Looking to escape? Here’s a recent trip local readers took to Asia. Check it out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.

SINGAPORE, BANGKOK, HONG KONG, VIETNAM: Concord’s Eduardo and Beatriz Reyes went on a two-week Asian cruise and couldn’t wait to tell their friends about it. They were particularly moved by their stops in Vietnam, where they explored Saigon, Nha Trang and Hue, though their favorite was Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is a popular tourist destination with almost 2,000 limestone islets. Some have caves that can be explored via organized tours.

TRAVEL TIPS: Eduardo Reyes says: “Vietnam requires a Visa to travel to their country and there is a Vietnam E-Visa website that travelers can use. There is a $25 fee paid directly to the Vietnam bank. It will require a copy of passports and a planned itinerary. Make sure it is their official site because there are third party websites that will make your application for you and charge you a $120 fee…

“Vietnam is noted for manufacturing high quality clothes and sporting shoes. It is a shopper’s paradise since most prices are well discounted. Department stores have fixed prices and would accept credit cards but in small markets they would only take cash, either in their local currency or the U.S. dollar. The dollar is preferred as a way of payment so bring small change. Small restaurants are generally clean but be selective where you plan to eat. On the safe side, drink from bottled water.”

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