In this episode a brief overview of Thailand's new offer of a 60 day visa exemption for citizens of 93 countries. Plus how to deal with needing an onward ticket when you don't have one!
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I am back after a much too long hiatus from the podcast! In this episode I run through what it takes currently to stay long term in Danang, Vietnam. I am meeting more people everyday who are deciding to come here and either retire or live long term. But is it right for you?
In this episode I review the current rules involved in securing evisas for Vietnam as well as visa exemptions for citizen of select countries.
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The quote "Pot Smoking Tourists Not Welcom In Thailand"recently comes from the Thai Health Minister. Updates and a throwback to a walkabout in the shopping districts during a visit in 2017. Bangkok is coming back with an estimated 7-8 million visitors expected in 2022. Still a far cry from the 40 million visitors it saw in 2019. Things are improving as far as more flights heading for the capital of Thailand with Bangkok Air adding direct flights from Da Nang beginning September 1st. In this episode I talk about the changes to the street food scene since the government swept the sidewalks of food carts back in 2016. A shame but there is a street food scene and neighborhoods that still have plenty of food carts. It's far from being discounted as a once food mecca.
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With the situation for travel to China worsening the State Department Of The United States has issued a Level 4 travel advisory to China for it's citizens. To put this into context Level 4 is the same warning for a country that is at war. For Canada, Australia, and the U.K. the advisories are similar in that all non-essential travel to Mainland China is discouraged with a no travel warning to Hubei province, where the virus is believed to have first broke out. If you have travel plans for China in the coming months it might be a good time to reconsider. The response to the situation is quite remarkable in China with hospitals that will be up and running soon completely built from scratch to deal with the cornavirus.
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How this slipped by me I still don't know but I found out just this week that Vietnam is amending their visa rules as of July 1st, 2020 and it's possible you could be affected. Although I still haven't seen official documentation on this particular change yet many people are commenting on forums about the new rule for tourist visas where you will have to leave the country every 30 daynin order to validate your visa. Currently if you have a 90 visa you can stay in the country for the full term. Now according to some sources you will need to exit every 30 days, and possibly for Americans this would be required for a 1 year tourist visa. I will keep you up posted as more details become available. It's of course possible that there could be certain countries exempted from exiting every 30 days as well as some kind of service fee or official stamp validating a 90 day or longer tourist visa while staying in the country.
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Here are some links with more information on Vietnam visa amendments:https://www.fragomen.com/insights/alerts/amendments-immigration-law-and-labor-code-forthcoming
More here:https://www.balglobal.com/bal-news/new-labor-code-and-law-on-foreigners-to-take-effect-in-2020/

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In this episode I talk about the opportunity one has to reflect on their self-improvement and personal growth while revisiting a travel destination. I've had the opportunity to do this on my current trip to Siem Reap after a 5 year absence. Also in this episode, alternative towns to Siem Reap to visit in Cambodia for a truly authentic experience of a slower paced Southeast Asia-Kampot, Kratie, Battambang.
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I'm always excited to hear from listeners of the podcast. What's even more special is a meet-up when we cross paths on our travels. I recently heard from Tudor, a Berlin resident originally from Transylvania, Romania.Tudor was in Siem Reap, Cambodia at the same time as myself so we got together to share travel experiences and of course I'm always eager to get feedback from listeners. I thought it would also be a great opportunity to have someone share some of their personal experiences while on the road. Cambodia is indeed a very special place where you can still find, without getting way off the beaten path, some truly authentic Southeast Asian culture and a slower pace of life. As Tudor mentioned, still recovering but definitely on it's way to rebuilding and advancing it's people.
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I asked my Twitter/Periscope follower to chat with me ask I walked along the Siem Reap River towards the Royal Residence and Raffles Grand Angkor Hotel. If you're looking to get away from the main buzz around the old market and Pub Street area this is a nice walk. Although there is a fair bit of traffic along the road that runs parallel to the Siem Reap River it still can be a pleasant walk. Any questions or suggestions while I'm in Siem Reap just send me a message on IG, Facebook, or an email to john@fareasttravels.com.
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It's my first visit to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Ruins in 5 years and I've got an update for you on what's changed. The current state of outside investment and growth is certainly reflective in the amount of new retail shops, particularly internationally branded stores, chains like Starbucks, and new locations of familiar Cambodian brands. I was shocked by how much more agressive drivers and touts are throughout the tourist district or center of the town. Fortunately if Pub Street and a backpacker atmosphere is not for you there are still plenty of family owned restaurants and quieter less rambunctious places away from the center, particularily around Wat Damnak. I'm looking forward to sharing more experiences and insights along with tips during my lengthy stay in Siem Reap.
