Fort Canning Park, Sentosa, Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street are famous destinations that tourists should visit when traveling to Singapore, according to traveler Xuan Sang.
Dao Xuan Sang, an English teacher in Hanoi, traveled to Singapore for 6 days and 5 nights with his sister and a friend from August 17 to August 22, with the goal of experiencing the most at the least cost. Before the trip, the male tourist consulted information on the website of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and consulted with tour guides and local travel agencies.
Below is the schedule, attractions, transportation and advice Sang summarized after the trip for tourists to refer to for the upcoming September 2nd occasion.
Attractions:
Jewel Changi: Located at Changi Airport, Jewel Changi is a complex with hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment venues for visitors. The dome is made of steel and glass, allowing natural light to flood in. Some of the most popular attractions here are the Canopy Park, Rainforest Valley and Rain Vortex, the world's tallest indoor waterfall. Rain Vortex is also a famous symbol of Jewel Changi.
Chinatown: A maze of narrow streets lined with restaurants selling traditional dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice, noodles and grilled meat skewers; budget hotels; souvenir and clothing shops and bars. Some of the areas to visit here include: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple, Mohamed Ali Lane mural area.
Arab Street: Known as the most "photogenic" street in Singapore, Arab Street is home to Muslims. This place is decorated in traditional Middle Eastern and Islamic style, with colorful streets and walls. Places to visit: Sultan Mosque, Kampong Glam Cafe, Haji Lane.
Little India: One of Singapore’s liveliest areas. As you walk along Serangoon and its surrounding streets, be sure to explore the Hindu temples, mosques, Chinese temples and Christian churches. Because of its central location and bohemian vibe, many artists have moved here.
Gardens By The Bay : Near Marina Bay, right in the heart of Singapore. This place is considered a "paradise for nature lovers", consisting of three separate spaces spread over 101 hectares: South Bay Garden, East Bay Garden and Central Bay Garden. Outdoor garden, opening hours from 5am to 2pm, air-conditioned greenhouse area from 9am to 9pm.
Gardens By The Bay through the lens of Vietnamese tourists.
Fort Canning Park: Imagine a place in Singapore where Malaysian royalty ruled in medieval times, where the British decided to surrender to the Japanese during World War II, and where musical stars from around the world performed. All of this takes place on the hilltop of Fort Canning Park, one of the country’s historic landmarks. Visitors can reach the hill from Orchard Road, famous for its shopping, and visit the National Museum, located just behind the hill.
Sentosa : Once a British military fort off the southern coast, the island is now a resort with beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and many attractions. In Malay, Sentosa means "peace and tranquility".
Take a photo by Marina Bay, behind is the famous Marina Bay Sand hotel with the image of a boat on the roof of the building.
Eat and drink:
Singapore has a rich system of culinary establishments, from street stalls in markets, food stalls in shopping malls to Michelin-starred restaurants.
In addition to Maxwell Food Centre, where Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan invited Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to enjoy street food in late July, visitors can visit Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Gelam. These are "great places to start" if you want to try Chinese, Indian and Malaysian food. The Joo Chiat neighbourhood has many restaurants serving classic Peranakan dishes. In Malay, Peranakan means "locally born" or "half-breed". Today, it is used to refer to a "foreign" but once flourishing culture.
According to STB, visitors should spend each day sampling iconic dishes from local cultures. "You're sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds."
In addition, visitors can enjoy food at 49 Michelin-starred restaurants and hundreds of Bib Gourmand-awarded establishments such as Odette, Waku Gin, Labyrinth or Candlenut, the world's first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant.
Sang's group ate Hainanese chicken rice, priced at 23 USD (570,000 VND).
Location:
Dao Xuan Sang stayed at ST Signature Jalan Besar Hotel, which is located near MRT (subway) stations for convenient travel, with prices starting at 125 USD.
The hotels voted "best in the country" by STB include: Capella Singapore, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, Quincy Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality, Regent Singapore. Room rates at these hotels can be up to thousands of dollars per night.
The hotels in the top "most luxurious in the country", also recommended by STB, include: Fullerton Hotel Singapore, Pan Pacific Singapore, Park Collection Marina Bay or Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa. Average price from 280 USD.
Shopping:
In Singapore, shopping is not just about buying things but also about exploring different worlds where retail, nature, technology and heritage intersect, according to STB. Visitors can shop at shopping malls such as Funan, Jewel Changi, Mustafa Centre, Orchard Road or Chinatown, Little India, and craft workshops.
Suggested itinerary for 6 days 5 nights trip:
Day 1: Noi Bai - Changi Terminal 4 - Jewel Changi - Chinatown - visit the famous Merlion statue.
Day 2: For Canning Park - go to Clark Quay Jetty to buy a ticket for a boat ride along the river and Marina Bay, about 20 USD per person. "You should sit at the back of the boat to enjoy the space in the most impressive way," Sang said.
Day 3: Arab Street - Little India - Chinatown - Gardens By The Bay - Marina Bay.
Day 4: Sentosa - Orchard Road
Day 5: Helix Bridge - ArtScience Museum - Chinatown
Day 6: Return to Vietnam.
Things to note:
Sang said tourists should not let their phones run out of battery because "not having a phone is like going to the airport without a passport". In Singapore, "everything has to be scanned with a QR code and done on the phone, from declaring entry, looking at the menu, ordering food, booking a hotel room".
Sang said the locals are friendly. He was enthusiastically guided when he got lost or needed to ask for directions. "When crossing the street, remember to press the button nearby and wait for the green light for pedestrians to turn on, the cars will stop and let you pass," Sang said.
The Vietnamese male tourist shared that the cost of the trip was about 15 million VND per person. Of which, a round-trip airfare per person was 4.5 million VND. The remaining amount included sightseeing tickets, meals, and hotel room rental. Sang's room cost 3 million VND per night, and he shared a room with two other people, so 5 nights cost 5 million VND.
Phuong Anh
Photo: NVCC
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