For our honeymoon, we wanted a blend of adventure and relaxation, all while indulging in incredible food. After considering various destinations, one stood out: Vietnam. We had fond memories of Southeast Asia from a previous trip to Thailand and had heard rave reviews from friends who had spent their gap years exploring the country. This time, we decided to trade hostels for luxurious hotels and night buses for taxis, embarking on a high-end journey through a country often associated with backpacking. However, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of planning involved. Vietnam is a vast country with diverse climates and a wealth of experiences to offer, from bustling cities to serene mountains, pristine beaches, and historical sites. Feeling lost, I turned to Unforgettable Travel Company (UTC) and spoke with their Asia specialist, Luke Stapylton-Smith, who meticulously planned our trip. The entire process was effortless, and I was thrilled when our itinerary arrived in a sleek app.
Our journey began in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where we arrived after a long flight, greeted by the warmth of 35-degree heat, the symphony of beeping horns, and vibrantly colored buildings. We dropped our bags and joined a food tour led by our local guide, Lee, who whisked us around in a tuk-tuk. We sampled delectable street food, from pork skewers marinated in sweet and spicy sauce to water buffalo, chicken noodle soup, papaya salad, and flaky baguettes. We even attempted the infamous 20-day eggs – Google it if you dare! The sheer volume of food ensured a good night’s sleep, and the next day we headed to the port to board the Aqua Mekong.
This luxury boat, boasting a 1:1 staff ratio, a pool, gym, cinema, spa, and exceptional local excursions and cuisine, lives up to its name as a floating paradise. Our spacious cabin, with wood paneling, a double bed, sofa, and armchair, was a welcome sight after our travels. We spent days enjoying the river views but found ourselves captivated by the countless activities. We explored floating fishing villages on RIBs, visited bustling markets and ancient pagodas, and experienced the warm hospitality of local families, indulging in numerous shots of rice wine in one man’s home. This gave us a unique perspective on Vietnam that most tourists miss. My favorite excursion was a 18km cycle from Gieng Island towards My An Hung village. We biked along, greeted by waves from children, stopped at a golden temple, and explored verdant back streets before taking a ferry to our destination. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the boat staff with Aperol spritzes and enjoyed a traditional unicorn dance, marveling at the skill and strength of the performers. All of this was complemented by Chef Phaera’s exquisite culinary creations. All meals, including wine and beer, were included and were a multi-course delight. We savored Laksa, pho, congee, ban xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), and dishes like caramelized pork ribs in young coconut juice and black pepper and grilled river lobster. The staff, all Vietnamese or Cambodian, were incredibly attentive, from personalized water bottles to a complimentary laundry service. We felt truly pampered. Though I didn’t want to leave the boat, three days later we bid farewell with cruise director Vuthy gifting each woman a rose in celebration of International Women’s Day.
We then journeyed to Ho Chi Minh City, where we stayed in District 1, surrounded by towering skyscrapers, designer shops, bustling mopeds, and iconic landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Cafe Apartments. We met Bien, our local guide, and witnessed the daily life of the city – from morning dance classes in the park to men preparing their birds for a singing competition, temple tours, and stories of Bien’s childhood during the Vietnam War. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of noodles topped with pork mince, fish balls, and prawns in District 5’s Chinatown. That evening, we joined Hai for a street food tour by vintage Jeep, sampling banh xeo, banh khot (smaller pancakes), Vietnamese pizza, and ending with refreshing coconut ice cream topped with pistachios and coconut water.
Next, we flew to Quy Nhon in Central Vietnam, a favorite destination for Vietnamese tourists. Quy Nhon was a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. We stayed at the Anatara Quy Nhon, a luxurious resort with villas overlooking the hotel’s private beach. Our room featured a king-sized bed, indoor and outdoor showers, and a bathtub overlooking our private ocean-side pool. The hotel’s restaurant, Sea Fire Salt, showcased elevated dishes using local ingredients. We enjoyed a decadent surf and turf tower cooked on a million-year-old chunk of pink Himalayan rock salt.
One of my most memorable experiences at Anantara came after a morning market tour with the hotel’s sous chef. After learning about our preferences, he returned with bags full of fresh ingredients, ready to create a personalized menu for Jack and me. The 12 oysters covered in scallion oil and crispy onion bites, cabbage and prawn soup, and razor clams with morning glory were incredible, but two dishes truly stole my heart: the squid and shredded mango salad with peanuts, chilis, and herbs; and the fish that flaked apart, coated in a spicy turmeric broth and green chillies, delivering an umami punch that still makes my mouth water. It’s safe to say our appetites were thoroughly satisfied. We also indulged in other hotel offerings like martial arts classes, a couple’s massage, and Thich’s Tours, a fantastic way to learn about the region’s history.
