Last Day in Vietnam – Enjoying the Moment Before Moving On
There was no specific agenda for the day, unlike the previous ones. Nevertheless, it still held a special meaning for me, as it was our final day in Vietnam before continuing our journey to the next country. I used the time to rest, complete a few tasks, and cherish the togetherness with my friends before leaving Hanoi.
As usual, I woke up around 5:00 AM. The morning air in Hanoi was still very cool, and the atmosphere outside the hostel was quite peaceful. Right after waking up, I took wudu (ablution) to perform the Fajr prayer. I always try to start the day with worship so that every activity I do receives blessings and smooth guidance.
After finishing my prayers, I didn't go back to the room to rest. It was my turn to cook breakfast for everyone staying at the hostel. We had divided the chores the night before so that each person would get a turn to cook during our stay in Vietnam.
I headed to the small kitchen in the hostel and prepared the ingredients we had bought a few days prior. A few friends helped me prepare the tableware while I cooked. Even though the kitchen was simple, the atmosphere was lively. We joked around while waiting for the food to cook, chatting about the experiences we had gone through during our time in Vietnam.
Before long, the aroma of the food filled the room. Once everything was ready, we set the table and called the others for breakfast. We enjoyed the meal with deep gratitude. The morning atmosphere felt warm as we ate while discussing our upcoming travel plans for the next country. Some couldn't wait to continue the journey, while others felt sad to leave Vietnam, which had given us so many beautiful memories.
After breakfast, I immediately cleaned up the dishes and brought my dirty clothes to the top floor of the hostel to do laundry. From the rooftop, I had a clearer view of the Hanoi cityscape. The weather was bright, so I expected the hanging clothes to dry quickly. While washing, I occasionally soaked in the surroundings, reminiscing about the various experiences I had undergone over the past few days.
Once the laundry was done, I went back to my room to start packing my belongings. Since we were continuing our journey to another country the following day, I wanted to ensure everything was neatly organized inside my carrier bag. I double-checked every single item—clothes, toiletries, travel documents, chargers, and the souvenirs I had bought in Vietnam.
I also reopened the packing list I had made before leaving Indonesia to make sure nothing was left behind. I realized that taking care of one's belongings is a crucial responsibility when traveling as a backpacker. After confirming everything was complete, I felt relieved knowing I wouldn't have to rush on the morning of our departure.
With packing finished, I used my free time to continue writing my backpacker travel journal, which was one of my school assignments. I began detailing my experiences in Vietnam, starting from our first day arriving in Hanoi to all the activities we did together. I tried to write everything down thoroughly so it would serve as a lasting memory.
Before I knew it, Dhuhr prayer time had arrived. I paused my writing, took wudu, and prayed Dhuhr. Afterward, I felt a bit exhausted from the dense schedule over the past few days. Therefore, I decided to take a short nap to recharge my energy.
A few hours later, I woke up right when Asr prayer time arrived. I took wudu again and performed the Asr prayer. After praying, our accompanying teacher informed us that we were allowed to go out briefly to enjoy our final day in Vietnam.
A few friends and I took the opportunity to go for a casual walk around the hostel. We had no specific destination; we just wanted to absorb the atmosphere of Hanoi one last time. As we walked, we talked about our various experiences on this backpacking trip. We also stopped a few times to take photos as keepsakes.
I noticed that the late afternoon in Hanoi felt very comfortable. The streets were starting to get busy with locals returning from work, children playing in the park, and street vendors busy serving customers. I enjoyed every step of that afternoon walk, realizing I might not find this exact same vibe when I return to Indonesia.
As night approached, we returned to the hostel. Shortly after, the Maghrib adhan sounded. I immediately took wudu and performed the Maghrib prayer together with my friends. After praying, we didn't go straight back to our rooms. Instead, we sat together in the common room, chatting casually. We covered various topics—from our funniest moments in Vietnam and our favorite local dishes to our travel plans for the next country.
The atmosphere that night felt different from previous nights. We were aware that our shared time in Vietnam was coming to an end. Though it was only for a few days, we had created so many memories together. The laughter, jokes, teamwork, and various challenges we faced during the trip brought us much closer.
Before long, Isha prayer time arrived. We paused our conversation to perform the Isha prayer in congregation. Afterward, we enjoyed our last dinner in Vietnam. The dinner felt warm and special as everyone shared stories and recalled their most memorable experiences in Hanoi.
After dinner, we returned to our respective rooms. I checked my packed bags one final time to ensure everything was ready for the next country. Feeling confident that everything was set, I decided to sleep early to stay energized for the long journey ahead.
Our final day in Vietnam was not filled with grand activities like the days before. However, through this simple day, I learned that every moment in a journey holds meaning. I learned to appreciate togetherness, enjoy the present moment, and be thankful for every experience given in Vietnam. This country offered so many lessons, memories, and valuable experiences that I will cherish even as our journey continues to the next destination.