By aussiematesvietnam 
Romantic Getaways in Vietnam for Mature Couples
G’day fellow adventurers! Aussie Mates here with Tracy by my side. After calling Vietnam home for nearly two decades, we’ve discovered that this stunning country isn’t just for backpackers and digital nomads. In fact, Vietnam offers some of the most romantic and sophisticated experiences perfect for us mature couples looking to rekindle the flame or simply enjoy quality time together without the rowdy party crowds.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a second honeymoon, or just need some well-deserved couple’s time, Vietnam delivers with its perfect blend of exotic charm, luxury accommodations, and peaceful retreats. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let me share our favourite romantic getaways that have kept Tracy and me falling in love with Vietnam—and each other—year after year.
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Hoi An: The Lantern-Lit Gem of Central Vietnam
If there’s one place in Vietnam that screams romance, it’s Hoi An. This UNESCO World Heritage town has been our go-to anniversary destination for years. The ancient town, with its yellow-walled buildings and colorful lanterns reflecting in the Thu Bon River, creates an atmosphere that’s straight out of a romance novel.
Tracy and I love staying just outside the Ancient Town where it’s quieter but still walkable. The Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort has been our favourite splurge, with its daily spa treatments included in your stay—absolute heaven for these aging bones! Their couples’ massages are something we look forward to all year.
For a romantic evening, book a private dinner cruise along the river. The local operators will deck out traditional wooden boats with lanterns and flowers, serve you local delicacies, and even arrange for musicians to serenade you as you drift past the twinkling town. Just last year, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this way, and I swear Tracy was as misty-eyed as she was on our wedding day.
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Da Lat: The City of Eternal Spring
When the humidity of coastal Vietnam gets a bit much for us Aussies, we head to Da Lat in the Central Highlands. At 1,500 meters above sea level, this former French hill station offers cool breezes year-round and scenery that’ll remind you of the European countryside—but with a Vietnamese twist.
The accommodation options here are wonderfully quirky and romantic. We’ve stayed at the Ana Mandara Villas, which are restored French colonial villas with claw-foot bathtubs and fireplaces. Nothing beats sipping a glass of wine by the fire when the highland evening chill sets in.
During the day, take a tandem bike ride around Xuan Huong Lake or visit the Valley of Love (cheesy name, but beautiful gardens). For something special, book the Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa, where you can have breakfast overlooking the misty pine forests. Tracy always says the crisp mountain air here makes her feel 20 years younger—I reckon she doesn’t need it, but I’ll take any excuse to visit!
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Con Dao Islands: Secluded Beach Paradise
Now, if you’re after that exclusive “we’ve got the beach to ourselves” experience, the Con Dao archipelago is your ticket. Located off Vietnam’s southern coast, these islands offer the kind of unspoiled beaches you probably thought disappeared from Southeast Asia decades ago.
The Six Senses Con Dao is the pinnacle of luxury here—private villas with plunge pools facing the ocean, and staff who remember your names and preferences from day one. It’s not cheap, but as Tracy and I always say, “We’re not getting any younger, and you can’t take it with you!”
While the resort itself is heavenly, the real magic happens at sunset. Picture this: you’re sitting on the beach with a gin and tonic in hand, watching sea turtles nest on the protected beaches (seasonal), with barely another soul in sight. That’s the kind of memory that stays with you forever, mates.
For those feeling adventurous despite the creaky knees, the snorkeling here is world-class, with coral reefs teeming with marine life. The resort can arrange private boat trips to secluded spots where you’ll feel like the only people on Earth.
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Hanoi’s Old Quarter: Urban Romance with Character
If your idea of romance includes atmospheric streets, fantastic dining, and a touch of colonial charm, Hanoi’s Old Quarter delivers in spades. Tracy and I often spend our anniversaries here, starting with coffee on a hotel balcony overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Sofitel Legend Metropole is our splurge accommodation—this historic hotel oozes old-world charm and offers service that makes you feel like royalty. Their chocolate buffet afternoon tea is something Tracy still talks about years later!
For a romantic evening, book a table at Porte D’Annam, a converted French villa serving sublime Vietnamese cuisine, followed by drinks at the rooftop bar of La Siesta Hotel with views over the twinkling city. A perfect night out without having to deal with the backpacker bar scene that’s never quite suited us older folks.
During the day, take a cyclo ride through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter, holding hands as you’re pedaled through the organized chaos. It’s touristy, sure, but sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
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Ha Long Bay: Luxury Cruising for Grown-Ups
Yes, Ha Long Bay is on every Vietnam itinerary, but there’s a world of difference between the party boats filled with youngsters and the luxury cruises catering to mature travelers. After five visits, Tracy and I have perfected the Ha Long Bay experience.
Book a high-end cruise like Paradise Elegance or Emperor Cruises that limits passenger numbers and offers spacious cabins with private balconies. These premium options cost more but provide an intimate experience of this natural wonder without the crowds and noise.
The joy of waking up to limestone karsts emerging from the mist, practicing tai chi on deck as the sun rises, and enjoying a private dinner under the stars—it’s the stuff retirement dreams are made of, folks. Many cruises now offer couples’ spa treatments in cabins with panoramic windows, so you can enjoy a massage while floating through one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes.
Pro tip from an old hand: book a three-day cruise rather than the standard two-day option. The middle day takes you to the more remote Bai Tu Long Bay, where you’ll see fewer boats and experience the tranquility that made this place famous.
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Phu Quoc Island: Beach Luxury with Vietnamese Flavor
For our most recent anniversary, Tracy convinced me to try Phu Quoc, and I’m glad she did. This island in the Gulf of Thailand has developed rapidly but still maintains plenty of charm and secluded spots if you know where to look.
The southern part of the island offers the most romantic resorts. We stayed at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, a whimsical resort designed by Bill Bensley that feels like you’re staying in a quirky university campus—but with infinity pools and beach access. The attention to detail is incredible, and the staff treated us like family from day one.
Rent a motorbike (if the joints still allow it!) or hire a driver to explore the island’s pepper plantations, fish sauce factories (more interesting than it sounds), and hidden beaches. Sao Beach in the southeast still offers patches of paradise, especially if you head there early.
The sunset views from the beach bars along Long Beach are spectacular, and if you’re feeling romantic, organize a private beach dinner through your resort. There’s something about dining with your toes in the sand that brings back that youthful spark—even when you’re sporting reading glasses and sun hats!
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