Seven of the best honeymoon experiences in Southeast Asia

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There's nothing wrong with spending your honeymoon on a beach, cocktail in hand. And Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos have plenty of lovely places to do just that. But if you'd like a little adventure between the romantic dinners and lazy mornings, you're in the right part of the world.

In Laos, you can walk alongside rescued elephants as they forage their way through the jungle. In Hanoi, hop on the back of a vintage Vespa and weave through the streets in search of some of the city's best food. Or, in Cambodia, raise a glass of champagne as you cruise around the ancient temples of Angkor.

You can do all of this on your honeymoon, with plenty of time to relax in between. Here are seven of our favorite experiences from our Indochina Honeymoon itinerary, each chosen to make your first big trip as a married couple a little different.

Take a champagne cruise around Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

There's a good reason the temples of Angkor feature on so many Cambodia itineraries. From the 12th century towers of Angkor Wat to the jungle-covered ruins of Ta Prohm and the carved stone faces of Bayon, there's enough here to keep you busy for days.

As the sun begins to dip, board a private gondola and cruise across the moat encircling the temple complex, one of the largest ancient water systems in the world. Sit back, sip champagne and simply admire the symmetry of the temples from the water. For added romance, you’ll cruise along to Prasat Chrung, a secluded hilltop temple – a sunset spot away from the crowds.

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Picnic beneath Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang, Laos

Around 30km outside Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls tumbles through the jungle, spilling over limestone terraces into a series of turquoise pools. It's one of the most popular spots in Laos, but arrive early enough and you might have much of it to yourself.

We'll get you there before the main crowds arrive, leaving time for a swim in one of the pools and a picnic breakfast beside the falls. Not a bad way to start a day on your honeymoon.

Our Southeast Asia specialist Jess was lucky enough to have the place to herself when she visited.

"Having that picnic spot by the falls all to myself before the crowds arrived will be something I'll never forget. Let's keep this between us so it stays that way?"

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Walk with elephants at MandaLao, Luang Prabang, Laos

Once known as the "Land of One Million Elephants", Laos is now thought to have fewer than 400 elephants living in the wild. At MandaLao, just outside Luang Prabang, former logging and tourism elephants have been given a different way of life, with space to roam, forage and socialize.

You’ll walk alongside the elephants and their mahout carers through the jungle and rice fields, watching as they stop to pull leaves from the trees or investigate something in the undergrowth. The elephants set the pace, so if they decide it's time for a snack, you'll be stopping too.

For our Southeast Asia specialist Grant, it was one of the highlights of his time in Laos.

"Walking along a dirt track, surrounded by almost neon green fields and mist shrouded hills on the horizon, I strolled beside two gentle elephants, occasionally pausing for a snack plucked from a bush or tree."

Bless your marriage with a Baci ceremony, Luang Prabang, Laos

Your wedding might be over, but there's no reason the celebrations have to stop. In Laos, you can mark the beginning of married life with a Baci ceremony, a centuries-old ritual traditionally held to celebrate important occasions, including weddings.

Each person is believed to have 32 spirits and the Baci ritual calls back escaped spirits into the body, ensuring good luck and harmony. Elders chant ancient mantras and make offerings of fruit and flowers, before white threads are symbolically tied around your wrist to bring good fortune. Whether you're particularly spiritual or not, it's an interesting way to experience a longstanding Lao tradition. And you'll have the white threads around your wrists as a reminder of the occasion long after the ceremony is over.

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Take a Vespa food tour, Hanoi, Vietnam

Lazing by the pool is all well and good (essential, after all the wedding planning), but if you’re ready for something a little livelier, hop on the back of a Vespa and head into Hanoi’s streets after dark.

With an experienced driver at the handlebars, you'll weave through the evening traffic, stopping at street stalls and small restaurants to try some of the city's favorite dishes. There's bun cha, grilled pork and meatballs served with rice noodles, and pho cuon, thin rice noodle sheets wrapped around beef and fresh herbs. Start with a cocktail, then follow your appetite from one stop to the next.

Those perfectly charred meatballs sizzled on a street corner might just be the most memorable meal of your trip – without a Michelin star in sight.

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Cruise Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

You may have heard of Halong Bay, with its limestone islands rising almost vertically from the water. But it’s quieter sibling Lan Ha Bay has the same scenery, with far fewer boats to share the views with.

Take an overnight cruise aboard a traditional junk boat. Spend your mornings relaxing on the sun deck, swimming in the on-board pool over even having a massage. If you’re feeling more adventurous you can explore the bay and its islands by bike or kayak.

As evening falls, settle down with a drink on deck and watch the last of the daylight catch the limestone cliffs. If you’re lucky, you might even spot bioluminescent plankton in the gentle waves when it gets dark.

Have something made to measure in Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An has been a trading port since the 15th century, welcoming boats laden with silk and spices from around the world. These days, the town is particularly well known for its tailors, who can turn a length of fabric into a made-to-measure suit, silk dress or linen shirt in just a day or two.

If a whole new outfit seems a bit extravagant, Hoi An's shops and night market are also full of jewelry, leather goods and locally made handicrafts. The silk lanterns hanging outside the old merchant houses make a particularly good souvenir, and rather cleverly, fold flat to fit in your suitcase.

Between shopping trips, you can explore the UNESCO-listed ancient town filled with centuries-old merchant houses or unwind on white sand beaches along the coast.

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Let’s plan your honeymoon

Our Indochina Honeymoon itinerary brings together all seven of these experiences, but it's only a starting point. Perhaps you'd like a few more days on the beach, more time exploring Vietnam's cities or a little of both. We'll work with you to plan a honeymoon that suits you, with as much adventure or relaxation as you fancy.

Get in touch with our Southeast Asia specialists and let's start putting your trip together.