Saneeta’s Vietnam Trip: My First Guests, and 10 Days I’ll Never Forget
Last updated: July 6, 2026
Saneeta’s Vietnam trip will always be the one I measure every other by, because Mrs Saneeta Magsambol and her husband were my very first guests as a tour consultant. The first time is always the most special — a little nerve-wracking, and full of moments you never forget. I’m Rachel, and this is the story of how two travellers from Australia turned my first booking into ten of the happiest days of my early career.
- Travellers: Mrs Saneeta Magsambol and her husband, from Australia
- Route: Ten days across Vietnam, meeting me in Hanoi
- Trip length: 10 days
- Trip style: A relaxed, first-time journey through Vietnam
- Highlights: A walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a water puppet show, and a bag of Australian gifts I still treasure
How Saneeta’s Vietnam trip began — a phone call at Tet
It wasn’t long after I’d started my new role when their enquiry came in. Like I do with every traveller, I made sure to answer quickly and warmly, working through all their questions and making sure every detail was clear before we went any further.
Then one day, right in the middle of my Lunar New Year holiday with family, my phone rang. It was Mrs Saneeta, calling all the way from Australia. I was excited and honestly a little nervous — it was my first time speaking directly with an international client. But once we got talking, the nerves faded, and I found myself genuinely enjoying introducing the Vietnam I love and walking her through every part of the trip.
When the call ended, Saneeta told me she finally felt confident she was speaking with a trustworthy local agent, and right then she confirmed the booking. I still remember that moment so clearly — the joy and the pride of my very first successful booking. It was never really about the sale. It was about trust, connection, and the start of something that mattered to me.
Culture note: That call landed during Tet, the Lunar New Year — Vietnam’s biggest family holiday, when the whole country slows down for a few days of reunion and good wishes. Taking the call felt right: a fresh start for the year, and for my new career.
Meeting in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Five months later, their long-awaited journey finally began — ten beautiful days filled with laughter and warmth across Vietnam. But those ten days didn’t only bring happiness to them; they became deeply meaningful to me too.
When we finally met in Hanoi, I was touched beyond words. We took a short walk together through the Old Quarter, weaving past the narrow shopfronts and street corners, chatting about the differences between our countries and their shared love of travel. Later we watched a traditional water puppet show — the wooden figures skimming across the water to live music, a Hanoi custom that goes back centuries.
Listening to their stories and seeing how genuinely excited they were made me realise how travel connects people in the most beautiful way — across distance, culture, and even hearts.
“This wasn’t just a 10-day holiday I arranged for someone else — it was the moment I truly felt what it means to make people’s travel dreams come true.”
A bag of Australian chocolates and koala keychains
To my surprise, Saneeta arrived with a bag full of thoughtful gifts from home — chocolates and adorable keychains shaped like kangaroos and koalas. They were small things, but they meant the world to me: little tokens of appreciation I’ll never forget.
Throughout the trip I kept looking after every little detail. And even when I made the small mistakes any beginner makes, they were always kind, understanding and patient. Their warmth gave me confidence, and their trust made me want to grow better every single day.
What Saneeta’s trip taught me
Looking back now, I know this wasn’t just a holiday I put together for someone else. It was the journey that marked my first step — a blend of learning, connection and the quiet pride of watching my work come to life. For Saneeta and her husband, it was ten days full of joy. For me, it was the moment I understood what this job is really about.
Tips from Saneeta’s trip
- Start in Hanoi: the Old Quarter is walkable and full of life — an easy, gentle introduction to Vietnam on your first day or two.
- Allow ten days for the classic north-to-south feel: it gives you room to slow down rather than rush between places.
- Book with a local you can actually talk to: a quick call cleared up all of Saneeta’s questions and made the whole trip feel safe before she’d even flown out.
- Catch a water puppet show in Hanoi: it’s short, family-friendly and one of the city’s oldest traditions.
- Bring layers for the north: Hanoi can feel cooler than you’d expect, especially outside the Aussie summer months.
Want a trip like Saneeta’s?
Like the look of Saneeta’s journey? Hers was a ten-day route through Vietnam, and the closest package we run today is our Best of Vietnam Tours – 10 Days — or, if you’d like a little more comfort, our Grand of Vietnam – 10 Days. I’d happily tailor either route to suit you. You can also browse more stories and ideas from the capital on our Hanoi travel page. Just message me, Rachel, and we’ll start planning.
Over to you: have you already walked Hanoi’s Old Quarter? I’d love to hear how you found it — tell me in the comments below. Thank you!
Quick FAQ from Saneeta’s trip
Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?
Ten days is a comfortable amount of time for a first visit. It lets you settle into a few key places rather than racing through, and it’s the length Saneeta and her husband travelled.
Is Vietnam a good trip for a couple?
Yes. Saneeta and her husband travelled as a couple and found it warm, easy and welcoming. A tailor-made itinerary lets you set your own pace and mix busy city time with quieter days.
Should I book through a local agent?
A local agent can answer your questions directly and adjust the plan as you go. For Saneeta, a single phone call was enough to feel confident before she left Australia.
If Saneeta’s story has you dreaming of your own ten days in Vietnam, I’d love to help. Reach out to My Viva Tour and let’s plan a trip that feels just as personal.
