Ever since I caught a reality TV show featuring Vietnam, the country has been sitting at the top of my travel wish list. My actual dream destination is Da Nang, but I’m also cool with Hanoi. I understand Da Nang is quite far in distance and not possible this time, but hey, Vietnam is Vietnam, and I’ll take it! I even bought a travel guidebook back then and, last year, watched Miss Saigon with friends—another nudge from the universe.

Now, that dream is finally happening. Thanks to a company incentive, I qualified to join our first international trip—an all-expenses-paid getaway! The destination: Hanoi.

I don’t have the full itinerary yet, but quick research tells me that Hanoi trips often include side visits to either Ha Long Bay or Ninh Bình. With only four days, we may stay within the city, but I’m secretly hoping for those breathtaking extras.

From photos, Hanoi looks like a fascinating blend of old and new—streets buzzing with modern life, historical sites still standing proud, and pockets of nature balancing it all out. I’m eager to see how Vietnam has preserved its heritage compared to the Philippines after the war. Some specific spots I’d love to experience are the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university, which looks like an ancient fortress), the traditional water puppet shows (a unique cultural performance I’ve only read about), and the famous Train Street, where trains pass by just inches away from locals and tourists. Will it be terrifying or exhilarating to see a train pass at a hair’s breadth? I’ll find out soon. Street food is another thing I’ll need to explore—something I don’t know much about yet but am curious to try.

As for the food in general, I have mixed feelings. I’m not a fan of pho, but I haven’t tried the famous banh mi yet. That might be my chance to discover a new favorite. Vietnamese cuisine is heavy on spices and vegetables, and I’ve got a sensitive palate, but I’m willing to try. One exception, though: it’s a hard no on cilantro for me.

What excites me most, though, is the coffee. Vietnam is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world (after Brazil). My parents are fans of their 3-in-1 blends, but I’ll be hunting down coffee grounds to bring home. They mostly grow robusta beans, and I’m curious to see how their version compares to our own kapeng barako. Fun fact: their word for coffee, ca phe, even sounds like our kape.

And then there’s the legendary egg coffee. As a coffee lover, I’m really curious about it. I once tried a Vietnamese restaurant here that served drip coffee that slowly dripped into condensed milk at the bottom of the cup, but never the version topped with egg. That’s definitely on my must-try list in Hanoi.

If we do get to explore beyond the city, I’d love to cycle through the open landscapes of Ninh Bình or drift among the misty limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay. From photos, Ha Long Bay looks like a scene straight out of Avatar—dreamy and otherworldly, especially with November’s fog.

This will also be a personal milestone for me: my first trip abroad without friends or family. I’ll be traveling with colleagues I don’t know personally, and part of me hopes this is not just an adventure across borders but also a chance to step out of my shyness and maybe even share the gospel along the way.

I can’t wait for the details to arrive. If only I could fast-forward to the day itself!