Soumya & Friends’ Memorable Vietnam Journey with Thrillophilia: A Review

Soumya Ranjan Tripathy, his wife Nirupama, his brother Rohan, his wife Jayashree and their close friend Namrata all believed that Vietnam would be the ideal vacation destination in December. There were two couples and one younger sister-like person in the group. They wanted a mix of history, scenery, food, and laughter. It sounded like a nightmare to plan for five people, but booking through Thrillophilia took all the stress away, everything was set up ahead of time, from flights to hotels to local tours.

First Thoughts on Hanoi

Their trip started in Hanoi, where scooters zipped through the streets and old French colonial buildings stood proudly next to modern cafes. After checking in early, much to their relief, the group embarked on a gentle exploration of the city. Hoa Lo Prison was an eerie place; it was full of stories of struggle and strength. Nirupama stayed at the Temple of Literature longer because she was interested in how education used to be a very spiritual thing. Later, they went to Ngoc Son Temple and watched the red bridge glow in the evening light as the sun set behind Hoan Kiem Lake. At that point, the five of them understood that this trip was more than just seeing the sights; it was about experiencing Vietnam's living history.

Finding out what makes Ninh Binh special

The next day, they left the busy city behind and went to Ninh Binh, which locals call "Halong Bay on land." It was like stepping into a watercolour painting and floating in a sampan boat through Tam Coc's limestone karst and green rice paddies. Jayashree joked that it looked like nature had set up the whole scene for their pictures. Namrata, the youngest person in the group, couldn't stop taking pictures. The quiet bike ride to Bich Dong Pagoda gave them something they didn't know they needed: peace. Soumya loved riding her bike through small villages and waving at kids playing along the side of the road.

Magic in Halong Bay

Halong Bay was like a dream come true, while Ninh Binh was just a dream. As their cruise ship left the marina, the emerald waters seemed to go on forever, and limestone cliffs rose like guardians of another world. They all stood on the deck, wide-eyed and quiet, as if talking would ruin the moment. Rohan, who was usually the most restless of the group, stood still with his hand around Nirupama and just stared. Later, they laughed again when they tried a cooking class on the boat. They messed up the spring rolls, but they were still tasty.

That night, as they fell asleep in the calm of the bay, the couples whispered about how lucky they were to be able to see it together. Namrata later said that it was the first time she felt like she was in a painting instead of just looking at one.

Da Nang and a Surprise for the Anniversary

Tai Chi on the deck the next morning was a nice way to start their day before they went to the cave. The Surprise Cave was huge and amazing, with stalactites that looked like sculptures made by nature. They were on a flight to Da Nang by night.

What Thrillophilia had secretly planned was something none of them saw coming. Soumya and Nirupama were celebrating their wedding anniversary. Their Thrillophilia trip planner had arranged for a cake to be waiting for them at their Da Nang hotel. Everyone in the lobby cheered as the couple cut the cake, and the staff joined in with smiles. For Nirupama, that surprise made a lovely holiday into something she will never forget.

Lantern Streets and Golden Bridges

Ba Na Hills was the best part of their time in Da Nang. The Golden Bridge, which was held up by huge stone hands, looked like it was from another world. It felt like stepping into a fantasy world to walk across it with the cool mountain air on their faces. The group at Sun World laughed as they rode weird rides and played silly games.

Later, the streets of Hoi An, which were lit by lanterns, stole everyone's heart. They walked by the Japanese Covered Bridge, tried some snacks at the Central Market, and got lost in dark alleys with soft lights. Namrata said that Hoi An seemed like it had been waiting for them. They knew this city would stay in their minds long after the trip was over when they sat by the river with bowls of noodles and glowing lanterns floating by.

A trip to remember

Their last morning came too quickly. When they got back to the Trivandrum airport in India, their bags were heavier with souvenirs and their hearts were fuller with memories. They laughed about little things, like the time Rohan fell off his bike in Ninh Binh, Jayashree's obsession with Vietnamese coffee, Namrata's endless video reels, and Soumya's quiet tears during the anniversary surprise.

It wasn't always easy to plan trips with family and friends in their 30s. But since Thrillophilia took care of the logistics, they could concentrate on each other and the experiences. What started out as just another vacation plan turned into a spiritual journey that brought them closer, gave them stories to tell for years, and made them want to go back to Vietnam again and again.

Read More: Thrillophilia Vietnam Reviews