If Singapore is an Island Country with a small area and modern urban life, then Vietnam is more significant with all the clear distinguishing elements between urban and rural regions.
This essential factor shows differences in culture, human personality, natural landscape, and food and accommodation issues. Therefore, the excitement each place brings tourists is different.
The article will compare basic features to highlight the similarities and differences between these two countries.
1. Accommodations in Singapore vs Vietnam
Accommodation is always a priority when planning an abroad trip. In which the criteria of price, service quality, and safety of the accommodation facility are always the top choices. So, what is the difference between Vietnam and Singapore in this field?
Try to do a few price searches between hotels in Vietnam and Singapore through Google or an online hotel booking site such as Agoda.com or Booking.com. You can see a certain difference.
The rate at a 3-star hotel in Vietnam ranges from 25 USD to 55 USD for 2 adults/1 room of 18-25m2. Meanwhile, for a one-night stay at a 3-star hotel in Singapore, you spend much more money. It ranges from 90 USD to 150 USD for 2 adults/1 room of 12-20 square meters.
Not only are prices cheaper, but most hotels in Vietnam also have larger rooms and better surroundings that are much more spacious, airy, and friendly than those in Singapore.
In the homestay segment, compared to the Lion Island nation, this overnight form in Vietnam is also much cheaper. The room quality, including the area and accompanying amenities, is highly appreciated. The price for one night of staying at a homestay in Vietnam ranges from 15 to 25 USD for a double room, which is quite spacious and fully equipped.
High-end resorts in Vietnam are also considered more diverse than Singapore in terms of quantity, service quality, form, and aesthetics. Almost all hotels at this level with airy spaces have more competitive prices than Lion Island.
Famous Vietnamese resorts regularly appear in world rankings, such as Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (the top 5-star resort in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province), Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Khanh Hoa Province), InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang City), Park Hyatt Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), and The Reverie Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Regarding safety, whether the hotels in Singapore are expensive or the hotels in Vietnam are cheap and beautiful, the owners and staff at each accommodation facility always strive to make visitors feel as comfortable and safe as possible. This factor is not much different between Vietnam and Singapore.
2. Cuisine
Vietnamdrive’s team divides cuisine into two types, including culinary belonging to the high-end restaurant system and popular cuisine, which gives a complete and easier comparison.
At the high-end culinary level, Singapore is the leading country in Southeast Asia, with plenty of high-quality restaurants in terms of ingredients, chef skills, and stability of dishes on the whole menu and time.
By 2023, Singapore will have 52 restaurants with Michelin stars—a prestigious and top honor for the restaurant industry. Meanwhile, only 4 restaurants in Vietnam receive this honor. This comparison has shown that the quality of Singapore’s high-class cuisine is worth choosing.
At the popular cuisine level, Singapore and Vietnam have diversity in dishes and processing methods. You can easily find delicious dishes with unforgettable flavors in these hospitable Southeast Asian countries. If Singapore has chicken rice, spicy crab, and shaved ice soup, Vietnam is no less competitive with famous delicacies such as Hue Beef noodles, Pho, and Banh Mi.
The biggest difference between Vietnamese street food and popular Singaporean dishes is the layout and organization of restaurants, food courts, and management issues.
The Singaporean street food is mainly planned into concentrated areas under the strict management of the operators. Restaurant owners need to comply severely with all business rules and food hygiene and safety regulations.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, there are not many centralized food courts. Most only appear in a few shopping areas in big Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, the food sold in these centralized food courts is not highly appreciated by the locals for its deliciousness and variety.
To enjoy Vietnamese street food with the most authentic flavor, you can go to small restaurants throughout the streets and alleys. Some prominent names include Banh Mi Madam Queen in Hoi An, Pho Bat Dan in Hanoi, Bun Bo Hue Ly Thuong Kiet, and Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang in Ho Chi Minh City.
The prices of street food in Vietnam are also among the cheapest in the world. Full-topped noodles only cost 0.5 USD to 1 USD for a bowl, and with a glass of sugarcane juice at the same price, you have enough energy for a tasty lunch.
This comparison also shows that if you choose convenience and impeccable cleanliness, go to Singapore’s centralized food courts. On the contrary, if you choose tasty, cheap, and exciting discoveries, come with Vietnamese street food.
3. Traffic in Singapore vs Vietnam
Traffic is one of the most obvious and prominent differences between Vietnam and Singapore; it is easy to recognize.
With a small area, the public transportation network in Singapore covers the entire country. The bus and subway system (MRT) will take you everywhere in this island nation. Your job is owning a magnetic card with enough money to travel.
In addition, traffic participation in Singapore is quite orderly according to strict regulations. Nearly no motorbikes are on the road; instead, there are bicycles. You can rent a bike and ride on beautiful streets.
