Buzz
Three days may not seem like enough to explore all the fascinating attractions of Singapore, but with a well-planned itinerary, you can visit all the must-see places without breaking the bank.
Experience the excitement of a 3-day, 2-night adventure in Singapore!
Tips for booking flights and accommodation in Singapore
The majority of your travel expenses in Singapore, whether it's budget-friendly or not, depend on the cost of flights and accommodation. As you may know, hotels in Singapore are not cheap, with average prices exceeding $100 per night. Therefore, one suggestion is to book a package deal for your 3-day, 2-night vacation at Fort Canning Lodge Singapore, including flights for only 4,699,000 VND per person from Mytour.
Sample itinerary:
Day 1: Explore Marina Bay – Merlion Park – Esplanade Theatre – enjoy the free Wonderful water show
Flying from either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you'll arrive in Singapore around noon. Singapore is one hour ahead of Vietnam, so upon arrival, adjust your watch to local time to avoid missing your return flight.
To purchase a subway card at the airport, head to the Passenger Service counter. Join the queue to buy an EZ Link card for 12 Singapore dollars (SGD) (approximately 195,000 Vietnamese dong), valid for 5 years, with 7 SGD - about 115,000 dong preloaded.
You can top up your EZ Link card at the customer service counter or at the Ticket Machine next to the subway station. The lowest denomination the machine accepts is 10 SGD (around 165,000 dong). If you don't have exact change, you can exchange currency at the counter.
Before entering the subway stations, tap your card on top of one of the automatic ticket gates. When you hear a 'beep,' the gate will open for you to pass through. When exiting the subway station, you'll also use the card to tap at the automatic ticket gate and exit.
Upon returning to your hotel for check-in, begin your Singapore exploration journey with attractions along Marina Bay.
The iconic symbol of the island nation is Merlion Park. The Merlion statue stands at 8.6 meters tall, weighs 70 tons, featuring the head of a lion and the body of a fish, perched on waves, symbolizing the mythical creature integral to Singapore's formation. Locals and tourists alike believe that posing with outstretched hands to catch the water spouting from the Merlion's mouth brings good luck and fortune.
Esplanade Theatre sits right on the bay, designed to resemble a durian fruit. In reality, the theater is designed like two microphones. It is the grandest performing arts center on the island, accommodating over 2,000 people and a concert hall for 1,600 guests. Inside the theater, there's a library, a shopping center, and dining areas...
Spanning the bay is the double helix pedestrian bridge, the first of its kind in the world, resembling the structure of DNA, signifying prosperity. In the evening, the bridge is lit up, creating a romantic ambiance. From atop the bridge, you can admire the skyline of towering buildings on either side of the bay.
For dining, you can head to Makansutra Gluttons Bay at 8 Raffles Ave #01-15, Singapore 039802, just a few minutes' walk from Esplanade Theatre. This dining area stretches about 100 meters, housing dozens of stalls selling traditional Singaporean dishes at affordable prices.
What sets Makansutra Gluttons Bay apart is instead of crowding into food courts within cramped shopping centers, tourists get to enjoy food from outdoor stalls, reminiscent of the mobile pushcarts of the 1960s, 1970s across Singapore. You can indulge in delicious food while enjoying the fresh air by the river.
In the evening, you can catch the Wonder Full light and water show nightly at the Marina Bay Sands resort casino. There are two performances daily at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM, with an additional show at 11:00 PM for the last 3 days of the week. The performance lasts for 13 minutes with various spectacular acts performed through light and water artistry sure to captivate visitors.
Day 2: Explore Gardens by the Bay – Marina Bay Sands – Haji Lane fashion street – Chinatown
Gardens by the Bay stretches along Marina Bay with three gardens named: Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central. Exploring the outer loop is free, but entry to the two conservatories requires a fee of 28 SGD (450,000 dong).
In the gardens, you'll get to admire the 'supertrees' towering at 25 – 30 meters, which harness solar energy and illuminate at night. Venturing into the two conservatories, the Flower Dome (flower garden) and the Cloud Forest, will take hours as you stroll around, take souvenir photos, and marvel at the beauty of tropical flowers.
Equally renowned at Gardens by the Bay are the towering solar-powered 'supertrees,' ranging from 25-50 meters high, made of steel and concrete. By nightfall, these 'supertrees' light up in a dazzling array of colorful artistic lights synchronized with melodic music.
Not far from Gardens by the Bay is the iconic ship-shaped building – Marina Bay Sands. It is a luxury hotel, casino, and high-end shopping center. Walking towards the center of the building, you'll encounter a water feature designed like the canals of Venice in Italy. In front of the main entrance of the building is a funnel-shaped pond made of glass. Singaporeans often toss a coin into the pond to make a wish. The coin will then drop to the bottom of the pond, where the Venice-like canal flows.
Additionally, if you're a fashion enthusiast and love unique, one-of-a-kind finds, Haji Lane, quite close to Fort Canning Lodge Singapore, is the place for you. Haji Lane is a charming pedestrian street, just a 10-15 minute walk from Bugis MRT station. It's a shopping destination for trendy fashion items, creative handmade goods famous in the Lion City, attracting not only local youth but also a considerable number of foreign tourists.
In the evening, you can take the train and stop at NE4 or DT1 station to visit Chinatown street market for food and fun. The market boasts over 200 stalls lining Pagoda, Trengganu, and Sago streets selling various new and preloved items. Chinatown street market comes alive, especially during traditional festivals like Chinese New Year, with nightly live performances such as lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, dramas, and puppet shows.
Day 3: Explore Little India – Orchard Road
On the final morning in Singapore, tourists should visit Little India, easily accessible from your hotel by taking the train and stopping at NE7 station.
Little India is one of the most vibrant districts in Singapore, especially during traditional festivals. Here, you'll feel like you're in India with its sights, sounds, smells, and the overall Indian atmosphere. According to Singapore's 2010 population census, about one-fifth of Singapore's Indian population is Muslim, which explains why visitors will also feel the presence of Islamic culture in many corners of this area.
After leaving Little India, take the train and stop at NS22 station to reach Orchard Road.
Orchard Road is Singapore's renowned shopping district with numerous major shopping centers on both sides of the road. It's where you'll find most of the world's famous brands. Besides the malls lining both sides of the road, visitors can also get lost in the underground maze of renowned global fashion stores built beneath the ground.
Around noon, you'll return to the hotel to check out and head to the airport, concluding your Singapore trip filled with many experiences.
Little Note
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJune 19, 2017
