My Activities in Vietnam
My journey to Vietnam started when I left my house with my family and headed to the airport. I was very excited because it was my first time joining this kind of trip. Although I was excited, I also felt a little nervous because I would be staying in another country for several days.
After arriving at the airport, the first thing we had to do was take a nicotine test. Everyone had to complete the test before continuing with the departure process. Fortunately, I passed the test without any problems. After that, we were given some free time, so I spent a while walking around the airport and looking at the different shops.
Later, everyone gathered together at the meeting point. After all the participants had arrived, we had dinner with our families from 8:00 PM until 10:00 PM. It was a special moment because it was our last meal together before leaving Indonesia. We talked, laughed, and enjoyed our time together. I was happy to spend those last few hours with my family before the trip began.
When dinner was over, we proceeded to the check-in counter to check in our luggage and receive our boarding passes. After completing the check-in process, it was finally time to say goodbye to our families. It was an emotional moment because we would not see them for a while. After saying goodbye, we walked toward the boarding gate.
While waiting in the boarding area, I bought some snacks and drinks to enjoy before the flight. A little later, we were called to board the airplane. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed for about one hour. Even though we had to wait longer than expected, everyone remained patient. Finally, the plane took off, and our journey to Vietnam officially began. The flight lasted about four hours. During the flight, I relaxed, looked out the window, and enjoyed the beautiful view of the clouds.
When we landed in Vietnam, we headed to the immigration checkpoint. I showed my passport to the immigration officer, and thankfully the process went smoothly. After collecting our belongings, we waited for the bus that would take us to our accommodation.
The bus ride gave me my first impression of Vietnam. I looked outside the window and saw many buildings, roads, motorcycles, and people going about their daily lives. Everything felt new and interesting because it was different from what I usually see in Indonesia.
After arriving at our accommodation, we waited while the room assignments were announced. Groups 1 and 2 received their houses first. A little later, my group, Group 3, finally got our house. Groups 4 and 5 stayed in the house next to ours. Once we entered the house, we unpacked our belongings and got familiar with our new place.
Since everyone was tired after the long journey, we took a short break. I took a shower to freshen up after traveling for many hours. After that, I lay down and slept for a while to regain my energy.
When I woke up, some of my friends and I decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. We visited a nearby Circle K convenience store. There, I bought an onigiri and a can of Monster energy drink. It was fun to explore the area and see what local convenience stores in Vietnam were like. After buying our food and drinks, we returned to the house.
Later that evening, we had dinner together. We spent some time talking, relaxing, and getting ready for the activities that would take place the next day. After dinner, I went to bed because I wanted to get enough rest.
The next morning, I woke up early for the Fajr prayer. After praying, I recited my morning dhikr before starting the day. Doing this made me feel calm and ready for the day's activities.
After that, we had breakfast together. The meal gave us enough energy for the rest of the day. Once breakfast was finished, we were told to take
another nap so that everyone would be well-rested. Later, my friends and I visited the houses where Groups 1 and 2 were staying. We spent some time together and prepared food. We cooked as a team, helping each other with different tasks until the meal was ready. Cooking together was a fun experience because everyone worked together and enjoyed the process.
After cooking and eating, we rested again and took another nap. Once we woke up, we went for another short walk around the neighborhood. We enjoyed the fresh air, talked with each other, and explored more of the surrounding area before returning to our accommodation.
Overall, my first days in Vietnam were filled with many exciting experiences. From traveling by plane, passing through immigration, settling into our accommodation, exploring the neighborhood, shopping at Circle K, cooking with my friends, and spending time together, every activity became a memorable part of my journey. I am looking forward to experiencing even more exciting activities during the rest of my stay in Vietnam.
During my seven days in Vietnam, I had a lot of unforgettable experiences. One of the most exciting parts of the trip was trying different kinds of Vietnamese food. It wasn't always easy to find halal food, so my friends and I had to be careful when choosing what to eat. Fortunately, throughout the entire week, I didn't eat pork, at least not as far as I know.
