Why I Went on a Group Trip with Mostly Strangers to Vietnam
In this episode, I’m sharing why traveling to Vietnam with a group of mostly strangers became one of the most meaningful trips I’ve ever taken. From biking through rice paddies and trying incredible local food to forming deep friendships and experiencing the beauty of Vietnamese culture, this trip completely surprised me in the best way. If you’ve ever considered a women’s group trip or traveling outside your comfort zone, this episode is for you.
I recently spent two weeks traveling through Vietnam with 15 other women, most of whom I had never met before.
And honestly? It ended up being one of the most meaningful trips I’ve ever taken!
When I first signed up for this women’s group trip through Your Limitless Adventures, I mostly just wanted to experience Vietnam without having to plan every detail myself. I was craving adventure, connection, and a destination that felt completely different from anywhere I had been before.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply connected our group would become by the end of the trip.
If you’ve ever considered taking a women’s group trip, traveling without your spouse, or visiting Vietnam, here’s why I think you should absolutely consider it.
Why I Signed Up for a Group Trip
This wasn’t technically a trip with complete strangers.
I knew Christina McEvoy, who planned the trip through Your Limitless Adventures, and I invited one friend to come along.
But out of 16 women, most of us showed up not really knowing anyone else.
And somehow, that made the experience even better!
We had women from all over the United States and even one from Australia. Everyone came from different backgrounds and stages of life, but we all had one thing in common:
We were adventurous women willing to fly across the world to experience something new.
That shared mindset created an instant connection.
Why Group Trips Create Fast Friendships
One thing that surprised me was how quickly the friendships deepened.
I kept thinking about something from Mel Robbins’ book Let Them. She talks about how difficult it can be to make friends as adults simply because we don’t spend enough concentrated time together.
But on a two week trip?
You spend hours together every single day.
You eat meals together.
Ride buses together.
Walk through cities together.
Get lost together.
Try unfamiliar foods together.
And somewhere in all of that, real connection happens.
By the end of the trip, it felt like we had known each other much longer than two weeks.
We still keep in touch through GroupMe, and it’s been really fun to see those friendships continue after coming home.
The Best Part? Someone Else Planned Everything
One of the biggest gifts of this trip was not having to plan it.
As someone who normally handles all the trip logistics for my family, this felt incredibly freeing.
From the moment we landed in Vietnam, everything was taken care of:
Hotels
Transportation
Meals
Activities
Guides
Daily schedules
All I had to do was show up and enjoy the experience.
Removing that mental load felt more refreshing than I expected! I still booked my own flights and handled my Vietnam visa ahead of time, but beyond that, everything was organized for us.
There’s something really luxurious about not having to think through every tiny detail while traveling.
Some of My Favorite Moments in Vietnam
There were so many incredible experiences throughout the trip, but a few moments especially stand out.
Trying New Foods Together
One of my favorite experiences was doing a food tour in Hanoi!
We visited little spots I probably never would have walked into on my own, but because we were with local guides, I felt comfortable trying everything.
We ate so much pho throughout the trip, and every bowl somehow tasted different and amazing.
Traveling with a group also made trying unfamiliar foods feel more fun and less intimidating.
The Woman Who Learned to Ride a Bike for This Trip
This might have been my favorite story from the entire trip.
We had several biking excursions planned through rice paddies and villages in Vietnam. One woman on the trip had never learned how to ride a bike before.
But instead of skipping those activities, she decided to learn before the trip. So she practiced at home leading up to Vietnam.
And then there we all were, biking together through beautiful green rice fields while she experienced her very first real biking adventure.
It was such a special moment. It was a great reminder that growth happens when we decide to do things that scare us a little.
Visiting Local Villages Was Humbling
Some of the most meaningful moments weren’t the “big attractions.” They were the quiet moments inside local villages.
We spent time with elderly villagers in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s who were weaving baskets, cutting wood for incense sticks, and continuing daily work traditions that had been part of their lives for decades.
Watching them felt deeply humbling. They lived very simple lives by Western standards, yet they radiated contentment and purpose.
That experience made me reflect on questions like:
What actually creates happiness?
What do I really need?
What kind of life do I want to build?
Those are the kinds of travel moments that stay with you long after you come home.
Why a Women’s Trip Felt So Special
There was something uniquely powerful about traveling with a group of women. The energy felt supportive, encouraging, and uplifting.
Christina also incorporated mindfulness moments throughout the trip that included meditation, journaling prompts, and opportunities to share reflections with the group. Those conversations moved beyond surface level small talk.
We talked about growth, life transitions, fears, dreams, relationships, and the kinds of things we don’t always make space for in everyday life.
That added such a meaningful layer to the trip.
Why Vietnam Completely Captured Me
Vietnam felt unlike anywhere else I’ve visited.
Yes, there were small reminders of places like Thailand or China, but Vietnam truly has its own personality and beauty.
I loved:
The vibrant cities
The peaceful countryside
The incredible food
The warmth of the people
The lush green landscapes
The feeling of constant discovery
Every day felt different. Every experience felt immersive. And it quickly became one of my favorite countries I’ve ever visited!
Final Thoughts on Traveling With Strangers
If you’ve ever considered joining a women’s group trip, this is your sign to do it.
Not because it’s luxurious or fancy.
But because it creates something even better:
Connection
Growth
Confidence
Adventure
Perspective
Friendship
There’s something powerful about stepping outside your normal routine, navigating unfamiliar places, and realizing you’re capable of more than you thought.
This trip reminded me that travel isn’t always about checking destinations off a list. Sometimes it’s about becoming a fuller version of yourself along the way. And for me, Vietnam did exactly that.