S1 E53 | Independence Day at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and Planning a Halong Bay Trip

August 15th was a special day for us—we were in Hanoi, Vietnam, on India’s Independence Day. To mark the occasion, we decided to visit the Indian Embassy. It felt surreal to wake up early, dress up, and walk into a space that instantly connected us back to home. Our friend Uma joined us, making the morning even more festive.

Inside the embassy, we experienced cultural performances—children sang, groups of men and women sang patriotic songs, and the hall was filled with the sound of India far away from India. Unfortunately, we missed the flag hoisting since the schedule was not clearly announced, but it was still a unique and moving experience. Seeing people dressed in saris and traditional Indian attire in Hanoi felt comforting, and the best part was the familiar taste of home—the embassy treated us to Indian snacks and chai for breakfast.

Later in the day, we noticed another celebration taking place nearby—Vietnamese Christians gathered in colorful silk outfits that looked strikingly similar to Indian kurtas and salwars. Watching them pose for family photos reminded us of our own festive gatherings back home.

As the afternoon hunger kicked in, we boarded a local bus and went hunting for Indian food in Hanoi. Tucked away in a busy street, we found a small, affordable restaurant serving roti, garlic naan, bhindi, curries, salad, and chutney. The flavors were just the right amount of spice, and it felt like a treat to enjoy homely Indian food so far from India.

Towards the evening, we finalized something we had been looking forward to—our trip to Halong Bay. The last time we were in Vietnam, five years ago, we did a two-day, one-night cruise. This time, sticking to our $30-a-day budget, we opted for a one-day tour that promised a full 12 hours of exploring. Our friend Uma decided to join us, and we were excited about what awaited the next day.

It had been a day filled with nostalgia, culture, good food, and new plans—an Independence Day celebration that blended India, Vietnam, and our travel lifestyle perfectly.