[Delirium]

I am absolutely exhausted at the moment and in desperate need of a holiday. I was thinking of going on holiday in January before uni and school go back in February. I was leaning towards Bali (because it's cheap!), but DP doesn't like it and would prefer going to either Singapore, Malaysia or Vietnam. I want a bit of everything on my holiday - beach or pool, shopping, good food, sightseeing, massage, etc... There will be me, DP and my 5 year old DD...

So, where should I go - Singapore, Malaysia or Vietnam? Why?

[Apageintime]

Malaysia or singapore, because you can get there cheap on low cost carriers (air asia or scoot).

Malaysia would probably be cheaper over all, so that might be the winner then.

[Fabulous]

They would all be great. I would choose Malaysia or Singapore as the flight would be shorter. The accomodation in Malaysia is cheaper than Singapore so that could be a factor. You can get cheap tasty food in all 3 places. I do absolutely love Singapore though so that's where I would go. Your 5yo would enjoy Universal Studios, I know mine did. The good thing about Singapore is that everything is clean, you can drink the water and medical services are top notch. There are also plenty of things to see and do.

This post has been edited by Fabulous: 12/11/2012, 01:16 PM

[Charri36]

I have been to Indo/Malaysia/Singapore and Vietnam.

It's a pretty broad question you are asking as Malaysia is huge, as Borneo is included in that too ( Been there too)

Vietnam is big - North South and Central are all different. - IMO, not brill for little ones. I wouldn't do it.

I just looooveee Singapore. Go there !! Brill food, friendly people fab for little ones, you can always do a bus trip to Malaysia from there. Theme parks etc..

Malaysia - Borneo - big Island, fab beaches/snorkeling, food so/so, a bit more expensive than mainland Maylasia for services, more outdoorsy touristy stuff. Mainland Malaysia is really varied, I do love Kuala Lumper, the food is fab, cheap, but no beaches ( It's a capital city). Reasonably priced tourist attractions. If you go to Batu caves you can see monkeys, some are naughty! tee hee

I've only ever been to Bali once (mainly to take the kids) It's just not a place I'm too keen on, and wouldn't bother again. Especially as there are soooo many other places that are sooo much nicer.

It really depends on what you want to do. It's pretty hard to please everyone, could you go to 2 places in the same country, like say 4 nights Kota Kinabalu ( Borneo) then 3 nights in KL.

I love Malaysia and Singapore so much, I'd find it hard to choose!

[nlman]

I've been to Singapore a couple of times, but it has never really grabbed me.

My favourite it Vietnam - friendly, exciting vibe, amazing food and good value.

I also love Malaysia - KL is a great stopover with Air Asia. Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching are all great. It's more Westernised that Vietnam but still great.

Happy to recommend cities / resorts / areas if you want for Malaysia / Vietnam. I have been to both far too many times...

[2bundles]

Malaysia would be a good compromise of things to see and relax.

We are going to Singapore. Got a good deal at Sentosa Island.

We didn't like Vietnam.

[takingitback]

Malaysia, fly up to langkawi, beautiful beaches so relaxing. Kuala lumpur has great shopping especially for shoes...

[smultron]

We were in Malaysia for first time in September with our 3 kids- we loved it! Would def go back- it was very cheap for accommodation (bit more exxy than Thailand but not too much) in KL- much cheaper than you would get in Singapore. Also found KL just perfect for getting around, cheap and fantastic food everywhere. We flew on to Langkawi with Air Asia which was inexpensive but didn't have brilliant weather (couple of really wet days ) so that limited the beach chilling time a bit. Otherwise it was also good destination for kids- beach, pool, aquarium (I thought it was naff but the kids loved it), cable car, island hopping tours,

Next time I'd just go to KL and spend more time around the city- the water park is supposed to be good for kids, there was a theme park in shopping centre across the road from our hotel at Times Square, there is a good outdoor water fun area near twin towers (opp. Traders hotel). Our kids are getting older- 10, 8 and 5 so easier in some ways to please. The older boys actually liked the night market at Petaling st as they could get their copy soccer gear and cool watches etc. so they were happy spending holiday money that way! The food was absolutely sensational t00 -lots of curries and roti and spring rolls, satay, good seafood (our boys wanted to try lobster so we had a couple of blow out seafood feasts- king prawns, whole snapper, lobster etc. for around AUD$80 for family of 5)

I've been to Singapore and it is nice in a clean cut sort of way and of course there is Legoland which while in Malaysia is actually closer to get to from Singapore I think.

Air Asia flys very cheaply to Malaysia from most cities but Singapore is cheap if you fly from Brisbane or Sydney.

[Bel Rowley]

I haven't been to Malaysia and Singapore since 1994 but based on that experience I would highly recommend Malaysia for a family holiday. I have a friend who has taken her small children to Malaysia twice in the last 4 years and raves about it.

[TheSmithFamily]

Been to all choices with kids at varying ages.

I would choose Vietnam for culture and experience. We had a month pack backing south to north ( kids 4 and 1)

But for what you want I would choose Malaysia

Kl for shopping city good hotel deals pool warm
Penang for food culture history massage
Langkawi or prehentians for beach
Melaka for history

Have fun!