S1 E43 | From Bangkok to Saigon – Our First Day in Vietnam
It was still dark when we left our hostel in Bangkok at 3 AM, half-asleep but full of excitement. Our flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City marked the start of a brand-new adventure in Vietnam. After navigating long queues at security and immigration, we fueled ourselves with snacks from 7-Eleven — rice crackers with seaweed and a simple chocolate bread. Budget travel is all about finding these small joys, even at odd hours.
By the time we landed in Saigon, the city greeted us with its signature chaos — honking scooters, heavy traffic, and an energy that felt unchanged since our last visit in 2017. The local bus from the airport to the city cost just 5,000 VND per person (though we ended up paying double thanks to our backpacks being “too big”). Still, it felt surreal to once again be holding Vietnamese Dong — with its colorful, plastic-like notes that made us feel like millionaires.
Our hostel check-in wasn’t until the afternoon, so we wandered into a nearby bánh mì shop. My first bite of that crispy baguette stuffed with mushrooms, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and chili mayo reminded me why Vietnamese street food is legendary. Washed down with iced black tea and lemon, it was the perfect welcome meal.
Exhausted from the overnight travel, we crashed into our bunks the moment the hostel finally let us in. A few hours of sleep later, we woke up to Saigon’s electric evening glow. Walking Street was alive with neon signs, street vendors, and the hum of nightlife. This time, the visa process had been so smooth compared to our previous visit — just an easy online e-visa for $25, approved in three days. No return tickets, no long waits at immigration. And setting up data was simple too: a local SIM for around 600 INR ($7) gave us 5GB a day for a whole month.
As we strolled through the buzzing streets, we couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come. From quitting our jobs in Bangalore to living this full-time travel life, days like this remind us that the dream comes with its challenges but also with incredible rewards. Our friends and family often ask how we keep the videos going, how we stay consistent — the truth is, it’s not always easy. But when we step out into a night like this in Saigon, all neon-lit and alive, we know why we’re doing it.
This was just the beginning of our Vietnam journey. With old favorites to revisit and new places to discover, we couldn’t wait to dive deeper into this country once again. For now, though, it was a travel day well spent — a little tiring, a little chaotic, but filled with all the excitement that comes from starting fresh in a new city.