Ditching the cliched honeymoon destinations, Shuaib and Maseera had the time of their lives in the stunning and culture-rich land of Vietnam in July. They explored the country like a local and experienced all that it has to offer within their budget. Scroll down to find out how Vietnam turned their ordinary vacation into an extraordinary journey!
Vietnam has been on my bucket list for a long time. We chose it because it has still managed to retain its old-world culture and is tourist friendly at the same time. Besides, we did not want to do a conventional Bali or Thailand honeymoon and Vietnam fit right into our budget as well as the number of days we were willing to spend.
With TravelTriangle’s help we were able to book a customised Vietnam honeymoon tour the way we wanted. And needless to say, we had a fantastic experience on our vacation!
Details Of Our Holiday In Vietnam In July
Trip Type: Honeymoon
Trip Cost: INR 56,821/-
No. Of People: 2
Trip Duration: 5 Night 6 Days
Inclusions Breakfast, dinner, accommodation, airport transfers, entry tickets, visa
Exclusions: Lunch, flights, travel insurance
Highlights Of Our Trip To Honeymoon Trip To Vietnam
Day 1: Exploring Hoi An’s Night Market
Day 2: The Golden Bridge at Bana Hills
Day 3: Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, tasting Egg Coffee, and Banh Minh
Day 4: Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake, and Train Street
Day 5: Day trip to Halong Bay & kayaking amidst beautiful scenery
Vietnam Visa For Indians: Everything You Need To Know Before Applying
Weather In Vietnam In July
We went there in the first week of July in the peak rainy season so it was understandably wet. You must carry shoe covers as well as rain protective gear if you are planning to visit Vietnam in the rainy season. The average temperature in Vietnam during this time is about 30°C and rather pleasant for exploring this destination.
Best Places We Visited On Our Honeymoon In Vietnam
We enjoyed every bit of this beautiful country, but the experiences we had in the places listed below were our absolute favorite! Make sure you add them to your list when you decide to visit Vietnam.
Night Market In Hoi An
This is a charming market area in Vietnam and we loved shopping here. We bought Vietnamese trinkets, fridge magnets, dresses, tee shirts, and a lot more from this market. I even bought a traditional Don La (conical hat) along with beautiful lanterns and artwork at affordable rates. Other than being a hub for buying great Vietnamese goods and handicrafts, this market is an attraction in itself, especially when it is all lit up at night!
14 Things To Do In Hue Which Make This Town In Vietnam Worth A Visit In 2022!
Golden Bridge At Ba Na Hills
This is the quirkiest and the most unusual bridge we have ever visited. The Cầu Vàng is perched in two gigantic rock hands and has joined the list of the most romantic places to visit in Vietnam only last year. Offering peace, soothing weather, and splendid views of the surrounding green hills as well as the Da Nang City, it’s a great place to explore in Vietnam with your beloved.
Other than this giant bridge, we also saw the Vong Nguyet Hills, Linh Ung Pagoda, Nui Chua Mountain, Le Nim Villas, the Orchid Garden, and the Le Jardin D’amour flower garden on the way to the top.
Old Quarter In Hanoi
The Old Quarter in Hanoi is an excellent place to hang out for those who wish to explore the local vibe and lifestyle of Vietnam. There are plenty of Buddhist shrines, local markets, street-side galleries selling traditional Vietnamese art, and some of Hanoi’s famous attractions in this place like the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Maison Centrale Hanoi Prison.
We just roamed around in this enormous avenue brimming with energy and treated ourselves to some delicious Vietnamese street food like Banh Minh (Vietnamese sandwiches) to a range of delectable non-vegetarian items. We also ate at NYC Pizza where pizza is served by the slice and is utterly delicious! We tried the famous Egg Coffee and Coconut Coffee as well and instantly fell in love with it!
20 Best Beaches In Vietnam For Some Sun, Sand & Surf!
Tran Quoc Pagoda On West Lake
This was one of the most peaceful places we visited in Vietnam. The Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi and is its most beautiful attraction. It is believed that it dates back to the 6th century and has undergone numerous changes throughout the years. It is set in the middle of a stunning islet in Hanoi called the West Lake and is surrounded by lush greenery. Other than appreciating the awesome Vietnamese architecture of this shrine, we also saw here a unique incense burning house and a museum dedicated to historic relics. We were totally smitten by the intricately carved statues here, each of which were sculpted way back in 1639.
