A Vietnamese Honeymoon

After the madness of all the wedding preparations and of course the big day itself, you'll hopefully have slept on the flight(s) and will arrive feeling ready for your honeymoon adventure. A driver will be waiting to meet you, bearing a sign with your married names on it (!), ready to whisk you off to your hotel in central Hanoi.

Since you'll have had a busy few weeks and a long journey, we have left today free for you to get your bearings, settle into Vietnamese time and simply enjoy the fact that the honeymoon has officially started. We will recommend some of our favourite restaurants for dinner and book one in advance.

Hopefully feeling fully refreshed, today we have organised for you to spend the day exploring Hanoi with a local guide. You'll stop at several of the city's key sites this morning, including the marble-clad Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the old home and gardens of Ho Chi Minh himself, the Temple of Literature, and the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 and has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. After a stop for lunch, your guide will then lead you to Hoa Lo Prison (often referred to as the Hanoi Hilton due to the important American prisoners who were held here during the Vietnam-American war), the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, Quan Thanh Temple and the Museum of Ethnology.

The day then finishes up with a cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) tour through Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, also known as 36 Streets, and finally, a trip to the water puppet theatre where you'll watch an entertaining live performance of this uniquely northern Vietnamese art form.

Halong Bay is the iconic Vietnamese postcard shot and one of the highlights on your trip. This morning you'll be picked up and driven three hours east to the dock for your overnight bay cruise. Once you board the boat, lunch is served on the deck as you set sail for Lan Ha Bay, which you should reach within the first hour. Your first stop is Trung Trang Cave, which is peppered with beautiful stalactites, formed out of ancient limestone karsts, in the heart of Cat Ba National Park. As its nickname ‘bat cave’ suggests, the cave is home to a colony of bats, and during the American war from 1964-1968, was home to the naval headquarters.

Once back at the boat, enjoy an evening swim in the emerald green water, take part in a cooking demonstration or simply watch the sunset. Curling up on the deck with a drink in hand and the stars shining down on you is a wonderfully romantic way to spend one of your first nights together as a married couple.

Get up nice and early this morning to watch the sunrise from the top deck, with a steaming cup of coffee and a pastry. There aren't many more beautiful locations to see the sky light up than amid the dramatic limestone pinnacles of Lan Ha Bay. Afterwards, enjoy a tai chi class on the deck to stretch those tired limbs and then opt for a final dip in the bay or a climb up a nearby hilltop for a panoramic view. Breakfast will then be served as you sail back to the harbour.

When you sail into the harbour, a driver will meet you and take you back to Hanoi airport in time to check in for your short domestic flight to Da Nang airport. Once landed in Da Nang, you will be transferred down the coast to your new hotel in Hoi An, which is just 45 minutes away.

It's a well-documented fact that some of the most frequent married arguments are in the kitchen, so this morning we thought we'd throw you in at the deep end with an interactive foodie experience that'll see you helping local chefs rustle up your lunch - no arguments please! Spend the day in the heart of Tra Que, a Vietnamese traditional village. Travel by boat before enjoying a bike ride through the village, renowned for its gardens and aromatic plants. Here, Mr. Tuan will teach you how to make Tam Huu, the village specialty – a delicious Vietnamese spring roll using pork, prawns and herbs wrapped in fresh lettuce. With stomachs by now surely grumbling, end the experience feasting on your creations. Indulge in an authentic foot massage before being transferred back to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon.

After your city-based adventures yesterday, head into the tranquil countryside today for a day spent exploring the Kingdom of Champa’s ancient religious ruins. My Son is a religious centre in the kingdom of Champa, built between the fourth and 13th centuries CE. Although less well known, these monuments are just as spectacular as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. Spend the morning marvelling at the Khmer ruin-filled archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site before heading back to the city. Spend the afternoon browsing the market or just enjoy the colours of downtown Hoi An.

Come evening, enjoy a romantic sunset river cruise before docking for dinner among the lush rice fields. Take a seat at your private table atop a floating pontoon, while admiring the stunning scenery that surrounds you. Tuck into a delicious dinner made using fresh local ingredients, which will be prepared right before your eyes.

Have a leisurely lie in this morning before you check out of your hotel and make your way back to Da Nang airport with your driver. From there you'll catch a short flight south to Nha Trang airport before being picked up and taken to your final honeymoon hotel - right on the beach. As a honeymoon staple, a beach break is the perfect way to relax into married life and spend some time simply enjoying each other's company before heading back to reality. Arriving in time for a long, lazy lunch, you'll slip right into the laidback beach lifestyle. Top the day off with a cocktail or two as the sun sets.

The beaches around Nha Trang and Cam Ranh are renowned for their miles of white sandy beaches and palm lined bays, and the coral reefs offshore are perfect for a spot of snorkelling. While taking the opportunity to get stuck into a good book or two, catch up on some sleep and spend plenty of time soaking up the sun. You'll also want to make time to enjoy pampering yourself in the hotel spa (a foot massage is our favourite) so that you leave feeling fully rejuvenated. Even tuck into breakfast in bed – the ultimate guilty pleasure.

If you’ve had your fill of R&R, we have all kinds of fun activities up our sleeve that will fill a day or two. Head out on a guided adventure hike up into the surrounding countryside, turn up the heat with a Vietnamese cooking class or join the resident terrestrial biologist on a hike and learn about forest life. A romantic picnic on a private beach with a delicious selection of treats is also a great way to break up the day.

Those that like to stay a little more active needn't worry either - all the hotels we work with in the area offer an array of water sports and have sports facilities on site. The local area is a bustling hub of tourist and local activity, so exploring and eating out can be easily arranged. The seafood in this area is particularly good, so make sure you get your fill, whether in the hotel or in one of our recommended restaurants.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon has come to end and it's time to head back to reality. Start the journey home with a domestic flight from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City, where you can then connect onto your international flight(s) to the UK.