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Buying a phone to use in Luang Prabang
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glomer
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We need to be accessible by phone while in LP (the grandparents will be at home in California with our son), and I'm wondering if it would be easier/cheaper to purchase a phone/simcard in Hanoi vs. LP itself. Any advice? Thanks!
#1 Posted: 4/12/2010 - 00:44
somsai
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Ask your guest house/hotel to have a tuk tuk take you to a local market. Get a used one and have them activate the sim card for you and install some minutes. Probably $30 US tops. Give them your new number when you call your folks.
Going to the market is something a lot of people like to do anyway, photos and unusual food items.
#2 Posted: 4/12/2010 - 03:38
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glomer
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A used phone...interesting. Thanks for the advice. Do you think this kind of purchase is doable at a local market without speaking Lao?
#3 Posted: 4/12/2010 - 06:23
Rufus
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Yes it is possible without speaking Lao. However there are also many phone shops around town which sell used phones,
Another possibility is to buy a copy phone. Some of them are of decent quality, and you can get an i phone 4 for about $90. The latest Nokia is also available.
A third possibility is to buy a new real phone. They are all unlocked and are cheaper than in many western countries.
#4 Posted: 4/12/2010 - 08:33
somsai
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Glomer there is a very high probability that anyone you buy a phone from will speak a few languages, the first couple being some sort of Chinese. Last guy I bought a phone from spoke better English than I speak Lao, that's not saying much but I hardly ever speak English to Lao people.
I like the extremely simple, durable as in bomb proof, Nokia. Wish it worked here.
#5 Posted: 4/12/2010 - 18:40
glomer
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Thanks for the replies, Rufus & Somsai!
#6 Posted: 5/12/2010 - 03:45