Thailand Adventure: 5 Days, 4 Nights with a Bestie!
After an amazing trip that sparked a lot of interest, I'm sharing my experience for first-timers in Thailand. Learn from my journey to save time and money!
Budget Breakdown (5 Days, 4 Nights):
Total Cost for 2 People: 21,500,000 VND (excluding shopping and souvenirs)
Pre-Trip Checklist
1. Flights
We booked Vietnam Airlines tickets: 8,840,000 VND for 2 (round trip), including 7kg carry-on and 23kg checked baggage. One minor issue was the lack of complimentary snacks or drinks on our flight.
2. Accommodation
- Pattaya: The Tung Hotel – 950,000 VND/2 nights (Clean, spacious rooms, 1.8km from the beach, no breakfast).
- Bangkok: Sleep Withinn (Khao San Road) – 1,070,000 VND/2 nights.
3. SIM Card
Purchased a SIM card for unlimited data for 7 days.
4. Koh Larn Island Tour
Booked a full-day tour including banana boat rides and lunch on the island.
5. Alangka Cruise (Chao Phraya River)
Booked a dinner cruise with pretty good food selection.
6. Currency Exchange
Exchange Vietnamese Dong (VND) to Thai Baht (THB). I'd suggest exchanging money as you go to avoid leftover currency.
Hanoi - Pattaya - Bangkok: The Itinerary
Important Notes
- Some tour guides caution against excessive interaction with Indian tourists.
- Pack toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, and slippers, as many hotels don't provide them.
- 7-Eleven convenience stores are everywhere! Stock up on affordable and convenient snacks and drinks.
Night Markets
Jodd Fairs, China Town, and Khao San Road share a similar vibe. If you are pressed for time, pick one.
Shopping Malls
Bangkok boasts mega malls like Icon Siam, Siam Paragon, and Central World. If you love shopping, you'll be in paradise. Icon Siam alone can take half a day!
Time to get started!
Day 1: Hanoi – Suvarnabhumi – Pattaya – Walking Street
Flew from Hanoi, landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1:30 PM. Immigration was smooth. I withdrew some cash. Then we headed to Magic Food Point for delicious and cheap eats! Checked into the hotel around 6 PM, freshened up, and walked to Mae Sri Ruen restaurant near the beach. After dinner, we strolled along the beach and hit Walking Street. Similar to Ta Hien and Bui Vien, but with a distinct flavor. Finally, we ordered a Bolt ride back to the hotel.
Day 2: Koh Larn Island – Khao Chi Chan – Terminal 21
Picked up by the tour at 8:30 AM and transferred to Koh Larn Island. The tour was pretty good with clear blue waters. Lunch was okay, and the tour guides were helpful. In the afternoon we went to Khao Chi Chan. Then we went to Terminal 21, the biggest mall in Pattaya for dinner and more. There is a foodcourt, juice shop and an After You store to try various desserts. We returned to the hotel to rest.
Day 3: Sanctuary of Truth – Bangkok – BACC – Jodd Fairs
Visited the Sanctuary of Truth, a stunning wooden temple. The architecture is amazing! Then we checked out and headed to Bangkok. After that we went to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), a free museum. We ended the day at Jodd Fairs, a food paradise. The pork ribs are popular, but a little salty in my opinion. There is so much more to choose from. We returned to the hotel in the Khao San area and rested.
Day 4: Big C Supercenter – Icon Siam – Chao Phraya River Cruise
We decided to dedicate the morning to Big C Supercenter for souvenir shopping. Everything is cheaper than back home. Afterwards, we decided to complete the VAT Refund process to save more money.
In the afternoon, we made our way to Icon Siam, arguably Bangkok's most beautiful mall. The basement level is filled with food stalls! In the evening we boarded the Alangka Cruise for a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. The views of the illuminated temples were incredible and there was entertainment on the boat!
Day 5: Wat Arun – Suvarnabhumi Airport – Hanoi
Started the day at Wat Arun. We rented traditional Thai clothing and accessories right at the entrance. I think Wat Arun is a very beautiful temple and worth a visit. Then we made our way to the airport and purchased some souvenirs. End of our trip!
That wraps up our 5-day, 4-night self-guided adventure! Wishing you a fantastic trip, and I hope this review is helpful! Thanks for reading!
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