Singapore stopovers

I'm paying my first visit to Singapore on a cruise ship. We'll be there for just two days. What must I see in this time?
C.W. Miller, Ashford

Singapore is a modern, prosperous city-state with so many of the hotels, restaurants and shops you'll find elsewhere in the world that it can be hard to get a sense of being in South-East Asia. There are ways, however, to explore places unique to Singapore.

The remnants of the colonial settlement planned by Sir Stamford Raffles can be seen on the north bank of the Singapore River, particularly around the Padang - the open field where you can still see cricket being played. A short walk from hereis the Raffles Hotel, redolent with history and the perfect place for a Singapore Sling.

A stroll through Little India, Chinatown and Arab Street will demonstrate the international culture beneath the skyscrapers and corporate style. You should also check out the Bukit Timah nature reserve, which is the main area of primary forest left in Singapore. Contact the Singapore Tourist Board (020 7437 0033).

Backpacking across Russia - how easy is it?

I'm a first-time traveller planning a daunting trip around Europe this summer on a very tight budget. I particularly want to see Russia. I've found a travel package called the 'Beetroot Bus' which covers nine nights in Russia seeing the main places for around £400, including the tourist visa. Is it worth the extra organisation needed to travel independently?
David Keane, by email

This really comes down to personal choice. Travel in Russia is not problematic after you've solved the visa puzzle (contact the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London - 020 7229 8027). Once there, you can travel by train or bus as you wish. Make sure you have the appropriate transit visas when passing through Belarus or Ukraine.

What you get with the Beetroot Bus (020 8566 8846) is a backpacker route with a Russian 'buddy' to help you along the way who can make a real difference to how much you enjoy the trip, giving an insight into the lives of Russians.

It should be possible, if you're good at budgeting, to bring an independent trip in at under the price you've quoted. Hostels in St Petersburg and Moscow are plentiful and there's a wide selection of train tickets available. The country's a cheap one as long as you forsake Western bars, hotels and restaurants.

Gay etiquette in Vietnam

My partner and myself are planning a trip to Vietnam in November. Is it the right time of the year? How gay-friendly is the country?
Ant and Claude, London

There's not really a bad time to go to Vietnam. The climate is so diverse that if it's raining in one place, it will be sunny somewhere else. November is a particularly good month to visit as temperatures are not too high (25-30C) and the rainy season (June-October) is over. Unfortunately these conditions mean that November is high season, so it will be more crowded and prices inflated.

You shouldn't encounter any problems because of your sexuality. Being gay is not illegal in Vietnam but it's well known that officials have closed down many gay venues in recent years. Though people do touch in public, try and avoid excessive physical contact. This is frowned upon for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. www.utopia-asia.com has information, including listings, recommendations and a what's-on section.

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