Whenever we had free time, I enjoyed exploring the city. I often stopped by Circle K to buy snacks and drinks such as onigiri, Monster Energy, and other convenience store foods. Even though they were simple meals, it was fun to experience the local convenience stores because they offered many products that I had never seen before.
I also visited several cafés during my stay. Each café had a unique atmosphere, and it was a great place to relax after walking around the city. Spending time there with friends, enjoying drinks, and talking about our experiences made the trip even more enjoyable.
A few days later, I went to the lake with my friends, Nuzul and Chaesar. We walked around, enjoyed the beautiful view, took some photos, and spent quality time together. It was one of the most relaxing moments of the trip because the weather was pleasant and the scenery was beautiful.
Every morning, we went to the local market to buy fresh ingredients for breakfast and lunch. We usually bought meat, tofu, fruits, and other groceries. After shopping, we returned to our accommodation and cooked everything ourselves on the fifth floor. Preparing meals together became part of our daily routine, and it was a fun experience because everyone helped with cooking, cleaning, and serving the food.
Overall, my time in Vietnam was an amazing experience. Besides exploring new places, I learned how to adapt to different food options, experienced the local culture, and created many great memories with my friends. Even though finding halal food was sometimes challenging, the trip was still enjoyable, and I would love to visit Vietnam again in the future.
On the sixth day, I met an Indonesian student who was studying in Vietnam. It was nice to meet someone from my home country while I was abroad. We had a chance to talk and share our experiences about living and traveling in Vietnam.
Later that day, I performed the Friday prayer at the only mosque in Hanoi. I was happy to finally visit the mosque and pray together with Muslims from different countries. It was a meaningful experience because it reminded me that, even in a country where Muslims are a minority, there is still a welcoming Muslim community.
After the Friday prayer, we were given free time until the Asr prayer. I decided to walk around the area near the mosque and explore the neighborhood. During my walk, I visited Uniqlo to look around and check out some clothes. After spending some time there, I returned to the mosque to perform the Asr prayer.
Once the prayer was finished, I headed back to our accommodation by using a Green SM electric taxi. The ride was comfortable and relaxing after a long day of walking around the city. It was a great way to end another memorable day in Vietnam.
On the final full day of our trip in Vietnam, my friends and I had the opportunity to explore Hanoi through a city tour. Unlike the previous days, we were divided into small groups and allowed to travel independently using Green SM taxis. Before leaving, our teachers gave each group 1,000,000 VND to cover transportation and other expenses. We immediately agreed that we would use the money wisely, especially for transportation, because we knew we would be moving around the city a lot.
The day started early in the morning at our accommodation. Everyone was busy getting ready, taking showers, packing their bags, and preparing everything they needed for the tour. My group waited outside the accommodation because some of our friends were still getting ready. While waiting, we chatted, joked around, and discussed the places we wanted to visit. Everyone looked excited because this was one of the few days where we had more freedom to explore Hanoi on our own.On the final full day of our trip in Vietnam, my friends and I had the opportunity to explore Hanoi through a city tour. Unlike the previous days, we were divided into small groups and allowed to travel independently using Green SM taxis. Before leaving, our teachers gave each group 1,000,000 VND to cover transportation and other expenses. We immediately agreed that we would use the money wisely, especially for transportation, because we knew we would be moving around the city a lot.
The day started early in the morning at our accommodation. Everyone was busy getting ready, taking showers, packing their bags, and preparing everything they needed for the tour. My group waited outside the accommodation because some of our friends were still getting ready. While waiting, we chatted, joked around, and discussed the places we wanted to visit. Everyone looked excited because this was one of the few days where we had more freedom to explore Hanoi on our own.
After everyone was finally ready, we walked together to our meeting point in front of a Mixue store. We thought we would leave immediately, but another group had not arrived yet. We had to wait for quite a long time because they were running late, and no one really knew why. Although it was a little boring, we spent the time taking photos, talking with each other, and enjoying the morning atmosphere of Hanoi.
