Our First Day in Vietnam

I woke up early and gazed at the morning sunrise through my window. Our room overlooked My Khe Beach, where the first light of the day slowly spread across the the water. For a moment, I simply stood there and watched, taking the view before the day began.

Before we started our pagoda tour, our Vietnamese tour guide gave each of us a traditional Vietnamese hat called non la. It was such a simple thoughtful gesture, and of course, we all wore them as we explored the pagoda. Somehow, putting on these hats made us feel even more like tourists experiencing Vietnam for the first time.

Lady Buddha and Coconut Farm

Our First stop was Linh Ung Pagoda, home of the famous Lady Buddha, located on the Son Tra Peninsula, also known as Monkey Mountain. It sits high above the coast, offering a beautiful view overlooking the My Khe Beach. The place was peaceful and beautiful.

I also spotted a couple of monkeys wandering with a combination of grey and reddish-brown fur, seeing them added even more charm to the place.

From there, we went straight to the coconut farm, where we had our lunch and experienced the famous coconut-boat ride.

And this was where the fun really started.

In the middle of the river, one of the Vietnamese boatman suddenly started spinning his basket around and around several times. It was so exhilarating! Everyone was enjoying the experience, but honestly, I could never do what he did, I probably would end up throwing up!

There was also a Karaoke and entertainment portion where tourist was invited to sing or dance. One of our clients, who is also my mentor and a god friend, went up to the small stage with one of our doctors and started dancing “Hawak mo ang Beat,” while my other friend’s husband sang “Awitin mo at Isasayaw ko.”

Watching them, I couldn’t help but feel happy. These two clients were genuine having a good time, and seeing them enjoy themselves made me happy too.

For a while, I forgot about all the stress and drama that had happened before the trip. At that moment, I felt relieved. Maybe this trip was finally going to be okay after all.

But the boat ride wasn’t over yet. When we almost reaching the jetty, All the boatmen of each boat started swirling the basket boats for a couple of seconds. I kept my eyes closed tightly while the boat continued rotating, feeling as if the whole world around me had suddenly become a spinning carousel. I ended up laughing and holding on for dear life.

After all the activities, we headed back to the hotel to rest. From the scorching heat, spinning boat and the pain in my right leg, and to the joyful moments at the coconut farm, it had been a long but memorable day. There had beed so many little moments that made the day exciting, funny, and unforgettable.

Our Second Day: A Glimpse of Marble Mountain, a Silk Shop and the Hoi An River

It was our second day and we had another surprised from our tour guide. Inside the bus, he gave us a small green apple called tao ta in their native tongue and advised us to eat the green apples with the Vietnamese shrimp chili salt which really complemented the taste and made it even more appetizing to my palate.

Our second day proper started with us passing by the Marble Mountains. They were on the right side of the road, and our tour guide pointed them out and gave us a little explanation as we passed by. We didn’t stop, but at least I got to see them from the bus.

Then, we went to a souvenir shop that sold marble products, and at the same time, they were also selling some Kipling products. My eyes immediately caught something orange – a small orange wallet! At first, I was contemplating whether to buy it, but then I saw my male co-worker staring at the same item, both of us like the color orange too, and maybe he was also contemplating buying the orange wallet.

That’s when I decided I would get it. I said, “Keiff’, and he laughed shyly.

After that we visited a silk shop in Hoi An, where we literally saw silkworms. They explained the life cycle of the silkworms and the different methods involved in producing silk. It was interesting to see the process up close and learn how much work goes into making those beautiful silk products.

Then, we rode a boat, but this time we are holding a beautiful lanterns. The boatman said that before releasing a lantern to the river, we should make a wish first.

Riding a boat in Hoi An surrounded by lanterns had always been on my bucket list. So, when I finally experienced it, I couldn’t help but feel happy. It was one of those moments when you realized that something you once imagined or wished for has finally become a beautiful memory.

Our Hoi An day was filled with a beautiful sights, colorful lanterns, and of course good foods. Also, one of the highlights for me was finally checking off the two items of my Vietnam food bucket list: Mi Quang and the famous white rose dumplings. I wanted to try both for a long time, so being able to finally taste them right there in Vietnam made the experience even more memorable.

