This is not a very substantial article, but my brain is fried after all of the travelings from Cambodia, to Singapore to Vietnam. I’m currently chilling in Hanoi right now in an Airbnb.
So here’s a list of Apps and tricks I found super useful in my travels.
First off, I would suggest always get a SIM card. The $15-30 dollars is well worth the cost of not being lost in a foreign land. This was actually my first time using SIM cards while traveling and I’m now a big fan of them. I collect them all in a little pouch and it’s very useful as I reused my Singapore one and it worked perfectly fine.
Apps I use:
Grab App – The Grab app is pretty much Uber but with a southeast Asian dominance. It’s literally everywhere here. From Singapore to Malaysia, to Thailand to Cambodia to Vietnam, Grab has delivered me food, rides, and found attractions. If you can use Uber, you can use Grab.
Do keep in mind every region might react to your credit card differently. In Malaysia and Vietnam, I couldn’t use my credit card so I had to use the cash option. The issue is the app won’t really say it’s your credit card that’s the problem. If something is fishy using your credit card on grab, use the Pay Cash option.
If you pay in cash, generally the taxi is pretty honest and won’t hustle you compared to actual taxis, which seem like they will always hustle you.
Also note, Grab has different functions depending on what region you’re in. In Cambodia, Grab doesn’t deliver food. But Foodpanda does.
Whatsapp – Plug in your US phone number and never change it. Different countries have a different whatsapp culture but in general, it’s much more dominate in SEA. It’s great to have a common “number” while traveling.
Airbnb – Still a great place to find super cheap and unique places. Most areas are still recovering from travel so deals are well priced. Different countries also treat Airbnbs differently For example, Singapore banned Airbnbs and only hostels can use them. Hotels are also doing a lot of discounts recently. A lot of my hotel experiences were really nice for very little money and generally they were in the middle of the city.
From rooming with an old lady with two cats to getting a room at an illegal hotel operation, Airbnb truly has it all.
My new roommates
Tiktok – (Did you know clicking Tiktop while not having it on your phone or website spams your browser with Tiktok ads forever?) Surprisingly, you can get a decent understanding on culture, clubs (I don’t go to clubs because I’m old and comfortable with what I want to do with my life) and restaurants in a city. The all-seeing algorithm knows where you live and will feed you content on the local scene. Only really good if you’re a spontaneous type of traveler.
Restaurant I found in Cambodia via TikTok
Facebook Groups – I’m in a lot of groups named subtle Asian ____ on facebook including but not limited to subtle Asian traits, subtle Asian leftovers, subtle Asian travel. We got a group together with subtle Asian travel and there’s some pretty good advice on the forums. Facebook group is a pretty easy and relatable way to get information about the city. Reddit helps too.
Weather App – It’s good to splay out all of the places you’re going on the app to get a sense on how to dress. I made a big mistake packing for Australia’s winter during the endless summer of Asia.
Kiwi – Similar to Expedia except in South East Asia and Australia. Used it for Australia and have used it on and off if I am panicking looking for flights. Pretty seamless user-interface though I do have trouble checking in bags with it. Also, the way the app sends you information like getting ready and boarding information is pretty frustrating so read the fine print. Generally reliable.
Viator – Easy-to-discover trips to famous places like the Blue Mountains, Batu Caves, and Bangkok tours. Every one of these I’ve done, I’ve had a blast. Highly recommend to do a tour for some of these places as it really enhances the memories of each place. It’s also a good place to do research on things you want to see.
Golden Buddha in Thailand found using Viator
Google Calendar – a great way to organize flights, meetings, etc.
Google Translate – self-explanatory. I don’t use this
Google Maps – self-explanatory
Some type of Cardio App – It’s good to see those steps. Gamify your travels!
Notes on Visa requirements: So I learned being unprepared for Visas cost me a lot of stress and money. Do your research beforehand but I have to say getting the information is a pain in the ass. Some countries have completely changed the rules because of COVID-19 so make sure your information is up to date. For example, did you know Singapore has a SG Arrival Card? Or that Vietnam will scrutinize every single little word on your passport? Or that Japan just opened up their evisa to US and Canada passport holders?
There are also a lot of scam websites that might cost extravagantly more than a government website. I’ve fallen for them quite a bit so be careful.
Do note there is always a service that expedites Visas. At least, I had to for Vietnam. Verify services through public forums like Reddit.
What are some other useful apps? Please comment below!