Thinking of a destination wedding?
Vietnam is ripe for romance. Raw nature is ready to embrace your elopement; luxury resorts await gala dinners for thousands of guests.
The eastern border of the country is coastline, with countless beachfront hotels lying off-the-beaten path and open to bookings away from tourists. The spine of the nation is a mountain range, where private parties can be booked in the thick of the jungle. In the north and the center, capitals of heritage and history like Hoi An and Hanoi are cultural destinations for quaint and elegant weddings. In the south, the tropical weather is eternally beckoning honeymooners and marriages.
There is a wedding venue waiting in every corner of Vietnam. Here are three of the best.
Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam, a tropical paradise on the southern tip of the country. The entire coastline is a 150-kilometer ring of beach, dotted with resorts and fishing villages, nightclubs and quaint cafes. Half of the landmass is a national park, a dense jungle of waterfalls and hiking trails, alive with flora and fauna and far removed from the riot of human civilization.
There’s an international airport here, so it’s an easy base for a destination wedding. Accommodation options are abundant. Plan an upscale wedding and host all guests in a resort for spa treatments and poolside afterparties. Loved ones on a budget can easily find cheaper options just nearby. Extraordinary seafood dinners at sunset can be found absolutely everywhere.
Source: Nam Nghi Coral Peninsula Phu Quoc
Nothing beats a simple beach wedding, but for something a bit more polished, try the Vinpearl Resort. Sat right on the beach, the Vinpearl is built with neoclassical European architecture, wrapping itself around an enormous swimming pool and lush foliage. Formal sit-down or casual buffet-style lunches and dinners can be organized right on the seaside. Children’s facilities are excellent – there’s a playroom, a kids’ pool, and even a safari to keep young ones entertained. The best rooms here are outfitted with bathtubs and jacuzzis, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking nothing but the ocean for total peace and privacy.
Source: Vinpearl
Hoi An
Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its living history and culture. It’s the perfect destination for couples to fall deeper in love: artistic photoshoots under French balconies, a labyrinth of fading yellow paint to explore, the golden glow of swinging paper lanterns at dusk. Set a candle afloat down the river with a wish.
The city is also famous for its tailors. Brides-to-be fly here to have their dream dresses made to order, a garment made to fit with every stitch. Have a whole weekend’s worth of wardrobe made to your exact measurements: a white gown fit for a princess, a perfectly-tailored three-piece suit, an afterparty co*cktail dress, a honeymoon ensemble.
Be sure to book a local photographer familiar with the location – they’ll be able to orchestrate a shoot through rice paddies with roaming water buffaloes and along ancient streets where history oozes from the atmosphere.
Palm Garden Resort is the perfect wedding venue for couples craving sea and sun. The enormous property sprawls with manicured lawns and fruit trees. The pool itself is nearly 1,000 square meters, sitting just off the edge of a private beach. Water sports like jet skiing and kayaking can be booked directly through the venue. Ceremonies, parties, and dinners can be organized indoors or outdoors, every need attended to.
Source: Facebook - Palm Garden Resort - Hoi An
The Anantara Hoi An Resort is the best choice for couples seeking elegance and culture. This 5-star venue is just outside the center of old town, a boutique French colonial retreat with hardwood floors and four-poster beds. Book the ceremony on the terrace overlooking the river, then finish the night with an afterparty in the classical ballroom.
Source: Facebook - Anantara Hoi An Resort
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay offers hotels and resorts, of course, but weddings on boats are the star of the show here. Ha Long is just a few hours outside of Hanoi, a UNESCO-protected wonder of the world. Primordial limestone karsts emerge from the ocean, topped with ancient ecosystems and towering rainforests erupting impossibly green from gray stone. Evenings are alive with starlight. The days begin and end with glowing sunsets to the east and west.
Source: Vinpearl
Rent a cruise boat for a destination wedding everyone will remember. Sail off into the open ocean and host a ceremony on the sundeck, vows backed by the sound of the ocean. Or book a full holiday itinerary for a few days of maritime adventure. Spend the first morning having a ceremony on a private island untouched by human hands. Board the boat as a married couple and sail away into the future. The rest of the trip belongs to only love and freedom; to dreams and destiny; to play and adventure.
