To Camp or Not to Camp??
 

On a trip from Vietnam to Portugal, should one bring camping gear?

I always find that there is some kind of basic accommodation to be found which is comfy/ clean enough, and quite cheap (ie < 5 USD). How much money would you save camping on a trip like this and is it worth it?

I would carry a small, lightweight tent and sleeping bag for use in the last part of the journey through europe where prices are a lot higher, I am presuming you are coming through India, Pakistan and Iran. Prices in SE Asia and India have gone up and expect to pay closer to $10 per night but quality has gone up as well for that price.

It is better to have it than not! In South East Asia we rarely camped, but when we did it was because of the view we otherwise never would have had:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6...994d5480_m.jpg
Day 213: Route 13 Laos by sherrielynnm, on Flickr

OR when we went off roading and got a little lost/things took longer than expected. :oops2: But we were never worried as we knew we had our tent if and when we wanted or needed it! And this did happen more than once. ;-)

In the end I loved the freedom the tent gave us in SEA. And once you hit Europe prices start to go up, you find yourself paying 20 Euro for a campsite! (Although we normally camp wild everywhere unless we are in dire need of a shower, it is rarely a problem to do so, but it is not always allowed in Europe). So unless your tent is so big it is inconvenient, I would definitely take it!

Go both ways !
 

No pun intended !

homestay, looking for host families, homestay accommodation

Take a tent and check this site out, works well for me.