Sometimes, the best travel memories come from the simplest moments- the one you experience for yourself, taste for yourself, and carry with you long after the trip is over.

A little Behind – the – Scenes Moment

After our Hoi An trip, my friend and I went back to the hotel to rest because our legs were already tired. While resting, I noticed a missed call from one of the doctors, so I replied and told him I was in my room. To cut the story short, the rest of the staff went out that evening. What made me wonder was that, before we even left for Vietnam, Our Medical Director had earlier said that all staff would be together after the day tour, So the next day, I jokingly asked why I wasn’t invited?

The way they tried to answer made my friend laugh because they seemed unsure of what to say. In the end, we just laughed about it. I decide not to think to much about it and simply enjoyed the rest of our Vietnam adventure.

Sometimes, little unexpected moments like this become part of the story.

Third day: Ba Na Hills, a Relaxing Massage and a Local Pho

Another surprise form our tourist guide he gave that morning was a salted ice coffee. It tasted so good!

We headed to Ba Na Hills and rode the cable car up the mountain. The views along the way were incredible. I have always been afraid of heights, but surprisingly, that day I didn’t feel afraid at all. I was simply too amazed by Vietnam and everything around me.

Ba Na hills is enormous, with so much to see and explore. We walk across the Golden Bridge, through the garden, and enjoyed lunch at the buffet. Everywhere we went, there was another beautiful view waiting for us.

One of the highlights for me is riding the alpine coaster for the first time. I thought I might be nervous, especially of my fear of heights and my swollen legs. But I felt I was so courageous. I enjoyed it so much that I found myself wishing I had tried the tallest one.

There was so much more I wanted to see. I wished we had enough time to explore every corner of Ba Na Hills, But our time is limited.

After, Bana Hills we went for a relaxing massage. Afterwards, we went to a nearby Vietnamese Pho noodle restaurant. After a long day of sightseeing, it was nice to sit down, enjoy a local meal, and relax.

It was another wonderful and memorable day in Vietnam. From the amazing views at Ba Na Hills to the exciting alpine coaster ride, relaxing massage and the delicious pho, it was a day filled with experiences I will remember.

Our Final Day in Vietnam: Dragon Bridge, Pink Church, Han Market and the Cultural Show

We started the day at the Dragon Bride, but I couldn’t stay for very long. The heat was intense, and I was already finding the weather difficult to tolerate. My friend was also feeling feverish, so it was better for us not to stay out for too long.

Afterward, the group went to to see the Pink Church, I did not join. Instead, I went to Han Market, where I browsed the stalls and bought a few pieces of linen pants. It was a simple little shopping stop, but I was happy to find something to take home with me.

After that, we waited for the bus and continued on to watch a cultural show. It was another opportunity to experience a different side of Vietnam before the trip came to an end.

From the cultural show, we went to straight to a buffet dinner. By then, it had been a long and eventful day, and everyone was getting ready for the final goodbye.

Eventually, we headed to the airport.

This was the moment when we would say goodbye to the group. Most of them were heading home, while the four of us were staying behind in Vietnam for a little longer.

First Trip Beyond the Group Tour

It felt different being on our own. This was my first trip beyond the organized group tour, and there was something exciting about having more freedom to decide where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see.

One of the places we visited was FM clothing shop that I had discovered on Facebook. I had been wanting to check it out, and I was happy that I finally I got the chance. I ended up buying a few pieces of clothing and a cap.

We also went to Lotte Mart. I picked up some souvenirs for my family and friends.

That evening, we went to Son Tra Market. It was another chance to experience the local atmosphere, browse around, and of course, eat!

My Final Day in Vietnam

I almost forgot to visit Lapin Bakery. Thankfully, my friend reminded me because it was on my bucket list.

When we got there, my eyes lit up when I saw the pastries with their cute designs.

Then we went to the airport.

Goodbye. Vietnam! See you soon.

© 2026 Eorie Faye.