are still holding the offering in your hand. Usually women place offerings by the monk’s feet or side so the monk can pick it up himself. Sometimes the monk will have a representative to accept the offering on his behalf.
‘Vow of Silence’
Some monks have made vows of silence, so do not be offended if he does not reply to your well-intentioned greeting (whether you are a man or woman).
Cultural Offenses – Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand
It is considered very offensive to be patted on the head – as in Theravada Buddhism, the head is the most sacred place. Also take care not to point at things with your feet – the ‘dirtiest’ place in the body, according to Theravada Buddhist beliefs.
Cultural Offenses – Thailand
Do not insult the King or make remarks about the western stories of ‘The King and I’. Thais place their King in the highest regard, and consider ‘The King and I’ an offensive story to their kingdom.
Cultural Offenses – Vietnam
Try not to talk about the ‘ Vietnam’ war with western bias – and the war is actually known as the ‘American’ war to the Vietnamese.
Cultural Awareness – Vietnam
Asian women accompanying western men are often presumed to be prostitutes or escorts, though this stereotype is generally amongst the lower classes; just be aware that such presumptions may exist.
Traveler’s Etiquette
Remember that you are the visitor to someone else’s homeland. When dealing with locals, anger as outlet of frustration will not be earning you any further respect – and more often than not, results in the amusement of the local you are getting angry at.
Now: The Fun Part!
Eat, drink, shop, explore and enjoy! Whether you are planning to stick to the more Western-tourist populated ‘hot-spots’ in the one country or you want to trek across all borders on foot, here are some brief summaries of each country to help inspire you into making your trip as fulfilling as possible.
