On 19 December, four Ngaaruawaahia ladies will be flying far, far away from Aotearoa to spend Christmas and New Year exploring the vibrant wonders of Vietnam. And we’d love to bring you along for the ride – before, during and after our trip. We are the Cool Old Gals (COGs for short) made up of Anne, Meg, Lola and Elaine – four local friends who decided it was time to swipe right on adventure.
There comes a stage in life when things shift. You may have lost or divorced a spouse, or your children now have children of their own, and suddenly Christmas doesn’t revolve around you anymore. Instead of being the organiser-in-chief of a bustling whaanau celebration, you become simply an invitee at someone else’s table. Then comes the quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year – no leftovers, no noise, no chaos, just… silence.
So, the COGs asked ourselves, what’s the plan, then? About six weeks ago, we decided that Christmas and New Year 2025/2026 would be different. We discovered a wonderful Vietnam-based company offering a small-group tour for 12 people and booked it on the spot.
The Itinerary
Our adventure begins in Hanoi, followed by an overnight cruise on the breathtaking Ha Long Bay. We’ll wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, where we fully intend to treat ourselves to custom-made clothing at a fraction of New Zealand prices. There’s even been talk of visiting Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body – though we’re still working out how we feel about that!
From there, we hop on a domestic flight to Da Nang, where we’ll spend Christmas Day on the beach with tropical cocktails in hand, followed by gloriously fresh Vietnamese–French cuisine. After a few days unwinding, we head south to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – big, bold, modern and rich with history. We’ll learn more about what locals call the “American War” and we’ll descend into the extraordinary underground tunnel systems where thousands once lived during the conflict.
To end our journey, we’re venturing off on our own to Da Lat, a cool and picturesque mountain town known for its markets, culture and beautiful scenery.
And with a few more days to go…
Passports and Visas? Check.
Flights? Check.
Insurance (shockingly high for “women of a certain age”)? Check.
Imodium, lightweight clothing and comfy sandals? All checked.
We’re packed, prepared, and counting down the days until the Airport Shuttle collects us bright and early on Friday. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this unforgettable Christmas and New Year adventure. Watch this space for the January edition – the Cool Old Gals are hoping you’ll learn a thing or two from our travels!
By Meg Daly
