Tinh Wellness: A Luxury Spa Retreat for Ultimate Relaxation

Between rolling hills, sugary beaches, crystalline waters, colonial structures, sparkling bays, impressive limestone karst formations, idyllic sunsets, UNESCO-heritage sites, and mind-blowing landscapes, lies Vietnam; a destination that has all the ingredients to enchant couples. A honeymoon trip here literally offers it all, from bustling cities with a vibrant night scene to a colourful culture and from private diners in caves to beautiful paddy fields. Why Vietnam for Honeymoon Vietnam is the perfect place for romantic holidays for several reasons, but mainly because it is/offers/has: Inexpensive destination – It lacks nothing of the luxury and amenities of its cosmopolitan international counterparts, yet provides them at a fairly economical price. Grand hotels and fine-dining facilities do not empty your bank accounts, the flights are more than affordable, internal transfers is also at low cost, and life here overall does not call for extravagant expenses unless, of course, you want to. So, you can have all the luxury and pampering you wish without the hefty price tag. Fantastic services – Vietnam may be economical, but nobody here compromises on the quality of the services provided, at least, not the professionals in the Vietnam hospitality industry. So, you have a budget honeymoon destination in Asia that can compete with its luxurious counterparts and look them straight in the eye! Friendly locals – Cordial hospitality and a courteous approach to tourists is interwoven with the country’s way of doing things. Locals greet and treat guests in the most loving way, are ready to help anyone in need, and engage in interesting chats with them while the professional staff ensures that you face no issues on your honeymoon in this beautiful country. Cuisine – Exquisite Vietnamese cuisine is another thing that attracts honeymooners. Hot, sour, sweet, and salty flavours all blend perfectly, offering palate-pleasing dishes. You can enjoy delicious seafood, chilli sauces and fresh herbs on side platter, local produce, the world’s tastiest peppers and fish sauce, and the best vines; all that at heart-stopping rooftop terraces with sweeping views of the ocean and the lush scenery or a marvellous beachfront. Scenic Vistas – Every step you take in Vietnam is a step in a paradisiac landscape distinguished by imposing mountains, jungle-like forests, verdant valleys and rice paddies, life-giving rivers, romantic waterfalls, fascinating caves, sparkling sea waters, stunning national parks, ancient monuments, shining sand dunes, white-sand beaches, and such incredible natural beauty that is hard to imagine exists. Romantic Things to Do in Vietnam There is definitely a long list of activities in Vietnam, which includes cycle tours, boat trips, cruise rides, sightseeing tours, tunnel explorations, musical extravaganzas at Saigon Opera house, private dining in the caves of Halong Bay, tasting delicious traditional dishes at picture-perfect locations, and shopping, to name a few. Depending on which part of this beautiful country you wish to explore, there are different things to try. Hanoi A history-rich and utterly exciting city (also the main transportation hub in the North) that can be the start or end destination of a Vietnam honeymoon tour. It is a place that you can lose track of time. After sunset, it is a different world, with bars selling fresh local beer brewed daily and the streets becoming packed-full of people drinking, smoking the infamous bamboo bongs, and having fun. Not far away is the magnificent Lake of the Restored Sword or Hoan Kiem Lake, where, according to the legend, a giant, golden turtle grabbed the Emperor’s sword after he defeated the Chinese from Hanoi, and vanished into the lake to give it back to its rightful owners. An excellent place to have a picnic and enjoy the views. The Water Puppet Theatre, every couple’s cute date night idea, is also not to be missed. You can watch the ancient art form of water puppetry which is a spectacle of itself. Another interesting site