As I arrived at Noi Bai International Airport, my first instinct was practical. Find an ATM, withdraw some Vietnamese Dong, and then look for food.
Travel, for me, always begins with small necessities. Local currency in my wallet makes everything feel official. A proper meal settles the body after a flight.
I had already booked a sleeper bus to Sapa and chose the airport as my pickup point. So while waiting for the bus, I simply sat down and enjoyed my food.
There is something meaningful about that pause. Sitting in a new country, eating your first meal, watching people move around you. It is in those quiet, ordinary moments that travel truly begins.
I’m not really into noodles, but the Pho I had was actually kind of okay. Not too flavorful, not overwhelming. Just simple, hot, and exactly what I needed at that moment. It wasn’t the kind of meal that makes you say it’s the best you’ve ever had. But after a flight, sitting there in Hanoi, holding a warm bowl in my hands, it felt right.
After enjoying my Pho, I went outside the airport and waited for my booked sleeper bus going to Sapa.
The sleeper bus turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable experience. I booked the HK Buslines Sleeper Bus, not knowing exactly what to expect, but it exceeded what I had imagined. The operators were courteous and organized, guiding passengers calmly and making sure everyone was settled before departure.
The bus itself felt like a small cocoon on wheels. Clean space, reclining berth, soft lighting. It gave me the kind of rest you need before meeting the mountains. Somewhere between four to six hours, I honestly cannot remember exactly anymore, we traveled north toward Sapa. The journey included two stops, just enough to stretch, breathe, and remind myself that I was truly on the road in Vietnam.
When we finally arrived in Sapa, I was pleasantly surprised to see another HK Buslines van waiting for us. It was coordinated seamlessly. They transferred passengers directly to their respective hotels, which made everything feel incredibly convenient and well thought out.
From airport waiting in Hanoi to mountain-bound comfort, the transition felt smooth. It made me appreciate how travel is not only about destinations, but about the systems and small efficiencies that make you feel taken care of even when you are far from home.
Check-in at the hotel was just as convenient. I had booked it in advance through Agoda, so everything was already reserved when I arrived. No long explanations, no confusion. Just a smooth confirmation and a key handed over with a smile.
And the best part. A mountain view. But, my very first thought after check-in was not the view.
Traveling always heightens my hunger, and after the long ride from Hanoi, I needed something warm and satisfying.
As a Muslim traveler, finding halal food is always one of my first considerations, so I felt genuinely relieved when I easily spotted a halal restaurant nearby. It felt like a small blessing in a foreign place, it's Sapa Halal Restaurant.
And the food did not disappoint. It was good. Comforting. Flavorful. The kind of meal that makes you pause for a moment and simply enjoy where you are.
That first meal was so good that I found myself coming back. Twice.
Before leaving Sapa, I dined at the same restaurant again. Ssh. No regrets. When you find something reliable, comforting, and genuinely satisfying in a foreign place, you hold on to it.
You know what’s the funny part, and honestly, what I mislooked about this trip?
For three days in Sapa, it was foggy and cold. Not the aesthetic, light-mist-for-photos kind of fog. The thick, dramatic kind that completely hides the mountains. I only saw the mountain view twice during my entire stay. The rest of the time, it was wrapped in white. I came all the way to the mountains, and the mountains decided to play hide-and-seek.
During my stay, my routine became simple. Breakfast hall in the morning. Back to my room. Then outside again around noon, when the cold became slightly more bearable. And even then, I had to wear three layers. Three. Layers.
The first stop on my Sapa itinerary was simple. Just one goal: take a photo at Sun Plaza Sapa Station. I got it. One good shot. Not a dozen, not a perfect postcard, but one that made me smile every time I looked at it. Sometimes that’s enough.
The second plan was a bit more ambitious. I wanted to see the monorail from Vietrekking, a trail I had read about and imagined myself exploring. But the universe had other plans. The trail was completely covered in… fog. Thick, relentless fog. Fooooooggggg.
No monorail in sight, no dramatic landscape. Just me, the mist, and my overactive imagination. At first, I felt a twinge of disappointment. But then I laughed at how predictable it had become.
On the second day, I was ready for Fansipan, having already booked my ticket from Klook.
The first ride was the monorail. Finally, the monorail was there.
I may have missed it from the viewing spot at Vietrekking before, but this time I was not just looking at it from afar. I was going to ride it to Fansipan.
Then came the cable car. Inside, I felt the gentle warmth of the sun above the clouds, a rare, comforting moment after days of fog and chill in Sapa.
But the magic didn’t last long. The moment we stepped outside the cable car to walk to the next station, the fog and cold returned. It wrapped around everything, softening edges, hiding the distant peaks, making the world feel like a secret waiting to be revealed.
The walk to the Peak Funicular Station was long but beautiful. The trail opened up into picture-worthy scenes, mist curling around pine trees, terraced slopes peeking through clouds, paths that begged to be photographed.
Every step reminded me that sometimes the journey itself is the destination. The fog challenged me, but the views rewarded me, even if only in glimpses.
These pictures hold a really funny story.
Every time I set up my tripod at the summit, I had to move fast. The wind was strong, and I knew it could knock everything over in seconds.
So there I was, positioning the tripod, pressing the timer, and rushing into place before the wind decided to ruin the shot. Half the time, I was not even sure the tripod would survive.
Here I am, 3,143 meters above sea level.
Standing at the summit of Fansipan, known as the Roof of Indochina.
It was cold. It was foggy. And yet, it felt surreal.
No dramatic speech in my head. No overwhelming emotion. Just a quiet moment of realization. I made it up here.
