A heartfelt Vietnam travel diary covering Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Da Nang, plus lessons learned from travelling with strangers.
In January 2025, I created a vision board for the year ahead. Among all the intentions, words, and images, there was one picture that quietly stood out: a photograph of Vietnam. I remember pasting it without overthinking, just a gentle feeling that maybe I would visit the country someday. I had no plans, no itinerary, no idea how or when it would happen. It was simply a wish placed there with trust.
Related Read: How to create a vision board
A few months later, life surprised me in the most beautiful way. My friend Riyanka casually mentioned that she was hosting a group trip to Vietnam later that year. The moment she said it, I froze for a second and smiled. That familiar feeling returned, the one that says, this is meant to happen. My first thought was, “Oh my God… my vision board actually worked.”
What made it even more special, and slightly intimidating, was that this would be my first trip with strangers. I had travelled before, but always with friends or family. This time, I would be stepping into the unknown: a new country, new people, and no expectations.
Part of me felt excited, part felt nervous, and a bigger part felt ready. Ready to trust the journey, the people, and myself.
Looking back now, this trip wasn’t just about visiting Vietnam. It was about witnessing how intentions unfold when you let go of control. About showing up with openness. About allowing unfamiliar faces to slowly become familiar stories.
And about discovering that sometimes, the universe listens quietly and responds when you least expect it.
Day 1: 19th October — First Impressions in Hanoi
After a 5.5-hour journey from Delhi, I finally landed in Hanoi. Everyone in the group arrived from different cities, each carrying their own stories, energies, and expectations. Meeting everyone for the first time felt surprisingly easy.
Our first meal together was at Bancong, a beautiful and cosy place close to our hotel. Looking back, that first lunch quietly set the tone for the next seven days. I ordered a comforting noodle bowl along with a local beer, and slowly conversations began to flow, where we were from, what we did, our travel styles, and what had brought us here. By the end of that meal, it felt like the beginning of a shared journey.
After lunch, we stepped out to explore the beauty of Hanoi. We visited West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, places that felt deeply grounding and peaceful. There was something calming about being there, as if the city allowed us to slow down and simply absorb the positive energy of these sacred spaces.
Being a chai lover, I knew Vietnam would challenge my usual beverage choices, but Vietnam is truly a coffee country. So, of course, we stopped at a charming café called Phe La for vanilla lattes. Sitting there, sipping coffee and chatting, felt like a small but meaningful pause in the middle of a busy day.
In the evening, we attended the Water Puppet Show, an experience I hadn’t expected to enjoy as much as I did. Growing up in Rajasthan, I had watched traditional puppet shows during cultural programs, but this was something entirely different. Watching stories on water felt magical.
For dinner, Riyanka suggested Banh Mi 25. We grabbed our banh mi, enjoyed local beers, and then walked through the weekend local markets. What struck me most was how alive the streets felt, families out together, people laughing, strolling, simply enjoying their evening.
I realised I had rarely seen this kind of relaxed, collective joy back home in India, and it stayed with me.
With full hearts and tired bodies, we finally returned to our rooms to wind down. Day one ended beautifully, filled with new faces, gentle connections, and the quiet excitement of knowing that this was just the beginning.
Day 2: 20th October — Ha Long Bay & the Joy of Being Present
After an amazing Vietnamese breakfast at our hotel—something I looked forward to every morning—we left Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, one of the most iconic natural wonders of Vietnam.
As the bus moved through the countryside, I kept watching life outside the window. I noticed two things almost everyone had in common:
1. The traditional conical hat
2. A beautiful, effortless smile
It felt simple, grounded, and deeply human.
This was going to be my first-ever cruise experience, so the excitement was on a whole new level. At the port, I bought my own traditional conical hat; it felt unique and special. (I later lost it on the flight back to Delhi, and honestly, I still miss that hat the way I miss Vietnam itself.)
As the cruise finally started, so did my camera. I clicked pictures nonstop: every angle, every moment. Even when my phone storage protested, nothing could stop me from capturing those scenes in my memory.
We were welcomed with beers and a warm introduction by our guide, who patiently explained the cruise rules, stop points, and timing. What stood out again was the constant smiles; local people carried joy so naturally.
After lunch on the cruise, our first stop was Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). And truly, nature left me speechless.
The rock formations were massive, dramatic, and jaw-dropping. Standing there, I felt tiny yet deeply connected—reminded that nature doesn’t need to speak to make an impact.
Later, we moved to smaller boats to explore the narrow waterways of Ha Long Bay. It felt intimate, quiet, and surreal.
As the sun began to set, something beautiful happened. No one rushed for their phones. We simply sat there, watching the sunset, not through a camera lens, but through our own eyes. That moment of collective stillness stays with me.
Back in Hanoi, visiting Train Street was already part of the itinerary, and it turned out to be one of the most thrilling experiences of my life.