is the Hoa Lo Prison complex built by the French to incarcerate thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries, which will give you an insight into the local culture. Other things to do in Hanoi: Eat Bun Cha – A dish that combines savoury and fresh with vegetables and meat. The broth is sour and sweet at the same time and is serviced with fresh greens (fresh banana flower, mint, coriander, basil, and lettuce), BBQ grilled pork, and bun rice noodles. Drink Egg Coffee – Perhaps, the most delicious coffee you have ever tasted, along with coconut coffee. Generally, locals use condensed milk instead of fresh, which gives the coffee a sweeter taste. To get around, you can do a Cyclo Tour and visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi, take a taxi, get an Uber ride, or catch a long distance sleeper train or bus. The best time to visit Hanoi is during the months of October and November when it is neither too hot nor too cold. Sapa Situated high up in the mountains on the border of China, Sapa is a fab town perched over a grass-covered valley with amazing views of the Fansipan mountain range (sitting at 3143m above sea level) and cascading rice fields. Besides visiting markets, chasing waterfalls, and checking out the Tram Ton Passage, you can also consider a day trek or a homestay in an ethnic minority village. Or, why not, take a cable car and climb to the summit of the imposing Fansipan Mountain. And, if you are into romantic waterfalls, Thac Bac (Silver waterfall) and Love Waterfall are both perfect for honeymooners visiting Sapa. To enjoy the most of this place, better come between March and April or October-November to avoid too much heat and rainfall. Ha Giang This northernmost province is a breath away from China and provides alternatives to the typical honeymoon path with mystical landscapes, pure, untouched nature, secret ethnic minority villages, limestone peaks, and rice terraces disappearing into the depths of the mountainous valleys surrounding Ha Giang. It is not a place that is ever too crowded, yet it generates a decent amount of tourism, which is great, as you have food and accommodation options and lots of room to be as adventurous as you please. If you are riding a motorcycle, you will love the Ha Giang-Yen Ming, Bac Ha-Dong Van, Dong Van-Meo Vac, and Meo Cav-Cao Bang rides; all of which will reward you with heart-stopping panoramas off the beaten path, one of the best Sunday markets in Asia, and awe-inspiring waterfalls and caves! Cat Ba Island Being the largest island around the Lan Ha and Ha Long bays, Cat Ba is a dream honeymoon destination for many reasons. First of all, nearly 50% of the island is a national park, and home to several endangered species, such as the Cat Ba Langur. Secondly, the rugged landscape exudes such tranquillity and peace that it feels incredibly romantic just to be here. Plus, it has some of the nicest beaches in Vietnam, encircled with natural beauties. If you want to pick the best time to come here that would be October to April as it is a perfect season for swimming, kayaking, hiking, and cruising! Things to do at Cat Ba Island: Relax by the Beach – Incredible beaches with sweeping views of Lan Ha Bay offering a plethora of water activities like paddle boards and kayaks and beach bars with reasonably priced drinks. Cruise Halong & Lan Ha Bays – Most cruises include buffet lunches with foods cooked on the boat but you may also choose an overnight journey or a long multi-day one. Rent a motorbike – Exploring Cat Ba Island on two wheels is probably the best way to get around that also comes on the cheap here. Do stop at the Cat Ba National Park, Trung Trang Cave, and Cannon Fort! Stop at Fort Cannon – You will get some of the best views on the island overlooking Lan Ha Bay and the National Park from the spellbinding viewing platforms throughout the site or as you walk through it, as well as get a good look at large cannons and the tiny tunnels the Vietnamese used to hide during the war. Explore Caves – Once serving as a bombproof hospital, Hospital Cave’s infrastructure