Southeast Asia Transformed Me: Reflections from Vietnam and Thailand
Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, Bangkok, Thailand
If you’ve been craving something more than just a vacation…
If you’ve been longing for a journey that lights up your spirit and shifts your perspective, then you’ll definitely want to keep reading.
I just returned from leading one of Moonglade Travel’s most meaningful luxury group trips to date: two unforgettable weeks in Vietnam and Thailand, curated for connection, cultural depth, and real transformation.
This wasn’t your typical sightseeing tour. This was a soulful experience designed for women (and a few brave gents) who know that travel is about more than taking pictures, it’s about becoming more fully you.
Why This Trip Was So Special
Unlike our usual wellness retreats, this Southeast Asia experience was centered on cultural immersion and bold adventure. But don’t get it twisted, the wellness was in the culture, in the stillness, in the food, in the sacred temples, and in the soft, deep breaths we remembered to take in between all the action.
This trip was born out of curiosity and connection. And now that I’m back, sitting in deep gratitude, I can honestly say: this journey changed me. And from what I’ve heard from our travelers (now coined, “Moongladers”), it changed them, too.
Exploring Vietnam: A Country That Surprised Me
Let’s start in Vietnam, a place that hadn’t even been on my radar until now. And whew, I was not ready for how deeply it would move me.
We landed in Hanoi, the heart of northern Vietnam. The Old Quarter buzzed with scooters (lots of them) and sizzling street food. But somehow, there was still a rhythm that calmed me. It was chaotic, but oddly meditative. Asia is know for being an affordable vacation destination. It’s so surprising how affordable everything were, $3.95 for five days worth of laundry, and the Grab app (their version of Uber) made it so easy to navigate and order food. I’m talking, $1.92 Grab rides and food for less than $7 USD. Luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive. It means simplicity, and Vietnam gave us both.
One of the most moving moments in Vietnam? Floating through the riverways of Ninh Binh, rowed by Vietnamese women using their feet. Yes, their feet. It was surreal. The limestone mountains hugged us, the water whispered, and something inside of me softened.
Then came our private charter on the Capella Cruise in Ha Long Bay, a luxury yacht experience I’ll never forget. It was what I was most looking forward to on our Vietnam leg of the trip. And it served up exactly what I needed. The day we arrived, I sat back under wide, blue skies while my husband paddled our kayak around the edges of towering limestone cliffs. This passenger princess felt so small, and so grand at the same time. I realized that I wasn’t just witnessing beauty… I was part of it.
We also rode bikes through Viet Hai villages on Cat Ba Island, waved to children, passed farms lined with water buffaloes, and learned about local traditions and lifestyles of natives. That simple act of pedaling through the unknown reminded us what freedom really feels like.
And in that moment, it clicked: I’m living in the moment. I’m soaking in experiences that are slowly, deeply shifting my life in real time. And that’s powerful.
Bangkok Gave Big Energy
Bangkok had been calling my name for years. It delivered everything I hoped for; vibrant street life, rooftop vibes and views, golden temples, and flavors that linger long after the last bite. Our time in Bangkok wouldn’t have been complete without exploring its most iconic temples like The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun.
Walking through the Grand Palace felt like stepping into a sacred masterpiece with every corner dripping in gold, detail, and pure reverence. At Wat Pho, home to the Reclining Buddha, I felt this quiet, grounded peace settle in while I stood at the crown of the stunning 150-foot gold figure.
One of the most memorable moments in Bangkok for me happened at Wat Arun known as the Temple of Dawn.
Before stepping inside, I slipped off my sandals. It’s a sign of respect in many parts of Asia, leaving the outside world (and ego) behind before entering a sacred space. And the moment I walked in… whew. It was beautiful. The colors, the architecture, the quiet. There was something about the stillness that just hit different.
While there, a monk tied a marigold rope around my wrist. It was a simple moment but it felt like a gentle blessing. A reminder that I’m safe, I’m guided, and I’m aligned. I didn’t expect to feel so grounded in that moment… but I did.
Being immersed in these spaces of deep spiritual energy felt like divine alignment. The rituals, the reverence, the way the community honors their faith… it reminded me so much of my own spiritual practices.
One of the most electric nights of the trip? Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium — the OG, world-famous spot to catch the action live in Bangkok.
Before the fight even started, we were pulled in by the Wai Khru Ram Muay, the traditional pre-fight dance where fighters honor their teachers and ancestors. It was powerful to witness in person, you could feel the history vibrating through the room.
