Hanoi is one of the top-drawer in persuading newly-wedded couples to explore interesting culture and traditions and an experience of a lifetime. With its overflowing natural and man-made architectures, food hubs and attractions, it is sure to be a hotspot for an Asian honeymoon adventure. After the long and hectic preparations for the wedding, nothing beats a getaway in the sweet and energizing ambiance of Hanoi. Here, we explore the 16 activities that make Hanoi, Vietnam the most romantic city for your after-wedding getaway.

Before we get started on the things to do, here are our recommendations on the best places to stay at in Hanoi!

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Best Places to Stay in Hanoi:

1. Live like a King and Queen in Sofitel Legend Metropole

In Hoan Kiem District is a shortcut to a fairytale-like world of Sofitel. Live in the grandeur of the 5-star hotel and the fancy culinary delights as you inhale the royal atmosphere. Whether its bogey, foursome or stroke, the Sofitel golf course will give you the experience of a pro.  After a try with the clubs, you can enjoy their chic cocktails and entertainment in their opera house. 

How to get here: From Noi Bai airport, take Thang Long road and bridge and via Tran Quang Khai St. then forward to Ngo Nguyen District. This is just 100 metres away from the Opera House.

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Top 15 Things to Do on your Hanoi Honeymoon

1. Have an aisle walk at the Hoan Kiem Lake Bridge

Hoan Kiem lake is right at the center of Hanoi with the group of historical monuments such as The Huc bridge, But tower, turtle tower, and Ngoc Son temple. Ramble with your lover around this beautiful place will be a romantic and unforgettable experience for both of you.

Moreover, Long Bien Bridge is also a popular place for young people especially for couples in Hanoi. This bridge offers an old architecture with the view of beautiful yet romantic grass fields and river. This is the reason why many couples choose to come to this place to take some pictures together, hang out at night and hang the locks with their names on it on the bulwark of the bridge.

How to get there: Travel 40 minutes through Noi Bai Airport, or a few steps from the Old Quarter just take Yhen Phu Road.

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2. Discover the beauty of Halong Bay in a romantic tour

Reserve some of your adrenaline for two of the most eyed attraction in Hanoi – Ba Vi national Park and Halong Bay. Release all the jitters as you hike your way up in Mount Ba Vi and shout your love for each other on its peak. At the height of 1300 meters, you will not be disappointed with the scenic view of the lush foliage. You can even have your picnic with flowers and trees as your host. In Halong Bay, roughly translated as “the dragon descends into the sea”, you can have a splash that you will never forget. You can try squid fishing while riding a boat and waiting for the dinner in the cabin. If you are planning to go, it is good to visit between May to August, by these months, expect the blue skies that will not send you home without a tan.

Also in Halong Bay, roughly translated as “the dragon descends into the sea”, you can have a splash that you will never forget. You can try squid fishing while riding a boat and waiting for the dinner in the cabin. If you are planning to go, it is good to visit between May to August, by these months, expect the blue skies that will not send you home without a tan.

Click here for Halong Bay Day Tour >

3. Find romance in the Lotte Tower observation deck

Thirty minutes away from Hoan Kiem District is a lofty romantic experience. Be lost in awe 65 floors up as you witness the Hanoi panorama in glass walls and floors. At the height of 267 metres, you can have a “sky walk” in the transparent glass floors overlooking the city lights at night. Lotte tower observation deck also has a department store to shop for souvenirs, boutiques, entertainment centres to visit if you are planning to spend your day here. 

For a more romantic getaway with a twist of heights, Keangnam building will also surely give you the fix of your own romantic adrenaline. The 72-storey financial building will surely be a place worth climbing for! Completed in 2011, Keangnam Building served as an observatory, office space, hotel, and entertainment centre with 5D cinemas and theatres. It also has mind-boggling optical illusions that will amaze the kid in you. Have your camera with you to enjoy all attractions inside the building and dine in on their pastry shops and restaurants. The 35th tallest building in the world is enough for a romantic getaway. A rooftop dinner date is an awesome idea!

Lotte Tower Observation Deck
Fee: The entrance fee is around 15SGD in the morning and around 11SGD at night.
Opening Hours: 9 am to 10 pm

4. Soak up the sunset at Truc bach Lake or West Lake

Watching the sunset in the beautiful lake while riding a paddle swan boat is an intimate moment for you and your other half. Truc Bach Lake is one of the top destinations in Hanoi with its rich history and the attractions like the swan boat. Couples can rent swan boats to explore the beauties of the lake, glimpse the side of the villages, pagodas, and Ho Chi Mihn Mausoleum. After paddling in the river, you can bump into the floating cafeteria to have a sip and munch of local delights. 

