Day 6 In Vietnam "Thursday July 30, 2026"

Around 9:00 a.m., we set off for the meeting location with the older members of the Indonesian Students Association (PPI) in Vietnam. Before arriving, I was quite curious because this was my first time meeting Indonesian students studying abroad in person. Upon arriving at the venue, we were warmly welcomed by the PPI members. They introduced themselves one by one, and then we gathered in a relaxed yet friendly atmosphere.
The event began with a sharing session about their lives while living in Vietnam. The PPI members shared why they chose to continue their studies in Vietnam, their process of adapting to a new environment, and the various interesting experiences they’ve had as students there. They also explained daily life in Hanoi—from the cost of living and the transportation system to local culture and the challenges they faced when they first arrived in Vietnam.
I found myself deeply engrossed in every story they shared. Many of these experiences were things I had never even imagined before. They also encouraged us not to be afraid to dream of pursuing higher education abroad. According to them, opportunities will always be there for anyone willing to learn, work hard, and prepare themselves early on. Those words gave me renewed motivation to keep improving my skills and not give up easily  giving up on pursuing their dreams.
The discussion took place in a very friendly atmosphere. We were given the opportunity to ask various questions. Some friends asked about life as Indonesian students in Vietnam, how to adapt to the language, and even the foods they eat most often while living there. The PPI members answered all the questions warmly, interspersing their responses with jokes, which made the atmosphere even more welcoming. Before ending the meeting, we took a group photo as a keepsake and expressed our gratitude for the knowledge and experiences they had shared with us.
After the PPI event concluded, we continued our journey to the An Noor Mosque in Hanoi to perform Friday prayers. Upon arriving at the mosque, we immediately performed wudu and prepared to join the congregational Friday prayer. As I entered the mosque, I felt deeply grateful to find a place of worship for Muslims in the midst of a country where the majority of the population is not Muslim.
The atmosphere inside the An Noor Mosque felt very comfortable and warm, like a family gathering. As Friday prayer time approached, worshippers began arriving from various places. I saw not only Vietnamese Muslims but also many worshippers from various countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and several others. This made me realize that a mosque is not only a place of worship but also a place  a gathering of Muslims from diverse backgrounds.
The Friday sermon was delivered in a solemn atmosphere. Although there were language differences among the congregation, I could still feel a very strong sense of togetherness. After the prayer ended, we shook hands with the other worshippers. It was then that I met several Indonesians who had been working in Vietnam for quite some time. They welcomed us very warmly and asked about our schools and the purpose of our visit to Vietnam.
We then chatted with them for quite a while. They shared their experiences working in Vietnam, how they adapted to the work environment, and their daily lives as Indonesian citizens living far from their families. They also shared stories about the challenges they faced when they first arrived in Vietnam—ranging from language and cultural differences to food. However, as time went on, they began to get used to it and even felt comfortable living there.
From that conversation, I learned many new lessons. I realized that working abroad requires courage, the ability to adapt, and a willingness to keep learning. They also advised us to study diligently from now on, improve our foreign language skills, and build good character, as these qualities will be very useful should we ever have the opportunity to study or work abroad.
After saying goodbye to the congregation and As Indonesian citizens working in Vietnam, our accompanying teacher gave us about one to two hours of free time to explore the area around the An Noor Mosque. Before we parted ways, the teacher reminded us again to stay with the group, keep in touch through the group chat, and return to the meeting point at the designated time. We were also reminded to always uphold the good reputation of our school and Indonesia while abroad.
A few friends and I decided to walk along the small streets around the mosque. The area had a fairly peaceful atmosphere, lined with shops owned by local residents. There were many halal restaurants, convenience stores, clothing shops, souvenir shops, and even street vendors selling a variety of traditional Vietnamese foods. I was happy to find that it was quite easy to find halal food around the An Noor Mosque area.
We stopped at a few shops to look at the items for sale. There was a wide variety of keychains, refrigerator magnets, T-shirts, bags, traditional Vietnamese snacks, and various souvenirs perfect for bringing home. I bought a few keychains featuring images of Hanoi and several packs of traditional Vietnamese snacks to take back as gifts for my family in Indonesia.
The atmosphere was even more enjoyable because we were strolling leisurely without rushing. Every now and then, we stopped to take photos at street corners that caught our eye. The buildings around the mosque feature an architectural style that  It has a distinctive atmosphere, and the streets look clean. Many foreign tourists were also enjoying the area’s ambiance, making the surroundings feel quite lively.
As noon approached, we started to feel hungry. After discussing it together, we decided to have lunch at a restaurant not far from the mosque. The restaurant was quite busy and frequented by both tourists and locals.
We ordered several Vietnamese specialties recommended by the restaurant owner. While waiting for our food to arrive, we chatted about our experiences meeting the PPI members and Indonesian citizens working in Vietnam. I felt that the day had taught me many valuable lessons—not only about Vietnamese culture but also about the importance of education, hard work, and the courage to venture abroad.
A few minutes later, the food we ordered began to be served. I tried one of the signature Vietnamese dishes, which had a savory flavor with a warm broth and fresh vegetables. The taste was indeed different from Indonesian cuisine, but I enjoyed the experience because I got to taste the food right in its country of origin. During lunch, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and jokes. We exchanged opinions on which dishes were the most delicious and shared funny stories from our few days in Vietnam.
After lunch, we bought some cold drinks to quench our thirst  before returning to the meeting point at the An Noor Mosque. All participants eventually gathered back on time as instructed by the accompanying teacher. Before continuing on to the next activity, we shared stories about our individual experiences. Some bought souvenirs, some tried new foods, and others spent more time chatting with the local community.
That day was one of the most memorable days during my backpacking program in Vietnam. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet older members of PPI and fellow Indonesians working in Vietnam, but I also learned about the meaning of perseverance, independence, and the importance of maintaining good relationships with fellow Indonesians wherever they may be. This experience motivated me to continue learning, developing myself, and not being afraid to dream of one day pursuing education or working abroad.