impresses, as does Tung Trang Cave with its awesome vistas over the island. Deepwater rock climbing – Cat Ba is the perfect location for rock climbing (surrounded by karst limestone formations) so do book a tour and have an adventurous Vietnam honeymoon! Ninh Binh Often missed by couples, this fantastic area is home to astoundingly beautiful natural sights, characterised by jagged rock formations, swirling rivers, and charming rice fields. Besides driving through the lovely landscape, you can also consider: Boat rides at Trang An Grottos – Being part of a tour that involves paddling through the rivers and grottos can be a very romantic experience for couples visiting Vietnam. Along the way, you will see impressive temples and even feed beautiful, big fish! If you are not much into boat rides, you can cycle along Tam Coc riverside and enjoy equally stunning landscapes. Visits to Cuc Phuong National Park – It is the largest reserve in Vietnam and home to endangered animals, rivers, limestone mountains, and profound natural beauty. Do rent a bike, though, as the park is massive. Phong Nha The Ke Bang National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) located here houses Hang Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, and Asia’s oldest karst mountains. Surrounded by jungle, it also offers opportunities to relax via natural mud baths inside Dark Cave, where you will need to either zip line, kayak or swim to get there, live music and entertainment provided around Dark Cave too, viewing the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, blue rock pools, and colourful rocks on Paradise Cave, or living the total farm-to-plate experience at Wild Boar region and its family-run farms with free-range animals. Phu Quoc Island Every couple visiting Vietnam for their honeymoon find their personal slice of heaven at Phu Quoc Island. Also called Pearl Island, it is a tranquil tropical paradise with so much jaw-dropping natural beauty and tranquillity that it almost feels unreal. From beautiful mountains and jungle-like forests to sugary beaches and crystal clear waters, Phu Quoc’s allure is overwhelming. Honeymooners that choose to stay here usually prefer the luxury resorts at Duong Dong city, such as the La Veranda, as they provide not only ethereal views of the ocean and the unique raw charm surrounding the island but also exceptional VIP services at reasonable prices. Things to do at Phu Quoc: Visit Dinh Cau Temple – The island is full of pagodas, temples, and shrines but Dinh Cau offers a very interesting combination as it serves as both a temple and a lighthouse. Chase Suoi Tranh Waterfall – On a hot day, it is the ideal spot to cool off, have a picnic, dive in the refreshing waters, and treat yourself to soul-filling panoramas. Taste Delicious Food at Dinh Cau Night Markets – Unlike other markets in Vietnam, Dinh Cau comes to life after sunset. You have the chance to enjoy fresh seafood, from freshly-caught squid and octopus to clams and prawns and do some shopping too. Tour to Phu Quoc Prison – Known as Coconut Prison, it used to hold war prisoners during the Vietnam War, who suffered great torture and torments. You will find tons of information on Vietnam’s history here. Lay by the beach – Make your pick as there are more pristine locations to savour the sun slipping behind the horizon or soak up its warmth than you can count. All providing fine-sand beaches and cobalt waters, you are in for the most romantic honeymoon ever. Of course, this is just a very small list of the places a newly-wed couple can visit and an extremely indicative list of the activities you can relish with your significant other. At the end of the day, though, it is all about what you want to take out of your trip here, what you wish to experience, and how you desire to spend your days as two people that have just made life oaths for eternal love and respect. Speaking of love, the Valley of Love in Dalat is another not-to-be-missed spot, as is Xuan Huong Lake and its romantic boat trips! And, still, we have merely scratched the tip of an iceberg!