How to get there: Ride a bicycle 3km away from Hoan Kiem lake

5. Wish relationship prosperity in Tran Quoc Pagoda

Near in Ba Dinh District is a growing-lotus flower pond and pagoda. One Pillar Pagoda became more sacred because of the Bodi tree that grew beside the pagoda to where Buddha was believed to be enlightened. The relaxing ambiance of the place is perfect for releasing fatigue and slowing down from the city buzz.  A simple picnic can be a romantic activity as you savor the refreshing foliage of the surroundings. 

Then after jumping into skyscrapers, it is also good to settle down in the peaceful temple of Tran Quoc. A spiritual scenery will greet you inside the oldest temple in Hanoi as it is surrounded by pagodas and rock carvings symbolize the beauty of the temple. Spending your honeymoon is not just about going to adventure parks, cool places, it is all about how you enjoy each activity. You can take selfies of the different artifacts and relics inside the temple and offer food or coins for good luck and strong relationship.

One Pillar Pagoda
This pagoda is located behind the Museum at the back of Ba Dinh Square. Entrance is free and it is open from 8 am to 5 pm.

Tran Quoc Pagoda
How to get here: Between Hoan Kiem Lake and the west lake, along the Than Nien Road Note: The place is strict and needs decent attire. It is open daily.

6. Slow down as you sip cocktails at the Summit Lounge

From Ba Dinh District is a circular architecture that will whirl your honeymoon to the majestic panoramic view. Lift yourself up to the 20th floor on the lounge’s 360-degree vista. You can cuddle sweetly as you enjoy the cocktails as you sit on the sofas overlooking Hanoi’s bird’s eye delight!

After sipping cocktails at the Summit Lounge, you may visit Bia Hoi to try other alcoholic beverage. If you are looking for the cheap kind of alcohol, you will have the time of your life at Hanoi. Bia Hoi is one of the famous and friendly beer in Vietnam’s capital. It can be found in every street and bar which costs around 3000 VND to 7000 VND which is about 15 to 30 US Cents. Bia Hoi is a total relaxing brewed beer due to its alcohol spirit. Another good thing is that you don’t have to go to bars and lounges just to have a taste of the good spirit. You can Bia Hoi in the streets along with other drinkers.

Summit Lounge
How to get here: From Ba Dinh District, go to Tran Nien, Truc Bach
Opening Hours: Opens 4 pm to midnight daily

7. Get dizzily amazed in the tallest skyscraper in Hanoi

You can now feel regal as you roam the former residence of the Vietnamese monarch. The place is now a museum and entitled by UNESCO as the centre of the imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Bring your camera and be fascinated with the fascinating collections of inscribed stones, excavated artifacts, old pottery, and plates about the old dynasty. An ancient gate will welcome you with on its giant walls and alluring gardens plus the age-old displays in the mausoleum. If you want a noisier side, there is a night market beside Citadel that you will surely love, especially the varieties of good bargains.

To unleash more of your artistic side after seeing 3D cinemas and theatres in Keangnam Building, you can head to Thanh Mai Gallery. Thanh Mai Gallery had started its artistry back in 2007 and up until now opens from 9 am to 7 pm daily. Aside from the visual treat, they also have a vegetarian restaurant where you can get some healthy lunch. They are very accommodating and will even have you buy and reserve some of the artworks. 

8. Roam the historical land of Citadel in Hanoi

You can now feel regal as you roam the former residence of the Vietnamese monarch. The place is now a museum and entitled by UNESCO as the centre of the imperial Citadel of Thang Long. Bring your camera and be fascinated with the fascinating collections of inscribed stones, excavated artifacts, old pottery, and plates about the old dynasty. An ancient gate will welcome you with on its giant walls and alluring gardens plus the age-old displays in the mausoleum. If you want a noisier side, there is a night market beside Citadel that you will surely love, especially the varieties of good bargains.

Enliven the years in the millennium old Ba Dinh District that is bustling with rich culture and a touch of French architecture. The old place is home for vendors of paper, metal, and wood products locally named as hang ma, hang bac, and hang do. The old quarter is also good to stroll at or go over in a bicycle or scooter. You can take snapshots of their vintage cafés, restaurants, bars, and pastry shops along the pavement. You can also glimpse the art galleries with contemporary and old paintings, boutique shops, and historical area of the quarter to complete the day.

9.Brace yourself in the biggest underground mall in Asia

Tired of having a long road trip in the Thanh Xuan District? Well, get charged in one of the must-visit underground shopping malls. Indulge yourself in the rush for over 800 retail stores at Vincom Mega Mall Royal. There are great varieties of goods and souvenirs that you can buy as you head to the mall’s ice skating rink. You can level up the fun as you ace a ten-pin bowling match and end the day in cozy movie date. 

