We will be flying Da Nang Vietnam to Bali next April on a Saturday.

There are no direct flights, so instead of booking one flight that doesn't get into Bail until 830pm Saturday night after a connection in a random city with a subsequent 1.5 hour drive to Ubud, am thinking of staying overnight in either Singapore or KL. Each has flights from Da Nang arriving at about 3pm in afternoon on a Saturday, and leaves next morning for Bali around Sunday 11am.

It looks as if the Singapore airport is closer to interesting parts of the city than is the KL airport. I realize that less than 24 hours in one place or the other only allows the briefest of visits and museums will be closed. Given all that, do folks recommend an overnight layover in one city vs the other just in terms of seeing a night market or hustle and bustle and such?

Thanks!

PS. I couldn't change thread title, but wanted to add I now see that a similar overnight in Saigon/HCM City is also possible, so am wondering about that vs. Singapore vs. KL. Thanks!

My choice would be Singapore, which I find more interesting and easier to navigate than KL.

I agree, Singapore would be my choice, too. I like KL just fine, spent a week there not long ago. Though Singapore is more expensive, it’s far easier to get around & especially walk around. It’s my first choice of cities in Asia for a short stay.

Having spent a fair amount of time in all three cities, I would choose Saigon.

It is a relatively easy ride into District 1 (30 mins) where there is a lot to see and some nice hotels that re considerably cheaper than Singapore. The Reunification Palace , Notre Tame The Post Office and War remnants Museum are all worth seeing and are within walking distance. Your onward flight to Da Nang would be domestic so no need to go through immigration which can take a lot of time,. I imagine you could fly straight to Denpasar from Saigo unless you have a particular wish to go to Da Nang

Singapore. I've done 24 hour visits several times. Very compact with a great subway system, signage is in English, so easy to navigate. If I recall, a taxi is about SD$30 and 20 minutes from Changi, subway is about S$5 and 40 minutes. "Grab" is their equivalent of Uber/Lyft. A little cheaper than taxis, so add the app before you get there
In your short visit, you can explore a small chunk of the city without have to travel all over. Choose your interest; shopping, historic districts like Chinatown, the Indian area, or one of the two amazing gardens -The National Botanic Gardens and the Gardens by the Bay (both open at the crack of dawn). Hawker (food) stalls and restaurants are everywhere, and even the airport addition Jewel could keep you occupied for hours!
Taxis have off restrictions on drop-off and pickup locations, plus additional surcharges from the airport or at certain times, so review them before you go.

Lcuy sums it up very nicely. I also would vote for Singapore. It’s easy to get around, it’s well organized, and for one day I think it’s the best option by far.

The only downside to Singapore is the expense, quite a bit more expensive than either KL or HCMC. That’s why I’ve generally stayed fewer days there but even for a budget traveler I think for a short visit it’s well worth it.

Definitely Singapore and it doesn't have to be expensive. There is a range of accommodations at different price levels. Just try to get near an MRT station. Plenty of folks go there and don't need to pay an arm and a leg for accommodations. I've stayed many times at the YMCA International House Hotel, next to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and also many times at the Four Seasons Hotel, near Orchard MRT station and about every price range of hotels in between. I've been going to Singapore, almost annually since the late 1990s and up to the month before the Covid shutdown in 2020. I started going to KL in 2001 and was last there in 2018, two years prior to the Covid shutdown. I find Singapore much easier to navigate than KL.
Happy Travels!

No, it need not be expensive, but definitely more expensive than the other options mentioned. I travel on a budget & have a favorite moderately priced hotel in Chinatown, the Inn at Temple Street, well located between 2 MRT stations & near Maxwell Food Centre. Feels like home!

As it’s such a short stay consider staying at an airport hotel for cost and convenience.

As noted the ride from SIN into the city isn’t too long.

I’d go Singapore for that futuristic vibe—Marina Bay Sands’ light show and Gardens by the Bay are unreal at night, plus you can hit Clarke Quay for some epic eats and drinks.