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Sharing an experience walking through the commercial center of Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the massive Orussey Market. As I shared this broadcast with my live Twitter/Periscope followers I field some random questions about Cambodia and travel in Southeast Asia. I try to visit and share as much as these experiences as I can in order to inspire travel off or out of the tourist zones. You'll just get a much more authentic local experience and no doubt walk away with treasured memories of engaging in light-hearted chats with locals. Many Khmer come from the outer provinces to the Orussey Market to stock up on supplies for their shops or restaurants. The parking lot is full of vans, trucks, and tuk-tuks, completely stacked with goods. It's a wonder they can even move with the amount of products stuffed or stacked inside and on top of the vehicles. For the person wanting to gain some more insight into the culture and everyday life of Cambodia this is an easy way to do so. Thanks so much for listening!
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In this episode I want to cover off some suggestions and tips for traveling, especially for extended periods of time with some self-catering tips. I prefer to self-cater my breakfasts if I'm not staying in a hotel or guesthouse that offers breakfast. It's the one meal where i can feel like I'm at home or in my own place. It's also a time-saver for me. I'm eating out two meals a day so having one in my room gives me time to catch up on the news or events across Asia, as well as some online work. If I'm in a place where I particularly enjoy the local style breakfasts like the wonderful noodles or laksa noodles of Malaysia/Borneo, roti canai in any restoran in Kuala Lumpur, or India where I can have veg. curry with puri bread then I'll go out for breakfast more often. It also saves alot of money if you prefer a Western style breakfast like bread with jam, peanut butter, or cereals. Also in this episode I cover off general shopping tips for bargain clothes. Thanks so much for listening! Support the podcast by becoming a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels
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I had a few suggestions or warnings on a couple of my latest Phnom Penh YouTube videos to share or mention some of the scams that continue to go on here in the capital. The one I was intrigued by the most is the blackjack scam, as it's a fair bit more complex than your average tourist scam as there are several players involved. I also go over some of the more familiar scams to listeners and travelers like the infamous "I need milk, not money for my baby" scam. Fake monks, fake police, they are all here and apparently still making a living in Cambodia.
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The supply far outweighs the demand for tuk-tuks in Phnom Penh and probably in Siem Reap, Cambodia as well. How do you manage the situation? It can be overwhelming to be asked several times an hour if you need a tuk-tuk. Along with motorbike taxis trolling next to you on the streets if you're not walking in the opposite direction of traffic. In this episode I go into the reasons why there are so many and some tips on how to deal with the constant tuk-tuk question. This is especially helpful if you enjoy walking, and Phnom Penh despite many uncontrolled intersections can be quite an interesting place to walk. In the episode I mentioned Khmer New Year and the Water Festival as the same thing and they are not. I called it the water festival because new year whether it's in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, or Mynamar involves throwing water at each other as a blessing and good luck for the New Year. The Water Festival is a different celebration. So for tuk-tuk rates here are a few examples. are a few examples of current rates as well for negotiating purposes.
Tuk Tuk Rates from Riverside(remorques or Khmer Tuk Tuks will be on the higher side of these fares:
$1.00-$1.50 for a short ride -Aeon Mall (Chamkarmorn) 2km
$1.40-$1.60 Vietnam Embassy 4km
$1.60-$2.00 Russian Market
$4.00-$4.50 Airport(app price average for autorickshaw)
$15.00 Return trip(Riverside) Killing Fields(10km each way)
Thanks so much for listening. i wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2020!
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This past summer was not the experience I was hoping for. What was to be outings and short visits around the country has turned into weeks of nursing colds, sinus infections, and now Covid. Fortunately I've been lucky to have only experienced cold symptoms with C19. But my isolation has taken me back to the feelings experienced a year ago when we were all under some form of lockdown here in Vietnam. My apologies for the lack of output of new content and episodes but I am hopeful going forward I will have many more stories to tell whether here or on my YouTube Channel but I do appreciate your patience.
Good news this past month for Da Nang making in on Travel + Leisure's top 10 cities to visit in Southeast Asia. Vietnam's two biggest cities, Ho Chi Minh and Ha Noi both made it on the list as well. In this episode I'll also go back to the Batu Caves in Selangor, Malaysia from a 2019 visit.