As you wander in the oriental beauty of Vietnam, you can drop by at La Badiane, one of the best restaurants in Hanoi. The place had been recognized by Trip Advisor with the certificate of excellence in 2015. Three French nationals established the place in 2008 and were designed with a touch of French and the evident Asian vibes. They have special treats for every customer during Saturday lunch time while a string quartet will romantically serenade you during Wednesday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Not for the fainthearted though, you can head for exotic bites at the Le Mat Snake Village in Hanoi. As the name of the place suggests, you can indulge on 11 exotic snake dishes and other local concoctions that consist of the reptiles body parts, both fresh and cooked. One of this is the snake wine that originated in China and was adopted by Vietnamese people, primarily with the belief that it can cure sickness. 

10. Don’t get enough with Vietnamese cuisines!

With its fundamental flavours that reflect the traditional and cultural way of the Vietnamese, you are sure to have a large burp. Vietnamese uses five elements in cooking their dishes namely spicy (metal), sour (wood), bitter (fire), salty (water), and sweet (earth). With this elements, the result is the combination of fragrance, taste, and bursting colour.

11. Have a chewy experience in Hanoi Kids Street Food tour

With its fundamental flavors that reflect the traditional and cultural way of the Vietnamese, you are sure to have a large burp. Vietnamese uses five elements in cooking their dishes namely spicy (metal), sour (wood), bitter (fire), salty (water), and sweet (earth). With these elements, the result is the combination of fragrance, taste, and bursting colour.

Click here for Hanoi Evening Street Food Tour >

12. Schedule a weekend night in Hang Dao Night Market

Every Friday and weekend at 6pm, the roadside is being flooded with the bustling crowd. The Hang Dao Night Market is lighting up the night with huge varieties of treats like the roadside grill, street food delights, and tasty rice noodles. After filling your stomach with the Hanoi flavors, you can watch the market come buzzing in the night with the sight of the locals at the side. You can also have a bit of booze with Bia Hoi, a popular but cheap local beer.

Furthermore, when you are in the central district, you can visit Dong Xuan Market for more shopping experience. This market has the finest features of five arches entrance and five abreast domes, enough to call it the busiest commercial place in Hanoi. Dong Xuan market is actually the seat of bargaining, trading, and wholesale despite being destroyed and renovated many times. Nowadays, travelers can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, traditional dried fruits, and other memorabilia like the cultural clothes of Vietnam.

How to get there: Go straight to Hang Ngang St. to Hang Bac

13. Marvel the maze of The French Quarter

Though it is 1000 years old now, the specialties and talents are still present at the French Quarter. Cotton and silk making, herbs and jewelry are the goods that you can buy along the road. Though already commercialized, the place is still a pleasant buzzing patch of European taste. It is pure temptation to try the varieties of food and souvenir shops around the old quarter.

Moreover, beside the French Quarter is the Hao Lo Prison that will travel you back in time. Get arrested, though not literally, to the charm of ancient cells and statues as you walk around the historic place of Vietnam. The relics here will give you worth-reminiscing memories of the war period as you seek the old stories. A quiet honeymoon day here will not fail the wandering souls of lovers who are up for some historical treat. 

French Quarter
How to get there: Ride a cab or drive up to the Southeast of Hoan Kiem District.

Hao Lo Prison
How to get there: Ride a taxi to Pho Hoa Lo and walk beside the French Quarter.
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm
Price: Entrance fee is 10,000 VND or around half an SGD

14. Catch world-class performances at Hanoi Opera House

Built in 1911, Hanoi Opera House is the biggest of its kind in Vietnam. It is one of the most likeable neo-classical French architecture in the place and an avenue for Vietnamese artistry. Some of the operas being shown here depict the beauty, humour, hardships, and struggle of every Vietnamese. If you are one of the couples who are up for some mix of drama, comedy, and, music, you will enjoy the performances from violinist Hilary Hahn, pianist Wolfgang Glemser, and singer My Linh.

15. Get enlightened at the Temple of Literature

This temple is the oldest in Southeast Asia and is located in northern Vietnam. It is also called the temple of Confucius which is already over 1000 years old. The place had withstood a series of renovations and repairs without losing its authentic glory. This place is unlike other museums and temples because of its tranquility and high structure. It is open for tourists who are into informative activities like knowing the old tradition by looking at the relics, narratives and graduation photos in the walls which in the long run is a unique and relaxing experience for a honeymoon travel. 

Temple of Literature
How to get there: Ride a taxi from Hoan Kiem Lake and pull over in 10 minutes away near A Taste of Hanoi Restaurant.
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm
Price: Entrance fee is around half an SGD

Planning for your wedding? Read our wedding guide here that will help your planning. For your honeymoon, read our honeymoon guide here. 

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