Trip Recommendations

By Sofia Roche-Vidaurre, National University of Singapore

The best part of your year abroad in Singapore is getting to explore Asia! In this blog post I’ll tell you about my favourite trips thus far and tips on how to travel with ease.

Shanghai- China (4-5 days)

Most people stay around south-east Asia, but I highly recommend visiting up north. Top of my list is Shanghai. You cannot imagine what China is like until you visit. The food there is incredible, definitely make sure to try Xiao Long Bao and Hai Di Lao during your stay. Things I recommend include visiting The Bund, taking a night river tour, coffee shop hopping around the French quarter, and going to the propaganda poster museum. Also make sure to buy tickets for certain attractions well in advance as China’s internal tourism is very strong and many places sell tickets fast. This is especially true for the light up house’s neighborhood. Everything about this city is unique so take time to walk around different neighborhoods and try local restaurants and coffee shops as it is littered with hidden gems.

I strongly recommend visiting any city in China with a local as not many people speak English and there are many intricacies related to visiting China as a foreigner. For example, most foreigners living in China have a separate phone for their Chinese apps/phone plan because western apps like google and Instagram are blocked and require a strong VPN. You will also need to download local transportation apps, payment methods and more just to get around (many places do not take cash). Thus, having a local friend will make your trip much easier and enjoyable.

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)- Vietnam (3-4 days)

Next on the list is Saigon! This city is on the southern point of Vietnam, so it is only 2.15 hours away from Singapore making it a great long weekend trip. Must visits include the War Remnants Museum, Apartment coffee shop building, Ben Thanh Market, Ten Thousand Buddha Temple and more. For this city I used the Michelin Bib guide for food, and I was not disappointed. The streets are very chaotic so take your time to research restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores and rooftop bars to make walking around efficient. In Saigon most traffic lights are taken as a suggestion so it will take a couple tries before getting used to crossing the street while mopeds and cars fly past you.

The highlight of this trip was the incredible local food and the Blank Lounge Landmark rooftop restaurant where you get an incredible view from the tallest building in the city (reservation recommended). One of the best parts of visiting Vietnam is that prices are very budget friendly. Each grab (local version of Uber) ride costs 2$USD to 5$USD, and the most you’ll pay is around 10-15$USD going to and from the airport. Food and attractions are also very inexpensive so take the time to try restaurants, visit museums, get your hair and nails done and shop around local stores. All in all, Saigon is a beautiful, safe, and budget friendly city to visit during your year abroad.

Seoul- Korea (4-5 days)

Another Favorite! Great for someone looking to do a mix of culture and shopping in one trip. Just like most Asian cities Seoul is huge. Take your time planning out days to different part of the city so you have to time visit palaces, museums, fun neighborhoods and more. Ensure to download local apps like navigo for moving around the city. People especially love Korea for their skincare, unique fashion stores, coffee shops, and nightlife, so if you’re looking for a fun friends trip Seoul is a great option.

Must visits include palaces and shrines which are especially beautiful during the summer time. Remember to keep in mind Korea is far north so they experience harsh weather, make sure to pack appropriately. Make sure to visit Gwangjang market for delicious food and try raw chili crab, KBBQ, Korean fried chicken, and more.

All in all I would love to go back to all these cities! Each one is very unique its just a matter of planning out a trip which suits you best. My most important recommendation is: BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS IN ADVANCE, you’d be surprised how cheap tickets can be when booked early 🙂