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I hope you are enjoying the holiday with family and friends and wish you a very healthy, joyful, and prosperous 2020. This past Christmas week has felt quite uneventful and from an outsider, one of the least interested places in the whole Christmas celebration. Now that could be just that I'm used to more of a Christmas presence in East Asia and Southeast Asia because of the much more developed retail industry. The modern shopping mall is still relatively new to Phnom Penh along with a population base that can or wants to spend extra money on another holiday that really has no significance to local culture. When you factor in minimum wage is expected to be bumped up to $190USD/month in 2020 and the average yearly household income at approximately $1400USD. I did spot some young children dressed in Santa type suits running around the riverside boardwalk on Christmas Day, something of a tradition in Vietnam as well. I think if you're burned out on the Christmas season Phnom Penh might be the answer for your next winter getaway.
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An email from a listener who had a question on whether he should keep his plans for visiting Vietnam during the wet season or change it to the dry season inspired the topic for this episode so thanks Mike! It's a really good question that should be decided soley on the preferences of each person. They both have their positives and negatives. To clear up what exactly a wet season is in these regions I explain in the episode. It's not what you might think. There's also benefits to traveling during the wet season-cheaper hotels, more selection, less crowds. I have traveled extensively during both seasons so I will share with you my personal experiences as well. Thanks so much for listening. You can support the podcast by becoming a patron! For $5/month patrons get access to private episodes of the podcast. Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels
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The Central Market is definitely one of my top sites to see in Phnom Penh. Personally while staying in the capital on most days I'll find myself here even for just a half-hour. It's buzzing with activity most of the day and the streets surrounding the market are also worthy of exploring. The dome area is impressive but unless you're interested in checking out gemstones, gold, and jewellry it soons gets boring. The perimeter of the market is my favorite area as this includes the wet market, food stalls, and some places where you can get some pretty good bargains on clothes, if you're willing to pick through the piles that are there. It can be like a treasure hunt though. On my last visit an eager stall owner and her assistant found me 3 pairs of name brand pants, I'm tall so not easy, for $27USD. You can buy some local snacks to take away and there is plenty of fruit, although you might save a little money buying from a smaller more locals only market. Thanks so much for listening. Got a travel tip or story to share? Send me an email to john@fareasttravels.com!
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Nguyen Trai Street is a vibrant local shopping area of Saigon's District 5. If you want real deals on clothing this is the place to visit. You'll find the prices here up to 30% of similiar items in the tourist district. There's also amazing street food and restaurants close by mostly serving Vietnamese and Chinese food. District 5 is part of the original Cholon area of Ho Chi Minh. At one time this area was divided by name-Cholon/Saigon. Less impacted than other districts succumbing to international brands and chains this whole area feels like a giant market.
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I always love visiting the Binh Tay Market in District 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It's chaotic in the slowest of times. When I first started visiting HCMC I often visited the market in the mornings but lately I've been making my way out to D6 in the afternoons when the light is just right and the atmosphere is still frenzied. It's also a fun place to visit to see what seasonal items are for sale. During Halloween it was interesting masks, plastic internal organs, and other decorations. In this episode I'm checking out the various Christmas decorations and items for sale. This is also one of the best places to come for food in the greater Saigon area. Whether you're looking for dumplings, because of the historic Chinese community here, or local food, that night I had banh xeo, (sizzling pancakes), at one of my favorite spots. Thanks so much for listening!
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How do people celebrate Christmas in Saigon, Vietnam? In this episode I chat about how people celebrate this holiday and what to expect if you visit at this time of year. Being a primarily Buddhist country, Christmas is not as an important celebration as the Lunar New Year or Tet. In fact, technically Christmas isn't a holiday at all, so if it falls during the work week, everyone goes about their regular business. Most people that live in the greater Ho Chi Minh City area do like to go out and view all of the lights and decorations at shopping malls, walking streets, and view nativity scenes in front of churches. Officially 8% of the population is Christian but it could be slightly higher with 7% being Roman Catholica and 1% Protestant. Christmas Eve is traditionally the time when locals celebrate Christmas. Visiting the Notre Dam Cathedral, Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien Walking Streets are some of the favorite places to hang out. As I mentioned in this episode, although you'll see people out and about taking pictures around Christmas trees, the true spirit or energy that you would be accustomed to at home will be lacking. But, so will the shopping frenzy, the disgruntled customers in long line-ups and so on.
