Plans, what plans?
I’m usually a meticulous planner, but for this trip I only sketched out a rough draft with plenty of room for spontaneity. Apparently, that still wasn’t enough of a leap out of my comfort zone—because after our retreat, God had me scrap the entire itinerary and trust Him to guide me moment by moment.
That’s when a devotion I’d read months ago came rushing back:
“I am unlocking destiny… I am bringing you into a place you have never been before—a place of contentment, favor, and joy. Every setback has set the stage for my imminent blessings. Shake off doubt and embrace radical faith. I am greater than your dreams, greater than your plans, and greater than your thoughts could ever be—and I am bringing your destiny.” —Brian Simmons
I started in Da Nang, with four unplanned days that let me see the city with fresh eyes. I stumbled into a local market where no one spoke English, so communication became a mix of smiles and Google Translate. I had silk clothing made, tailored pieces adjusted to fit perfectly, and bought so much that I had to purchase an extra carry-on bag. As I left, I found the seamstresses joyfully toasting after lunch—probably celebrating the fact that I’d made their month!
From there, I joined our retreat hosts, Gorana and Davor, for a three-hour drive to Hue. We crossed the famous Hai Van Pass, a winding coastal route with misty mountain views that our guide jokingly called “Vietnam’s California coast.” Hue, once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, charmed me with its blend of Chinese, French, and Vietnamese influences. We spent two days exploring palaces, temples, and the Perfume River, and I found it to be the calmest, cleanest city I’d seen in Vietnam.
Next came an overnight sleeper train to Ninh Binh—an adventure in itself. Because we booked last minute, the three of us squeezed into a tiny cabin for eleven hours. For perspective, the same distance in Japan took me just two hours on the bullet train! But the reward was worth it: lotus ponds, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, a serene boat ride through the UNESCO landscapes of Trang An, and a heart-pounding climb up Mua Cave for panoramic views that took my breath away.
Afterward, we drove four more hours to Ha Long Bay, where the town was buzzing with construction for future tourism. We boarded an overnight luxury cruise, gliding past limestone mountains and kayaking through quiet waters—a magical contrast to the bustle on shore.
Finally, I spent four days in Hanoi before flying back to the U.S. The capital, with its eight million residents, is a vibrant mix of history, French colonial architecture, and a thriving food scene. It is also the birthplace of the egg coffee that I’ve been guzzling each day (and may be addicted enough to open a café in Phoenix just to get my fix!). I explored the ethnology museum, danced along the lake with locals and experienced the quirky train café. Although the highlight was attending Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. It was deeply moving to feel instantly connected to strangers through shared faith and reminded me of God’s promise that in heaven every nation, tongue and tribe will worship together in peace. The full spa day before my flight wasn’t bad either :))
Now I’m off to spend a few weeks with family and friends, celebrating the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my grandchildren’s’ birthdays.
After that, I’ll be heading to new, yet-undetermined destinations in Europe.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Until we meet again—virtually or in person.
Want to adventure with me? Spaces are limited and Budapest is calling.....Check it out Here.
With all my love,
Hanan
