A honeymoon in Vietnam is filled with beauty and adventure. From its rice fields, beautiful beaches, and night markets to historic cities, tunnels, and pagodas, the Southeast Asian nation offers plenty of places to keep you and your new spouse busy.
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Is Vietnam a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Vietnam, one of the three countries in French Indochina alongside Cambodia and Laos, is an excellent honeymoon destination. It offers the perfect mix of natural beauty, culture, adventure, nightlife, and romance. These become even more memorable with the country’s top-notch cuisine and warm, hospitable locals.
What Activities Can You Do on a Honeymoon in Vietnam?
- Get closer to nature. Several cities and regions in Vietnam have national parks where you can enjoy many activities, including trekking and swimming in waterfalls. You can also hike mountains, including Mount Fansipan. If you want to dip in the waters, the country has many sandy beaches; the South China Sea borders it to the east and south, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
- Taste the cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine is a delight for the health-conscious since it uses fresh ingredients and commonly features leafy greens. If you want to feel like a local, book a street food tour and try their famous street eats like xoi and bun cha. Alternatively, take your culinary experience to the next level and enroll in a cooking class with your partner.
- Enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Once the sun sets, many cities in Vietnam boast a bustling night scene. You can shop at a night market, find interesting souvenirs, enjoy street food, and party in one of the local bars.
- Learn about Vietnam’s rich history. Vietnam has a multicultural history, having been occupied by several countries such as France, China, and Japan. You can explore various war museums to learn about their past or go further back in time by visiting different old cities like Hoi An and Hue.
- Visit pagodas. Buddhism is one of the major religions in Vietnam. If you and your spouse want to bask in spirituality or admire their temples’ architecture, don’t forget to include visiting pagodas on your to-do list.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Vietnam?
Since the country spans over 1,000 miles long, regions have varying temperatures.
- Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay) experiences warm and sunny days from March to April and September to November.
- If you visit Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue), you’ll have a pleasant experience visiting between February and early August. Note that late August to November is their typhoon season.
- Planning will be more flexible if your honeymoon is in Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta). They have warm temperatures throughout the year, but December to February are the best times to visit when rice fields have vibrant green hues.
Is a Honeymoon in Vietnam Expensive?
A Vietnam honeymoon is considered an affordable luxury. Exploring key places over seven days will cost around $1,000 per person without flights. Of course, your accommodations, meals, and flight preferences will significantly affect this number.
How To Plan a Budget Honeymoon in Vietnam
While most things are already budget-friendly in Vietnam, you can search for cheaper accommodations, eat in local restaurants, and use public transportation to save money.
Plan your itinerary well to optimize your budget. Most couples explore various cities to make the most of their post-wedding trip. Consult a map while planning to choose the most cost-efficient routes. If you don’t want to plan it all yourself, book a package tour so you don’t have to spend energy planning the details of a honeymoon.
7 Best Cities to Honeymoon In Vietnam
Hanoi
The Vietnamese capital is a French colonial city where Eastern and Western influences converge. Wander around the streets and check out shops and restaurants. The most popular spot is the Old Quarter, where you can see traditional architecture and temples. After exploring this district, visit the oasis that is Hoan Kiem Lake. You can also make a day trip to Sapa, known for its lush rice terraces and bamboo forests.
Where to stay: Old Quarter
Halong Bay
This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises around 1,600 islands and islets. Beyond its white sand beaches and turquoise waters (where you can enjoy kayaking and snorkeling), you can take a cruise or hop on a boat tour. Explore various caves and floating villages, or take a different route and experience the thrill of Sun World Halong Park, the largest amusement park in the country.
Where to stay: Cat Ba Island
Hoi An
Hoi An is a coastal town with colonial houses, pristine beaches, and serene temples. You can book a historical tour to learn more about the region’s interesting past. Cham Island is the place to go if you want to be up close and personal with marine life. Go on a day tour to Hue, another ancient destination in Vietnam, or Da Nang, home to the famous Ba Na Hills and Marble Mountains.
Where to stay: Cam Pho
Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly known as Saigon, this southern city offers top landmarks, fabulous boutiques, and plenty of street food. You can cruise along the Saigon River, stroll around the Chinese Quarter, or understand the US invasion of Vietnam at the War Remnants Museum. Set aside time for a day excursion at Mekong Delta and shop around floating markets.
Where to stay: District 1
Phu Quoc
Ho Chi Minh is the largest city, but Phu Quoc is the largest island. Apart from visiting fishing villages and getting acquainted with the locals’ way of life, you and your loved one can take the time to soak up the sun on its stunning beaches. You can also do an array of water sports. Never leave the island without trying their fish sauce and seafood.
