Exploring the Island Nation of Singapore from A to Z

Singapore is one of Asia's top tourist destinations, offering countless diverse and exciting travel experiences. If you're looking for a colorful and especially island-hopping trip, then Singapore is the perfect destination for you within close proximity from Vietnam. With over 60 different islands, you'll have the chance to explore beautiful landscapes and experience exciting activities on these unique Singaporean islands.

From picturesque beaches with long stretches of sand to attractive entertainment areas, to the diverse culinary scene and unique local culture, Singapore will surely provide you with an amazing and unforgettable island travel experience. If you want to travel to Singapore, especially to its beautiful islands, then make sure to take note of the lion city's island travel guide below!

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, covering an area of approximately 728.3 km². The population of Singapore in 2021 was about 5.7 million people. The weather in Singapore has a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. Generally, the atmosphere here is often hot and humid throughout the year with some heavy rains in the late months.

The flag of Singapore is a red flag with a white five-pointed star inside and a red circle surrounding it. The coat of arms of Singapore is a lion standing on a wall, surrounded by a red circle with the inscription 'Majulah Singapura' (Onward Singapore) written in Latin letters.

The flag of Singapore represents the unity, foresight, and progress of the nation, and is a symbol that embodies the spiritual values that Singaporeans are always proud of:

The red horizontal stripes symbolize unity, solidarity, and efforts to build a strong, diverse, and developed nation. The white color of the flag background signifies the purity, honesty, and sincerity of Singaporeans.

The five-pointed star surrounded by a red circle symbolizes progress, the desire for innovation, and hope for the future. The five points of the star represent the nation's resources in five main areas: politics, economy, culture, education, and the military.

Presently, Singapore boasts approximately 300 parks and gardens, including the Singapore National Park, the Botanic Gardens, Bay South Garden, Marina Barrage Park, and numerous others. Additionally, Singapore features many tree-lined streets, elevated gardens, and unique tourist spots like the Supertree Grove at Marina Bay.

Since 1967, Singapore has been implementing urban planning and greenery development initiatives. These plans involve enhancing greenery and gardens, building new parks, and managing existing green spaces. This has helped Singapore become one of the cities with the best living environments globally and turned it into an appealing tourist destination for nature enthusiasts seeking to experience lush green spaces.

Singapore is one of the countries with the lowest crime rates globally, making traveling to Singapore extremely safe for any visitor. You can explore and discover this country without worrying about security. However, like in any tourist destination worldwide, you should adhere to basic principles to protect yourself and your belongings, such as keeping your bag secure, not carrying too much cash in your wallet, and avoiding wearing overly expensive jewelry while traveling.

Singapore stands out as one of Asia's premier shopping destinations, boasting numerous shopping centers, malls, and retail outlets like Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, VivoCity, Suntec City, and many more. Visitors can find renowned global brands ranging from fashion apparel, cosmetics, jewelry, to food and beverage products.

A unique aspect of shopping in Singapore is the diversity of local markets such as Chinatown Complex, Little India, and Tekka Centre, where travelers can discover products deeply rooted in local culture, handmade items, decorative pieces, ceramics, and various other unique products.

Singapore is an island nation comprising 63 small and large islands, primarily consisting of smaller ones. However, only about 20 islands are inhabited and visited by tourists. Factors such as remote geographic location, small size, complex terrain, or natural constraints may contribute to this disparity in development for economic, tourism, and residential purposes. Additionally, some islands may be used for military purposes or environmental conservation, limiting residential and tourism development on these islands. Nevertheless, this provides ample opportunities for a fantastic trip with family and friends.

Apart from the city center, if you're looking to enjoy trips with blue seas and golden sands, don't miss out on these enticing islands below.

Sentosa Island is an island located about 6 km south of downtown Singapore and is known as the 'entertainment island' of Singapore. It's a popular tourist destination with a wide range of entertainment and recreational activities.

To get to Sentosa, visitors can take a cable car or subway, or through the Sentosa Gateway. Once you set foot on this island, you'll be overwhelmed by its grandeur and diversity with a plethora of entertainment and leisure activities. From theme parks to thrilling games, and sports activities, all can provide fantastic moments of relaxation. Below are some exciting spots you can visit on Sentosa Island.

Universal Studios Singapore: This is a large amusement park with rides and simulations based on famous Hollywood movies like Transformers, Shrek, Jurassic Park, and more.

SEA Aquarium: Ranked as one of the world's largest aquariums, SEA Aquarium has over 100,000 fishes and other marine creatures from around the globe.

Adventure Cove Waterpark: This is a water park with various exciting attractions such as long slides, kids play area, wave pool, and many other fun activities.

Siloso Beach: Siloso Beach is the most beautiful beach of Sentosa with white sand, clear water, and various activities such as surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sunbathing. It's also a familiar venue for many international-scale music festivals, creating a lively entertainment atmosphere.

Madame Tussauds Singapore: It's a large wax museum featuring famous wax figures of celebrities, historical figures, and more.

Sentosa Island Beach Bars: Visitors can enjoy a cheerful atmosphere and relax by the beach at the beach bars and restaurants on Sentosa. What could be better than sipping on an exclusive mocktail and watching the sunset?

In addition, Sentosa also offers shopping outlets, restaurants, children's play areas, golf courses, natural forests, and many other activities for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Pulau Ubin is one of the best-preserved islands in Singapore and is a quiet tourist destination outside the hustle and bustle of the city. This island is located about 10 km from central Singapore and is covered with mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, freshwater reservoirs, and ancient temples.

To get to Pulau Ubin, you can transfer from the city center to Changi Ferry Terminal, then rent a boat to the island. Here, you can rent a bicycle to explore the island, hike through forest trails, or engage in outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, and hiking.

