Planning an Adventurous Vietnam Honeymoon

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A Vietnam honeymoon is perfect for couples looking for a far-flung destination in Southeast Asia. This top honeymoon spot checks all the right boxes: beaches, culture, a lively food scene, nightlife, shopping and more. If you and your partner don't exactly fancy sticking in one place for the duration of your entire trip, a Vietnam honeymoon is definitely an option to consider.

The country is best seen by jumping around to various cities as opposed to sticking to one spot or resort. Naturally, this requires a little extra attention to detail while honeymoon planning, but we're here to help you get started.

From the best cities to see in Vietnam to travel trends and tips for a quintessential honeymoon experience, here's a quick hit of everything you need to know about a Vietnam honeymoon.

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Vietnam Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Vietnam
• Vietnam Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Places to Visit in Vietnam
• Best Vietnam Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Vietnam Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Vietnam Honeymoon

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Best Time to Honeymoon in Vietnam

The best time to visit Vietnam is around February or March. During these months, the temperatures in the south are a bit high, as is the humidity, but you'll have less rain. (In fact, the Southeast Asian monsoon season can really impact your travel, shutting down transportation, even.) In the North, February and March are also moderate (winter low temperatures hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Best weather: February and March.
Festival highlights: Tết (Vietnamese New Year) in January or February, which is the biggest celebration with fireworks, traditional cuisine and family reunions; the Mid-Autumn Festival, known for its lantern processions and mooncakes; the Hue Festival, which showcases Vietnamese art, music and heritage.

Vietnam Honeymoon Planning Tips

If you're at all worried that you might grow bored, because you just can't fathom the thought of spending more than a week at one beach resort, you should definitely consider a honeymoon in Vietnam. There's so much to do. In fact, there's so much to do that you'll easily run out of time in your honeymoon itinerary to see and do it all. (In that case, maybe an anniversary trip will be in order.)

If, however, you're looking for a romantic getaway where you can kick back and relax in one spot, Vietnam might not be the best choice for you. While you certainly can do that (and many beautiful beachside bungalows that cater to honeymooners), that wouldn't really be making the most of your visit. You might want to consider a more beach-centric Asian destination and go somewhere like Fiji instead.

Additionally, Vietnam is not the place to go if you only have a short timeframe set aside for your honeymoon. Flights to Hanoi can take quite a few hours (or even multiple days) and normally require at least one layover, regardless of if you're traveling from the East or West Coast. You don't want to spend the majority of your honeymoon on a plane or in the airport, so be sure to keep that in mind before buying plane tickets.

Planning on driving or riding a motorbike on your Vietnamese adventure? Make sure you have the proper permits. To legally drive in Vietnam, you'll need to get a Vietnamese driver's license, as Vietnam does not recognize U.S. driver's licenses or International Driving Permits (IDP).

Entry requirements: You must have a valid US passport and a visa (or pre-approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay and you'll need at least one blank visa page.
Language: Vietnamese.
Location: Vietnam is located on the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia.
Currency: The Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Flight time to Destination: From Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, direct flights can take about 15-16 hours, while connecting flights may vary.
Getting around: Domestic flights, trains, buses, motorbikes, bicycles and by foot.

Pro tip: Check out travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Vietnam honeymoon expertise from professional honeymoon planners.

Places to Visit in Vietnam

When thinking about a Vietnam honeymoon, it's most helpful to think of the country in terms of Northern Vietnam and Southern Vietnam.

One of the biggest honeymoon destinations in Vietnam is Da Lat, which sits in the southern highlands. The region is renowned as a romantic spot filled with French architecture and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery (it's even been called The Little Paris).

If you prefer staying in a big city, both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are good fits. In Hanoi, couples can take in views from the lakes, visit pagodas, and shop at the Old Quarter night market adjacent to the street food scene. In Ho Chi Minh City, a street food tour and karaoke are favorite to-dos among locals.

A beach getaway should involve Nha Trang for its white-sand beaches flanked by palm trees. On a similar note, Halong Bay is an excellent choice for water fans. Hire a boat to take you out on the clear waters among the limestone cliffs and see what all the fuss is about when it comes to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of Vietnam's beaches involve pristine water views, made even more breathtaking by mountains in the distance. Water sport activities are also plentiful, from snorkeling to sailing to kayaking.

