My Vietnam Journey’s Review: Soumya's Trip with Friends Made Easy with Thrillophilia
Reflecting on our trip to Vietnam in December, it does not quite feel like a vacation. It feels more like a chapter in my life that I will keep revisiting. There were five of us: my wife, Nirupama; my younger brother, Rohan; his wife, Jayashree; our sister-like friend, Namrata; and I. Although we were five different individuals, we all shared a desire to see a country that promised unique history, culture, and landscapes.
The best part? I didn't have to worry about planning. I knew that Thrillophilia would take care of all the planning for five people, including flights, hotels, tours, and transfers, as soon as I booked everything. That meant I could look forward to the trip instead of worrying about how to get there.
Arriving in Hanoi
On a cool December evening, we landed in Hanoi. Scooters were weaving around us, vendors were selling steaming bowls of pho, and neon signs were shining over little cafés.
We were supposed to start our trip at Hoa Lo Prison, which had many stories of resilience and struggle. I could almost hear the echoes of the past as I walked through the halls. Thereafter, we went to the Temple of Literature, where the courtyards were full of a peaceful kind of energy.
But the sunset at Hoan Kiem Lake is what stuck with me the most from that day. We crossed the bright red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple as the city's lights came on. Rohan looked at me and said, "Bhai, this city has a soul." I couldn't have said it better myself.
The Peace of Ninh Binh
The next day, we were in Ninh Binh, which looked like a painting. We rode on sampan boats down calm rivers with limestone cliffs on both sides. At one point, the woman who was rowing switched to using her feet, and Namrata laughed, "She's rowing better than we can walk!"
We rode our bikes through quiet village paths and stopped at Bich Dong Pagoda. Jayashree sat there in silence for a long time before finally speaking. "I think this is the first time my mind has slowed down," she said, and I felt the same way.
Halong Bay: A Water Dream
Halong Bay was like a dream, while Ninh Binh was peaceful. We all fell silent as the cruise sailed past green waters and giant cliffs. We didn't talk for a while, because sometimes not saying anything says more than words.
Later, in the cooking class, on the board, Rohan completely failed at making spring rolls and said his attempt was "the worst roll in Vietnam", which made us all laugh. That evening, we stood on the deck beneath the stars, and I reflected on how fortunate I was to be in the company of those I cherish.
A Surprise for the Anniversary
We took a flight from Halong to Da Nang, which I initially thought would be just another stop, but it turned out to be a delightful surprise. The staff at our hotel gave us a cake because it was our wedding anniversary. As the group sang and clapped, Nirupama's eyes filled with tears. During the planning stage, I had quietly told Thrillophilia about it, but seeing it all come together so easily moved both of us.
Magic in Ba Na Hills and Hoi An
It felt thrilling to walk across the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills, which was held up by giant stone hands. We took pictures, but I also took a moment to stand still and let the view sink in.
Then came Hoi An, which quickly became my favourite place in all of Vietnam. The streets were lit up by lanterns, the smell of pho from the Central Market filled the air, and the river was full of glowing lanterns. It was like being in a dream. Nirupama whispered, "I don't want this night to end," as we let a lantern float away on the water.
The Trip Back
At the Trivandrum airport, we laughed about the trip; it felt too soon to go back. We reminisced about Rohan's wobbling on his bike, Jayashree's passion for Vietnamese coffee, and Nirupama's tears at the anniversary surprise.
I will always cherish the memories of this trip, which allowed me to be with my wife, my brother, and my closest friends. There was no stress about making reservations; Thrillophilia managed every detail meticulously, leaving us with nothing to do but to fully enjoy the experience.
Read More: Thrillophilia Vietnam Reviews