However, I saw many old bicycles everywhere on the sidewalks, and they did not follow any unified planning or arrangement. This is the only dissatisfaction with traffic in Singapore.
On the contrary, many first-time visitors to Vietnam think that the traffic here is really “confusing” and that motorcycles are everywhere. People on the street don’t seem to follow any particular rules, which should be in your mind to prepare before entering Vietnam.
Even if you walk on the sidewalk or cross the street on the markings, don’t expect the others to stop and give way. Some tourists humorously compare crossing the road in Vietnam to an adventurous journey.
Public transportation in Vietnam is not good enough to serve the travel needs of both locals and tourists.
Besides, the tourist destinations on the Vietnamese map are spread across the country, and the distances between them are far apart. Therefore, before coming to Vietnam, you need to have a serious plan from the beginning about your means of transportation.
However, after some initial surprises, many tourists gradually became interested in Vietnam’s “messy” traffic culture. Motorcycle tour programs are increasing to serve many tourists as an impressive experience.
Of course, because of the safety factor or adaptation to traffic issues here, you should still consider choosing a reasonable means of transportation to ensure the trip is always enjoyable. Vietnamdrive does not recommend moving on a motorcycle.
4. Tourist attractions
This is a plus point for Vietnamese tourism compared to Singapore.
Having many advantages over Singapore in terms of geographical location and area, Vietnam possesses many beautiful natural landscapes. Most of the destinations in this S-shaped country are associated with the beautiful formations that nature bestows.
>> Please see more: Where is Vietnam on the world map?
- Many beautiful beaches exist in Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.
- Lush National Parks, which have rich fauna and flora, include Cat Tien, Bach Ma, Cuc Phuong, and Phu Quoc National Park.
- There are mysterious and amazing natural caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang, a Cave complex in Trang An, Tam Coc Bich Dong in Ninh Binh, and beautiful caves in Halong Bay.
- The world tourism map mentions many scenic spots, such as Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ha Giang, Hue City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta.
At the same time, with an area much larger than Singapore and a clear division between urban and rural life in Vietnam, this country has diversity in culture and people’s lives. Each various economic and geographical region will give you different experiences.
In big cities in Vietnam, life is constantly innovative, modern, and bustling. When you come to the countryside, everything becomes gentle, quiet, and imbued with traditional culture. Traveling through three regions of Vietnam will undoubtedly lead to many exciting discoveries and experiences.
In contrast, most tourist attractions in the Island Nation of Singapore have artificial solid traces. Without natural advantages, Singaporeans choose to use modern techniques to build attractive destinations. If you love orderliness, Singapore’s attractions will impress you. Everything is clinical to become a neat, purposeful, and new architectural model.
Along with the modernity of outstanding tourist sightseeing projects in Singapore is the issue of ticket prices. On average, you have to spend more money to enter these tourist destinations than Vietnam’s attractions. For example, the entrance fee to Gardens By The Bay Singapore is about 21 USD; tickets to Night Safari are about 26 USD, and the ticket to the S.E.A Aquarium is 22 USD.
There is a huge difference between Vietnam’s tourist destinations and Singapore’s. Therefore, if you choose sightseeing and exploring natural landscapes as the basis for choosing a trip, the answer will be Vietnam.
5. Shopping
Singapore has become the shopping paradise of Southeast Asia. Many large shopping centers sell thousands of products from famous brands worldwide, from high-end to affordable. It seems all you are looking for is here.
In addition, you can also receive a tax refund for each invoice of 100 USD or more right at the airport before leaving the country.
In particular, Singapore is also famous for its non-tariff shopping malls at Changi Airport, Tanah Merah Cruise Center, and T Galleria in the heart of Orchard Road. It is truly a shopper’s dream address.
All the above make many tourists believe that when traveling to Singapore, they must spend time shopping and looking for excitement at the countless stalls in the large, high-quality commercial areas.
On the other hand, although there are many supermarkets in Vietnam, they are not big enough to bring a luxury shopping experience to customers. This country is not an address that meets your expectations of finding world-famous branded items.
Thus, it would help if you only focused on small souvenirs in Vietnam that have cultural properties or domestic advantages. For example, available garments, traditional silk scarves, lacquer products, or souvenirs made from stone.
Perhaps most of what you buy in Vietnam is only for souvenirs or to meet daily necessities. Therefore, if you choose luxury shopping tourism, there are other destinations besides Vietnam.
With the above comparisons, Vietnamdrive answers your concerns. Of course, visiting Vietnam and Singapore for your trip will be a great choice.
In that case, you will arrange a time to explore Vietnam, which has many incredible landscapes and deep culture. Then, you will have the funds ready to shop to your heart’s content in Singapore. And, plan more time to enjoy the cuisine of both these beautiful countries.
