Vietnamese tourists surprised by smog.
Having just returned to Vietnam from a business trip to Singapore on October 7-8, Minh Luan (28 years old, freelance photographer) said that the air pollution in the island nation surprised him. He observed the smog most clearly in the Marina area, with a hazy sky, limited visibility, and a smoky, burnt smell in the air, affecting his photography work which requires good lighting and scenery.
"I've been to Singapore about 4-5 times, but this is the most severe pollution I've witnessed. The scenery is very hazy, the photos aren't good, and the air smells of burnt smoke. I think this isn't really an ideal time to visit Singapore, especially for those who want to sightsee and take photos outdoors," Luân shared. The photographer also noticed that there were very few people out on the streets during his stay.
Meanwhile, Duong Lien Gia (34 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), who recently took a short trip to Singapore to visit relatives, said that the atmosphere in the past few days made him feel uncomfortable, even feeling like he was about to fall ill after two days there.
Tourists are advised to limit outdoor activities.
PHOTO: LN
"I found the air quite unpleasant, but the locals seemed used to it; hardly anyone was wearing a mask. Singapore has experienced even more severe smog episodes in the past," Gia recounted.
According to Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA), transboundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia has caused air quality in Singapore to reach unhealthy levels at times. Pollution levels can vary depending on weather conditions and wind direction, affecting outdoor activities.
Singapore still welcomes tourists, but recommends visiting indoors.
A representative from Vietravel Tourism Company stated that they are closely monitoring the air pollution situation through notifications from the NEA and their partners in Singapore. To date, Vietnamese tour groups are continuing their itineraries as normal. Vietravel has not recorded any cases of customers requesting to postpone, cancel tours, or switch to other destinations due to the haze.
However, the company determined that tour organization needed to be more flexible. At outdoor attractions like Marina Bay or Sentosa, tour guides would monitor air quality at different times to adjust the duration and intensity of activities.
If the situation worsens, the schedule may be rearranged, shortening outdoor sightseeing time or replacing it with indoor experiences to ensure the health of visitors.
For travelers preparing to depart, Vietravel recommends regularly checking air quality, limiting prolonged outdoor activities, drinking plenty of water, and informing the tour guide if any health problems arise. Children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung conditions should exercise particular caution.
Speaking to a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper, a representative of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) affirmed that the island nation continues to welcome international tourists despite the recent transboundary haze.
Singapore recommends that tourists explore indoor attractions, such as museums, shopping, and dining .
PHOTO: LN
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) stated that the situation is being closely monitored by the Singapore government 's Haze Task Force, led by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Tourists are advised to regularly check for pollution updates, haze forecasts, and health guidelines on the haze.gov.sg website to proactively adjust their itineraries.
As of the morning of October 13, 2026, air pollution in Singapore remains unaddressed. Smog continues to blanket all five regions of the island nation, with air quality still at unhealthy levels. Notably, pollution levels in some areas this morning were even higher than on October 12.
