Practical
Info

Symbol: S$ or SGD. Notes in 2, 5, 10, 50, 100. Singapore and Brunei dollars are interchangeable by agreement — you may receive Brunei notes as change.

Most restaurants add a mandatory 10% service charge plus 9% GST to the bill. The final price on the menu will show "++" meaning both are added. No need to tip on top of this.

Singapore has some of the best tap water in the world, meeting WHO drinking water standards. Drink straight from the tap. This is a good trip to skip the single-use plastic bottles.

Singapore uses British-style three-prong square plugs. You will need an adapter — pick one up at the airport or any hardware store. Voltage is 230V, so check your devices can handle it (most modern electronics say 100–240V on the label).

Canadians can enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days on a tourist visit. No advance application needed. You may be asked for proof of onward travel (your Bali flight counts).

Gum is banned (don't bring it in). Jaywalking is technically illegal. Eating and drinking on the MRT is a S$500 fine. Littering is heavily fined. These aren't just guidelines — police do enforce them.

Symbol: Rp or IDR. The numbers are large — you'll be dealing in thousands and hundreds of thousands. 50,000 and 100,000 Rupiah notes are most useful. ATMs dispense up to 3,000,000 Rp per transaction.

Tipping is not mandatory but is genuinely appreciated — service workers in Bali earn low base wages. At restaurants, 10–15% is standard. Tip hotel staff, drivers, and guides directly in cash. Rounding up bills is normal.

Do not drink tap water in Bali under any circumstances. Bottled water is cheap and universally available. You can brush your teeth with tap water. Ice in reputable hotels and restaurants is made from filtered water and is generally safe.

Round two-prong European plugs. You will need an adapter. Voltage is 230V — check that your devices are dual-voltage (most laptops, phones, and camera chargers are). Power cuts are less common in Seminyak than rural Bali but do happen.

Canadians pay a Visa on Arrival fee of USD $35 per person at Ngurah Rai Airport. Payable by card or USD cash. Valid for 30 days. Our stay is 5 nights so well within limits. Have your return ticket details ready.

Bali is 90% Hindu in a Muslim-majority country. Daily offerings (canang sari) appear everywhere — step around them, not on them. Dress modestly at temples (a sarong is required and usually provided). During temple festivals, volume and dress matter.

Symbol: ₫ or VND. Even larger numbers than Indonesia — you'll deal in hundreds of thousands and millions. 500,000₫ notes are most common. USD is also accepted in many tourist-facing places, especially in Hanoi.

Tipping isn't a Vietnamese tradition but is widely appreciated in tourist areas. At restaurants, 10% is a generous tip. Always tip tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff directly in cash. Rounding up bills is common and warmly received.

Do not drink tap water anywhere in Vietnam. Bottled water is extremely cheap (5,000–10,000₫ at local shops). Hotels provide drinking water. You can brush teeth with tap water. Ice at reputable restaurants is filtered.

Vietnam has a mix of plug types — round two-prong (Type C) and flat two-prong (Type A). You may not need an adapter for Canadian flat-prong devices in some hotels, but bring a universal adapter to be safe. Voltage is 220V.

Canadians must apply for a Vietnam e-visa in advance at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Apply at least 3 business days before travel. Single entry, 90 days, costs USD $25 per person. Approval is quick but don't leave it to the last minute.

Grab works excellently in Hanoi and is the safest, most reliable option. For short distances in the Old Quarter, walking is fine — the streets are narrow and fascinating. Motorbike taxis (xe ôm) are cheap but for experienced riders only. Sapa requires a hired car or minibus.