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Vietnamese markets are always a favorite place of mine to wander. A huge variety of fruit, seafood, and abundance, especially in Ho Chi MInh City and around this region that draws on food production from Mekong River Delta, the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. In this episode I'm wandering the Tan My Market in Ho Chi MInh City's District 7 while getting feedback and questions from viewers I've invited to watch on Twitter and Periscope, Follow me on Twitter:https://twitter.com/FarEast_Travels
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A listener recently sent me a message asking how safe is it to travel to Cambodia these days. He was about to visit the country for the first time with his girlfriend. The recent news of a young British woman gone missing on the island of Koh Rong once again raises concerns about how safe the country is for travel. Her body was discovered in the ocean a week after she went missing and after an autopsy it was determined she died of drowning. Cambodia for the most part is still relatively a safe place to travel and if you take the precautions laid out in the episode you should lessen the risk of any incidents. Throughout Southeast Asia petty theft is the most common concern with bag snatching and pickpocketing being the top crimes involving tourists. Although more violent crimes do occur they are much more rare in this region. I also cover off food safety, land mines, and more serious matters like food and drink spiking and sexual harrasement. Common sense, being aware of your surroundings, and taking caution when strangers approach you are also some areas I cover off in this episode. Obviously predators will focus on the main areas where tourists are found, in Phnom Pehn near riverside and in Siem Reap around the central market and Pub Street. If you have any other suggestions for travel safety I'd love to get your feedback. Send me an email to john@fareattravels.com.
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In this episode Kyoto, Japan resident Niall Gibson joins me for a chat on the new Reiwa era that marks a new emperor and empress. We also talk about the recent ban on street photography in the traditonal Gion section of Kyoto and highlights of the upcoming fall koyo or red leaf season. Fall is a very special time of year to visit Kyoto-with lower daytime temperatures it makes for great hiking and cycling weather. Niall will also have some special recommendations of sites not to miss during the fall season on the private episode of the Far East Travels Podcast. Become a patron and get access to private episosdes of the podcast. Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels
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Some basic information on what you need to know about visas in these regions. One thing that is the general rule of thumb is to have a passport that's valid for 6 months beyond for first day in the country you're visiting. Not all countries require this but most do. The visa process is getting easier and I've even heard talk of a possible ASEAN visa that would allow you to travel around the region of Southeast Asia on one visa. For now, you'll need to apply for visas either in advance or when you arrive in the country you're visiting. Also further to my talk on extending a visa if you are ever in doubt as to how long you want to visit a country for get the longest visa you can possibly obtain. If you're visiting Vietnam instead of a one month visa get a three month, they are almost the same cost. Extending the visa or doing a visa run can be costly and waste precious travel time. Same thing if you're going to Indonesia and you qualify for a 30 visa exemption. If you think you might want to stay longer pay the $35 and get a proper 30 day visa that's extendable. Also if you are ever feeling frustrated during the visa process at an airport or when you're being processed always remain calm, smile, and relax. Most of the time it's a pretty painless process but culturally it's not a good idea to get frustrated or become "short". Always be definitive in your answers, noone will hold you to it if you tell immigration you plan on staying two weeks and you decide to stay longer later. Also on your arrival card, if the country you are visiting requires you to fill one out, always have a hotel address to fill out the card. Even if you are just going to book something once you arrive in the city you'll just need an intended place you will be staying. Noone will ask you later if you chose not to stay there. Most of the time the immigration officer will just process your passport, stamp your visa and hand back your passport without saying anything. Thanks again for listening and if you have any other suggestions or questions for future episodes of the podcast please send me a note at john@fareasttravels.com
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It's so glad to be back after a long break due to a cold and sinus infection. In the episode I'll discuss dealing with a common flu or cold after not having one for 2 years. Also more importantly what travel is currently like and the most recent updates for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
It still looks like it may be still some time before East Asia like Taiwan or Japan reopens to independant travelers.
Nepal is open with few travel restrictions if you're considering a trek in the fall. Bhutan will reopen to travelers beginning September 22nd. Thanks again for listening!
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Unhealthy levels on the Air Quality Index are a fact of life in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. In this episode I review the AQI so you'll have some context as to what could be considered safe or dangerous depending on how sensitive you are to air pollution. Other factors like seasonal conditions, for example the yellow dust from the Gobi Desert in Spring throughout East Asia, and the slash and burn season that affects Southeast Asia can also determine how you should be prepared. High quality masks that guard against large particles of pollutants are always easily available in some cities so ordering your masks before you leave on your trip is probably a good idea. As well as downloading the Air Matters app and having some websites that you can easily access before and during your trip. As I mentioned in the episode there are some days where the AQI can vary from over 150 in the morning to 80-90 later in the day, so in some cases just staying indoors for the morning or a portion of a day can make a difference.