If you’re heading to Sapa and planning to visit Fansipan, my advice is simple: allocate a full day for it. Take it slow. Enjoy every moment. I spent mine fully immersed. I took photos of the misty trails and peaks, capturing the fleeting glimpses the clouds allowed.
I even recorded a TikTok video to remember it all, laughing at myself as the wind tried to steal my hair and my hijab.
And then it was time to go back. I retraced the same trail I had taken up to Fansipan, letting the fog, the quiet, and the crisp mountain air guide me down. Each step back felt like a soft farewell, a gentle reminder that the journey up was as important as the summit itself.
After returning from Fansipan and stepping back into Sapa, I needed a small pause. I went straight for a coffee.
There’s something about sitting with a warm cup in hand after a day of walking through mist and cold.
On the third day, my plan was simple: Swing Sapa first, then Cat Cat Village.
I arrived at Swing Sapa full of excitement, ready to enjoy their unlimited ride pass. But … oopsie. My expectations met reality, and reality came with a shrug. The “unlimited rides” turned out to be just the Rainbow Slide and the kart ride. That was it.
And the Rainbow Slide? No drone footage available. Nada. Selfie-style video was the only option. I had to channel all my own creativity and energy just to capture the moment. Not what I had imagined, but, that’s travel for you.
After Swing Sapa, I booked a Grab to Cat Cat Village. By the way, Grab booking is incredibly convenient in Sapa, a real lifesaver for getting around quickly.
When I arrived, I looked at the trail leading downhill and realized it was about a 30-minute hike. And you know what I did? I didn’t pursue the plan. I sat right there, ordered an ice cream from a nearby stall just where the Grab dropped me, and let the moment be enough.
I had a sleeper bus booked back to Hanoi that evening, and the thought of tiring myself by going down and then having to climb back up later didn’t appeal. Practicality won over adventure this time.
After my ice cream moment in Cat Cat Village, I treated myself to the free massage offered by the hotel. It was the perfect way to rest before the journey back.
Then it was time to pack my luggage and head to the sleeper bus station. This time, I booked a different sleeper bus: Futa Ha Son Sleeper Bus. And honestly, I was disappointed.
The operators didn’t really try to communicate. English? Forget it. Even the simplest guidance felt curt, and there was a hint of rudeness in how things were handled. Unlike HK Buslines Sleeper Bus, where operators would call you until you opened your curtain, the Futa Ha Son staff just peeked into your cabin to let you know your designated drop-off. It felt awkward and impersonal.
On top of that, booking a Grab in Hanoi was a bit more challenging compared to Sapa. Lesson learned: next time, just stick with HK Line. Smooth, courteous, and hassle-free.
In Hanoi, I booked an apartment-style stay, thinking I would cook for myself and enjoy a homey experience. But, going to the market turned out to be a bigger hassle than I expected.
By the time I settled in, I was tired from the journey from Sapa. So instead of preparing a full meal, I grabbed some instant, ready-to-eat food from a nearby convenience store.
While browsing the convenience store shelves, I spotted onigiri and felt a wave of nostalgia. It immediately took me back to my moments in Japan, the quiet streets, the little shops, the familiar comfort of a simple rice ball.
My first stroll in Hanoi Old Quarter was everything I hoped it would be. Narrow streets buzzing with motorbikes, vendors calling out their wares, the smells of street food weaving together into a kind of chaotic symphony. It was alive, vibrant, and full of character, exactly what makes the Old Quarter so iconic.
But then reality hit when I tried to book a Grab. My dear lord, the hassle was real. Multiple cancellations, constant waiting, and a feeling that this place simply wasn’t built for the kind of convenience I was used to in Sapa.
After navigating the chaos of Grab and surviving my first stroll in the Old Quarter, I decided to take a little break from the streets. I went to Lotte Mall Hanoi and let the air-conditioning work its magic.
Lunch was at a Thai restaurant inside the mall.
I also spent some time in the supermarket picking up pasalubongs. Small treats for friends and family, and a few indulgences for myself.
And then, I went back to my hotel. Safe, cozy, and with my little haul of souvenirs.
Pasalubong shopping didn’t stop at Lotte Mall. On my second day in Hanoi, I made my way to Hang Bac Street, determined to find a particular shop.
Why this shop? There’s an Ate (because she calls every Filipina Ate and maganda), a seller who’s trending on TikTok for being incredibly accommodating to Filipino tourists. She even gives discounts, which made her practically legendary in my eyes.
Finding her shop, however, was not easy. I walked back and forth along the street. But luck, and a little persistence, were on my side.
Finally, I spotted her. I ended up buying pasalubong worth more than a million Vietnamese dong. Worth every step, every raindrop, and every second of the mini-adventure.
And here’s the sweetest part. As I was checking out, she slipped 10,000 Vietnamese dong into a wallet (free of charge) as a little lucky charm.
After my little pasalubong adventure, I made my way to Hoan Kiem Lake. I didn’t plan anything ambitious, I just wanted to sit, breathe, and watch the life around me.
The lake was calm, the streets buzzing gently in the background. I even bought some fruit from a nearby vendor, a mix of fresh pieces sprinkled with salt and chili. The flavors were sharp, sweet, and a little surprising, much like Hanoi itself.
As I wandered around Hanoi, I also spotted The Note Coffee, the famous café full of colorful sticky notes where visitors can leave their own messages.
It looked charming, lively, and full of stories from travelers who had passed through. But I didn’t bother going in. I’m not really a coffee person, and somehow, I didn’t feel the need to leave a note to mark my visit.
Sometimes, travel isn’t about ticking every famous spot off a list. It’s about noticing them, appreciating their charm from afar, and moving on to the experiences that actually speak to you.
And just like that, the evening came, the time for my ticket back to the Philippines.
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