Then the matches kicked off, and the energy exploded through the dome shaped building. All the lights, the music, and the crowd (packed with locals) going wild… it was intense in the best way. Between the immersive dome experience and the live fights, it was next level. If you’re in Bangkok, don’t miss it.
I love earrings and grab some everywhere I go. But I’m not a true shopper when I travel, but we had to explore the iconic, ICONSIAM Mall, is an enormous, stunning space with a waterfall inside, endless (8 to be exact) floors, and the best local souvenirs and street food you’ll find in the city.
Mild Bread House? Please don’t skip it. I had the warmest, softest milk bread topped with ice cream, honey, and white chocolate drizzle. A whole experience.
Let’s not forget the day we ran through the airport like we were in an episode of The Amazing Race, trying not to miss our flight to Koh Samui. We made the flight, thanks to the super friendly and helpful Bangkok Airlines employees but our luggage was delayed.
It reminder me that even when things go off-plan, having the right mindset makes all the difference. Our group of 15 Moongladers made it — barely. And you know what? That chaotic dash was proof that even the best-planned itineraries need space for surrender.
✨ Travel tip: Always carry your essentials in a carry-on. Trust me.
Koh Samui: The Island That Let Me Exhale
Now listen… if Vietnam was soul-stirring and Bangkok was bold and electric, then Koh Samui was the exhale.
Y’all know I’m an island girl at heart. Give me some sun on my skin, sand between my toes, and the sound of the ocean, and I’m in my peaceful place, literally. Koh Samui delivered. This place was the sweet spot, and the icing on the cake.
We checked into the dreamy Meliá Koh Samui, and let me tell you, the Boat Suite was giving luxury island fantasy. It’s designed to look like a traditional Thai boat, perched above a lagoon-style pool. Waking up in that space, hearing the water move gently beneath us, felt like something out of a travel journal you’d only wish you could write.
We rode 4x4 jeeps through the lush inner island, bumping along dirt paths and stopping for the views at Tree Bridge (and yes, some of us zip-lined like pros!). Then came the 88 steps at Na Mueang, and baby — that climb was no joke, but the views from Samui Top View made it worth every single step. The island stretched out around us like a painting.
We spent time at the Samui Elephant Home, a true sanctuary where we got to feed these incredible gentle giants, no riding, no shows, just pure connection. Standing next to an elephant, feeling its presence, its wisdom — whew. I still get chills.
And then there was the Secret Buddha Garden, beautifully tucked away in the hills like a hidden dream. Stone carvings, mossy sculptures, winding paths through nature, it felt like we’d got lost and stumbled in to a movie set or jumped through time. Magical is the only word that comes close to the beauty I discovered in the Secret Buddha Garden.
We wrapped up the day at The Roof Samui, and the pineapple shrimp fried rice hit every note it was supposed to. Great food, gorgeous views, great company.
Koh Samui was everything I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me that peace doesn’t always come in silence, sometimes it comes in crashing waves, knee slapping laughs with new friends, and sweaty hikes that leave you feeling alive in the best way.
This island held us, gently and fully. And I felt myself lean in to that joy.
Personal Breakthroughs & Shared Transformations
That moment in that Bangkok temple when the monk tied a golden thread around my wrist was a blessing that marked a full-circle moment for me. Years of intentional travel, spiritual work, reflection, and trust… came alive in that quiet ceremony.
Another Moonglader shared this reflection that brought tears to my eyes:
“This trip wasn’t just a getaway—it was a divine recalibration… a sacred pause, a spiritual upgrade I didn’t even know I was aching for.”
“Today is Tuesday, June 24th, 2025. I woke up to the hush of waves and a sky painted in soft pastels over Danang Bay. I never imagined a life like this. But here I am, watching islands drift by in the stillness of morning, completely surrounded by God’s splendor.”
That’s the power of transformational travel. In a guest blog post, our client Mystie shared how this trip found her and left her with a new perspective and a reignited passion.
It doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it whispers, beside a river, under a temple roof, across a dinner table of strangers who now feel like family.
Final Thoughts from Me, With Love
This trip reminded me that travel doesn’t fix you, it reveals you.
It slows you down, fills your cup, and reconnects you with the version of yourself that gets buried under emails, errands, and expectations.
Vietnam and Thailand? They were mirrors.
And I’m so glad I looked.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a journey that’s not just pretty but profound, I invite you to join us next time. We’re curating experiences that center healing, heritage, luxury, and real connection. And I’d love to welcome you along. Maybe your next journey is on one of our upcoming curated trips.
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