For the first feature in my Real Honeymoons series, I would like to introduce Sarah and Alastair, who travelled to Vietnam for their honeymoon in January 2026 after their beautiful wedding at Cabra Castle.

Here's what they had to say about their incredible adventure:

We had a church wedding followed by our reception at Cabra Castle in November 2025. It was absolutely amazing.  The day was perfect from start to finish.

How soon after the wedding did you go on honeymoon?

We decided to wait a month before travelling and headed off to Vietnam in January. It gave us time to enjoy Christmas with our families before setting off on our biggest adventure together.

Why did you choose Vietnam?

We looked at a few different destinations, but Vietnam seemed to offer everything we were looking for.

Neither of us had ever been to Asia before and we wanted somewhere completely different for our honeymoon. Looking back, it was even better than we could have imagined.

What was the highlight of your honeymoon?

There were so many incredible moments that it's almost impossible to choose just one.

The food throughout Vietnam was simply outstanding. One of our favourite experiences was taking a local cooking class in Hanoi. We visited a traditional food market to buy fresh ingredients before learning how to cook authentic Vietnamese dishes. It was such a fun and memorable experience.

Another standout was the street food motorbike tour in Ho Chi Minh City. Riding through the different districts while stopping to sample local food was something we'll never forget.

What experiences would you recommend to other honeymoon couples?

If you're planning a honeymoon to Vietnam, these experiences are absolute must-dos:

• Aprons Up Cooking Class in Hanoi
• Street Food Motorbike Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
• The Cu Chi Tunnels
• An overnight cruise on the spectacular Ha Long Bay
• Exploring the Imperial City in Hue
• Visiting A Dong Silk in Hoi An to have a tailored suit or dress made

Every stop offered something completely different, making Vietnam an incredibly varied honeymoon destination.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Honestly, the trip was perfect.

If we were doing it again, we'd probably spend fewer nights in Ho Chi Minh City and add extra time in Hoi An, or perhaps include another destination like Sapa or Ba Na Hills.

We'd also choose a two-night cruise on Ha Long Bay instead of one. The scenery is breathtaking, and with only one night everything felt quite scheduled. An extra night would have given us more time to relax and really soak it all in.

How did you find booking your honeymoon with Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor?

Wonderful.

Susan planned the entire trip seamlessly and everything flowed perfectly from start to finish.

We always felt we were in such good hands. Any questions we had were answered so quickly, which gave us complete peace of mind throughout the planning process.

Would you recommend booking your honeymoon with Susan?

Absolutely.

We actually contacted another travel agent before finding Susan, but the experience felt very impersonal and there were even mistakes in the first itinerary we received.

Working with Susan was completely different. Everything was personalised, thorough and tailored specifically to us. She was always available whenever we had a question and having someone we could rely on made such a difference.

Planning a wedding is stressful enough, so knowing our honeymoon was being taken care of meant we could focus on enjoying the lead-up to our big day.

What advice would you give couples planning their wedding and honeymoon?

Plan as much as you can in advance and then simply relax and enjoy every minute when it arrives. It's such a special time in your lives.

One piece of advice we'd definitely give is to upgrade to Business Class if your budget allows. It was our first time flying Business Class with Emirates and it was an incredible experience. The service was impeccable and it was the perfect way to begin our honeymoon.

Susan's Honeymoon Snapshot

Best for: Couples looking for culture, incredible food, adventure and luxury.

Ideal trip length: 12–16 nights.

Best time to visit: November to April.

Don't miss: Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi's food scene and a street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City.

My tip: If your itinerary allows, I'd recommend spending at least three nights in Hoi An and upgrading to a two-night cruise on Ha Long Bay to fully appreciate one of Vietnam's most spectacular landscapes.

Thinking about a honeymoon to Vietnam?

Sarah and Alastair's journey is a great example of why Vietnam has become one of my favourite destinations to recommend. If you're dreaming of a honeymoon that's rich in culture, unforgettable experiences and exceptional food, I'd love to help you create a tailor-made itinerary that's perfect for you.