Air Visual:https://www.airvisual.com
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In this episode I give you a quick run down of my go to apps for booking hotels, airlines, food delivery, rideshares, and general use and information. I did not mention rail apps that are handy for booking tickets in places like Taiwan, where you can reserve tickets for either Taiwan Railways or for the Taiwan High Speed Rail-I will leave those for future episodes. For myself these apps are equivalent to infrastructure, and they would be for you too if you plan on extended travel or stays in East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia. With any of these apps that can take payment from an international debit or credit card I use a virtual card number. I also leave notifications on for my bank app so I can see in real time charges or authorizations being applied to my account as I am booking and of these services. Should my card become compromised, I can notify my bank immediately and or lock the card from being used. There are lots of incentives these apps offer from discounts to cash back you can use towards future bookings. The more you use them the higher level of service you will receive in most cases. Full disclosure, I have used Agoda.com's affiliate program in the past but regardless of this I can without any hesitation recommend as a reliable booking service. The alternative could be booking.com. Which travel apps do you use and why? I would love to get your feedback and possibly share your experiences on the podcast. Send me a note to john @fareasttravels.com.
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Full disclosure, I'm not 100% vegan, maybe 85%, which I suppose would infuriate some people because veganism seems to be just as much if not more of a cause than just a diet preference. Choosing to be vegan because you are concerned about the treatment of animals and the health of our planet are absolutely worthy choices to change your diet but I believe it's also OK just to be doing it for you and your own personal health. So you don't have to be "vegan" to try vegan food and enjoy vegan food. If you're not vegetarian or vegan next time you're in one of these cities in Asia go vegan for a few meals. I especially enjoy trying traditional local dishes that are vegan or have been adapted with plant-based ingredients. The desserts are amazing too! I'm blown away by the quality of vegan food restaurants in most of the cities that are on the list, that I've visited.
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Recommended Restaurants:https://fareasttravels.com/travel-ideas/vegan-friendly-cities-peta-asias-top-10-cities-asia-review/

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There are definitely much more than just 6 sites or places to see in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City but if I had to narrow it down to a few select these are the places I recommend you should see-especially on your first visit. Ho Chi Minh City has an estimated population of around 13 million. It is a megalopolis and rapidly changing. I've left off more tradtional markets and districts or spots that are more frequented by locals. These are familiar sites your friends will recognize when you share your photos and they are all well worth visiting. Oddly one place I haven't been to yet that's on the list is the new "Skyview" of Landmark 81, the tallest building in Southeast Asia, about a 10-15 taxi ride from the city center of District 1. At $35USD this I believe is the most expensive tourist attraction in Saigon. Most of the museums are less that $3 and some of the sites listed here are free to see or visit like the post office and of course the hotels. I did forget to mention the iconic Saigon Opera House as a place to see when you're walking along Dong Khoi Street, it's right in between the Hotel Continental Saigon and the Caravelle Hotel. Watch yourself around the traffic, and have an awesome stay!
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Join me on a walk through Co Bac/Co Giang the streets and area that was featured in the Netflix series Street Food Asia Ho Chi Minh City episode. You'll will definitely feel the rumble and energy of the motorbikes that act as the pulse of the city. I hope that these "on the street" episodes help you feel the energy of Southeast Asia and inspire you to travel and visit these truly dynamic places. As I said in the episode to walk these streets and smell the aromas of the food cooking while hearing the sounds of the sizzling and stirring of woks and barbeques is wonderfully stimulating. It's like you're in someone's kitchen waiting for them to cook you something comforting and delicious. Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is a funny place, when you're here for an extended period of time it can drive you crazy. When you're away you can't wait to get back!
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Join me on a walk from The Saigon River to The Notre Dam Basilica(Cathedral), on one of Saigon's most iconic streets, Dong Khoi. During the French Colonial period it's name was Rue Catinat and even today there are still many leftover gorgeous buildings of the era from hotels like The Majestic, Grand Saigon, and The Hotel Continental Saigon, to The Opera House and more. This coincides with my YouTube video that was released this week on best areas to stay in when visiting Saigon-https://youtu.be/wleYCU99ZjI
I also invited my Twitter live followers to join in on the conversation with questions. Which countries have the most visitors to Vietnam. They are in order starting with:
1.China
2.South Korea
3.Japan
4. Taiwan
5. United States
Thanks so much for listening! If you have a question or suggestion for a podcast topic I would love to hear from you. Send me a message to john@fareasttravels.com.
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Walk with me as I explore the latest fruit and produce offered at a traditonal non-tourist market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Tan My Market is located in District 7, not an area frequented by tourists but many foreigners in here. One of my favorite things always is exploring markets across Asia. The traditional markets actually whether they're frequented by tourists or not are a great way to understand how locals eat. The non-tourist markets are going to feature mostly local and everyday products so you obviously won't be seeing t-shirts or souvenirs. You probably will see live and fresh animals as well as the cleaning of fresh killed creatures like frogs and chickens so it's not for the squeamish either. Picture some crowded streets filled with people shopping on their motorbikes, with many carrying bags of fresh greens and herbs, rambutan, limes, bananas, and mangos.
