Embracing the Wonders of Nature- Shailendra’s Vietnam Family Trip with Thrillophilia
We come from Mumbai, where the concrete jungles leave no space to take a long breath without taking in tonnes of dust particles. That is why each travel plan we make does not take us closer to any city areas, we always aim to go somewhere where our souls and bodies can get some rest.
Nature is the best healer, standing way above the typical lifestyle of cities. Our family believes that staying away from technology and all the comforts of life and nurturing oneself amidst nature is the best way to rejuvenate yourself.
Although that is not entirely possible at all times, given the direction in which the entire world is heading, nothing is possible without an internet connection nowadays. But our aim always remains to go as far away as possible from all these.
So, last year we decided upon the destination of Vietnam for a sweet family retreat of 7 days with Thrillophilia.
2023 took us to Vietnam
Unconventional, unique landscapes, and rich heritage. These three features attracted us to this destination, alongside the fact that it made for a very pocket-friendly trip.
We all were quite excited about this experience, but despite hours of research stretching across days, we knew much less about this place. Of course, being a rising star in the travel and tourism industry, there was not enough information available about the place like those of Europe or America.
But you know what, sometimes, going off-track brings you back on track.
This is what we expected out of our Vietnam trip, and not to spoil the ending, but it did stand up to our expectations, rather went much beyond it.
The first experience that I would like to share with the readers about this trip would be our cycling experience. The landscapes of Vietnam are so serene and soothing that taking a cycling tour seemed like the best way to explore the countryside of Hanoi.
Designated cycling trails winding through forests, past vast grasslands and farmlands, leading up to some picturesque viewpoints– from where the dotting hills and the green surroundings made a special guest appearance.
Following that we went for a casual stroll around the Train Street market in the evening. It was a Sunday and we got to see trains passing through the market. It was a strange experience, to be honest, the full-fledged market rolled back their shades till the train passed and then unfurled them again over the train line. My daughter was shocked, more than surprised, that no one gets hurt with such an operational method of the market, and that it still happens in the country.
I responded, “Perhaps that is their way of preserving their ancient culture”
Anyway, it was late in the evening and we were starving so we tried some amazing street food from the area. After munching on some Banh Xeo and Cau Lau, we tried Pho and Xoi, and after that, we could not try any desserts. Everything was made of fresh ingredients and each dish was so wholesome that we enjoyed it a lot.
The marketplace itself was wonderfully decorated with fairy lights, Chinese lanterns, and banners, with the smell of fries filling the air along with some local funky music. It was a vibe and quite a nice one!
It's the time to disco Dive!
We went scuba diving in the Cham Islands, which was a great decision as the crowds were much less here, and the waters were much cleaner. The rich marine life including hydras and millions of fish roaming in their formations were enough to give us a memory to cherish for a lifetime. And upon that, this helped us have a great time together, bonding as a team and as a family better.
Moving on, we went to the Golden Hand Bridge in Ba Na Hills which seemed kind of scary at first for me and my wife. But seeing my daughter hop gleefully on the skywalk, we gained confidence and then started treading on it cautiously, eventually covering the entire stretch.
We had a one-day stay in Halong Bay, which was truly a blessing because the mesmerising vistas of this destination elevated our mood to a whole new level. The sea was calm, flaunting its blue hues with confidence. And the seamounts covered with thick emerald foliage added a layer of excitement to it. The scenery looked too good as if the brilliance of Nature’s artwork was reflected here.
We went for a nice long boat tour around the archipelagos of the place, ending the trip with a sunset-watching experience.
All the worries of the world seemed to fade away, and we lived in that moment, silent, our gazes reaching to the farthest point of the horizon.
To Life and Nature
Food, shelter, and clothes are the basic necessities for any human race to survive. Vietnam had all of these, but the methods of extracting them or making them were completely different from what we had known. The farming methods, the clothing materials, and the food ingredients seemed exotic even to us, being fellow Asians.
Our last stop was Nihn Bihn. We were spellbound to witness its sights- expanses of green-yellow lands spotted with towering hills housing various species of tropical trees, animals, and birds.
The place is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trang An Landscape Complex, and Tam Coc which is often called "Ha Long Bay on land". This was perhaps one of the most beautiful experiences that we had till date as a family. This destination was the perfect choice for travellers like us.
But it did ignite some thoughts in my mind that can potentially shape our future trips-
Asia is a storehouse of surprises, and exploring this part of the world is more important than others. The natural masterpieces with human lives depending upon them underline the significant importance of co-dependence and mutual respect, which I think is the call of the time.
So, with this hopeful note, we bid adieu! We shall see you again Thrillophilia, soon enough!
Read More: Thrillophilia Vietnam Reviews