Once all the groups had gathered, we booked a Green SM electric taxi and headed to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, one of the most famous landmarks in Vietnam. During the ride, I looked out the window and enjoyed seeing the busy streets of Hanoi. There were countless motorcycles, people walking on the sidewalks, cafés opening for business, and local vendors selling food. It was interesting to observe how different daily life in Vietnam was compared to Indonesia.
When we arrived at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, we waited for the other groups because they wanted to take pictures outside the building. The mausoleum itself looked massive and very well maintained. The surrounding gardens were clean, and soldiers stood guard everywhere. Their discipline was incredible, and visitors were expected to follow strict rules while visiting the area.
After everyone was finally ready, we walked together to our meeting point in front of a Mixue store. We thought we would leave immediately, but another group had not arrived yet. We had to wait for quite a long time because they were running late, and no one really knew why. Although it was a little boring, we spent the time taking photos, talking with each other, and enjoying the morning atmosphere of Hanoi.
Once all the groups had gathered, we booked a Green SM electric taxi and headed to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, one of the most famous landmarks in Vietnam. During the ride, I looked out the window and enjoyed seeing the busy streets of Hanoi. There were countless motorcycles, people walking on the sidewalks, cafés opening for business, and local vendors selling food. It was interesting to observe how different daily life in Vietnam was compared to Indonesia.
When we arrived at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, we waited for the other groups because they wanted to take pictures outside the building.
The mausoleum itself looked massive and very well maintained. The surrounding gardens were clean, and soldiers stood guard everywhere. Their discipline was incredible, and visitors were expected to follow strict rules while visiting the area.
Before entering the mausoleum, everyone had to pass through a security checkpoint. We were instructed to leave our cameras before entering the building. Surprisingly, DJI Osmo cameras were allowed inside, but taking photos or videos was still strictly forbidden. The officers reminded us to remain silent, walk in line, and show respect throughout the visit.
We then followed the designated path toward the entrance. As we got closer, I noticed a line of soldiers standing perfectly still in formation. Their movements were precise, and the atmosphere became much more serious. We entered the building, turned left as instructed, and slowly walked up a short flight of stairs.
Soon we reached the room where the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh rests. The room was extremely cold, very dark, and completely silent. Everyone walked slowly without speaking. There was no music, no conversations, and no camera sounds—only complete silence. The atmosphere inside was impossible to describe with words. It felt very respectful, emotional, and unlike any place I had ever visited before. I truly believe that the only way to understand the feeling is by experiencing it yourself.
After leaving the mausoleum, we decided to have lunch before visiting another attraction. I ordered Vietnamese fried rice because I was quite hungry after walking around all morning. Even though it was a simple meal, it tasted delicious, especially after spending several hours outdoors. We sat together, shared stories, and enjoyed our lunch before continuing our journey.
Next, we visited a museum, although I honestly cannot remember its name. The building looked more like a temple or a place of worship than
a typical museum. The architecture was beautiful, with traditional Vietnamese designs and impressive decorations. The entrance fee was around 70,000 VND per person.
Inside the museum, I spent most of my time taking pictures and learning about Vietnam's history. There were many historical artifacts, statues, paintings, and cultural displays explaining the country's past. What surprised me the most was seeing many Vietnamese people praying in front of the statues. It was interesting to witness how history, culture, and religion were closely connected in that place.
After exploring the museum, I wanted to perform my prayers at An-Noor Mosque, the only mosque in Hanoi. However, just as I reached the exit, heavy rain suddenly started pouring down. Since I was carrying my camera equipment, I decided to wait under a shelter because I didn't want my camera to get wet. I watched the rain while waiting patiently for it to become lighter.
Once the rain slowed down, I booked another Green SM taxi and headed to An-Noor Mosque. After arriving, I performed my prayers while waiting for the rain to stop completely. It felt peaceful to rest inside the mosque after spending hours walking around the city.
