Another item crossed in my to do list with a 11-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia with WoW in January. During these eleven days of traveling, I visited many places, including lantern-lit night markets, fun rides through coconut villages, and many Buddhist pagodas and temples, each with unique historical significance, French influences in Bana Hills and the heart breaking simulations of Vietnam war in Cu chi tunnels . To keep my story simple, I’ll share the places I enjoyed the most.
- Halong Bay
Imagine finding a slice of paradise tucked away in Hanoi’s bustling heart. That’s exactly what we discovered on our journey to this hidden gem of Vietnam’s capital.
Our adventure began with an hour long cruise, but the real magic started when we switched to a smaller boat, gliding through emerald waters that seemed to hold secrets of past centuries. Though our small boat journey lasted merely 20 minutes, time seemed to stand still when the massive rocks created such an atmosphere of reverence that even speaking felt like disturbing a sacred meditation. The only sound that dared break this spell – and rightfully so – was song.
We were blessed with a gift that day: a musician as a fellow traveller. As she began to sing “Zara Zara Mehek Ta Hai,” her voice floated across the still waters. The moment was pure magic – the gentle lap of water against our boat, the looming cliffs overhead, and her melodious voice weaving through it all like golden thread through silk. As her voice echoed off the ancient stones, we sat in collective awe, watching nature and music dance together in perfect harmony. Some travel moments leave footprints on your soul – this one left an entire pathway.
Next up was Thien Cung Cave, the Heavenly Palace of Halong Bay. No photograph could capture the raw majesty of this natural wonder. An immense natural cave with massive chambers and towering rock walls shaped over thousands of years. It’s a powerful reminder that some of Earth’s most magnificent creations exist far beyond the reach of human imagination – we’re merely privileged witnesses to their splendor.”
2. Open air performance at Hoi An Memory Land
This performance was a quick addition in our itinerary and Thank God to have witnessed it. The show opened like a dream when a woman dressed in pristine white Ao Dai weaving the silk threads seemed to pull stories straight from Vietnam’s rich history with her graceful hands. the string of times to bring the three stories from Vietnam’s history back to life for its audience . I remember two of these beautiful visual narrations-
One, the story of boat and sea where girl holding a lantern running back and forth on the vast white sand beach trying to “squeeze” the light out into the deep black sea looking for her boy. The staging was brilliant – the blackness of the water contrasting with the warm glow of her lantern, until finally, through the intervention of the Sea Goddess herself, fate smiled upon the lovers.
The second was the wedding of Princess Huyen Tran and King Che Man -a spectacular recreation of a golden age when marriages forged peace between kingdoms. The stage transformed into a living, breathing royal court, complete with a majestic elephant and scores of dancers in traditional costume. Their synchronized movements to the hypnotic beat of drums created a tableau so authentic, you could almost believe you’d been transported back in time.
3. The Grand Angkor Wat- City of Temples at Cambodia
For history lovers, Angkor Wat is a breathtaking site that words cannot fully capture. Built in the 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman II to honor Lord Vishnu, this temple is the last of the Hindu temples created during that time.
Every wall tells a story from ancient myths, and the temple is beautifully preserved by UNESCO. What fascinated me most is the incredible detail in the sculptures and carvings. The sandstones are intricately shaped, and the ceiling stones are carefully arranged without glue. There’s even a stone at the temple’s center that perfectly aligns with a compass at 180 degrees. Many statues have suffered from human greed—some were destroyed or stolen, while others have been partially restored, yet they still contribute to the temple’s beauty across the vast 400 acres that took 30 years to complete. Despite facing numerous threats over the years, Angkor Wat remains stunning. I can only imagine how magnificent it must have looked when it was first built, untouched by destruction.
I often learn the most interesting stories and life lessons from the diverse people , some strangers, some acquaintances , and sometimes friendships built through these journey. These are individuals I might never have encountered if I hadn’t taken these trips.
1: Snippet of future
The literature temple in Vietnam features the names of scholars carved into large stones shaped like turtles. While I was there, I saw many young people in beautiful traditional clothing, making it look like a big celebration. After asking some locals and our guide, I learned that they were posing for photos to share on social media. I noticed similar scenes throughout Hanoi, which left me puzzled about why so many seek validation this way.Perhaps, I will never understand the need of validation in this lifetime. My daughter says “Its my anxious belief that drags me to conclude that the next generation will fall apart unless they build themselves up on solid grounds than external feel good factors”. I can only hope that as time goes on, the world will find a way to adapt and improve.
2. The determination to survive ignites innovation
In today’s world, it’s hard to understand a war that lasted fifteen years because the soldiers couldn’t find the local people hiding in the forests. These people were shorter and weaker but smarter than the tall soldiers. They built tunnels, known as the Cu Chi tunnels, to hide and created traps using leftover bombs. Walking through these tunnels for just two minutes is a challenge when you think about what life was like in the 1950s. Their strength and ability to live, smile, and come up with new ideas despite living in fear for over a decade is incredible. The photos in the Cu Chi tunnel gallery are emotional, and the stories behind them show amazing willpower and creativity.
3. To take care of thyself is the pre requisite for evolution
Each of the 19 wonderful women I met on this journey, along with our inspiring lady guides, had their own unique stories of surviving and thriving in their worlds. They chose to step out of their comfort zones—some willingly, others gently persuaded by loved ones—but ultimately, it was a choice they made.
Reflecting on each of them, I am convinced that women are evolving. They nurture their world by caring for their loved ones and empower themselves by stepping away to recharge. They stand behind those who need them but are not hesitant to leave them to grow at their own pace, even if it means embarking on such trips without a familiar face.
Slowly and steadily, we are evolving. I can’t wait to see more fellow travelers joining this journey—without seeking social validation, without waiting to finish their parental responsibilities. By setting examples through actions, neither just words nor excuses, just finding their way to balance the best of both worlds—the one depending on them and the one within them.
This trip was a precious gift to myself, a chance to rejuvenate and return with renewed strength for my loved ones. As the poet Diana Ackerman beautifully expresses, “I wish not to get to the end of life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” During this journey, I felt a profound connection to the world around me, a reminder to live fully and passionately. Imagine a world where every being aspires to elevate their lives, embracing both its full length and breadth. What a magnificent world that would be to live in.. Here’s to more women stepping out, exploring, and evolving to build that world piece by piece in their own spaces.
Anecdotes of the ordinary 
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