After I graduated from college, I made a list of the countries I wanted to visit (I can’t find now my small notebook anymore to show it as proof), and Vietnam was one of them. I was mesmerized by its beauty and dreamed of experiencing a scenic boat cruise along its rivers. It took me years to finally make it happen, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Thanks to my travel buddy, Cherry May, who planned our itinerary. She often travels abroad, so I let her handle most of the planning, but she still asked for my opinion from time to time to make sure I agreed with everything.
Our second-day tour was arranged by the hotel, and our tour guide picked us up before we boarded a bus to Ninh Binh. Due to traffic congestion and delays in picking up other tourists, the trip took about three hours. Since motorcycles are the main mode of transportation in Vietnam, I was amused by the colorful helmets I saw along the way.
One of the things I liked about our tour was their effective tourism strategy. They made sure we visited their tourism convenience store and introduced us to their delicacies and products. The tour guide showed us where to buy delicacies at affordable prices and even warned us about deceitful sellers. They were very careful to do this in order to protect the image of their tourism industry.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
When we arrived at Hoa Lu, I was completely awestruck by its beauty. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Vietnam’s first capital, glowed with a bright, refreshing energy that instantly soothed my soul. There was something strangely familiar about the place, as if I had walked through it before in a dream. Standing there, I realized that dream had finally come true.
As a nature lover, I found myself enchanted by the sight of the mountains, the calm river, the lush green grass, and the graceful architecture that whispered stories of the past. If only we’d had more time, I would have loved to wander around and take it all in but lunch was waiting, and our next adventure was calling.
A Stop Over For Lunch
While on our way to the restaurant, I saw a scenic boat ride along the river. I hoped I would get to experience it myself but little did I know, it was already part of our tour! A childlike happiness bubbled up inside me as I anticipated cruising along the river exactly as I had dreamed.
We enjoyed the delicious food at lunch as well as the beautiful scenery. It was very relaxing and comfortable. We had a nice chitchat with other tourists, and we learned from each other's lives and travel experiences.
Tam Coc
Tam Coc means Three Caves in Vietnamese, referring to three natural caves formed by the Ngo Dong River flowing through limestone mountains. Why they called it “Halong Bay on land”? because its landscape looks very similar to Ha Long Bay, but instead of rising out of the sea, the limestone karst mountains rise from rice fields and rivers on land. That serene natural landscape captivated me.
I also couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like during the war traversing this river in the midst of these mountains, with rice paddies on either side and towering cliff looming overhead, as if someone were watching, ready to ambush you. That’s just my wild imagination but it made the experience even more vivid.
Our last destination was Mua Cave, also known as the Dancing Cave, often called “The Great Wall of Vietnam” and considered the most beautiful viewpoint in Ninh Binh. The mountain at Mua Cave is called Lying Dragon Mountain, named after the massive stone dragon statue at the summit which I could only see from afar, as I was too exhausted to climb. I think there were about 150 more steps to reach the top from where I stopped.
To be honest, climbing Mua Cave was really challenging because of the steep, towering 500 steps, and the path splits into two at a fork. The left path leads to Ngoa Long Peak, the highest point, where you’ll find the dragon statue and a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The right path leads to Stupa Peak, which is lower and features a Buddhist stupa. On top of that, the steps are irregular in both height and width.
Since our time was short, I chose the left path but still didn’t reach the top. I’m not very physically fit, and I value my safety. I was perfectly content to admire the wonders of God’s creation from where I was. It was absolutely breathtaking. Of course, it’s God — everything He creates is good, perfectly good.
Lotus Pond and Bamboo Path
Before sunset, we wandered down to the lotus pond at the base of Mua Cave. My phone died after just a few shots, so thanks to my amazing friend Cherry for snapping pics for me! Honestly, seeing the lotus pond in real life was so surreal. I’ve only ever seen scenes like this in C-dramas and K-dramas. We ran into some kababayans, had a quick chat, and then went on our way.
What an amazing trip — tiring but rewarding. When we reached our hotel, I received a message that Nang Baby had truly gone to the Lord. That news devastated me. I knew in my heart that God had granted the desire of Nang Baby’s heart, because she once told me that if she ever had the chance to meet Jesus, she would not return to the earth. May 7, 2025, it became final, and my heart grieves deeply. I had already been grieving before coming to Vietnam, and after a few days, she finally left.
Bia Hoi in Hanoi
When Cherry May told me that we were going to have a beer session, I was kind of hesitant. First, I was tired and wanted to rest. Second, I just wanted to stabilize my emotions, but I didn’t want to ruin the mood of vacation and enjoyment, so I decided to go along with her. Maybe, she was a little upset because I responded differently, but deep inside, I understood that she just wanted to lift me up during my lowest moment, since I had been deeply hurt. I found it kind of amusing in a way that she wanted me to let loose, even for a while, but I was still reserved. Probably, she was annoyed and a bit frustrated because she was ready to have fun, and I ended up being the killjoy. I’m not sure if she was aware at the time that I was suppressing an emotional crisis, but I knew that she understood my personality, so she didn’t push it further.
We enjoyed the traditional beer in Hanoi called Bia Hơi. It’s a fresh, unpasteurized draft beer brewed daily and served in small, casual street-side spots. I only had a few glasses to be safe because I’m a wine drinker, not a beer drinker, and I always get an upset stomach if I drink too much beer. One or two glasses are perfect for me; anything more, and my stomach would stage a revolt.
What an amazing day indeed. There were ups and downs, but the greatness of the Lord still stands. The enemy tried to steal my joy, but I wouldn’t let him. That saying, “Don’t be too happy, something bad will happen,” is only the superstitions of man and not of God. The devil may want to steal the joy God has given, but it’s up to us whether we give him that right. If we don’t allow him, our joy remains.
Just like what happened, the entire day was amazing. In the evening, sad news arrived, but I chose to rejoice because I had to. This trip was ordained by God, and He has made all things beautiful for me. I should embrace it and stand firm, not allowing the enemy to steal it from me because in everything, there is a proper time.
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