Train Street
This was probably the most unique and exciting part of Hanoi! We were thrilled to see this part of Old Quarter which is essentially a long narrow street with a railway track running through it. But what’s more fascinating is that this train track is operational! You’ll see a train pass through this street twice everyday at around 3 PM and then at 7 PM, and it’ll be mere inches away from the homes of this residential neighborhood.
In fact, much of the everyday rituals and chores of the people living in this street are timed in accordance with the train schedule, so that they can clear the street right before a train is to pass through. It’s a must-visit place in Hanoi!
Ha Long Bay
Kayaking over the emerald waters and through the towering limestone islands of northeastern Vietnam was the most romantic experience of our honeymoon trip to Vietnam. In fact, Ha Long Bay is an unmissable part of any Vietnam tour. For one, it is unbelievably beautiful and utterly peaceful. You and your partner can take a kayak and explore these waters and the unique islets around all by yourself.
Other than this, you can also go boating and indulge in plenty of other watersports like scuba diving here. You can even visit some of the famous islets here like the Stone Dog and Teapot. Those who don’t wish to tread into the water can go hiking and rock climbing in the surreal mountainous rainforests of Cát Bà National Park.
Our Accommodation In Vietnam
We stayed at the Venus Hotel and Spa in Hoi An which turned out to be an amazing property. They had a lovely pool and a lavish breakfast buffet spread. It was a cosy well maintained boutique hotel with ever-smiling and courteous staff. In Hanoi we stayed at La Suite hotel which is right in the middle of the bustling Old Quarter neighborhood where most tourists and backpackers stay. The room was rather cramped as compared to the previous one but it was decent enough and we managed since we were anyway out exploring Hanoi most of the time.
Ho Chi Minh Shopping 2022: 10 Places To Splurge And Shop At This Vietnamese Hub!
Food In Vietnam
We ate a ton of street food in Vietnam. If you’re a non-vegetarian, you must not miss the street food of Hanoi which is a paradise for street food lovers. Though we weren’t very adventurous when it came to trying food, we ate a lot of Banh Minh (Vietnamese sandwich), Pho and drank lots of coffee. The Egg Coffee at Café Guong is a must try. Cong Caphe is a chain of coffee shops around Hanoi with a delightful range of flavoured coffee, like the famous Vietnamese coconut coffee. We even got some as souvenirs for our friends and family back home. We also tried the delicious NYC pizza which serves pizza by the slice and located in the heart of Old Quarter. There are plenty of Indian restaurants in Vietnam, and many of them are in Hanoi itself. Hanoi has two popular Indian restaurants Little India and Tandoor. They are both inexpensive and the food is absolutely delicious.
Our Shopping Experience In Vietnam
We bought trinkets, fridge magnets, a couple of dresses, and a tee shirt. A traditional Don La (conical hat) is a must buy in Vietnam. Hoi An has a night market from which you can pick beautiful lanterns and artwork at pretty reasonable rates. Hoi An also has a custom of making tailored dresses in a day. You can pick out your fabric from the same shop and they stitch and give it to you the next day, something which we got to know later and missed out on! You should also check out the charming night market in Hanoi when you’re vacationing in Vietnam in July.
Locals And Hospitality In Vietnam
The locals are extremely friendly and welcoming to tourists. Since the language can be a problem as most Vietnamese people speak very little English, it is advisable to learn a few Vietnamese words. Luckily, we had an excellent English speaking tour guide for our day trips and we could get by in the city with some broken English.
How To Reach Vietnam From India
You won’t really find a direct flight to Vietnam from India. From Chennai, we took a flight to Danang via Bangkok, which had a 5 hour layover at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Our return flight was via Kuala Lumpur.
How To Spend 11 Days in Vietnam And Cambodia In 2022: Take Tips From Raman And His Buddies
What To Pack For A Vietnam Trip In July
Make sure you pack the following items as per the weather in Vietnam in July before you head off:
- Light and comfortable clothing
- A stole or scarf
- Sturdy trekking / sports shoes and shoe covers
- Umbrella and raincoat
- Waterproof backpack / bag
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight
Personal Expenses Incurred In Vietnam
We barely spent INR 15,000 on food and shopping. One Indina Rupee is equal to 343 Vietnamese Dongs and the food and drink cost just as much as they cost here in India in moderately priced restaurants and street-side eating joints. We were delighted to find that beer is very cheap in Vietnam!