Reluctant to leave Anantara, we headed to their second branch in Hoi An, traveling in style on the hotel’s luxury train carriage – The Vietage. The six-hour journey took us through stunning scenery and provided a private dining booth and two sleeping cabins. This was unlike any first-class train I’d experienced, with a fine dining three-course menu featuring dishes like duck terrine, Hoi An chicken rice, and passionfruit tart. I eventually settled into the comfortable sleeping compartment and dozed peacefully until our arrival.
Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a captivating blend of Chinese architecture and French colonial buildings. The pedestrian-friendly, lantern-lit streets are home to vibrant shops, restaurants, night markets, and boat trips along the central river. The Hoi An Anatara, with its impressive building minutes from the town’s entrance, offers unparalleled hospitality and the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever encountered. Each room boasts its own veranda, but despite my desire to relax with a book, there was much to explore.
We began with a cooking class, then met Lap, our guide for Central Vietnam, who took us on a bike ride across the river to a carpentry and boat-making village, where we admired the skills of their trade. Lap led us on a private tour of My Son Sanctuary, a collection of temples built by the Cham people between the 4th and 14th centuries, in a reclaimed US army Jeep. We were mesmerized by the architecture of these buildings, which have amazed experts since their rediscovery in the late 1800s. We then ventured to The Marble Mountains, where we discovered religious statues carved from the marble within their caves, their scale simply breathtaking. Our journey continued to the former capital, Hue, where we spent a night at Phuoc’s family homestay.
From Hue, Lap drove us an hour to Banyan Tree Lang Co, nestled between the beach and forest. We were greeted with kumquat tea and mung bean sweets, then introduced to our butler, Phung, adorned in a beautiful green and white áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress). The moment we opened the gates to our villa, we were speechless. We had a private garden, a deck, a sparkling blue pool overlooking a green lake with purple flowers, and stunning mountain views. Phung kindly took a picture of us in our exquisite room, which she later presented in a homemade frame decorated with seashells.
The hotel offered an array of activities, including chest opening yoga, kayaking, golf, conical hat painting, water sports, bamboo weaving, and more. Knowing we had limited time in this paradise, we made our way to the spa for a foot bath and a couple’s massage. Unsurprisingly, we enjoyed the hotel’s Mediterranean, Vietnamese, and Thai restaurants. For our final night, we opted for Destination Dining, indulging in lobster bisque, pan-fried sea bass, and tiramisu on the beach, surrounded by glowing fairy lights and tiki torches. Before we knew it, we were at Da Nang Airport for our flight to Hanoi, the country’s capital.
Upon our arrival in Hanoi, our local guide, Tchung, informed us that we might need a jacket as we were transitioning from the high 30s to the low 20s. We stayed at InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, a 5-star hotel known for its colonial style building overlooking the largest lake in Hanoi. The hotel offered breathtaking sunset views from its bar and our room’s balcony, a ginormous breakfast buffet, a state-of-the-art gym, and friendly staff eager to transport us around the resort in golf buggies. While the hotel was tempting to stay at, the area had much to offer. We watched people rent swan-shaped pedalos and sip coffee at outdoor cafes, while others explored the Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest temple in Hanoi.
After a quick pitstop in Hanoi, we embarked on a two-hour drive to Ha Long Bay, where we boarded an Orchid Cruise to explore the Cat Ba Archipelago, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Our room, with its balcony, full-sized bathtub, and breathtaking views of the towering rocky islands, was hard to leave. But the top deck, offering panoramic views and happy hour at the bar, was even more enticing. During our two days on the boat, we explored historical caves, cycled to a village where we sampled snake wine and had our feet nibbled by fish. We returned to Hanoi, this time in style, via seaplane.
The next morning, Tchung took us on a tour of his city. We visited Ngoc Son Temple and heard the legend of the turtles who lived in the surrounding waters. We enjoyed a rickshaw ride before reaching Hang Bac Street, where we met an elderly woman and her son who welcomed us into their traditional home. While offering us sweets and green tea, she shared her life story, including her memories of the French occupation of Hanoi and the Vietnam War, when the family hid under their floor. We felt incredibly privileged to hear her story and receive such a warm welcome. We then visited the Museum of Ethnology, learning about the cultures of the 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Our day concluded with egg coffee, hearty pho, and a lesson in making banh cuon, a rolled rice pancake with pork.
It was time to bid farewell to Tchung and to Vietnam, though we wished we could have stayed longer. We left for the airport determined to return and explore more of this beautiful country, perhaps for our wedding anniversary.
UTC organized all our activities, guides, private transfers, homestay, Orchid Cruise, and seaplane, while we made direct arrangements with the hotels and the Aqua Mekong.
This honeymoon was not just a trip; it was an experience that will stay with us forever. We discovered a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, and we were treated like royalty throughout our journey. Vietnam truly exceeded all our expectations.