To soak in Vietnam's culture and heritage, visit Hoi An, a smaller town that's a little more private (and affordable). Stroll through the Old Town, and discover shops and delicious food along the waterfront.

Best Vietnam Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

Vietnam boasts a range of honeymoon accommodations, from luxury beach resorts in Da Nang and Nha Trang to boutique hotels in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Here are some of our top picks.

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Six Senses, Con Dao

For a luxury resort with beachfront, look to Six Senses, Con Dao. The Six Senses brand is known for providing amazing experiences all around the world, with each resort tailored to its particular destination. Renowned for its resorts' spas and dining, as well as their many unique activities for guests (think cooking classes, beach yoga and the like), this is where you go to feel pampered. Finally: if you'd like to experience the Six Senses brand, but don't plan on staying in Con Dao, you can also try the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

If you're looking for a more centrally-located hotel, try Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. It sits right in the heart of Hanoi, giving you excellent access to some of the city's best attractions, as well as cafes, bars, theaters and live music venues. Romantic, elegant and exclusive, this is a hotel choice you won't regret for your honeymoon.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

This JW Marriott hotel is situated inside a reclaimed 19th-century French university. The result is a gorgeous property that blends modern Vietnamese style with French colonial architecture. You're right on the beach and the resort offers five different restaurants and bars, as well as a spa. Just note that, while this resort is definitely worth a stay, if you plan on seeing more of Vietnam, you'll likely want to book other nights elsewhere, as Phu Quoc Island sits off the Vietnam mainland, in the Gulf of Thailand.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for accommodations that'll provide you more privacy or lower prices, consider booking a romantic Airbnb or VRBO in Vietnam.

Vietnam Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

From exploring the historic streets of Hoi An to enjoying the scenic views of Halong Bay, adventurous couples will find plenty of things to do on a honeymoon in Vietnam. Here are a few ideas to help you start building your travel itinerary.

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Explore The Natural Scenery

Vietnam boasts multiple bustling cities and cultural hotspots, but you'd be remiss to pass up Vietnam's natural beauty if you have the opportunity to visit the national parks during your honeymoon. There are many, many ways to explore, so don't think you're stuck hiking rugged trails for the duration of your park visit (though that's certainly an option). You can also cycle and kayak your way through the parks, or hire a boat for the day so you can let someone else do the hard work. Check out Nui Chua National Park, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park to get you started.

Shop at a Floating Market

Floating marketplaces are everywhere in southwest Vietnam. Vendors take to the water in oblong boats to hawk their wares along the rivers. You can easily make a stop off from Ho Chi Minh City to shop at one of the nearby markets for the day. You can also book a floating market tour and actually spend the day on one of the boats, so you can learn more about, and fully experience, this unique part of Vietnam culture.

Not sure your wobbly sea legs can stand up to a day-long boat ride? Shopping is also popular in Hoi An, where you'll find affordable night-time shopping and lots of locally handcrafted souvenirs.

Get a Taste of Vietnam

This beautiful Southeast Asian country boasts an incredible food scene, especially when it comes to the affordable street food that's so easily accessible. Take a street food tour for some guidance (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both excellent choices for a tour) or explore on your own. Whatever option you choose, be sure to try cho, the savory soup; banh mi, a classic Vietnamese sandwich; and banh xeo, a savory crepe-like dish.

Pro tip: Add Vietnam honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so your friends and family can give you experience gifts you can enjoy abroad.

What to Pack for a Vietnam Honeymoon

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Your packing checklist should include a variety of clothing options, including beachwear, hiking and activewear, comfortable walking shoes, layers for cooler and nighttime temperatures, a few dressier outfits for dining out, a rain jacket and some sort of scarf or shoulder and head covering if you plan on visiting any temples throughout your trip.

If you're traveling during the winter months and plan to visit the North, pack a warm jacket in your honeymoon luggage. If traveling during rainy months, pack not only that rain jacket, but also an umbrella and bug spray.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.