Story: Nick M.

Instead of Paris, Santorini, Rome or The Maldives, newlyweds are turning to domestic beauty spots for unique honeymoon destinations and sweet moments together.

Sapa – the Kingdom in the Clouds

Situated 1,500 meters above sea level in Vietnam’s northwestern mountains, Sapa enjoys a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Its majestic hilly landscape and poetic skyscape offer newlyweds romantic “cloud hunting” experiences. Every home or resort here is likened to a “kingdom in the clouds” given its degree of privacy and view to pristine mountains, myriad flowers in bloom and undulating terraced fields.

Sapa is a perennial favorite for international travelers, drawn to its stunning surroundings and cool weather. But now that the town is not too crowded with tourists, it is a perfect occasion to experience a quiet Sapa with villages hidden in the mist and experience the unique lifestyle of local ethnic minorities. Accommodation options vary from homestays and hotels to luxurious resorts.

Sapa makes an ideal honeymoon destination for couples into mountains and ecotourism. After a day spent wandering around villages, visitors can stop at a cafe halfway up the mountain to marvel at terraced fields in the clouds before having a herbal bath with medicinal leaves used by the local Dao people and savoring a steaming catfish or salmon hot pot.

Lan Ha Bay – the Hidden Paradise

While Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh is one of Vietnam’s best-known destinations and considered a natural wonder of the world, Lan Ha Bay surrounding Cat Ba Archipelago in Hai Phong remains a hidden, underexplored jewel. In late May, Lan Ha Bay made an unexpected appearance on the Instagram feed of Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The superstar called it a “paradise” and urged his followers to protect the environment. As Ha Long Bay has become overloaded over time with visitors and endless lines of boats, Lan Ha Bay emerges as a less typical destination with an uncrowded view and an array of activities to experience.

With pristine rocky mountains, hidden straits and tree-covered islands, Lan Ha Bay is an Eden for couples. Abutting Ha Long Bay, this arc-shaped bay possesses about 400 islands of different sizes, along with luxurious boats that take inspiration from Vietnam’s maritime legends. Lan Ha boasts a number of untouched beaches with crystal clear waters such as Van Boi Beach, Monkey Island, Nam Cat Island and Cu Island.

After activities like kayaking through ravines, the most awaited moment for honeymooners in Lan Ha is the sunset. The purple sunlight cascading down on mossy limestone ranges makes a captivating scene when viewed from the bow of a yacht with some music in the background and tropical cocktails in hand.

Hue – the Dreamy-eyed Muse

The Imperial City of Hue has long been one of Vietnam’s most notable historic sites, but over the past few years, Hue’s tourism industry has transformed markedly. Preserving its ancient, peaceful and poetic spirit, Hue has now become a romantic destination of choice among plenty of couples, especially those drawn to nostalgic beauty. Many of the recent top-grossing romantic Vietnamese films such as “Dreamy Eyes” and “The Royal Bride 3” had scenes set in Hue. The upcoming “Trinh and I,” a film about musician Trinh Cong Son, will also take place primarily in the imperial city.

Aside from historical sites such as royal mausoleums, Thien Mu Pagoda, Thai Hoa Palace and the Imperial Citadel, Hue is now known for its many little lovely cafés, including the eponymous one from the film “Dreamy Eyes.” Other perfect locations for honeymoon couples include Lang Co Bay; Canh Duong Beach with its fine white sand; Mount Bach Ma, from which the panorama of the imperial city at night can be viewed; and untarnished, romantic A Lin Stream, likened to the hair of a young lady from the mountains. Chuon Lagoon and Lap An Lagoon are locations where couples can watch the sunset together in private.

Hue is also an excellent honeymoon destination for newlyweds who love festivals and food. There are countless local specialties representative of the cuisine of the Central region, such as different types of cakes, sweet soup and the famed beef noodles known as bun bo Hue. During moonlit nights, couples get can take a boat ride on the Huong River while listening to songs about the poetic land of Hue sung by “muses” in their traditional purple costumes.

Mui Dinh – the Meadow of Love

Located at the southernmost point of Ninh Thuan, where the end of the Truong Son Range stretches to the sea, Mui Dinh is a unique destination for highly active and thrill-seeking couples. Here you can find Vietnam’s most arid desert where cacti, thorny shrubs and gravel are prevalent, along with four hidden types of terrain:  mountains, meadows, sub-deserts and bays.

Honeymooning in Mui Dinh means exploring countless landscapes together, from meadows with herds of sheep to Vietnam’s most stunning two-colored sand dune to salt fields to the village of the Cham ethnic minority.

On this “meadow of love,” energetic couples can spend all day playing sports such as archery, horse-riding, off-roading, kayaking, trekking, grass skiing and kite flying. When the night falls, visitors can enjoy a campfire. The scenery of Mui Dinh boasts the diversity of Vietnam’s natural beauty, especially when the dazzling sunshine of Ninh Thuan falls on golden sand dunes, creating sparkling sand slopes and leading young couples on the way to the mysterious land of love.

Phu Quy – the Island of Passion

As Nha Trang, Da Nang and Phu Quoc have become highly popular coastal destinations, Phu Quy emerges as an ideal choice for honeymoon couples who wish to retreat to a remote island and enjoy summer days full of sunshine. As an island district within the administrative boundary of Binh Thuan, Phu Quy is about 120km away from the center of Phan Thiet City and 16km2 in area. It is peaceful, tranquil, and still relatively untouched by tourism services. Phu Quy Island can only be reached by boat from Phan Thiet.

Despite the absence of resorts and scarcity of hotels, with hostels or homestays being the primary choice, this is not a problem to sea-loving couples who want to enjoy the vast ocean in private. Recently, many couples have taken their romantic wedding photos on Phu Quy Island and then remained there for a honeymoon by crystal clear waters.

Outstanding beauty spots on Phu Quy lsland include Cao Cat Mountain, wind farms, Doi Dua Beach in Ngu Phung, Nho Beach and Trieu Duong Bay. The local specialties are fresh king crabs and moon crabs.

Apart from enjoying pristine beaches, couples can also try having a road trip on local coastal roads, stopping at any location along the way to take in the view and  exchange a kiss in the sun and the wind.