Where to stay: Dung Dong Town
Con Dao
On the southeastern coast of Vietnam, you’ll find Con Dao. This group of islands has stunning beaches, a national park where you can meet wildlife, and temples. If you want to immerse yourself in history, visit the Con Dao Museum to learn about the region’s prison system. You can also visit three prison sites and know where thousands of Vietnamese soldiers were tortured.
Where to stay: Con Son Island
Nha Trang
A significant tourist attraction in Vietnam, Nha Thrang is the country’s seafood capital. It has miles and miles of beautiful beaches and boasts unique mud baths. It also houses many cultural sites, including Po Nagar Cham Towers. From Nha Trang, go on a day tour at Dalat, also known as the Valley of Love. Another excursion is to Mui Ne, where you can explore its famous red and white sand dunes.
Where to stay: Tran Phu Beach
What Is the Best Way to Travel to Vietnam?
Tourists from the US must book connecting flights in a neighboring country, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, or China. The main airports in Vietnam are:
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh),
- Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang)
- Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi).
Traveling Within Vietnam
Your transport options from the airport to your destination include a taxi, bus, vehicle-for-rent, or plane (if you need to book a domestic flight). To get around Vietnam, car and motorbike rentals are popular choices. For longer routes, you may want to hop on a train. If you want to see various regions, you may need to ride a boat since the country boasts a vast network of rivers.
What Types of Honeymoon Accommodations Are Available in Vietnam?
Many honeymooners opt for beachfront boutique hotels or luxurious resorts like Six Senses when staying in coastal areas. If you stay at a beach resort, you can avail of activities such as water sports (e.g., scuba diving so you can explore the country’s beautiful coral reefs).
Apart from Airbnb rental properties and guesthouses, other accommodation options sit on the unique side of the spectrum. These include camping in caves, treehouses, eco-lodges, luxury boats, sleep pods, tubular hotels, and private islands.
3 Local Dishes to Try While Honeymooning in Vietnam
- Phở. Vietnam offers many noodle dishes, but this is the most known among tourists. It features a flavorful broth, rice noodles, and meat (usually beef).
- Cơm tấm. This dish is made from rice with broken rice grains. It’s iconic street food in Saigon with tender pork cutlet, pork skin, pickles, and cucumber.
- Banh mi. This Vietnamese sandwich (a short baguette) is filled with chicken and pickled vegetables.
Are There Any Cultural Experiences to Include in a Vietnamese Honeymoon?
Vietnam is an old territory, with historical periods dating back as early as 4,000 BCE. If you’re culture savvy, visit historical places such as Hue and Hoi An, Khai Dinh Tomb, My Son Cham Ruins, War Remnants Museum, and Vinh Moc and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Exploring pagodas is ideal if you want to know more about Buddhism. If you’re interested in architecture, you can book an architecture tour and efficiently get acquainted with the country’s temples and imperial buildings.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in Vietnam
Bring various clothing options, from light casualwear to activewear and beachwear. It’s also a good idea to bring:
- Layers for nighttime temperatures. If you’re visiting the North during winter, a warm jacket is something you shouldn’t forget.
- A scarf and modest clothing (something that covers your knees and shoulders) if you visit temples.
- Umbrellas and bug sprays. These are essential regardless of the month and region you visit.
Remember: The clothes you’ll bring will depend on your itinerary.
Is Vietnam Safe to Visit For a Honeymoon?
Whenever traveling abroad, it’s always better to maintain a high level of alertness. Generally, Vietnam is a safe place to visit. Make your honeymoon experience a safe one by following these tips:
- Follow the news for protests and avoid going to affected areas.
- Exercise caution when riding a motorbike (traffic accidents are prone in the country).
- Be more vigilant when in metropolitan cities. Don’t wear thin-strapped bags to avoid being a victim of theft.
- Wear your bag cross-body, not only over one shoulder. Most robberies are drive-bys.
- Be cautious of when you take your smartphone or camera.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Vietnam?
All US citizens must obtain a tourist visa, valid for 30 days. You must secure this electronic visa via an online application before you head for Vietnam.
Bonus Vietnam Travel Tips
- Never drink tap water in Vietnam. Though it can be used to brush your teeth, it’s safer to use bottled water.
- ATMs are common in Vietnam, but note that these machines can only issue Vietnamese Dong ($1 is about ₫23,707 as of writing).
- Vietnamese is the sole official language in the country, and only some locals can speak English.
- Express your appreciation for services by giving tips, though it’s not mandatory.
- Know the basic etiquette when visiting pagodas: Apart from covering the head, shoulders, and knees, you must not wear hats or sunglasses. Observe silence, don’t bring meat, and don’t take photos inside.