When I finished praying, one of my friends invited me to walk around the area because he heard there were several souvenir shops nearby. We explored the neighborhood together and found many interesting souvenirs such as magnets, keychains, T-shirts, and handmade crafts. I bought a few souvenirs for my family and friends back home so they could also have a small memory from my trip to Vietnam.
After buying souvenirs, I separated from that group and joined another friend who wanted to visit Uniqlo. We booked another Green SM taxi and traveled there together. While my friend was shopping for clothes, I walked to a nearby 7-Eleven to buy a cold drink. After spending the entire day walking around Hanoi, the drink felt incredibly refreshing.
Once my friend finished shopping, we decided to continue our adventure by visiting the famous Train Street Coffee. We were excited because it is one of Hanoi's most popular tourist attractions. However, shortly after we arrived, my friend suddenly realized that his bag was missing.
He immediately thought he had left it at Uniqlo. Without wasting any time, we booked another Green SM taxi and rushed back to the store. We searched every corner of the shop but couldn't find it. We started feeling nervous because the bag contained important belongings.
Then suddenly, one of our friends called us. The plot twist was that my friend hadn't actually lost his bag. Earlier that day, he had asked another friend to carry it for him, but he had completely forgotten about it. As soon as we realized what had happened, we all laughed. The stressful situation instantly turned into one of the funniest moments of the entire trip.
After finding our friend who had been carrying the bag, we decided to relax for a while beside a beautiful lake. We sat together, enjoyed the peaceful scenery, and talked about everything that had happened during the day. Looking back, we realized how many unexpected adventures we had already experienced.
Eventually, we headed toward the final meeting point shared by our teachers in the WhatsApp group. On the way, we passed a famous red bridge that looked beautiful against the surrounding trees and lake. Many tourists were taking pictures there, so we stopped briefly to admire the view before continuing.
When everyone had gathered, our teacher surprised us by giving each group another 200,000 VND. We agreed that this money would only be used for Green SM transportation instead of buying food because we still needed transportation to return to our accommodation later.
Not long afterward, we had dinner at KFC. Everyone was exhausted after walking around all day, so sitting down together for a proper meal felt wonderful. We shared stories about our different adventures and laughed at the funny misunderstanding about the missing bag.
While we were eating, one of our teachers called and told us to return to the accommodation. Unfortunately, the streets around us were closed because of a Car-Free Day event, making it impossible to book a Green SM or Grab taxi.
Since we couldn't leave immediately, we decided to explore the nearby night market. The market was lively, filled with colorful lights, street food, clothing stalls, and local vendors. We bought a few snacks, walked around, and enjoyed the energetic atmosphere before trying to head back.
After leaving the market, we suddenly realized another problem. The phone we were carrying didn't have the Green SM application installed, so we couldn't book a taxi ourselves. We immediately called our teacher for help. He told us to walk all the way to An-Noor Mosque, where he would order a Green SM taxi for us.
We followed his instructions and walked quite a long distance. When the taxi finally arrived, it stopped at the wrong location. We asked the driver if he could move closer, but he refused. We had no choice but to continue walking until we finally reached the pickup point.
Before returning to our accommodation, we stopped by Mixue one last time. I ordered a Fresh Lemon drink because I wanted something cold and refreshing after such a long and tiring day. It was the perfect drink to end our adventure around Hanoi.
Finally, we returned to our accommodation. I took a shower, cleaned my belongings, organized my luggage, and prepared everything for the journey home. After such a long day filled with history, culture, shopping, unexpected problems, and unforgettable memories, I was completely exhausted. I lay down on my bed and quickly fell asleep.
Looking back, this final day was definitely one of the most memorable parts of my seven-day trip to Vietnam. From visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and learning about Vietnamese history to praying at An-Noor Mosque, shopping with friends, getting caught in the rain, searching for a "lost" bag, exploring the night market, and ending the day with a
refreshing drink from Mixue, every moment became a special memory
that I will always remember. If I ever have the opportunity to visit Hanoi again, I would love to experience all of these places one more time.