If you mention the "legendary" gift from the lion city island nation, certainly no name can escape Eagle Brand Medicated Oil. This is an item that almost every Vietnamese person visiting Singapore has to bring back in bulk because of the belief that "oil bought in Sing is the best".
But there is one extremely interesting detail that if you don't pay careful attention, you will easily be confused or wonder why the bottle of oil you bought in Sing is different from the one your acquaintance sent from America. I'll share a bit of this so you have more knowledge when buying gifts properly:
🧴 The difference lies in the "bottle cap"
This is the key point to distinguish between Singapore domestic products and US export products:
Singapore domestic products (screw cap type): In supermarkets or pharmacies in Sing, you will see bottles of oil with just one normal screw cap. It opens very easily, exactly the traditional type that elderly people at home usually use.
US export products (2-layer cap type - Child Lock): This type usually has a child-resistant cap design. You have to press down hard and then twist to open it. This cap type is almost never sold in Singapore because it is a safety standard specific to the American market.
🤔 Why is there this difference?
Many people think that screw cap products are fake, but that's not true at all!
In terms of quality: Both are produced by the same "mother" company, Borden, manufactured in Singapore. However, depending on each country's regulations, the packaging design will be different.
In terms of scent: Many elderly people in Vietnam still "prefer" Singapore domestic products more because they think the scent is more intense and lasts longer compared to US export products (which are adjusted to be milder according to Western taste).
🛒 Experience buying medicated oil as a gift in Singapore
Where to buy cheaply: Don't buy in crowded tourist areas. Just pop into pharmacy chains like Guardian, Watsons or FairPrice supermarket. Especially, if you happen to visit Chinatown area (like People's Park Complex), you can buy at wholesale prices if you buy in packs of 12 bottles.
Payment: In Sing it's extremely modern. Just use Visa/Mastercard contactless or Apple Pay and swipe quickly. The cash register here processes it in a flash, so you don't have to deal with loose change.
Luggage note: Since it's liquid, if you buy many large bottles (24ml type), remember to wrap carefully with shrink wrap or clothes and put it in checked luggage. Taking too many in your carry-on when passing through security is easy to have confiscated.
💡 Small tips for you:
If buying as a gift for elderly people at home, I recommend you choose this Singapore domestic screw cap type. The elderly have weak hands and sometimes don't have enough strength to "press and twist" that American-style cap, and if they can't open it, they think the oil is spoiled, which is troublesome.
Eagle Brand Medicated Oil is not just medicine, it is also the "scent of memories" for many Vietnamese families. Have you already prepared a corner of your suitcase for this national gift yet?
P/s: Or if you forget and can't buy it, Changi airport still sells quite a lot in the departure area, don't worry!
