Bishan – Ang Mo Kio park, one of my most frequent running places!
Running is one of the easiest ways to explore a place! No gym membership, no fancy gear (unless you reward yourself with overpriced shoes), and no rules. It’s just you, the road, and whatever chaos the city throws at you.
As a Vietnamese student living in Singapore, I’ve realized that running in these two places feels like running on different planets. Same shoes, same lungs, but the experience? Completely different.
When to Run
Singapore
Try running between 3 and 5 PM in Singapore and you’re basically slow-roasting yourself. The air sticks to your skin like steam from a hawker stall. I usually wait until 6, when the heat lets up and the city starts to glow. Marina Bay looks straight out of a movie. East Coast Park gets breezy and quiet. Office workers head home, uncles stroll to old Hokkien songs, and kids linger at bus stops. It’s humid, yes, but the vibe is calm and focused.
Vietnam
Vietnam is the opposite. Before 3 PM, the streets feel half-asleep. But after that, the volume turns up. School ends, scooters flood the roads, street vendors set up shop, and dogs casually claim the sidewalks. Running turns into a mix of workout, obstacle courses, and DODGING! You learn how to dodge when you run in Vietnam. One moment you’re dodging a badminton match, the next you’re caught in smoke from a grilled meat cart. It’s loud and unpredictable and somehow still energizing.
Infrastructure
Singapore
Singapore is built for runners. You get shaded paths, clean pavements, water fountains, and mist tunnels. The Park Connector Network is massive and links up most of the city without needing to deal with traffic. The air is usually clear, the roads are safe, and the chances of stumbling across a grill or motorbike on the sidewalk are basically zero. The whole city feels like it was designed by someone who loves 5Ks and hates surprises.
Vietnam
Vietnam? It’s got less structure but a lot more flavor. Sidewalks are shared with motorbikes, street food stalls, and anyone who feels like setting up shop. One block smells like burning incense, the next like fried bánh tôm. Air quality depends on traffic, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a fresh breeze that makes everything worth it. It’s not always smooth, but there’s a raw energy to it. People claim public space like it’s theirs—because it is.
The Social Scene
Singapore
In Singapore, most runners keep to themselves. You’ll see people with AirPods in, tracking splits on their Garmins, locked into their own rhythm. There are some small running crews and personal trainers, but it’s quiet. No one talks. You can fully disappear into your zone without anyone noticing.
Vietnam
Vietnam turns running into a community event. You’re never alone, even if you show up solo. There are old men stretching on benches, teens filming TikToks, entire families out walking, and kids yelling “Cố lên!” as you pass. Sometimes you get challenged to a sprint by a six-year-old. Sometimes someone tries to sell you corn mid-run. You might even get waved into a tai chi circle. Also YES, the dogs. Don’t run past them. Don’t pet them. Just slow down, cross the street, and hope they’re not feeling athletic.
Post-Run Vibes
Singapore
Cool down with a vending machine coconut, stretch on a clean bench, sync your Strava, and maybe grab a smoothie if you’re feeling fancy. It’s all very efficient. Everything you need is within reach, and recovery feels like part of the run itself.
Vietnam
Post-run in Vietnam is pure freestyle. You’re sweaty, starving, and five minutes later you’re sitting on a plastic stool, eating bánh mì and sipping iced tea while scooters fly past. There’s just food, people, and the chaos of the city settling around you. It’s casual, loud, and kind of perfect.
Final Strides
Running in Singapore feels like tuning into a well-oiled system. Everything works, everything’s in place, and you can focus entirely on pace, breath, and data.
On the other hand, Vietnam is unpredictable. It’s loud, human, and very messy, but it sticks with you.
I’ve learned to love both. And in both places, the rule holds: if it’s not on Strava, did you even run?
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