8 best honeymoon destinations on a budget for a memorable vacation

A list of destinations that meet four standards: “peaceful – romantic – convenient – reasonable” may be a good suggestion for you to schedule for your honeymoon. Now, let’s joining with Living Nomads discover top 10 best honeymoon destinations on a budget below.

Inle Lake, Burma — Surfing waves of Inle Lake (Myanmar)

Under the sunset that makes the immense lake red, sparkling nets and images of fishermen are reflected in the sky. In the shadow of the mountain appear artists sailing boats. The scenery is picturesque. Only a small part of the Intha people in Inle lake live on tourism. Their daily life is passed on the peaceful lake.

Transportation

There are four airlines in Myanmar: Yangon Air, Air Mandalay, Bagan Air and Myanmar Air. You can travel to Inle by car or airplane from Yangon capital. Inle lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar with a cover area of nearly 250km2. The only transportation to discover Inle lake is ferry coach (about 15 – 20USD/boat/day for 4-5 people).

Visa

A visa for visiting Myanmar is priced at 20USD. You can get a visa in your country or at the airport. Myanmar’s currency is Kyat with a normal value of from 50 – 1000 dong. USD is also used in this country.

Climate

The best time for discovering the lake is September and October, when many traditional festivals take place. The climate in Inle is cool and a little bit cold at night. It is advisable to bring some coats.

Accommodation

Apart from cheap hotels and guest houses in Nyaungshwe, other hotels are priced at 10 – 20USD/room/night. Inle also features resorts at 45USD/room/night. Hotels have their own designs and are located near by the lake. Bungalows serve food in the room.

Attractions

At Inle, you can visit the village of the Padaung people, who are famous for their long necks with necklaces, or tour around Russian Phe Kyaung, a monastery built from valuable wood at the end of 1850. This is the most ancient monastery of this region. Sail a boat on the lake and discover the daily life of local people as well as the way they grow vegetables on the lake.

Souvenir

Silky weaved scarf

Bali, Indonesia — Where the love begins

On the way back to Ubud, under the moonlight, the road runs through blowing lines of coconut trees and the ancient forest. Sometimes statues which have been standing there for generations appear in the vague light. In the aroma of plants and romantic ambience of Ubud with stylish cafes and souvenir shops, which display a variety of arts and crafts, couples are walking hand in hand in streets. It is easy to understand that Ubud in general, and Bali in specific, has become one of the most favorite islands for couples because the exotic landscape makes their love more passionate: romantic, serene, enchanting and fascinating.

Transportation

You can fly from the capital Jakarta to Bali. The last flight departs at 9:00 p.m. and arrives in Bali at 12:00 at night. Ngurah Rai airport is about 2km from Kuta. You can take a taxi there for about 90,000VND. The Indonesian currency is the Rupiat.

A rented motorbike is priced at 40,000 Rupiat (about 80,000VND/day). A rented car is costs 350,000 Rupiat/day.

Accommodation

Hotels in Bali are priced at from 150,000 Rupiat (about 300,000VND/double room) with swimming pool and breakfast. You can book online or in the hotel for a reasonable price.

If you like beaches, you can book a room in Kuta, Nusa Dua or Kungklung. If you like the peace of fruit gardens, stay at Ubud.

Climate

Tourist sites in Bali have different climates. Those located near the sea will have hot and scorching weather, near forests and temples will get a lot of rain. You should bring some coats to avoid cold weather when you travel.

Attractions

Popular temples: The most famous temples in Ubud are Pura Besakih and Tampak Siring with the images of the Goddess Saraswati. Pura Ulun Danu (or Water Temple) were built in the 17th century to worship Dewi Danu (The God of Water). Tanah Lot – the Snake Temple is where visitors can view the best sunset on the island.

You are required to wear a draped skirt-like garment before going inside the temple. You should buy one so that you will not have to hire one at a very expensive price at temples.

In Bali, you can go to see Legiong dance at Ubud Cultural Center on Sunday evenings and Barong dance on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tickets are priced at about 80 Rp (about 160,000VND).

Souvenirs

Barong mask, a draped skirt-like garment and batik cloth in Ubud market or Tanah Lot.

Cuisine

Bebek betutu duck, Babi Guiling roasted pork, Sate Lilit.

