If you’ve been dreaming of a quick escape that packs flavour, culture, and a dash of adventure into just a few days, Vietnam might just be the long-weekend soulmate you didn’t know you needed. I realised this the moment my flight touched down in Hanoi—warm air, the faint smell of broth in the breeze, scooters zipping around like sparks. Within a few hours, Vietnam had already started feeling like a story I’d want to tell again and again.
Day 1: Landing in Hanoi – A City That Greets You With a Bowl
My first morning began with what every Indian foodie secretly prays for on a foreign trip—comfort. A hot bowl of steaming pho at a tiny corner shop did that. The auntie behind the counter laughed when I added extra chilli, as if she instantly knew the spice levels we thrive on.
If you book a Vietnam holiday package with Catch A Trip, make sure it includes a Hanoi city tour—because this city reveals itself in layers. Mine began in the Old Quarter, where every street felt like a theme park for adults: coffee aromas, French-era balconies, old temples hidden between modern storefronts.
I sat by Hoan Kiem Lake sipping the strongest coffee of my life—Vietnamese egg coffee, creamy and bold—watching locals do Tai Chi. Five minutes into that view and I already had FOMO for everyone not there.
Day 2: Street Food Safari – Indian Stomachs, Vietnamese Hearts
The next day was built entirely around food. And trust me, nothing bonds travellers faster than passing around small plates on low stools. If you’re taking a Vietnam group tour, this part becomes even more fun—multiple food stops mean multiple bites you wouldn’t have ordered alone.
Bánh mì became my quick favourite—crispy bread, juicy fillings, and flavours layered with the precision of a Bollywood dance sequence. Then came bún chả (Obama’s favourite), sizzling pork patties with herbs so fresh they tasted like morning rain.
But the highlight? A cooking class in a local home. We bargained for vegetables at a wet market, chopped lemongrass, stirred broths, and eventually sat down to eat what we made. The host laughed at how precisely we measured spices—apparently Vietnamese kitchens work by intuition, not teaspoons.
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Nature That Looks Edited
On day three, we escaped the city for Ninh Binh—Vietnam’s “Halong Bay on land.” Imagine tall limestone cliffs rising dramatically from rice fields, like nature decided to sculpt its own skyline.
A slow rowboat ride through caves and still waters felt unreal. My boat lady rowed using her feet—casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. I caught myself grinning the entire time, thinking, Why don’t we do long weekends like this more often?
Lunch was simple countryside fare—fresh spring rolls, stir-fried veggies, and sticky rice cooked in bamboo. It didn’t matter that it was rustic; it tasted like someone’s grandmother had whispered a blessing over it.
Day 4: With the Right Company, Every Moment Becomes a Memory
By the final day, our group felt like old friends. That’s the thing about Vietnam—it turns strangers into travel buddies within 48 hours. If you’re eyeing a Vietnam group tour, don’t hesitate. The shared laughter, shared meals, and shared “OMG look at that!” moments turn the trip into a scrapbook of experiences.
Some in the group had come on a Vietnam honeymoon package with Catch A Trip, and honestly, I could see why. Lantern-lit evenings, riverside strolls, quiet cafés—it’s a place where romance feels effortless. Even I felt soft-hearted, and I was technically there just for food and culture.
Why This Trip Stays With You
It’s not the tourist checklist that makes Vietnam unforgettable. It’s the tiny, sensory things:
– A vendor handing you fresh mango with chilli salt
– Crossing a chaotic Hanoi street like it’s a trust exercise
– The warm nod from a local when you try your first Vietnamese phrase
– That moment of silence when nature overwhelms you in Ninh Binh
A long weekend should leave you refreshed, inspired, and a little heartbroken that it ended. Vietnam hits that sweet spot every single time.
If you’re an Indian traveller craving a trip that mixes adventure with comfort, street food with serenity, and culture with crazy fun—start planning. Because once you taste Vietnam, you’ll wonder why you didn’t go sooner.
Pack light, keep an open stomach, and get ready for a weekend you’ll replay in your head for months. Vietnam doesn’t just welcome you—it keeps a piece of you.