Independent travel – A new discovery trend for everyone

1. What is the trend of independent travel and why is it so popular?

Independent travel is a form of travel in which the traveler plans the entire trip himself: from choosing the destination, booking tickets, booking accommodation to arranging the travel schedule, sightseeing and eating. Without going through a travel agency, you can freely explore the destination in your own way, flexibly change the plan when needed and control all the costs of the trip.

The trend of independent travel is popular for many reasons:

• Freedom to choose destination and travel time according to personal wishes.

• Proactively control spending, flexibly adjust the level of "spending lavishly or spending sparingly".

• There are many opportunities to get in touch with local culture, rather than just visiting famous tourist attractions.

• The rise of travel apps, booking platforms, and language translation tools has made traveling easier than ever.

2. Independent travel – Important experiences and notes

2.1. Plan and prepare your self-guided travel itinerary

Independent travel plan

The key to a successful trip lies in careful preparation. Before each trip, you should clearly define the purpose of your trip (vacation, nature exploration, cultural exploration...), the amount of time you can spend on the trip, and the overall budget. From there, you can build a preliminary itinerary including the attractions, travel time between areas, and main activities.

Booking basic services such as air tickets, major transportation, accommodation and some attractions in advance can help you save significantly on costs and avoid the risk of "sold out tickets", especially during peak season.

2.2. Choose a suitable destination for your independent trip

Choose the right destination

Not every destination is ideal for independent travelers, especially for beginners. You should choose places with developed tourism infrastructure, easy access and plenty of reference information available. Places with convenient public transportation, moderate living standards and friendly culture will make the trip easier and safer.

Some popular domestic destinations such as Da Lat, Da Nang, Hue, Ninh Binh or Phu Quoc are always on the list of suggestions for independent travelers. If you want to try your hand at foreign travel, Thailand, Korea or Japan are accessible options, suitable for first-time travelers.

2.3. Budget management when traveling independently

Budget for self-guided travel

A big advantage of independent travel is that you can adjust your spending according to your financial capacity. However, to avoid unexpected expenses, you should plan a detailed budget for each category: transportation, accommodation, food, sightseeing tickets, shopping and incidental expenses.

Set aside at least 10% of your budget for unforeseen circumstances such as changes to your itinerary, bad weather or health issues. In addition, comparing prices on online platforms, hunting for deals early and using spending management tools will help you optimize your budget effectively.

2.4. Popular means of transportation in independent travel

Unique means of travel

Choosing the right means of transport not only helps save costs but also determines flexibility and safety throughout the journey. In Vietnam, many people choose to rent motorbikes to travel within the city or between nearby tourist destinations. For long distances, buses, trains and planes are still popular choices.

When traveling abroad, you should prioritize using the subway, bus or ride-hailing apps like Grab, Uber to avoid being "ripped off". In particular, learning in advance how to buy tickets, routes and operating hours of public transport will help you save a lot of time.

2.5. Experience in booking rooms and dining when traveling independently

Cheap eats

Choosing the right accommodation not only affects the cost but also the overall experience of the trip. Depending on your personal needs, you can choose a hotel, homestay, hostel or serviced apartment. You should prioritize locations near the center, with good reviews and reputable booking systems such as Booking.com, Agoda or Airbnb.

In terms of food, independent travel is an opportunity for you to discover local cuisine in the most authentic way. Instead of choosing a fancy restaurant, try small eateries, night markets or food streets where locals often go. However, you should also pay attention to food safety issues and carefully refer to reviews before trying strange dishes.

3. Common mistakes when traveling independently and how to avoid them

Some common mistakes that make a self-guided trip less complete include:

• Over-scheduling leads to fatigue and no time to relax.

• Not checking weather conditions and service cancellation/change policies carefully.

• Lack of backup plan in case of any problem.

• Being subjective about safety, health or not carrying important documents.

To avoid these situations, you should have a flexible plan, always carry copies of your identification documents, note down emergency contacts, and leave at least half a day free in your schedule for rest or handling unexpected incidents.

4. Tools and applications to support effective independent travel

Technology is a powerful assistant that helps make independent travel easier and more optimal. From finding directions, booking tickets to managing expenses, with just a phone connected to the internet, you can completely control your trip.

Some common tools that should be included in your self-guided travel luggage:

• Google Maps , Rome2Rio : Find directions, view bus/train routes, calculate travel time and distance.

• Booking.com , Agoda , Airbnb : Fast booking, many options, easy to compare prices and see real reviews.

• Klook , Traveloka , KKday : Book sightseeing tickets, short tours, inter-provincial train/bus tickets or experience combos in advance.

• Splitwise , Money Lover : Manage group and personal expenses, limit uncontrolled expenses.

• Google Translate , Papago : Supports basic communication when traveling abroad, especially useful with signs, menus, and directions.

And don't forget:
Tatinta Guide is a companion platform for independent travel lovers, where you can:

• Quick update on ticket promotions and cost saving tips

• Find detailed, easy-to-follow itinerary suggestions

• Explore trending destinations

• Learn from the experience of the community of predecessors

Tatinta Guide - Virtual travel assistant accompanies you on every independent trip

Independent travel is not only a flexible form of travel, but also a way for each person to explore the world at their own pace. With careful preparation, an open mind and a little flexibility, you can completely turn each trip into a memorable journey, full of personal imprint.

And if you are looking for a platform that helps you save time planning, choose quality services and update the hottest destinations today, Tatinta is a reliable companion for every independent journey.
From itinerary suggestions, ticket deals to practical tips, Tatinta empowers you to explore at your own pace.