Singapore continues to rank among the top 3 international destinations for Vietnamese tourists, according to Booking.com data from 1/6 to 31/7, maintaining this position for the second consecutive year.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) office in Vietnam suggests a 48-hour itinerary using buses, offering a unique experience compared to previous Vietnamese tourist trends.

Day 1: Explore Duxton Hill, Katong - Joo Chiat, Chinatown, the historic Jinrikisha Station, and Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim temples via bus route 12.

Exploring Singapore on bus route 12. Photo: Son.chans/STB

Exploring Singapore on bus route 12. Photo: Son.chans/STB

Morning:

Tucked away behind Tanjong Pagar's skyscrapers, Duxton Hill stands out with its rows of preserved shophouses featuring red tiled roofs, wooden shutters, and arched doorways. Sunlight filters through the doorways onto the stone-paved walkways, creating a timeless atmosphere. Once a residential area, Duxton Hill now houses cafes, restaurants, and bars.

From Duxton Hill, walk to Chinatown, visiting Buddhist temples, Hindu and Muslim places of worship, bustling markets, and shopping areas.

Chinatown's street art has become a popular photo spot. Along Banda, Smith, and Aliwal streets, large murals depict the daily life of early Fujian immigrants, from barbershops and teahouses to street vendors.

The vibrant "Paper Mask and Puppet Seller" mural is a favorite backdrop for Chinatown photos.

Nearby is the historic Jinrikisha Station, with its white facade, turquoise windows, V-shaped structure, octagonal arched roof, and square tower. Built in 1903, it served as a hub for rickshaws, a common mode of transport during the colonial era. Today, the building houses commercial ventures while retaining its historic facade.

Colorful buildings in Katong - Joo Chiat. Photo: dangnamtravelblog/STB

Chinatown. Photo: Sapu

Raffles Hotel, an iconic landmark in Singapore. Photo: Nghoanhao/STB

Xiao Ya Tou restaurant. Photo: Xiao Ya Tou

Singapore Flyer. Photo: Visit Singapore

Lunch:

Visit Xiao Ya Tou (6 Duxton Hill #01-0) for Mod-Sin (Modern-Singaporean) cuisine, blending traditional Singaporean elements with modern culinary techniques.

Afternoon/Evening:

Take bus route 12 to Katong - Joo Chiat in the east, Singapore's first heritage town, to experience Peranakan culture.

Colorful buildings in Katong - Joo Chiat. Photo: dangnamtravelblog/STB

"Peranakan" refers to descendants of intermarriages between Southern Chinese traders and local women in the 15th and 16th centuries. Katong - Joo Chiat showcases Peranakan culture through family-run eateries, traditional bakeries, craft shops, private museums, and rainbow-colored shophouses.

For dinner, choose between two options:

Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen (328 Joo Chiat Road) offers traditional Singaporean flavors in a rustic setting with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and framed heritage photos. Their Beef Rendang and Ayam Buah Keluak (chicken stewed with Peranakan spices) are popular choices.

808 Eating House (153 Joo Chiat Rd) provides a modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine. Dishes like Duck Fat Financiers (chicken liver pate and orange zest) and Buah Keluak Pork Belly offer innovative culinary experiences.

Day 2: Visit Chijmes, the National Gallery Singapore, Raffles Hotel, and enjoy panoramic views from the Singapore Flyer via bus route 518.

Morning:

After breakfast, take bus 518 to Chijmes, a white building with gothic arches, ornate iron gates, and spires. Its centerpiece is the 1904 chapel with a symmetrical facade, pointed arches, and stained-glass windows. The enclosed courtyard and arched walkways offer a tranquil escape. Once a Catholic convent, girls' school, and orphanage, Chijmes became a national monument in 1990. Today, it's an entertainment complex with restaurants, bars, and event spaces.

Next, visit the iconic Raffles Hotel, a three-story white building with symmetrical columns, red tiled roofs, spacious verandas, and arched windows. Opened in 1887, it evolved from a seaside bungalow into a favorite among artists, traders, and aristocracy. Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, it's believed to be the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail.

Raffles Hotel, an iconic landmark in Singapore. Photo: Nghoanhao/STB

Continue to the National Gallery Singapore, housed in the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings. Explore rare artworks and engage in contemporary art activities, including artist talks, guided tours, and workshops.

The Keppel Centre for Art Education within the gallery offers seven interactive zones for children to foster creativity and appreciation for art.

Lunch: A 15-minute walk from the National Gallery, Amoy Street Food Centre (7 Maxwell Road) offers affordable local cuisine. Try the Han Kee Fish Soup or the fusion Singaporean-Japanese dry noodles at A Noodle Story.

Jinrikisha Station. Photo: Nghoanhao

Chijmes with its white spire seen from a bus window. Photo: dangnamtravelblog/STB

Singapore streets from bus route 12. Photo: dangnamtravelblog/STB

Afternoon/Evening:

Explore Orchard Road, Singapore's famous 2.2 km shopping street, with its malls, fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Stroll across the Orchard Gateway Bridge for city views and photo opportunities. Relax at Library Orchard or the Orchard Central Rooftop Garden.

Don't miss the 165m-tall Singapore Flyer observation wheel, equivalent to a 42-story building. Its 28 air-conditioned cabins, each holding up to 28 people, offer panoramic views of Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, the Singapore River, Changi Airport, and Sentosa Island.

Enjoy a seafood feast at Dancing Crab Orchard Central (181 Orchard Road #07-14/15, Orchard Central), where food is served on paper-covered tables for a hands-on dining experience.

Singapore has over 350 bus routes operating from 5 a.m. to midnight, covering most residential areas, attractions, and shopping centers. Fares range from 1-3 SGD (20,000-60,000 VND). Pay with a credit card (additional fees apply) or an Ez-link card (reloadable). Tap the Ez-link card on readers at the front and rear doors when boarding and alighting for automatic fare deduction.

Alternatively, purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) for unlimited travel: 17 SGD (350,000 VND) for one day, 24 SGD (nearly 500,000 VND) for two days, or 29 SGD (590,000 VND) for three days.

Besides independent travel, explore Singapore with day tours. Numerous direct flights connect major Vietnamese cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to Singapore. Book accommodations, flights, and activities on apps like Booking.com or directly through airlines, agents, or Vietnamese travel companies.

Phuong Anh