We started praying about it. We didn’t inform our friends nor our family because we want to put everything into the hands of God. If it is His will, everything will go smoothly. We agreed to tell our family when the time has come.
To be candid, it wasn't easy for me. I was scammed in the first week of 2025. I will share that story in due time. My resources were depleted. I’ve always been careful with how to handle my money but to be scammed was a painful and a humbling experience as I was literally forced to live by faith. I mean, I used to live by faith but not this kind of situation. Yes, I learned the hard way but God is faithful.
May 5, 2025, Monday.
I left Kalibo with a broken heart. Kind of troubled because Nang Baby was in the ICU. It all happened so suddenly. The last time I saw her was on Saturday, May 3, 2025. We talked about work and my upcoming trip to Vietnam. It was a light and joyful conversation. She laughed so freely, as if she had been completely set free from something. The joy she had that day felt different.
I
asked myself, “Is it really God’s will for me to travel to Vietnam? Then why
did all of this happen? We had prayed about this trip, so why?”. I had the option not to go, but everything was already prepared. Then I
remembered: the enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. He had already
stolen my finances, killed my momentum of joy, and tried to destroy the plans
we had made but no, I have to go.
Everything is set. There’s no turning back.
I marked my 10th anniversary at RTC, and this trip to Vietnam was a gift to myself, a celebration of another milestone in my life. Though the enemy tried to ruin everything, God's faithfulness and goodness prevailed.
May 6, 2025, Tuesday.
Che and I arrived at Hanoi Airport early in the morning and spent about two hours at immigration due to the massive influx of tourists. There were only a few officers on duty, so the line was understandably long.
What amazed me was that when we arrived at the hotel, the lobby lights were off and the receptionists were sleeping, yet the door was open. This kind of setup would be unusual in the Philippines, but in Vietnam, it seemed completely normal. Apparently, sleeping during the graveyard shift is acceptable there.
The service at Golden Rooster Hotel in Hanoi was excellent. They served a buffet breakfast each morning, and it was delicious. The spread included local dishes, which we truly enjoyed. The staff were courteous and kind.
The Feeling of Being a Millionaire
One of the things that amused me was that, in Vietnam, you’re technically a millionaire. Your ₱2,500 is worth over one million Vietnamese dong. So, if you want to experience what it’s like to be a millionaire at least in terms of currency, Vietnam is the place to be.
The Explorer Gemsky
After breakfast, we explored Hanoi, and one of my favorite spots was the church. I needed to "check my attendance," and thankfully, it was granted—we were able to find St. Joseph’s Cathedral. According to Google, it’s the oldest church in Hanoi. Despite having gone through two fierce wars, the church still stands peacefully amid the bustling city, bearing witness to Hanoi’s many ups and downs.
At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to see the inside since the main door was closed. So I simply offered a prayer at the gate, facing the church but when I found out there was a side door, we went in—and I was awed by its magnificence and sense of holiness.
In the afternoon, we went on a food tour. We met our tour guide in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and to my surprise, she was a student. Her name is "Albert Hiền." She’s charming and cute, right? If you’re planning to visit Hanoi, you can contact her at +84 345 077 824.
What I liked most about her was her openness to explore the world and her willingness to share her story with us. She told us why she works, how she manages her classes, and how being a tour guide helps her support her studies.
The Food Tour
Albert Hiền arranged our food tour and we got to taste the local delicacies. We ate, we walked a lot and we have fun along the way but above all, we were absolutely stuffed from the food tour. I felt sorry for our tour guide because she was brokenhearted when we were not able to finish the last dish. We can’t eat another bite so left the restaurant without finishing our food.
Listed are the food arranged for us: 1. steamed pyramid- shaped rice dumplings 2. Vietnamese Fried Glutinous Rice Balls 3. Vietnamese empanadas/ pillow-shaped dumplings, fried spring rolls, grilled meat wrapped in betel leaves 4. Vietnamese crispy pancake/ fried rice pancake/ sizzled pancake 5. grilled meat skewers + baked banana cake 6. Bún chả (Vietnamese noodles with grilled pork) + glass noodles salad 7. sweet soup 8. coffee at the train street.
The Patriotism of Hanoi
Patriotism
in Hanoi is clearly visible. It seems that it’s no longer just about history —
it has become part of everyday life. The people of Hanoi have a deep love and
respect for their country. Walking through the streets of the Old Quarter feels
like stepping back in time. Flags are everywhere — from the national flag to
the five-colored flag, and more.
The streets are full of life, with small tables and chairs lining the sidewalks, something that truly amused me. They proudly promote their local products to preserve their cultural legacy. Vegetables are abundant too — it seems like no meal is ever served without leafy greens.
The Celebrity Train
We ended our food tour at Train Street, where people eagerly wait for the train to pass by as if it were a celebrity. To join the trend, I also took a video of the train and after it passed, I thought to myself, "What’s the big deal?" Honestly, I couldn’t understand the hype.
Well, for some, it truly is an incredible and up-close experience watching a train pass just inches away from homes, cafés, and tourists. It’s something you can’t find in most parts of the world.
Their
famous Vietnamese Egg Yolk Coffee, called Cà phê trứng, was really good and they also have their
local Hanoi beer, which added to the experience. After staying for quite some
time, we let go of our tour guide and continued to explore the area on our own.
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