Additionally, Pulau Ubin has some notable attractions, including Singapore's largest Banyan Tree, the ancient Chek Jawa Temple, the forest restaurant named 'Pekan Quarry,' and a beach with rugged rocks where you can swim and enjoy the island's serene atmosphere.

Pulau Ubin is an ideal tourist destination for those who want to escape the bustling urban life, learn about Singapore's history and culture, and participate in exciting outdoor activities.

Sisters’ Islands are among the most pristine and beautiful islands in Southeast Asia. This island consists of two main islands: Big Sister Island and Little Sister Island. From the city center of Singapore, you can take a ferry to Sisters' Islands in about 30 minutes.

The most exciting activity on Sisters' Islands is snorkeling to admire colorful coral reefs, various fish species, and engaging in free diving activities. If you don't have prior diving experience, you don't need to worry as guides here will provide you with detailed instructions from the most basic steps. You can also rent diving equipment right at this island from the shops along the beach.

Apart from snorkeling to admire coral reefs and fish species, you can also enjoy the beautiful beach, relax on the white sand, or participate in activities such as fishing, kite flying, swimming, or experiencing boat rides on the sea. 

As one of the most beautiful islands in Singapore, known for its fine white beach and clear blue waters. Located between Sentosa Island and St. John's Island, you can reach Lazarus Island by boat or yacht from the city center. One of the most interesting things about Lazarus Island is that it's rarely visited due to its lesser-known status, so you can enjoy absolute tranquility with private space for yourself or with loved ones. On the island, you can engage in outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kite flying, or simply relaxing on the fine white beach. A must-visit spot on Lazarus Island is St. John's Beach, where you can enjoy the island's most beautiful scenery with romantic nature. Additionally, you can explore vast green grass fields and flower-filled meadows on the island.

However, due to the lack of developed tourist infrastructure on Lazarus Island compared to other islands in Singapore, you need to prepare adequate supplies, drinking water, and necessary food to ensure a safe and convenient trip.

Kusu Island is one of the small and beautiful islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 km south of Marina Bay. Kusu means 'tortoise' in Hokkien, and the island is called 'Tortoise Island' because it has a large tortoise temple on the island. Besides the tortoise temple, Kusu Island is also famous for its beautiful beach and clear blue waters, where tourists can swim, sightsee, and enjoy the pristine scenery. Additionally, tourists can participate in outdoor activities such as hiking trails, snorkeling, and fishing.

During the Thanh Tai festival in September and October of the lunar calendar, Kusu Island also becomes a favorite destination for locals and tourists, as the temples and graves on the island are beautifully decorated. To get here, you can take a boat from Marina South Pier, or ferry to Kusu Island to explore this beautiful island.

Pulau Hantu Island is one of the small islands located in the south of Singapore, known for its stunning natural landscapes and is an attractive destination for diving enthusiasts and ocean explorers. Pulau Hantu Island consists of two small islands: Hantu Besar and Hantu Kecil, connected by a suspension bridge. With its pristine white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, Pulau Hantu Island is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the natural scenery. Additionally, tourists can participate in diving activities to explore the vast underwater world and diverse coral reefs here.

Coney Island (also known as Pulau Serangoon) is one of the famous recreational areas in Singapore with pristine natural landscapes and diverse wildlife. Coney Island has many trails leading to white sandy beaches and tropical forests, ideal for relaxation, long walks, and enjoying the fresh air. Additionally, the island has many diverse terrain roads, suitable for cycling or walking. Not only a fun recreational destination, Coney Island also has a conservation national park and is home to many rare and endangered species, including threatened and extinct species.

In addition to the mentioned islands, you can also visit other beautiful islands in Singapore such as Pulau Satumu, Pulau Brani, Pulau Pawai, Pulau Senang, Pulau Sakra, Pulau Anak Bukom, ...

To have a perfect trip to Singapore, make sure you have the important information below, #teamKlook!

Vietnamese citizens do not need a visa to enter Singapore for trips under 30 days. However, you still need a valid passport and make sure your passport is valid as per the Singapore government's regulations!

The baggage allowance is 7kg for carry-on luggage and 20kg for checked luggage on most international flights. If you exceed the permitted baggage allowance, you will have to pay a fee.

There are several airlines flying from Vietnam to Singapore such as Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, AirAsia, Scoot, etc. It's recommended to book your flight tickets about 1 month before departure to get the best prices.

Transportation: Singapore has a very convenient and developed public transportation system. You can easily get around by MRT (subway), bus, or taxi. Additionally, you can rent a bicycle or scooter or self-drive car in Singapore for more freedom.

When in Singapore, you definitely can't miss the diverse cuisine here. Traditional Indian dishes and Chinese delicacies you must try include Chilli Crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Laksa, Char Kway Teow, Rojak. Famous food areas where you can satisfy your hunger include Maxwell Food Centre, Newton Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Food Street, Hawker Centres in Tiong Bahru and Old Airport Road.

Famous shopping centers in Singapore where you can shop till you drop are Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, VivoCity, Suntec City, Bugis Street. If you're unsure what to buy as souvenirs, Klook suggests Singapore tea, snacks, electronics, fashion, accessories, and more.

Also, don't forget to prepare yourself a 4G SIM card for comfortable communication and sharing your exciting trips in Singapore with friends on social networks.

With all that Singapore has to offer, it's no wonder why it has become one of the top tourist destinations in Asia and around the world. Rest assured, a trip to Singapore will be an unforgettable experience in your life! So, let's start planning your trip to Singapore to explore the beauty of this tiny island nation!

Don't forget to follow Klook to 'hunt' for attractive hotel vouchers, discount codes for traveling in Singapore, and Singapore tour packages at great prices.