Singapore Travel Guide: Sights, Gardens & Merlion
Budget travel guide to Singapore. Save on transport using MRT, eat at local Hawkers, and explore Changi Airport Jewel 2026.
Quick summary
- Singapore: 2 hours from HCM; currency Singapore Dollar (SGD); airport SIN
- Visit free attractions including the Merlion statue, Marina Bay, and Gardens by the Bay supertrees.
- Savor Hainanese chicken rice and Chilli crab at local historic Hawker Centres.
- Tap your contactless credit card directly on MRT subway reader gates for easy boarding.
In this guide
- 1. Iconic Check-in Landmarks of the Lion City
- — Gardens by the Bay & Indoor Waterfall
- — Merlion Park on the waterfront
- Singapore at a Glance
- 2. Culinary Adventures at Hawker Centres & Budget Stays
- — Hainanese Chicken Rice & Chili Crab
- — Heritage stays in Chinatown
- 3. Navigating via the MRT Network & Strict Local Fines
1. Iconic Check-in Landmarks of the Lion City
Singapore boasts some of the world's most spectacular futuristic architectures and green spaces. You must visit the waterfront Marina Bay Sands and take photos with the Merlion statue.
Right beside is Gardens by the Bay, showcasing giant greenhouse domes preserving thousands of plant species.
Gardens by the Bay & Indoor Waterfall
Explore the Cloud Forest dome featuring a 35-meter indoor waterfall shrouded in mist and covered in lush tropical mountain vegetation.
Merlion Park on the waterfront
Merlion Park is Singapore's #1 free attraction. The spot offers panoramic views of Marina Bay, looking beautiful at night when city lights turn on.
Singapore at a Glance
Singapore packs an outsized punch for a city-state smaller than Ho Chi Minh City. It's the cleanest, safest, and most efficient city in Southeast Asia, with a food scene that earned UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. For Vietnamese travelers, Singapore is a 2-hour flight and offers visa-free entry for up to 30 days. The city is a perfect mix of cultures — Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam sit within walking distance. Gardens by the Bay alone is worth the flight.
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Airport (IATA) | SIN |
| Flight time from Vietnam | 2 hours from HCM |
| Currency | Singapore Dollar (SGD) |
| Language | English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+8 |
When to go:
- February – April: Driest months. Less humidity. Comfortable for walking.
- Year-round: Singapore is tropical year-round (27-33°C). No bad season, just wet (Nov-Jan) and less wet.
Top experiences:
- Gardens by the Bay: Supertree Grove (free), Cloud Forest and Flower Dome (ticketed). The light show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm is free.
- Hawker Centres: Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown), Lau Pa Sat (CBD), and Old Airport Road. Chicken rice $3-5. The cheapest Michelin meal in the world.
- Sentosa Island: Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, and beaches. Take the free Sentosa Express from VivoCity.
- Chinatown Heritage Walk: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, and the best bak kut teh. Walking tour takes 2-3 hours.
- Marina Bay Sands SkyPark: Observation deck on the 57th floor. $23 SGD entry. Best at sunset. Infinity pool is hotel guests only.
Full guide: Singapore destination guide on Pingsme.
2. Culinary Adventures at Hawker Centres & Budget Stays
Singapore's food is a rich blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures. Skip fancy restaurants and visit local Hawker Centres to sample Michelin-recognized dishes at budget rates.
For lodging, choosing boutique guesthouses in Chinatown or Little India is highly recommended.
Hainanese Chicken Rice & Chili Crab
Try the tender Hainanese Chicken Rice at Tian Tian Maxwell Hawker Centre, and rich Chili Crab served with hot fried buns.
Heritage stays in Chinatown
Chinatown houses budget hostels starting from $40 SGD/night located near major MRT stations, making exploring highly convenient.
3. Navigating via the MRT Network & Strict Local Fines
Singapore's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway system is the most efficient transit method. A great tip is that you do not need to buy an ez-link card; simply tap your contactless Visa/Mastercard credit card directly at the transit gates to ride subways and buses.
Be aware that chewing gum, littering, or smoking in public is strictly banned and can incur fines up to $1,000 SGD. Changi Airport (SIN) features the spectacular Jewel Changi waterfall, so dedicate 2 hours to explore before your flight home.