How to get to Phu Quoc from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) There are two basic ways to get to the island from Saigon: by sea and by air. By sea Tourists can choose either the route Sai Gon – Rach Gia – Phu Quoc or the route Sai Gon – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc. Please note that this way may not be suitable for the elderly and children due to long hours on the bus and on the boat. Route 1: Sai Gon – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc Via the route of Sai Gon – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc, there are two stops where tourists can catch a bus to Rach Gia: Le Hong Phong Street, District 10 and Mien Tay station. At the first stop, Phuong Trang is a reliable bus that serves tourists 31 rides every 30 minutes every day. Tourists should book their seats via calling on 08 3833 3468 at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee their seats, especially in peak season. Another way to book a seat is to go to their website at https://futabus.vn/en-US , fill in the information, choose your favorite spot, and pay. Both the hotline and the website are supported in the English language so that the booking process can be easily done by foreigners. From Mien Tay station, there are several buses such as Kumho Samco, Mai Linh, Ba Dung, Tuyet Hon, Chau Ha that go to Rach Gia (Kien Giang). As the bus takes 6-7 hours, it’s recommended to pick up one that departs at night, in order to reach Kien Giang in the morning. The price for each bus ticket ranges from 120,000 to 150,000 VND (5.3 – 6.6 USD). On special occasions, the price can go up to 210,000VND (9.2 USD). When reaching the bus station in Rach Gia, tourists can choose to walk or to get on a motorbike taxi for half a dollar to get to Rach Gia boat station which is only 1km away. There are several hydrofoils between Phu Quoc and Rach Gia with Superdong offering the most reliable service, providing one morning and one afternoon departure from Rach Gia for the 2.5-hour journey and with prices ranging from 240,000 – 330,000 VND depending on age. For more information on the prices, tourists can find out at http://superdong.com.vn/dich-vu/gia-ve-tau/. Route 2: Sai Gon – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc Via the route Sai Gon – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc, tourists also catch a bus and then a hydrofoil or a ferry to get to the island. Phuong Trang Bus, also known as FUTA Bus Lines offers 6 departures every day from Mien Tay Bus Station at the price of 170,000 VND/seat. Again, tourists should book their seat beforehand via calling on 0838.309.309 or the website of the bus lines at https://futabus.vn/en-US. From Ha Tien, Superdong departures three times per day at 7:30 am, 8:00 am and 1:15pm with the price of 230,000VND/adult. Ferry is an alternative choice yet it takes longer time and the destination is far from Phu Quoc’s center. Ferries leave Thanh Thoi (Ha Tien) and reach Da Chong Port (Phu Quoc) after a two-hour journey. From Da Chong, travelers can take a motorbike taxi, which is called “xe om” in Vietnamese, to get to Duong Dong town. Transferring by ferry is also suitable for motorbike travelers as the ferry can carry common vehicles. However, it’s not recommended for a group of girls/families with kids to take this route as taxis are not always available around the port. By air This is the fastest and the safest way to get to the island. Domestically, flights to Phu Quoc are available from many cities in Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City (45-minute flight), Hanoi, Rach Gia and Can Tho via Vietnam Airlines (the national carrier) and several budget airlines: Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet air and Vasco (a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines). In peak season, there can be as many as 15-20 daily domestic flights to Phu Quoc, but it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment as flights to Phu Quoc can sell out during the high season of December to April. From Phu Quoc International Airport, visitors can travel 9 km to the main town of Duong Dong by taxi, motorbike or hotel transfer. The fare for taxi should be 10,000VND/km, and around 6,000VND/km for motorbike taxi. Located on Phu Quoc Island (Vietnam), discover a time almost forgotten and immerse yourself in the romance of bygone Indochine. This French inspired mansion by the sea is set on a wide stretch of untouched beach embraced by lush and tranquil botanical gardens. Beautifully designed and inspired by the colonial styles of the past, this luxury beach resort and boutique hotel is for those who love an island ambience and the tranquillity that a tropical beach setting brings. Enjoy an artful blend of authentic local and fine French cuisine at beach restaurant Phu Quoc, infused with a rich sense of history, while you soak in the romantic ocean views and cooling sea breeze. Tel: +84 (0) 297 3982 988 Email: contact@laverandaresorts.com

The main local vehicle for transportation is motorbike which can be easily rented from motorbike rental shops scattering along the main road in Duong Dong town. The cost of renting a bike for one day is from 130,000 – 150,000VND and paperwork may not be required. This is an ideal solution for groups of young people to get around the island. Even at night, main roads in Phu Quoc are quite safe for female groups. It is also convenient for families with kids and/or aged people to catch a taxi on the way to the beaches with the fare of 10,000VND (about 55 cents) per kilometer. Taxis can also be hired for half-day or full-day Phu Quoc island tours. Negotiate with your driver exact places you want to visit and the price beforehand.