The Ultimate Vietnam Honeymoon

Highlights

This epic Vietnamese honeymoon combines exotic culture, thrilling outdoor adventure, and lush tropical scenery. 11 magical nights begin in bustling capital Hanoi, with its fantastic shopping and sightseeing opportunities and world-famous street food scene. A memorable seaplane transfer then brings you out to Halong Bay, where you’ll enjoy two nights among the stunning karst landscapes onboard a luxury small ship cruise. It’s then on to Hoi An, famed for its UNESCO-protected Old Town, exciting rural activities, skilled tailors, and yet more mouth-watering cuisine. The trip rounds out with 4 nights at a luxury resort on just outside the coastal city of Nha Trang for well-deserved beach time and r&r. This will be a completely bespoke itinerary – please speak to our consultants to tailor as much or as little as you require.

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1 Hanoi: Arrival into Noi Bai International Airport

Your 11-night trip begins with your arrival into Noi Bai International Airport. You’ll be greeted by your private English-speaking guide, and then private driver, and together they will transfer you to your city hotel.

Located in the northwest of the Red River Delta, Hanoi translates as “the hinterland between the rivers.” It’s also a city of lakes, with 18 found here, the most prominent of which is the picturesque Hoan Kiem lake situated right in the city center, just south of the bustling Old Quarter. A heady mix of Eastern and European styles, Hanoi is a fascinating and fun place to explore independently.

Your guide will provide a brief introduction to the city during the transfer and after checking into your accommodation the rest of the day can be enjoyed at your leisure, allowing you to get settled into the new time zone and enjoy the start of your unforgettable honeymoon. We can recommend a few favorite restaurants so that you can make your reservations in advance.

DAY 2 Hanoi: City tour of the Vietnamese capital

After breakfast you will meet your guide and head out for a private tour of the city. Start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in the country, built in 1070 instructing the teachings of Confucius. You’ll then enjoy a walking tour of the atmospheric and energetic Old Quarter, which includes a short stop inside a family home to learn more about local life and lifestyles. Continue to the highly photogenic Ngoc Son Temple which sits proudly in the middle of Hoan Kiem lake, before rounding out the morning with a lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is then yours to relax back at the hotel or continue exploring independently.

DAY 3 Halong Bay: Seaplane to Halong Bay; embark Halong Bay cruise

After an early breakfast you’ll be transferred back to Hanoi Airport where you’ll board an unforgettable seaplane flight over to Halong Bay. Lasting around 45 minutes, the flight provides magnificent aerial views of the Red River Delta and finishes with a loop around Halong Bay before a thrilling water landing at Tuan Chau Marina.

At Tuan Chau you will board your two-night cruise. In the first couple of hours enjoy the views from sundeck or private cabin as you sail out beyond the day cruise and short itinerary operators to a more remote corner of the Bay. Later on you will enjoy excursions such as visits to small islets and fishing villages, kayaking or swimming, and cooking demonstrations. In the evening, once cocktail hour is finished, a delicious a la carte dinner is served. Overnight on-board. Please note that your local guide is not permitted to join you onboard; all excursions will be led by cruise guides and shared with other passengers.

DAY 4 Halong Bay: Onboard Halong Bay cruise

It’s worth rising early this morning to catch the sunrise from your balcony, or up on the top deck where staff will lead an energizing Tai Chi lesson. Breakfast is served before you transfer to a comfortable day boat for the day’s excursions, again taking in the dramatic scenery and local lifestyles. Back onboard you will have time for sunbathing on deck, a spa treatment, swimming off-deck, or perhaps joining the staff for some squid-fishing. Another excellent dinner is served onboard.

DAY 5 Hoi An: Disembark and fly down to Hoi An

You have the option of another early start for Tai Chi, before the cruise begins its sail back the mainland. A good breakfast and a further excursion on board will be included before you disembark back in Tuan Chua. You’ll be met by your private guide and driver once more and then transferred to the airport for an onward flight down to Hoi An.

You’ll be met on arrival by a new guide and driver team who will take you to your luxurious beach resort just outside town. Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port. It was most active between the 15^th and 19^th centuries, with much of the infrastructure dating back to the time still standing. Hoi An is famous for its tailors and is a great place to pick up well-priced bespoke clothing; please speak to your consultant or guide for a recommendation.

DAY 6 Hoi An: My Son and the Marble Mountains by Jeep

After breakfast you will be met by your guide and an open-top jeep – your transport for the day. Set off on the coast toward the famed Marble Mountains: its five summits are named after five elements – metal, fire, wood, earth and water.  They are home to numerous tunnels, pagodas, caves and many grottoes ready to be explored. Park up and enjoy a short hike to the summit of of Thuy Son (Water Mountain) for a magnificent panorama of the surrounding countryside. You’ll then head down and take rural backroads, enjoying scenery of paddy fields, water buffalo, and small villages – with ample time to stop for photos en route.

At a local restaurant you will enjoy a delicious local lunch of “Mi Quang” – a noodle soup dish which is a speciality of central Vietnam. Your jeep then brings you to My Son: a rural Cham temple site which dates back to the 8^th century. Your guide will lead you a short hike up to the main temple site, bordered by jungle, providing the history of the site as you go. A final scenic drive through the rural outskirts of Hoi An brings you back to your hotel, arriving late afternoon, after which you are at leisure.

DAY 7 Hoi An: Private cooking class with Madame Vy

This morning you will learn all about Vietnam’s exotic cuisine and how to prepare it – the perfect souvenir to take back home. You will be picked up and taken to “Vy’s Market,” a unique interactive dining venue with various stalls selling foods, and the opportunity to help prepare dishes. Watch live demonstrations, learning how to handle exotic ingredients and prepare dishes such as Banh Mi, Cao Lau, and all manner of pickles, snacks, and sweets. You’ll then enjoy a private cooking class with an expert local chef in which you can really get hands on. Your preparations will be enjoyed for lunch – your chef-teacher will ensure they turn out nicely! – with additional side dishes, drinks, and sweet treats provided by staff. You’ll also be given a recipe booklet so you can recreate the dishes once back at home.

The rest of the day is then at leisure. There is a wealth of activity on offer in Hoi An: take in a cycling tour of the nearby countryside and villages, shop for clothes or crafts in the Old Town, ask your guide about a side tour to nearby Bach Ma National Park, or spend the day relaxing back at the hotel or on the nearby beach.

DAY 8 Nha Trang: Fly down to Nha Trang and transfer to luxury resort

A leisurely morning brings the opportunity to sleep in or soak up your last moments in Hoi An, before you are transferred privately back to Da Nang Airport for the short flight down the coast to Nha Trang. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred privately to your beach hotel. You’ll be spending four nights at leisure to kick back, relax, and reflect on your adventures.

DAYS 9-11 Nha Trang: Days at leisure

These days are free to spend as you wish. The “Golden Coast” of Vietnam is famous for snorkeling and diving, and also offers the full range of water-based activities – jet-skiing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, and parasailing. On land, you can explore waterfalls, cycle, hike or possibly even arrange a round of golf. As the seafood is excellent here, be sure to sample some of it in one of the excellent restaurants nearby. Nha Trang is also well known for an abundance of health and wellness experiences. You may be able to take advantage of your hotel’s spa or head to another spa for a blissful mud bath, massage therapies, facial and body treatments.

DAY 12 Nha Trang: Departure day

Sadly your luxury honeymoon in Vietnam has come to an end. At the appropriate time you will meet your driver and guide for private transfer back to Nha Trang Airport to check in for your onward flight. Please speak to our consultants for ideas on how to tailor or extend this tour.