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Thanks to Tod Pohlmann of the San Francisco Bay Area for his question about SIM cards in Asia. I hope I've covered off everything you need to know about SIM cards in East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia. If you have any more questions or suggestions for future podcasts I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message either to john@fareastravels.com or on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FarEastAdventureTravel/ or https://www.facebook.com/johnsaboeofficial/. Support the Far East Travels Podcast and get access to private podcasts starting at $5/month. Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels

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It's always a pleasure to have Niall join me on the podcast for chat about one of the most visited cities in Asia-Kyoto, Japan. Niall has been living in the most traditional city of Japan for over 11 years and has a very extensive understanding of Japanese culture as well as expert knowledge on Kyoto and it's fascinating sites. Niall has been a tour operator for several years and now hosts his own podcast-The Kyoto Fun Podcast. In this episode and chat with Niall about how he ended up in Kyoto, marrying a Japanese woman and starting a family. Niall shares some insight into life as a a foreigner in Japan and some tips on visiting Kyoto. I carry on the conversation with Niall in a private podcast for Patreon supporters. You can get access to private episodes of the Far East Travels Podcast starting at $5/month. Visit my Patreon page to find out more and sign up:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels
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Find out more about Niall's Kyoto tours:https://www.kyotofun.com
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I'm sharing some more of my experiences and cost comparisons between Phnom Penh and Saigon. I was asked recently while I was in PP whether it was cheaper than Saigon. The Phnom Penh cost of living is overall 15-18% higher than Saigon. Very reflective in the cost of meals and transportation. You'll notice it almost immediately. Interesting in that Saigon by far exceeds Phnom Penh as a cosmopolitan city but overall is less costly. As I mentioned in the episode I will probably be spending a few months living and exploring Cambodia starting next month. Thanks so much for listening. I want to thank Sheila Osman and Yi Jing Zhou for inviting me to be a guest on The Podcast Show Asia. Here is my interview with Shida:https://soundcloud.com/thepodcastshowasia/john-saboe-far-east-travelpodcast-the-podcast-show
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In this episode I take you for a walk through the Han Market in Da Nang, Vietnam. You'll immediately notice lots of interaction with local sellers as this market is geared a little more tourists than the Con Market in the last episode.
These markets are always alot of fun to visit and in terms of food they really give you insight into what people eat here. The food stalls in any of these markets are always worthy of a visit with usually excellent examples of local classics at a much lower price than tourist style restaurants. As I said in the walk-through you could easily knock off this market and the Con Market in a morning or afternoon. I came down with a cold a couple of days after the recording of this walk through so unfortunately I'm not able to bring you much more than this segment in this episode. I tested myself twice for Covid-both tests came out negative. Colds are going around again as people venture out. This is the first time I've been sick with anything in 2.5 years. Peace, love, and safe travels!
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At one time Cambodia was one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to obtain a long term visa. Just a matter of applying for an "Ordinary" visa when you arrived and renewing it to a business visa before the 30 days was up and you would have a multiple entry visa good for one year. Things are more complicated now with extensions for people working in Cambodia, retiring, or other categories. Of course you can still renew your tourist visa for 30 days but if you want to stay longer you'll have to exit the country and then return. I suppose with a huge amount of foreign investment and a population that's eager for good jobs the government is tightening up the rules to help favor locals looking for jobs. But I believe it's still possible for foreigners with experience to find work in Cambodia. I would recommend Phnom Penh for either a long term stay of employment or retirement. There are a few things they will have to do to adjust the infrastructure to meet the needs of all of the new development. Even with all of the new construction and traffic issues Phnom Penh still feels like one of the more laid back capitals of Southeast Asia. Thanks for listening! If you have any questions about the podcast or myself please send me an email to john@fareasttravels.com.
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For more on Cambodian visas:https://www.movetocambodia.com/planning-your-move-to-cambodia/cambodia-visas/#types

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As I settled in after arriving in Phnom Penh after my last visit 4 years ago and felt a comforting sense, a wonderful gift of experiencing so many different cities in and cultures in Asia and recognizing the subtleties of each place. I actually have been trying to arrange a return visit in the last 2-3 years to Phnom Penh but the stars never seemed to line up so perhaps my appreciation for Cambodia and the Khmer culture has only grown since my last visit. It's certainly different in that there is much more residential and retail development and a bigger global presence in for years. The massive investment from China is seen everywhere. As I said in the episode there still is a somewhat peaceful feeling along some of the streets near riverside, something that has long vanished from Ho Chi Minh City. But perhaps that will change here too with more foreign investment. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast! The Far East Travels Podcast is brought to you by sacredtrekking.com. Book your trek to the Himalaya for the fall now! Visit sacredtrekking.com to find out more.
