Five Friends, One Journey: Review of Soumya & Group’s Vietnam Adventure with Thrillophilia
When Soumya Ranjan Tripathy suggested Vietnam for a vacation in December, the idea clicked right away. His wife, Nirupama, was excited; his brother, Rohan, was up for it; his wife, Jayashree, jumped in; and the youngest person in the group, Namrata, said yes right away. They eagerly anticipated a journey that promised rich history, stunning landscapes, and endless enjoyment.
The problem? Five people are coming, which sounded like a lot of work to plan hotels, tours, and transfers. But Soumya planned the whole trip with Thrillophilia, and all the problems with coordinating went away. Before they even got on the plane, everything was set up, from early check-ins in Hanoi to day trips in Ninh Binh and cruise plans in Halong.
Touchdown in Hanoi
The capital greeted them with its usual December chill. Scooters fill the streets, shop signs glow, and vendors sell pho from stalls along the road.
"Where do we even begin?" Jayashree laughed and held her scarf tighter. The itinerary took care of them. First stop: Hoa Lo Prison, a place full of stories of strength. Namrata filmed parts of the museum while Soumya walked slowly and read every plaque. After that, they went to the Temple of Literature, where Nirupama whispered, "Imagine studying here hundreds of years ago..." It felt like a holy place.
By nightfall, the soft light made Hoan Kiem Lake sparkle. Rohan crossed the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple and looked around. He said, "This city feels alive." It feels like it's letting us in slowly.
Ninh Binh: The watercolour Countryside
Day one was busy in Hanoi, but the next day was quiet in Ninh Binh. It looked like a painting, and it is called "Halong Bay on the Land".
They floated between limestone karsts and golden-green rice paddies on sampan boats. The oarwoman rowed with her feet, and Namrata gasped, "She's rowing better than we walk!" Everyone laughed, and the sound bounced off cliffs that looked like they had been there forever.
They rode their bikes through the village paths to get to Bich Dong Pagoda. Jayashree sat still for a while, watching the smoke from the incense rise into the air. She said, "This is the first time I feel like my mind has slowed down," and everyone agreed.
Halong Bay’s Spell
If Ninh Binh is a poem, Halong Bay is pure magic, as the cruise moved through green waters, with enormous cliffs all around them like guards. The two of them leaned over the railings of the deck and were speechless.
"Are we really on Earth right now?" Nirupama whispered as she held Soumya's hand.
They took a cooking class that night. Rohan said his spring rolls were "the ugliest roll in Vietnam," which made everyone laugh. Later, when the boat stopped for the night, they sat under a sky full of stars. Namrata wrote in her journal, "I think happiness looks like this: friends, family, water, and silence."
Surprise in Da Nang
The activities included practicing Tai Chi on the deck in the morning, exploring caves, and taking a flight to Da Nang. The group only wanted a change of scenery. What they didn't know was that Thrillophilia had planned a surprise for them.
Soumya and Nirupama were celebrating their wedding anniversary. There was a cake with their names on it in the lobby of the hotel. Everyone in the group clapped as the couple cut it, and the hotel staff joined in with big smiles. Nirupama got a little teary-eyed. "I don't know how they knew," she said in a low voice. Soumya smiled knowingly; Thrillophilia had quietly arranged it during the trip planning.
Walking on Hands, Lantern Dreams
The next day was all about Ba Na Hills. Two huge stone hands held up the Golden Bridge, giving it a worldly appearance. Soumya stood still, taking it all in, while Jayashree took pictures from every angle. She smiled and said, "No one will believe me if I don't post this."
Later, Hoi An greeted them with streets lit by lanterns. The group walked by the Japanese Covered Bridge, tried steaming bowls of noodles at the Central Market, and let themselves get lost in the old town's charm.
Namrata sighed, "I want this moment to last forever," as lanterns floated down the Thu Bon River. Rohan said, "Don't worry; it's already in our memories."
Back Home, But Changed
The trip ended too soon. When the five friends wheeled their bags out of the Trivandrum airport, they laughed about things that only they knew about. For example, Rohan fell off his bike in Ninh Binh, Jayashree loves Vietnamese coffee, and Soumya almost cried when they surprised her with a cake for their anniversary. This trip wasn't just a vacation; it was a way to spend time together and make memories that bring them closer together.
They did not have to concern themselves with logistical arrangements at all, which was arguably the greatest gift of all. They could just enjoy the trip because Thrillophilia took care of the planning.
Read More: Thrillophilia Vietnam Reviews