Banjaran, Malaysia — Discovering a true vacation with Banjaran hot spring (Malaysia)

With its slogan “Malasia – Truly Asia” has become a favorite destination for many visitors. With convenient transportation, various hotels, restaurant cooking up a wide selection of Chinese, Indian or Muslim cuisine, and the popular use of English, Malaysia is not only an ideal escape for travelers but also a shopping paradise. Banjaran hotspring is located at Ipoh city with every convenience for a perfect honeymoon and the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a leading address.

Transportation

Located near the airport in Ipoh city, the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is near Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreation Park, Perak stadium and Perak cavern. Royal Perak Golf Club and Gunung Lang Recreation Park are also near this area.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can take a daily flight to Ipoh.

With taxi and convenient vehicles, you can easily reach any place in beautiful Ipoh city.

Entertainment in the hotel

Entertaining activities in the hotel include an outdoor swimming pool, health care club, sauna and steam bath.

Other services include a fitness center, golf course, horse racing course and park.

Guests can also enjoy a spa package in the hotel.

Amenities

The living room has a small swimming pool, dishwasher/dryer and free internet access. Rooms are also equipped with upscale beds and air conditioners.

Other activities outside the hotel

Ipoh is a beautiful city with an array of restaurants, entertaining centers and modern shopping areas. You can walk along shopping centers and having a bath in the hot spring, then return to the hotel and relax.

Verona, Italy — Romantic Verona Love city (Italy)

In a corner of Verona, the statue of Juliet stands under the balcony, where she used to meet Romeo, with sad eyes and devotional beauty. Rooms are designed in noble style with wooden stairs, ivy trees spreading behind the statue as a cool screen. When visiting this place, do not forget to touch the statue’s chest to pray for good luck to your love. Verona is considered as a pink city because many houses in the city are whitewashed bright colors with flowery balconies. This is also the homeland of Romeo and Juliet in the heart-breaking love epic written by Shakespeare.

Transportation

Verona city, Veneto province in the North of Italy is a famous tourist city near Venice and Milan. Verona is known as a “small Rome” because it is similar to Rome. The city was recognized as the World’s Cultural Heritage in 2000 for its extraordinary structure and architecture with more than 2000 years of history.

You can take a train or fly to Verona from Rome.

You can rent a bike at the hotel to tour around the city.

Currency

Euro, USD or Pound can be used in this city.

Attractions

Juliet’s house in Verona is named Casa Di Giulietta on Via Cappello street. The ticket is priced at 4 Euro. Romeo’s house is on Via Arche Scaligere street.

Ancient Castelvecchio castle, San Zeno Maggiore holy land, Giardino Giustiv and Sant Anastasia are also must-see destinations.

The elliptical Rome Arena can seat about 30,000 people. The arena was partly damaged after a big earthquake 1000 years ago, however it is also very imposing and large. The Rome Arena has become an outdoor theater of this lovely city.

Piazza Erbe square, the most ancient and beautiful square in Italy, is where you can view the panorama of the city through the eight-edge tower in the square and is a fantastic shopping center of the city.

Accommodation

Verona features small hotels priced at from 80 Euro. You can also find many cheaper hotels in small streets of Verona.

Entertainment

In June, July and August, Rome Arena offers famous performances.

Restaurants and cuisine

Small streets run zigzag around Verona to create the beauty for this ancient city. Each restaurant is built separately with refined style. You can find many romantic restaurants.

Con Dao, Vienam — Barefoot on serene sandy banks

It takes about 15 minutes from the airport to the town by car along the coastal path. You can immerse yourself in the blue sea, bright sunshine and flowers. Confetti flowers are turning streets into flower paths. Sunflowers are brightly blooming. Golden shower flowers are found everywhere; red flame flowers and purple largestroemia flowers also embellish theisland with their beauty. Con Dao is regarded as one of the world’s twenty most mysterious islands, listed by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2011.

Transportation

Con Dao is about 79 sea miles from Vung Tau city of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

You can take a flight from HCMC to Con Dao in about one hour. Vasco’s ticket is priced at VND990,000 or Air Mekong’s ticket is 1090,000VND.

You can also take a ferry from Vung Tau at 5:00p.m. The ticket price is about 200,000VND.

You should rent a motorbike in the guest house at about 120,000VND/day for your transportation because there is no taxi on the island.

Accommodation

Hotels in Con Dao are priced from VND350,000/room. Some hotels offer high quality services such as Thanh Nien Tourist Site, Saigon Con Dao Hotel or Six Senses Con Dao.

