This blog post has been long overdue, one that I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time now.
Life moves fast, and sometimes it's easy to delay documenting the beautiful moments.
But some memories are too precious to keep to ourselves, and this trip to Sapa, Vietnam, is one of them.

Back in February, right after the Lunar New Year holiday, I went on a short but unforgettable getaway with my two dear girlfriends, Wan and Kay.
We had planned this trip for about six months, counting down the days with excitement and anticipation, and finally, it came true.

But this wasn’t just any trip; it was a celebration of our 25 years of friendship, a quarter of a century of growing up, laughing, supporting each other, and creating a lifetime of memories.
Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday we met in the US, figuring out our way in a foreign country, sharing the same house and even the same room.
We studied together, cooked together, stressed over exams, and found joy in the little things. We also worked hard, juggling part-time jobs and saving every dollar of pocket money just to make ends meet. Looking back, those days were tough but filled with warmth, determination, and genuine joy.
They were the kind of moments that shape you, and they remain some of the most treasured times in my life.

For this trip, we spent 4 days and 3 nights in the beautiful highlands of Sapa, followed by 3 days and 2 nights in the vibrant streets of Hanoi.

In this post, I’ll be sharing how we traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Sapa by sleeper bus, returned to Hanoi by sleeper train, and a review of the hotel we stayed at.

Since this is quite a long post, I’ll be covering all the places we visited and the food we tried in a separate one. And then the Hanoi adventures will be saved for another new post!

So if you’re thinking of planning your own Sapa journey, or just want a cozy read, stay with me.

Hey everyone!
Can you believe it’s already been a month since my last post here?
Time really flies, somehow it’s already end of April and the first quarter of 2025 has come and gone!
I hope you’re all doing well and that the year has been treating you kindly so far.
It honestly feels like forever since I last updated my travel blog.
Ever since I started sharing more actively on XiaoHongShu (XHS), I’ve been pouring a lot of my travel content over there, everything from hotel reviews and trip itineraries to food adventures and must-visit spots.
If you’ve been following along, you might have caught my recent posts about Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Vietnam, there’s been quite a bit to share!
If you’re curious and want to see more detailed updates, definitely check out my XHS page https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5fb724510000000001002d80.
I’d love to have you join me over there too.
But for today, let’s get back to where it all started, my journey to New Zealand.
I figured it’s finally time to wrap up my New Zealand travel series.
Can you believe it’s been almost a year since that trip? Time really does slip away...lol
Thank you so much for sticking around and being a part of this journey with me.
And yes, I have to finish this post because… guess what? Another road trip is just around the corner—I'm heading to the UK next month!

I believe it's going to be another fun road trip—probably the most exciting one of the year.
I seriously can't wait!
But before that, I just need to wrap up the final chapter of my New Zealand adventure! :)

It’s time to embrace the city vibe! Jia En, in particular, is thrilled for this part of the trip. As a true city lover, she’s been exicted awaiting the chance to leave behind the quiet, peaceful towns and embrace the vibrant energy of urban life.

If you’re new to my blog, be sure to check out my previous posts where I’ve shared all the details of my journey across New Zealand’s South Island.