Visas Archives - Pale Ale Travel

Quick & Easy Process to Get a 30-Day Vietnam E-Visa Explained

February 26, 2023February 26, 2023Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

As you may know by now, I’m heading to Vietnam in several days (mid-January, 2022). It has been nearly 3 years since I left Ho Chi Minh to embark on a journey to Europe for a six-month stint and move back to Hong Kong (my current base). I can’t wait to be back.

A part of me was stressed about obtaining a visa for Vietnam as I barely remembered doing so when I first moved there in July 2018. However, then I remembered that it was an absolute breeze and that’s why it wasn’t even registering in my memory.

If you are looking to apply for a 30-day Vietnam E-visa, I’ve got you covered. Below, I will walk through exactly what you can expect when applying, how long a 30-day Vietnam E-visa takes to be processed (and how long mine actually took), and additional considerations to keep in mind when traveling to Vietnam.

Leaving the Schengen Area: Budapest to Zagreb Bus

December 26, 2019October 10, 2020Croatia, Europe, Hungary, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

If you’ve read my post on my visa run from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia via the Giant Ibis bus, there’s a good chance you’re thinking I’m not a bus person. The truth is I didn’t think I was either. That was until I took FlixBus from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb, Croatia.

When trying to find the best (and most efficient) route from Budapest to Zagreb, I really came up empty online. Everyone warned against the train (which I am usually quite fond of) due to its lengthy time, occasional train changes (sometimes requiring walking or having to hop on a bus), and interior conditions. I just wanted to get to Zagreb as quickly and smoothly as possible. FlixBus did the job.

If you’re curious as to why this was one of the smoothest bus rides I’ve ever taken and why I will definitely be using FlixBus again (already have), then continue on!

Visa Run: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh Bus Ride

December 22, 2019October 10, 2020Asia, Cambodia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

For how much I travel, I still somehow really hate flying. To skirt having to fly in a metal tube, 35,000 feet in the air for a mere 45 minutes, I somehow convinced myself that doing my Vietnam visa run to Phnom Penh, Cambodia via the Moc Bai Border should be done by bus. This wasn’t my best idea. If you’re currently in Vietnam and considering your visa run options, I recommend running a pros and cons comparison when choosing between the bus and flight.

For those who are looking to visa run within the day, meaning you are just going to the Moc Bai Border and then straight back to Ho Chi Minh, then the bus is probably your best option. I like to make a trip of things, so a short 45 minute flight will be my preferred method next time.

If you’re curious about why I’ll choose to fly the next time I need to visa run from Vietnam, continue on.