dont use coconut fibre. It encourage fungus and root rot. Yes your climate
is quite similar to mine.
Grow it in soil. Allow it to grow about 2metres or so.
You just need to bury the roots into soil and allow some roots to stay above the soil. The brown stuff you saw is saw dust, it allow the vanda to grow faster. But
you need healthy roots so dont put anything above the soil(those farmer want the vanda to grow really fast). But i heard you have monsoon
seasons, has it past? I heard about the flood a few months ago.
oh, by the way i think you like this video about singapore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2TORg62sn8