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Having lived in Vancouver most of my life I have lots of great memories and for sometime I couldn't imagine myself living anywhere else, so I have no ill or bad feelings about the place. But I was very surprised to see Vancouver listed as the number 1 most friendliest city in the world on Lonely Planet's Top 10 Friendliest Cities list. Especially when I saw that Taipei, Taiwan placed number 4 considering it's the only other place I've lived long term.Knowing the way locals react to foreigners that visit Taipei compared with Vancouver is quite different. I discuss this in the episode. I was delighted to see that another one of my favorite cities in Asia made the top 10 list and came in at number 2-Kuala Lumpur. In this episode I also include some of my favorite Asian destinations that didn't make the Lonely Planet list but are certainly on my list of friendly cities or destinations.
Thanks for listening and sharing!
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Far East Travels Podcast friend DaveInOsaka joins us from Ilulissat, Greenland for a beyond The Far East episode sharing his journey through this mysterious island full of ice fjords and sled dogs. Dave arrived in Nuuk, Greenland, the capital of the Danish territory via Reykjavik, Iceland before making his way to the most popular destination on the island, Ilulissat, with it's World Heritage Icefjord. Dave shares his impressions of the island from it's breathtaking landscape to what whale meat tastes like. Greenland is very much not for sale and it appears that with the exception of maybe a few locals are really interested in discussing the topic. Dave is also on the lookout for talkshow host Conan O'Brien who is also visiting Greenland. Thanks again to Dave for sharing his impressions Greenland. You can follow Dave on the rest of his trip and around Asia on Twitter and Periscope:https://twitter.com/DaveInOsaka, and Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/daveinosaka
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Yves Chouinard, the founder of the Patagonia adventure gear and clothing company once said the adventure doesn't begin until the s*** hits the fan. In this episode I share some of my misadventures or mishaps that uncomfortable or a little terrifying at the time, made the trip much more interesting to share. Unfortunately with the advent of Instagram and other platforms too many people gauge the expectations of their trip on someone else's experience rather than going in without any preconceived expectations. This can be fatal to ultimately enjoying your own experience. If you'd like to share your experience of a trip that went sideways but made for a great adventure send it to me at either john@fareastravels.com or to my Instagram account johnsaboesfareastravels. You can support the podcast by becoming a patron! Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels
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Demonstrations and the intensity of protests have escalated over the past couple of weeks leading to violence and unpredictability. As a result many countries have increased the degree of caution to their citizens who will be traveling to Hong Kong. Australia, USA, Canada, and others have raised the degree of caution to Level 2 or to "exercise a high risk of caution to their citizens this week. In this episode I discuss alternatives and safetly measures you can take when visiting Hong Kong.

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Replacing a passport due to loss or theft is obviously necessary when traveling but what about just a normal renewal process? For many the only time they will ever need to visit their consulate or embassy abroad would be if they have lost their passport or had it stolen. But for those that plan on traveling for several months or longer, or just plan on living abroad indefinitely renewing a passport is actually almost as easy as just doing it in your home country. There are a few differences, things to remember and make note of and in this episode I go over a typical passport renewal for anyone who finds themself in need of getting this done away from their home country.
Sometimes it's too early to renew your passport before you leave home because either it's expiry date is too far off, or you are running out of available pages for visas and stamps. In these two instances you most likely will not be allowed to renew your passport before you either are close to your expiry date, 6 months or less, or you are down to your last 2 pages. I hope this episode helps you be prepared and just as importantly puts you at ease about taking care of this while you're traveling.
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The latest episode was inspired by a chance meeting with an expat Irishman in Saigon this week. I asked him where he was off to after Saigon. He said to me Thailand, but he had troubles with obtaining Thai visa so he might have to travel to Laos first. I summed up that he had done too many visa runs in a row on exempt entries. Thailand allows many foreigners to visit the country with either a 15 or 30 day visa exemption, meaning you can enter without a visa, but only for one of these short stays. It also may require showing an onward ticket, proof that you're not staying longer than the exemption. Some people will leave the country and then immediately return, essentially doing a visa run, to extend their stay. The problem is you can going do so many of these before it raises suspicion with immigration. If you've done this more than two times they may ask you why you haven't gone to a Thai embassy and applied for a proper visa. This is where I think my Irish friend went wrong. If you're an expat none of this will be new to you. If you've lived in a place like Southeast Asia for more than a year you're very well aware of the requirements for entry into the countries of the region. This episode is kind of a brief overview of the some the do's and don'ts when it comes to visa runs, and visa exemption.