Some Vietnam Travel Tips For A Hassle-Free Holiday
- Carry US Dollars and exchange it in batches for Dongs. Banks give a better rate than local shops. Transferring Dongs back to Dollars is a big hassle so spend all that you have or exchange only as much as you’ll need.
- Buy a local sim card.
- Explore the city on bicycles or on foot using Google maps. It will give you a true insight into the culture and livelihood of people for a wholesome traveler experience.
- Try the local food as much as you can and don’t forget to taste the awesome Vietnamese coffee!
- Bargain for everything you shop for and try to buy most of your souvenirs from a single shop in order to get a better price. Check out a lot of shops before you decide on one.
- Add a couple more days to your itinerary and go to Sapa, a must-visit place in Vietnam that we missed!
- Dress conservatively at the Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Vegetarian food is readily available everywhere in Vietnam, especially Hanoi and Hoi An.
- Opt for an all-inclusive guided tour of Vietnam so that you are able to visit all the top tourist places at economical rates.
- Don’t forget to carry an umbrella or raincoat with you since it will be drizzling in Vietnam in July.
Our Experience With TravelTriangle
It was our first experience with TravelTriangle and it all started with Ms. Rakshanda who painstakingly guided us through the process. She was always approachable and had answers to our million questions! The TravelTriangle agent in Vietnam, Jenny, was a sweet lady who helped us with our local plans and hotels and suggested local experiences we should try. We had a very wholesome experience with TravelTriangle and hope to travel again with these guys soon!
52 Stunning Places To Visit In Vietnam In 2022 For A Natural & Historic Retreat!
Who knew Vietnam was hiding away so many romantic experiences and places all this time, right? But now that you know how fun and exciting a honeymoon in Vietnam is going to be, why don’t you book a trip and surprise bae? And don’t worry, you’ll be as fascinated by Vietnam in July as in any other month!
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Common Queries We Had While Planning Our Holiday
Maseera and I faced a number of doubts while we were planning our honeymoon trip to Vietnam. Now that we’re back, we would like to answer them to help others book their trip smoothly.
Is Vietnam expensive to travel to?
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to explore in Asia. A daily budget in Vietnam usually does not exceed around INR 3,000. Even the hotels, traveling, and food is very cheap in Vietnam. 1 Indian Rupee is equal to 325.88 Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Is alcohol cheap in Vietnam?
Yes, alcohol is very inexpensive in Vietnam. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Vietnam and the cost of one pint of beer starts at INR 25 (VND 8200) in Vietnam. You’ll find both local and imported varieties of beer in Vietnam, where the latter may cost you around INR 60/-.
How much is a meal in Vietnam?
If you’re eating at a local joint (which we’d highly recommend!), your meal would not cost you more than INR 160/-. A typical three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Vietnam costs around INR 1,230/-, while a pint of beer would cost INR 25 or a little more (if you opt for imported beer).
Is Vietnam good for honeymoon?
Vietnam is a great option for your honeymoon tour if you want to go offbeat and do not want to visit the cliched and crowded honeymoon destination. From gorgeous beaches, rich history, many UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning landscapes, and colorful culture, Vietnam will provide you fantastic experiences in your romantic tour. Whether you choose to roam around in secluded and surreal paddy fields or surprise your partner with a private dinner in a cave, you’ll surely end up having the time of your lives!
What can vegetarians eat in Vietnam?
You’ll easily be able to find a lot of good vegetarian food in Vietnam. Rice is the staple food of Vietnam that is mostly accompanied by other ingredients like coconut (for sure!) bean sauce, fresh herbs, seasonal fruits, and vegetables. Some of the common vegetables you’ll find in all your meals in Vietnam are cabbage, bamboo shoots, Chayote, bitter melon, Ceylon spinach, cucumber, and Chinese broccoli. The best vegetarian Vietnamese dishes include Xoi Chay, Banh Mi Chay, Banh Khoai Tay Chien, Dau Sot Ca Chua, Cai Xao Nam, Che Chuoi, Che Troi Nuac, and Che Bap.
Where is the best nightlife in Vietnam?
The big cities in Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are packed will lively pubs, clubs, and bars. Even places like Halong Bay, Mui Ne, and Phan Thiet have started turning into popular destinations for enjoying the nightlife in Vietnam owing to the clubs and pubs opening up here. And the best part is that Vietnamese nightlife is not expensive at all! From the cheapest draft beer in the world, beautiful culture shows, to live entertainment choices like the Vietnamese Water Puppet Show and traditional dance shows there’s a lot to explore at night in the lit streets of Vietnam.
