The Secret Vault exhibition by GIC
Just in case you didn’t know, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) is one of SG’s 3 investment entities responsible for managing the nation’s reserves to help safeguard our financial future.
And to mark its 45th anniversary, GIC has launched The Secret Vault, a free-entry exhibition at New Bahru that offers a glimpse into how it invests and grows Singapore’s reserves to support Singaporeans today and future generations.
Curious to find out what goes on behind the scenes, we headed down for a visit ourselves. Here’s what you can expect at the exhibition.
What is The Secret Vault exhibition all about?
The Secret Vault is GIC’s 1st public exhibition, featuring 6 interactive chambers that explore topics like long-term investing, inflation protection, and risk management, all of which play a part in securing SG’s financial future.
After all, as GIC puts it, “protecting a nation’s reserves isn’t simply about locking it away in a safe”. Through this exhibition, you’ll get to learn more about the ins and outs of managing Singapore’s reserves through interactive experiences.
As someone who isn’t the most savvy when it comes to numbers, this writer was initially worried that the concepts might be a little difficult to wrap her head around. Luckily, the experience is designed to be easy to follow and understand, with fun activities that make learning about financial planning less intimidating.
What to expect at The Secret Vault exhibition
Chamber 1: The Archive
The 1st room we stepped into after entering a “steel” bank vault straight out of the movies was The Archive, which, as its name suggests, takes visitors back to GIC’s beginnings.
Plastered on a wall is an introduction to GIC’s founding leaders, Dr Goh Keng Swee, Lee Kuan Yew, and Yong Pung How. There’s even a corner with a rotary phone that you can pick up to dial either 1, 2, or 3 to hear the founding leaders share their thoughts around governing Singapore, as well as the purpose of GIC.
We chose to dial 2 during our visit and were greeted by the voice of Singapore’s 1st Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. His tenacious tone and confident voice made the experience feel like we were getting a glimpse into history, rather than simply reading about it on a wall.
Right next to the rotary phone is a wall lined with rows upon rows of cabinets, resembling an old-school safe deposit box room.
Without spoiling too much, this is where you can find replicas of statements issued by the Singapore Government during key moments in history, including when news of the sterling’s devaluation spread. It offers a peek into how the government responded to major events that could affect the nation’s reserves.
In another corner, we spotted a copy of The Business Times from 1981, which reported on GIC’s incorporation as the government’s investment arm.
Fun fact: GIC’s 1st Managing Director, Yong Pung How, built the company from scratch with no staff, initially running the show himself from an office with just a desk and a telephone.
Chamber 2: The Global Inflation Hypermart
Next up, it almost felt like we were transported into a supermarket at The Global Inflation Hypermart. This was our favourite chamber, and probably the most interactive one in the exhibition too.
Here, you’ll get to take on a fun shopping challenge. Scan a QR code to access your shopping list, then hunt down the corresponding items around the mart and scan the QR codes tagged to them to see how inflation can affect the prices of everyday essentials over time.
For instance, a pack of chye sim that cost just $0.54 in 1981 could set you back a whopping $55.25 in 2099 due to inflation. Woah. Imagine paying that much for your greens.
There are also posters around the mart illustrating how prices could change over the years. One that caught our eye showed how a tube of toothpaste that cost $3.50 in 2025 could go up to $9.35 by 2050.
Chapter 3: The Weather Room
Then we entered The Weather Room, which explores how unexpected developments, from new technologies to economic crises like recessions and global events like COVID-19, can shake things up and affect the economy.
Take a seat on the benches in this room and spend some time reading the headlines flashing across the screen. One cool detail is how simulated “rainwater” kicks in when the headlines turn more serious, adding to the atmosphere and making us feel a little uneasy. It gives you a sense of the uncertainty people experienced as these events unfolded.
But the chamber isn’t just about the doom and gloom. It also highlights how GIC responds to an ever-changing world by looking beyond the immediate shocks and focusing on the bigger picture.
Chapter 4: The Steward’s Gardens
Another fun chamber that kids will enjoy is The Steward’s Gardens, a maze filled with hidden risks. We picked up a flashlight and made our way through the maze, shining it around to spot the “snakes” lurking within.
It’s meant to demonstrate how all investments come with risks, and why being aware of potential dangers is one of GIC’s key principles. Rather than blindly charging ahead, it’s about knowing what risks to avoid and navigating the rest with intention.
P.S. There are 22 “snakes” to spot in total, so see if you can find them all!
After making your way through the maze, you’ll enter a digital garden where you can pick up a watering can and “water” your own garden to watch flowers bloom. It’s a meaningful activity that mirrors how GIC nurtures relationships with its partners and investee companies, building trust and creating advantages that bloom over time.
Chapter 5: The Globe
At The Globe, you’ll find a giant globe right in the middle of the chamber, where you can spot different brands and companies that GIC has invested in, as well as learn about its efforts to build communities in the places it invests. You might be surprised by some of the investments you’ll come across.
For example, GIC has invested in Asia Healthcare Holdings, one of South Asia’s biggest healthcare delivery platforms with fertility clinics, paediatric care centres, and urology hospitals in its network. While this might seem like a rather unexpected investment at first, they make sense when you consider India’s growing population and rising demand for specialised healthcare.
Chapter 6: The Reserves of Tomorrow
In the final chamber, The Reserves of Tomorrow, we got to pause and reflect on our hopes for the future. You can also leave your answer and watch it float across the screen alongside messages from other visitors.
This activity was a timely reminder that protecting Singapore’s reserves isn’t just about looking after us today, but also ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities and quality of life.
Collect your free blind bag charm before leaving
Before you leave, don’t forget to collect a free blind bag charm from the staff stationed at the entrance. There are 6 different designs in total, all inspired by The Secret Vault exhibition.
And nope, unlike typical blind boxes, there’s no secret design to hunt for here, so you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope for a rare pull. Just enjoy your freebie!
Is entry to The Secret Vault exhibition free?
Yes, admission is free. However, you’ll need to register online beforehand and select a date and time.
Walk-ins may be allowed depending on crowd levels, but we’d recommend booking your slot in advance to avoid disappointment and make sure you get to explore the exhibition at your preferred time.
How to get to The Secret Vault exhibition
The Secret Vault exhibition is located at the L2 School Hall of New Bahru.
Hop on the train and alight at Fort Canning MRT Station, then take Exit A and a 13-minute walk to get to New Bahru. Alternatively, there’s a free shuttle bus from Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard (along Somerset Road) which departs every 30 minutes between 12pm and 8pm daily.
Register online for The Secret Vault
Admission: Free
Date: Now till 1st Nov 2026
Time: Mon 12pm-6pm | Tue-Thu 11am-7pm | Fri-Sun 11am-8pm
Location: L2 School Hall, New Bahru
Sign Up with TSL Connect
More things to do in Singapore:
- Deepavali Open House at the Indian Heritage Centre
- Haw Ror Villa 5! at Haw Par Villa
- Halloween Horror Nights 2026
Photography by Chloe Chan.