Destinations Ideas & Romantic Resorts

With its stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality and world-class luxury accommodations, a Vietnam honeymoon makes a wonderfully romantic way to embark on newly-wedded bliss. Surprisingly, even Vietnam’s cities are alluring, infused with old-world charm, rich culture and historical legacies. There are endless Vietnam honeymoon ideas; however, here are our best destination and resort recommendations for memories to last an eternity.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s main gateway and located in the tropical south, is the launch pad for the honeymoon-worthy island and highland destinations – mostly around an hour’s flight away. At the beginning or end of your Vietnamese honeymoon, you’ll most likely spend time in Saigon – Vietnam’s largest, most exciting and cosmopolitan city.

Despite the ever-increasing modernization, the impressive French colonial-era architecture and quirky Saigonese character are still evident. Much of this dynamic city’s key attractions are clustered in the downtown quarter, easily walkable but best explored by a romantic cyclo or scooter ride.

If you need a break from the frantic urban pace, several luxury boutique hotels have sprung-up along the lush banks of the Saigon River, accessed by complimentary speedboat transfers. Nestled in a quiet residential enclave, Villa Song Saigon, draws inspiration from French-colonial mansions and classical Indochina style, combined with luxe touches and contemporary accents.

All 23 accommodations are unique in character, size, and décor. Further upstream, An Lam Retreats Saigon River offers 19 individually designed gorgeous suites and villas, assigned with butler service. Both these romance-filled yet chic riverside bolt-holes offer breezy balconies for sweeping river views and candlelit dining in waterfront tropical gardens.

Nha Trang

Cradled in a spectacular setting – one of the world’s most beautiful bays dotted with islands surrounded by mountains – the south-central city of Nha Trang has long been a popular beach and party-loving destination. Many hotels line the city’s extensive main beach, but for pure escapism, several upscale resorts are located further out of town; notably two, flip-flop luxury boutique gems on Ninh Van Bay, an isolated, jungle-clad peninsula north of Nha Trang. Secluded on crescent-shaped bays backed by jungle-clad mountains, both resorts are exclusively accessed by speedboat transfers from the mainland.

A long-established jet-setters hideaway, award-winning Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is the epitome of eco-chic sustainable castaway, a classic ‘back to nature’ experience, but in luxurious comfort. The 58 rustic-style pool villas are strung along the private beach, over impressive rock formations or over water, with open-air garden bathrooms and butler service. Dine à deux in the dimly-lit Wine Cave or high on clifftops and enjoy the holistic jungle spa and sunset Champagne cruise on a traditional fishing boat.

Heading north, An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay is again, luxe meets sustainability fronting the peninsula’s pristine beaches, but is more adult-orientated. The 37 timbered villas come with butler service and many, with private pools; for dramatic bay views, book the Treetop Pool Villas. This five-star sanctuary indulges newlyweds with barefoot beach cocktails, private dining at The Rock Spring, sunset boat trips and ‘honeymooner packages.’ Even their iconic restaurant, designed open-air and orb-shaped, appearing to float over Ninh Van Bay, screams romance.

Con Dao

For the full-on beach life, with plenty of water sports, beachfront resorts and entertainment, fly south to Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island and one of its most popular beach destinations. However, for the ultimate in wild romance, Con Dao is more suitable: a tiny archipelago of 16 mountainous islands covered in pristine rainforests off Vietnam’s southern coast. A remote setting of outstanding natural beauty within national and marine parks rich in bio-diversity, Con Dao is home to wildly beautiful beaches, mangrove forests, crystal clear blue-green waters and some of Vietnam’s best scuba diving.

The archipelago’s only inhabited island is Con Son, home to Six Senses Con Dao, an acclaimed celebrity hideaway (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie once stayed here), secluded on a naturally beautiful bay framed by mountains. Con Dao’s first five-star is contemporary in design, yet inspired by traditional fishing villages, where sustainability meets luxe indulgence in isolated nature. The 50 ultra-private pool villas offer butler service and access to a private beach; isolated Ocean View Duplex Pool Villas boast unobstructed ocean vistas from the bathtub. Enjoy jungle movies and starry dinners, wellness journeys at the award-winning spa and undisturbed strolls along the never-ending white sand beach.

Dalat

During the Indochina era, the central highland city of Dalat evolved as a summer hill station retreat for the French colonials and elite Vietnamese and its elevated location and mild temperate climate made a welcome break from the sweltering southern heat. Backed by rolling hills, amid a scenic valley of pine forests, lakes and flower gardens, this ‘City of Eternal Spring’ is Vietnam’s premier honeymoon destination, where romance is almost palpable: stroll hand-in-hand around central Xuan Huong Lake, take a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride through town and visit the ‘Valley of Love.’ Numerous well-preserved colonial-era buildings still stand today, including art-deco hotels and pastel-hued villas, some of which, you can stay at, reliving the romance and history of Indochina Dalat.

