Every man and their iPhone’s fish-eye lens wants to get out there and see the world (and capture some +A ‘Gram content while they’re at it). The main impediment of jetting off on a whim? A serious lack of funding. PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with NAB to help all y’all #SpendBetter. Together, we’re hoping to help you realise all of your wanderlust ambitions. A NAB everyday banking account will give you errythang you need to better manage your cash-monay and save up for your next adventure. Hook yo’self up with one of their killer accounts by visiting NAB’s website HERE.
Ah, travel: the perfect opportunity to enlighten yourself, see the beauty of our lil’ blue marble as well as curate a deck of images that’ll have your social posts sorted for the next 6+ months (“sorry for the travel spam hahaha, couldn’t resist sharing this shot of me on Rodeo Drive. #LifeGoals, am I right? 110% will be going back! LA, I love you”).
The issue faced by most 20-summins is gathering the means to hop on a plane and jet off to some thrilling corner of the globe. To offer y’all a solution, we got in touch with our mate, Geneva Vanderzeil – creator of the ~digital destination~, a pair & a spare – for financial advice tailored for the travel-hungry, as well as her pick for most affordable holiday spot (SPOILER: it’s Vietnam).
Photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi.
“I started a pair & a spare in 2010 as a digital destination for all my tutorials and guides, and since then it has grown to cover all things that inspire a creative and adventurous life, whether that be making a dress from scratch, travelling to a far flung destination or building your creative business.”
Geneva’s garnered a strong following because her content is severely on-point. Of all the places she’s been, she reckons there’s one spot in particular that everyone should hit up before they’re six feet under.
“South East Asia has so much to offer in terms of adventure and culture – it packs a punch with so many interesting cities and countries in such a small area. It helps that as a destination it’s cheaper than many other parts of the world, meaning you can feel like you’re treating yourself when you travel without having to spend much.”
Y’all are in luck because, in Geneva’s opinion, the most affordable place to piss off to just so happens to fall within that region.
“Without a doubt it has to be Vietnam. I visited three times in 2015 – Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City – and loved every minute of it. It’s the perfect mix of amazing food, generous people and stunning scenery – and best of all, a place where your money stretches unbelievable far. The town of Hoi An would have to be my best pick for someone wanting to enjoy both the town and the beach life of Vietnam.”
Photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi.
“The cost of living in Vietnam is relatively low, so day-to-day travel like transport and food can be done on a very small budget. Throw in the fact that you can find reasonable accommodation in Hoi An without having to spend too much, and it means you can live like a king without having to break the bank. Because at the end of the day, you want to enjoy yourself when you travel rather than feeling like you’re on a tight budget.”
CHEAP EATS
MADAME KHANH’S BANH MI
“You’re going to want to try the famous Banh Mi, and there’s no better place in town than this hole in the wall where lunch will cost you less than a dollar.”
PHO XUA
“The perfect place to try local street food including the amazing regional dish of Cau Lau (hearty noodles, pork and fresh greens).”
REACHING OUT TEAHOUSE
“Don’t miss this charity teahouse run by speech and hearing impaired people. It’s a calm oasis in a busy town!”
SOUL KITCHEN
Photo: Soul Kitchen.
“On An Bang Beach, grab yourself a traditional cabana and a Pina Colada. The freshest cocktail for less than a few dollars, you’re going to want to have a few.”
$0 SHIZZLE TO DO
EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN
“The old town architecture is really spectacular – a mix of French colonial, Chinese and Japanese – and completely unique to the area. The best time to explore and really take it all in was first thing in the morning before the shops open and before the other tourists woke up (Like 7am first thing in the morning!).”
BEACH IT
“Hit An Bang Beach for the day – swim, sunbathe, repeat.”
BIKE THE COUNTRYSIDE
“Almost all the hotels have bikes you can borrow as well as maps outlining self-directed tours. The whole area is flat so cruising around is easy and fun. Explore the town, ride your bike to the beach or take a tour through the rice paddies while buffalo spotting. Cheap and as cheerful as you’ll find.”
WHERE TO STAY
HOI AN BEACH RESORT
01 Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
Photo: Hoi An Beach Resort.
LONG LIFE RIVERSIDE HOTEL
61 Nguyen Phuc Chu St, Hoi An Old Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.
Photo: TripAdvisor.
TRAVEL FINANCE TIPS
UNTOUCHABLE TRAVEL FUND
“I’m all about creating a travel fund account that I can’t touch, and setting money aside every month. This helps me keep my travel goals in mind. I also like to book travel as early as possible because in my experience travel only gets more expensive the later you book. This is sometimes hard living the freelance life, but when possible I do. Although it takes preparation and an ability to commit ahead of time (hello travel goals!) if you book six months in advance you’re almost definitely going to get better deals.”
FINANCIAL TRAVEL HACKS
“The actual flight will often be the most expensive part of your trip, particularly if you choose your destination right. Which is why one way I’ve managed to save in the last few years was seeking out deals directly from airlines and hotels via their newsletters. These companies often reward newsletter subscribers with one-off deals that you just can’t find on the website, so sign up to as many as you can! Might mean a hefty inbox but it’s well worth it. Also, choosing a frequent flyers program and flying as much as possible with that group, and making sure you get airmails on your credit card are also ways to get more for less.”
PACKING PRIOR
“Some of the most frustrating costs that happen when travelling are those you don’t notice – like phone data charges and card charges. Before I leave, I make sure that I’ve researched my trip properly, including how to reduce charges. Sometimes that means setting up structures before I leave, other times it might mean making sure I hit the ground running when I arrive, like buying a new sim card at the airport.”
TRAVEL MUST-HAVE
“I prefer to travel with carry-on luggage if possible, great for avoiding luggage charges and also makes moving around easy. A reliable carry-on suitcase is a must!”
UTILISE THE SHARE ECONOMY
“I’m sure you’ve all heard of AirBnb and Uber, companies that have used the sharing economy to revolutionise the way we travel (amongst other things). In addition to well-known companies like these, there are many new sharing economy apps that help you travel for less, including apps that allow you to house-sit for someone, pet-sit or even do odd jobs in the city you arrive in for extra cash. Or you could rent out your own place while you’re away!”
If you’re game on learning how to #SpendBetter for your next holi, or you wanna apply for your own account, visit NAB’s website HERE.
Lead photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi.
Photos: a pair & a spare / Geneva Vanderzeil.