We found a good spot, ordered food and beers, and were told there would be no train. Suddenly, people started shouting: “Train is coming!”
And it did. Then another. Then a third. Then a fourth.
Where we expected none, we got four trains. The energy was electric. Lanterns lit up the street, laughter filled the air, and the night felt alive.
We wandered through the Old Quarter, eventually landing at a dinner place where I ended up composing a funny song that made everyone laugh. That night ended exactly how it should have—full of laughter, fun, and connection.
Day 3: 21st October — Ninh Binh & Nature’s Quiet Power
Day three was dedicated to history and nature
From Hanoi, we reached Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Stone temples surrounded by limestone mountains carried a quiet dignity. The place didn’t demand attention—it invited silence.
After lunch, we reached Trang An, where a truly life-changing experience awaited me.
We boarded small wooden boats—three of us with a local woman rowing. Soon, we entered dark caves so low that we had to bend our heads to avoid touching the limestone above. It was scary, adventurous, and thrilling all at once.
For three hours, we drifted through caves, open stretches, and sacred landscapes. Time disappeared. Fear turned into awe. Silence felt sacred.
That day reminded me how powerful it is to surrender—to nature, to the moment, to the unknown.
Day 4: 22nd October — From Hanoi to Hoi An: Slowing Down
We took an internal flight from Hanoi to Da Nang and then drove to Hoi An—to begin a new chapter of my Vietnam diary.
If Hanoi gives you city life, Hoi An gently asks you to slow down.
Despite heavy rain predictions, we refused to sit indoors. We explored the ancient town, had lunch at The Bowl Company, and shopped endlessly, because in Hoi An, you truly can’t stop yourself.
The coconut affogato at 25S Cafe was another memorable pause.
Later, floating lanterns on the river felt symbolic. Releasing wishes into the water, watching them drift away, I felt a quiet sense of trust, letting go without needing to know the outcome.
Dinner at Morning Glory brought us together again over incredible food and shared stories.
Day 5: 23rd October — Coffee, Culture & Connection
This day was extraordinary—for all of us.
Before Vietnam, I wasn’t a coffee lover. But the Vietnamese coffee-making workshop changed everything.
For two hours, we learned five types of coffee:
* Espresso from scratch
* Sawada coffee (similar to cold coffee)
* Salt coffee
* Egg coffee
* Coconut coffee (my favourite)
The hosts shared the history behind Vietnamese coffee and why coconut milk and condensed milk are preferred over regular cow’s milk. We were advised not to finish every coffee to avoid caffeine overload, but I couldn’t resist finishing my coconut coffee.
After lunch, we explored Hoi An’s bespoke shopping: custom dresses, bags, wallets, and slippers. We ended the day with a relaxing foot massage, common and comforting in Vietnam.
That evening had no rush. Just sitting, resting, and being.
Day 6: 24th October — Ba Na Hills & Accepting Imperfection
The Golden Hands Bridge, the Instagram-famous landmark, was finally on the agenda.
The weather wasn’t in our favour, but we went anyway.
After a bus ride, we boarded the cable car – the longest cable ride of my life. Misty, foggy, and slightly scary, it felt like floating through clouds.
We explored Ba Na Hills in raincoats, sharing resilience and laughter. I watched a cabaret dance live for the first time.
The Golden Bridge wasn’t clearly visible due to fog—and that taught me something important.
Things don’t always need to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, you accept the moment as it is—because you may never come back.
Lunch at the Four Seasons Buffet Restaurant was grand and overwhelming in the best way.
That evening, we returned to Da Nang and had dinner at East West Brewing Co.—our first non-Vietnamese meal in seven days. Over craft beers, we shared our favorite moments and reflected on the journey.
Day 7: 25th October — Da Nang & Gentle Goodbyes
It was time to say goodbye to some group members. While the group trip ended, I had two more days to relax.
After breakfast, I explored local Da Nang—markets, souvenirs, simple streets. In the evening, I watched the Dragon Bridge fire & light show, one of the city’s highlights.
It was a slow, relaxing day.
Day 8: 26th October — Rain, Books & Stillness
Heavy rain marked my last full day in Da Nang.
I stayed in my room, reading a book, watching rain from the balcony. Later, I had lunch at a Michelin-star restaurant, visited local markets, and ended my day with my last coconut coffee in Vietnam.
A quiet goodbye.
Day 9: 27th October — Goodbye Vietnam
It was time to leave.
This trip ended with a few deep connections and countless memories—not just stored in my phone gallery, but written into my life experience book.
What This Trip Taught Me
* Traveling with strangers gives you a new perspective on life and how you respond to it
* There is beauty in simplicity—the essence of Vietnamese culture
* Smiling is free—share it as much as possible
Vietnam didn’t just give me destinations.
It gave me lessons, stillness, courage, and gratitude.
And for that, I’ll always carry it with me. 🇻🇳💚
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