Hanoi is the right place for honeymoon: Travel+Leisure

Travel+Leisure magazine recently named Vietnam one of the 12 most amazing yet affordable honeymoon destinations in the world.

Accordingly, Hanoi is the place to be for a honeymoon that combines culinary and cultural exploration while experiencing the vibrant rhythm of the city. Travel+Leisure recommends the Sofitel Legend Metropole, a luxurious hotel in the heart of the capital surrounded by greenery.

Meanwhile, IHG Hotels & Resorts can provide a chic venue for a marriage proposal, pre-wedding photo shoot, and wedding reception.

Travel+Leisure magazine suggests some destinations for couples. Photo: Screenshot

“Standing proud as the only over-water luxury hotel in Vietnam’s capital, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is a stalwart in the wedding scene, having hosted many of the country’s most spectacular celebrations,” Travel+Leisure said.

As Vietnam’s traditional wedding season will fall in autumn and spring,  from October to March, the travel website suggested that international tourists can make a fancy saying “I do” during an intimate ceremony on the shores of idyllic Phu Quoc or perhaps a grand city wedding in a stylish ballroom in Saigon.

Traditionally, Vietnamese weddings have taken place in the couple's hometown, but the trend has shifted in recent years. Today, destination weddings have come to the forefront, with idyllic islands such as Phu Quoc and coastal resorts such as Da Nang quickly becoming popular locations.

Many wealthy Indian couples have recently come to Phu Quoc to get married. The stunning sunsets on Pearl Island provide perfect photo opportunities, and the seaside lawn is popular for romantic beach weddings.

David Pearson, IHG’s Area Director for Sales and Marketing for Northern Vietnam, notes: “This has resulted in smaller, more intimate gatherings of groups of family and friends, and ultimately requires the hotel to offer a much more holistic experience.”

It may also come as no surprise that in the modern-age of social media, couples seek venues that serve an enviably snappable backdrop.

“Couples are increasingly placing further emphasis on selecting venues that offer iconic backdrops with a uniquely ‘Instagrammable’ setting, ensuring that their special moments and the guests’ memories are captured for their social platforms,” Pearson said.

For couples in a relationship, the magazine suggested visiting the Valley of Love in Da Lat or the scenic views of Mt. Fansipan in Sapa for those who enjoy hiking.

Travel+Leisure also cited that couples in the US spend an average of about $5,000 on their honeymoon.

Other ideal destinations for couples include Belize, Key Largo (Florida, USA), Napa and Sonoma (California, USA), Bermuda, Jamaica, Mexico, Honolulu (Hawaii, USA), Costa Rica, Portugal, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario, Canada).