Family Travel: Ideal International Destinations for Both Children and the Elderly – Part 1: Impressions of the Lion Island

Multi-generational family travel is a great bonding opportunity, but it also poses its own challenges: which destinations are fun enough for kids, easy to navigate, and suitable for older grandparents? The ideal itinerary should be kid-friendly, convenient for seniors, packed with activities without being too adventurous, and affordable. Here is the first international destination in the series that meets all of those criteria, promising a memorable vacation for every member of the family.

Singapore – A safe entertainment paradise for families

Singapore has long been famous as a family-friendly destination thanks to its clean, safe environment and convenient transportation system. This Lion Island, though small, integrates countless modern experiences mixed with nature, suitable for both children and the elderly. The flight from Vietnam to Singapore is only about one and a half to three and a half hours, not too long for children or grandparents. Entry procedures are also simple (visa exemption for Vietnamese tourists under 30 days), making the trip even easier.

Upon arriving in Singapore, the whole family will immediately feel the clean, orderly atmosphere and hospitality. This modern city has many parks, museums, indoor and outdoor playgrounds suitable for all ages. In particular, the subway system (MRT) and buses cover everywhere with elevators and convenient walkways, helping the elderly move easily. Singapore also has many shopping centers, restaurants, and food courts with a variety of options from luxury to affordable, so families can rest assured about food and rest that is suitable for their budget.

Experiences for children: Singapore is truly a paradise for children. Children can enjoy playing at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island - a Hollywood-themed amusement park with many games and lively shows. The SEA Aquarium will fascinate children when they see thousands of sea creatures swimming in a miniature ocean. The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are also unique experiences, bringing children into the world of wild animals in a close and safe way. In addition, Gardens by the Bay has a Children's Garden with a free water playground where children can run and jump under cool water fountains. Interactive museums such as the ArtScience Museum or the Singapore Science Museum also have many fun and useful learning activities for children.

Experience for the elderly: The elderly will love the civilized lifestyle and green landscape of Singapore. In the morning, the whole family can take a relaxing walk at the Singapore Botanic Gardens - a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of blooming orchids, the fresh air is very good for health. The Marina Bay area with the Merlion statue and the winding Helix pedestrian bridge offers a modern city view experience, especially in the evening when there is a spectacular water and light show at Marina Bay (free for everyone). The elderly can enjoy visiting Chinatown or Little India to learn about local culture without having to walk much - these areas are quite compact and have many cafes to stop and rest. If you like shopping, Orchard Road has countless shopping centers with cool air conditioning and benches along the way for elderly visitors to stop. In addition, Singaporean cuisine is rich and suitable for Vietnamese taste, from Hainanese chicken rice, frog porridge to Chinese and Indian dishes, so grandparents can easily enjoy it.

Average Costs & Helpful Tips

Singapore has a higher spending level than the average Southeast Asia, and travel costs are high. However, families can control their budget by choosing a mid-range hotel or homestay apartment with a kitchen to cook simple meals. Eating at hawker centers (affordable food centers) is very cheap and delicious, only about 4-5 USD/dish. Many attractions in Singapore have free entrance (such as Merlion Park, walking street, water music show, etc.), so take advantage of these places for a relaxing schedule. Families should buy an EZ-Link card for MRT/bus to travel economically and conveniently. If you go to places far from the center such as the zoo or Night Safari, you can take a taxi/Grab for quick travel - the cost per person is not too expensive. A small tip is that visitors should bring a personal water bottle and refill water regularly because Singapore's weather is quite hot and humid; luckily, the city has many free public water fountains.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/family-travel-ideal-international-destinations-for-children-and-old-people-period-1-an-tuong-dao-quoc-su-tu/