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I'm always eager to receive email feedback from listeners of The Far East Travels Podcast. Scott from Utah recently came back from an extensive trip covering Hong Kong, The Philippines, and Taiwan and shares his thoughts and feelings on visiting these three destinations in East Asia. Palawan has been gaining attention especially recently so it was nice to hear Scott's impressions of the paradise, and it sounds like it exceeded his expectations. If you have a recent trip to either East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia you'd like to share please send it to john@ fareasttravels.com to possibly have it shared or featured in an upcoming podcast.
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Kuala Lumpur easily is one of my favorite food cities. The cultural mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines as well as the various dishes that are a result of this meltling pot of cultures makes KL a must do destination for food lovers. In this episode I highlight some of the best places to go to sample food, whether it's Indian in KL Sentral/Brickfields/Little India, Malay/Chinese in Kampung Baru or seafood and bbq on the Jalan Alor. I mention too that KL has some of the best food value especially for a major city in Southeast Asia. The little restorans that appear everywhere in the city are great places to stop for a quick snack of roti canai, or a masala dosa and a teh terek, (pulled milk tea), typically a drink and a snack is less than $2! I agree that Saigon and Bangkok offer some of the best food on the planet but don't overlook Kuala Lumpur if you're a serious food lover!
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It's official as of July 1st, no more uploading documents for a Thailand Pass. Proof of vaccination or for the unvaccinated a negative PCR test is all that's needed now to visit the country. This should further open up travel in the region expanding flights to Thailand and from Thai airports to other destinations in Southeast Asia. I will also discuss cost of flights within the region as they are still high in some circumstances. Vietnam is now the only country that is fully open to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Myanmar is now open to tourists but as civil unrest continues under the military junta most countries are advising do not travel to the country. Peace, love, and safe travels!
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Having access to quality low cost dental procedures is a wonderful privilege if you live in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia. In this episode of the podcast I discuss average cost of procedures, and realistically what kind of work you could take care of while you are traveling casually through a place like Vietnam. I neglected to mention in the podcast the cost of dental implants in Vietnam for those that will be visiting for a longer period of time or who live in the region. Dental implants in Vietnam start at approximately $600USD per implant procedure not including the crown. This is some cases is 25% the cost for the same procedure in Western countries. This is a much more involved procedure that would require you to either be in the country for at least 6 months or be available to return 6 months after the initial implant placement. For basic work like cleaning, fillings, whitening, and even root canals, these could be potentially done while visiting the country short-term. International branded clinics will be more expensive but will also have services that will make Westerners feel more comfortable. Fluent English speaking staff, rooms that are more styled like Western clinics, but you will pay more for this. It's actually very easy to find clinics no matter where you are traveling in Southeast Asia by either using Google maps, Trip Advisor, or even Facebook. If you use enough of these platforms when doing your research you should be able to find a clinic you're comfortable using.Unless you already have a refferral from someone I suggest you take my advice and book an initial consultative appointment so you can meet the dentist and decide if she/he is the right fit and you feel comfortable in their clinic. Potentially if you have some of your dental work done while traveling through Southeast Asia the savings could amount to the value of your flight or more!
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Budget airlines in Asia are definitely an economical way to travel with some flights as low as $25USD for a 90 minute trip, maybe even cheaper in some cases. The cheapest flight I've ever booked was an approximately 2 hour flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok for $28 all in! In this episode I run through for those not familiar with some of the things you should expect to pay for that maybe you're used to getting free on a big carrier airline. As well, my observations over the last year and half on how I've seen some of the rules become more strict, in regards to carry on luggage and other things. This is especially a good episode if you've never used budget carriers before in Asia or haven't in some time. They do differ from some budget carriers that operate in the West! Thanks so much for listening! Please contact me if you have any other questions about budget airlines or have some of your own observations to share, I'd be delighted to pass those on. You can support the Far East Travels Podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store! Reviews help others discover the podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

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If you are new to trekking and are thinking of going to Nepal to trek Everest Base Camp, The Annapurna Circuit, or Annapurna Base Camp this episode should give you enough details on what to expect on the trek. I talk about accomodations, food, how much and how intense the walking will be and even how much money to bring. I hate surprises and I'm sure you do to so no matter how a place operates if you're prepared things will go much smoother.
Thanks so much for listening. If you have any other questions regarding trekking feel free to contact me on my Facebook pages mentioned or johnsaboesfareasttravels on Instagram. For trekking inquires visit https://sacredtrekking.com
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