Inaugurated 1922 to host the French colonials, today, Dalat Palace Hotel ranks as one of Southeast Asia’s grandest heritage hotels. Elegant interiors have been lavishly restored to a 1920s and 1930s refined colonial charm graced with artworks and antiques. Sumptuous guestrooms and suites – including lavish royal suites – come decorated with period furnishings, vintage clawfoot bathtubs, canopied beds, and chandeliers, some with cozy fireplaces. The acclaimed French fine-dining restaurant is wonderfully romantic for candlelit dinners.

Nestled amongst gently-sloping pine forests, Ana Mandara Dalat, presents a collection of faithfully restored villas, once the residences of French colonials, converted into accommodations. Architecturally different in style and size, each villa offers different décor, layout and ambiance experiences, but all still retain original features, such as shutters, hardwood floors and fireplaces and indulge with clawfoot bathtubs, period furniture and canopied beds. Honeymooners can enjoy candlelit dinners at the Alpine-style restaurant and city tours by vintage automobile.

Hoi An

Everyone loves Hoi An, a 16th century port town, and that includes honeymooners – recently voted ‘One of the world’s most romantic places.’ Positioned alongside picturesque Thu Bon River, Hoi An’s beautifully preserved Ancient Town is brimming with centuries-old cultural treasures, historic sites and quaint buildings and although crowded with visitors, still hasn’t lost its evocative charm.

Post-dusk stroll along the narrow riverside streets, beautifully illuminated with brightly colored lanterns and dine at one of the riverside, open-air restaurants. Located a short stroll away in the charming French Quarter, Anantara Resort Hoi An makes a wonderfully romantic in-town option. Set in lush riverside gardens, his low-rise boutique hotel reflects the port town’s multi-cultural architectural legacies.

The stylish 94 guestrooms and suites provide an open porch or terrace with daybeds, some facing the river, perfect for watching fishing boats chug past. Don’t miss the resort’s private sunset river cruises with Champagne and riverfront dining under palms lit with fairy lights. For a super-private beachside getaway, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a short drive away, hidden amongst tropical gardens fronting a private stretch of Ha My Beach, and strategically positioned near to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, not only Hoi An, but Imperial Hue and My Son Cham Towers.

However, you may not want to extricate yourself from one of Vietnam’s most acclaimed, luxurious resorts. The 60, sensually designed, lavishly appointed villas – either beach front or garden pool options – are couple-focused, providing spaciousness and discreet butler service, along with dimly-lit interiors of gossamer draped beds and eggshell lacquer bathtubs. Relax by the three-tiered infinity pools, enjoy sunset strolls and romantic barbecue dinners on the private white sand beach and treatments at the award-winning spa, edging a serene lotus pond.

Hanoi

Nestled for a millennium beside the Red River in Vietnam’s north, the capital, Hanoi, still hasn’t lost its unique cultural identity and inherent traditions. This former ‘Paris of the Orient’ still ranks as one of Asia’s loveliest cities and with its ancient pagodas and French Indochina legacies of parks and lakes, tree-lined boulevards and 19th century architecture, is utterly romantic. Many of the colonial-era villas are now housed with atmospheric cafés and restaurants.

Take a stroll around Hanoi’s pretty main lakes, West Lake and Hoan Kiem and an evening cyclo ride through the evocative ‘French Quarter’ where Indochina-era buildings are all beautifully illuminated – including Sofitel Legend Metropole. Inaugurated 1901, this award-winning five-star is one of Southeast Asia’s greatest heritage hotels and a legendary city landmark. Despite 21st century renovations, the ‘Grand Dame’ evokes a bygone era, oozing colonial charm blended with Oriental touches; expect four-poster beds, polished timbered floors and period furniture.

Amongst a glittering VIP guest list, Charlie Chaplin spent his own honeymoon here; one of the themed suites in the historic Metropole Wing is named in his honour and provides the ultimate romantic haven. Dinner at the sublime, French fine-dining restaurant followed by a nightcap in the refined Le Club Bar are must-dos.

Halong Bay

Three hours south of Hanoi, what could possibly be more romantic than cruising through the ethereal seascape of Halong Bay and southern neighbor, Lan Ha Bay – some of Asia’s most magnificent natural splendors? In this spectacular ‘Bay of the Descending Dragons,’ glide past a never-ending tableau of limestone karsts and islets jutting out of the emerald-green waters. This two or three-day incredible voyage can be experienced in the height of luxury, aboard a range of boutique cruise vessels, most notably, traditional junk-style boats.

Sumptuous cabin suites provide private balconies, some, Jacuzzi bathtubs, blissful for admiring the magical scenery. Private al fresco dinners under the stars and sunset-watching on deck are other romance-filled experiences, combined with swims off deserted coral beaches and paddling double kayaks to hidden lagoons.