Things to Do in Vietnam for Couples That Aren’t Just Candlelight Dinners!

Happily ever after…

Pretty sure that’s a line we’ve all grown up hearing through movies, books, or just stories we’ve been told. And at some point, you can’t help but think… What does that actually look like? How do you make it work?

Because let’s be honest, it sounds perfect. Almost a little too perfect for the world we live in...

But with that being said, as far as I’ve seen happy couples, I've seen a pattern. It’s never about grand gestures or perfectly planned moments all the time, or even about everything always going right. It was simply about them never really leaving that "honeymoon" phase behind…

About finding new habits, sharing new experiences, making time for each other, getting lost in dreamy sunsets, stepping out of your comfort zones and more. It’s those little moments that don’t seem like much when you look at it from the outside, but they end up meaning everything. And sometimes, I believe that all it takes to feel that is a simple change of pace or place.

Even a quick outting somewhere close can definitely do the trick, but if there’s one destination I’d recommend to really bring this to life, it’s Vietnam. But, if you’re here looking for things to do in Vietnam for couples, fair warning; don’t expect the obvious, because Vietnam does romance a little differently…

Get Lost Together in Hanoi

You’ll probably start with some ideas here, maybe about visiting a café, or walking around the Old Quarter. But five minutes in, that plan is gone and you’ll be holding onto each other like that somehow helps.

So to start, stop at a random street-side spot because it will smell too good to ignore. Sit on those tiny plastic stools, knees almost touching, sharing a bowl of pho. Also don’t forget, order an egg coffee when you're here. It shows up looking nothing like coffee, thick, creamy, almost like dessert, but I guess that's worth a try?

And at some point, you’ll walk into Train Street. You'll see everything stop for sometime, people pulling back, and all of a sudden, there’ll be a train rushing past you inches away. It’s a little insane, I know, but you’ll both be grinning like kids after it passes!

And then there are also the quieter bits to it. Sitting by Hoan Kiem Lake in the evening, or maybe finding a hidden café upstairs somewhere. That’s the thing about Hanoi. Somewhere between getting lost, and getting overwhelmed, finding comfort in each other becomes one of those things to do in Vietnam for couples that you didn’t realise you needed.

Get On A Halong Bay Cruise

I’m telling you, book that overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay! Because this isn’t a place you just see and move on from, you need to be there for a while.

Once on board, you’ll both be mostly on the deck (I can assure you that) just sitting there, because wow, watching those cliffs is a really nice feeling. Also, go kayaking into the quieter lagoons later, just the two of you, figuring it out as you go, maybe getting it wrong, maybe laughing through it (isn’t that the whole point?)

There are candlelit dinners on deck if you want that. But honestly, you don’t need much here. The setting does enough on its own, making it easily one of the easiest romantic things to do in Vietnam. If Ha Long Bay is on your list, this 7 Day Vietnam with Halong Bay Cruise Holiday by Cox and Kings is your best bet for the cruise and countless other experiences!

Lantern Nights in Hoi An

Start by walking without a plan, and stop wherever feels good. Perhaps, grab a bánh mì from a roadside cart, pulled fresh from the grill, the baguette crackling apart in your hands. Eat it while you walk, or maybe find a seat in one of the riverside cafés where ceiling fans turn lazily. Basically what i'm saying is to take it slow and don't rush the eating part. Or maybe, don't rush anything at all…

As afternoon bleeds into evening, walk the banks of the Thu Bon and watch the fishing boats drift. There's a particular quality to the light here at dusk, amber and heavy, you know, the kind that makes even the ordinary glow? 

And as dark falls, the lanterns wake up, with streets blushing orange and red, their reflections trembling on the river below. You can take a boat out if the mood takes you, or simply stand holding hands at the water's edge.

At some point, you'll also want to hold a paper lantern, kneeling at the riverbank, setting it loose. I know it sounds a little cliche, but ditch that thought, because it’s a beautiful feeling. Somewhere in between all these, you’ll realise why Hoi An has the most romantic things to do in Vietnam. If you’re still figuring out where to go for your honeymoon, here’s a list of the best places to visit in Vietnam.

Do Absolutely Nothing by the Beach

Phú Quốc or Da Nang, pick a beach and stay there. Wake up when you want, step out for a slow breakfast, maybe sit by the water with a coffee for an hour (if that’s your morning ritual back home). Pick a beach shack or café you like and keep going back to it. Maybe order the same thing, take your time, and have it as you walk along the shores…

Go back to your room in the afternoon, freshen up, take a quick nap and head out again by the evening. Walk by the water, grab a drink somewhere simple, and sit facing the sea. There, I just narrated half a day in a line, phew. It’s that simple.

And honestly, that’s what makes it one of those things to do in Vietnam for couples that actually feels romantic, because you’re not trying to do too much, you’re just enjoying each other’s company in the company of nature’s best wonder (you could argue about that, I love the waves).

Want a mix of cities, experiences, and some proper beach time? This Best of Vietnam with Phu Quoc Holiday does it all in 8 days!

Try Something New, Together

Maybe it’s a cooking class where neither of you knows what you’re doing, smiling when it doesn’t go right. Or renting a bike and taking it through the roads of the Hai Van Pass, stopping whenever the view looks worth it. Or taking one of those basket boats in the coconut forests near Hoi An, spinning around in circles, half scared, half laughing the whole time! All of these things to do in Vietnam for couples are shared firsts, and here’s a love note: do a lot of firsts in life…

If you’re wondering what all these might cost you, here’s a quick breakdown of the cost of a Vietnam trip from India.

Planning It Without Overplanning

You can figure everything out as you go, but having the basics sorted lets you actually enjoy the experience instead of managing it. That’s where choosing curated Vietnam tour packages for couples will help you a lot. If you don’t want to figure everything out yourself, connect with the experts at Cox & Kings to craft a journey to your needs.

If you're looking for something that’s already planned to perfection, explore these couple packages for Vietnam with Cox & Kings!