Tickets for visiting four historical sites are priced at 20,000VND/person. Sites open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday.

From May to October, it is the reproducing season of turtles. You can rent a boat to visit the nearby island to witness turtles leaving their sandy nests to go back to the ocean. In addition, you can swim in the sea or walk barefoot on smooth sandy banks and dive to sea coral reefs. A rented boat is at 2,200,000VND/boat/8 people. You can rent boats at the town center near Con Son café.

You can also discover Con Dao National Park on the island.

Beaches

Nho Beach near Dam Trau Beach (near the airport) is regarded as the most beautiful on the island. Nho beach features not only a serene ambiance but also a neighboring freshwater stream. Nhat Beach is located at the end of the island, where visitors can view the best sunset.

Specialties

Nuts of almond trees, that are fried with sugar or salt are specialties of Con Dao. Price: 35,000/gram. In addition, tuna sold on the island is also very fresh, delicious and cheap. You can pack them and send to the airport.

Dalat, Vietnam — Dreamlike Dalat

You can hire two bikes and ride along little streets that are carpeted with flowers. The curved roads run up and down, passing by many lovely villas. Houses built in European style are scattered along the slopes. Flowers spread along the paths and fences, in flower pots and on every street of the city. Each season boasts different kinds of flowers as if the city is changing its clothes.

Transportation

You can take a car of Thanh Buoi, which departs every thirty minutes at Nha Trang station.

From Saigon to Dalat: Phuong Trang car with 50 seats. It takes about 8 hours to Dalat (De Tham street, Dist. 1, HCMC; Tel: 08.3837 5570).

Vietnam Airlines and Air Mekong offer daily flights between HCMC and Hanoi.

Transportation in Dalat: You should rent a bike or a motorbike in the hotel for about VND100,000. In Dalat, there are also various taxi companies.

Restaurant

• Oc (snail) 33 restaurant at Hai Ba Trung street
• Roasted frog with salt and chili of Ngoc Dung restaurant at Dinh Tien Hoang street.
• Rice pancakes folded in half of Ms. Chi in an alley nearby Doan Thi Diem school.
• Spring rolls of Mrs. Nghia, 4C Bui Thi Xuan
• Quang vermicelli of Ms. Xi on Mac Dinh Chi street.
• Noodles with seasoned and sautéd beef of Ms. 6 Dan, Bui Thi Xuan.

Cafés

• Me Linh Garden Coffee
• An Cafe
• Tung Cafe
• Moc Café, 34 Hai Ba Trung
• Cung To Chieu Café, 27K Le Hong Phong
• Cung Dan Xua Café, 83 Ba Thang Hai street
• Violet Café 16, Tran Hung Dao street
• Rainy, 24B/1 Hung Vuong

Rooftop of Dalat market, where you can view Dalat from above

• Valentine, 31 Ho Tung Mau
• Mei Xuan Huong café, 2 Tran Quoc Toan

Accommodation

• La Vy Hotel – 2B Lu Gia, Dalat. Tel: (063) 826007. Price: 15$ – 30$/ room.
• Cam Do Hotel – 81 Phan Dinh Phung, Dalat. Tel: (063) 822732. Price: 30$ – 60$/ room.
• Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel – 12 Tran Phu, Dalat. Tel: (063) 3825 444
• Golf 3 Hotel (4 star) – 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dalat. Tel: (063) 3826 042
• Novotel Dalat Hotel – 7 Tran Phu. Tel: (063) 3825 777
• Evason Ana Mandara Villas & Six Senses Spa Dalat Hotel – Le Lai, Dalat. Tel: (063) 3555 888
• Ngoc Lan hotel (4 star) – 42 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Dalat. Tel: (063)383 8838
• Saigon – Dalat Hotel – 2 Hoang Van Thu, Dalat. Tel: (063) 3556 789

Attractions

• Than Tho Lake, Prenn Waterfall, Cam Ly Waterfall – Truc Lam Monastery: suitable for those, who like Buddhism. It is about 5km from the city center.
• Tuyen Lam lake: visit the lake by ferry.
• Lang Biang peak: located in Lat commune, Lac Duong district, about 30km from Dalat in the North. Travel to the peak by jeep to view clouds and Dalat’s scenery or go on a picnic in the day.
• Mong Mo hill: near the Love Valley.

Hoi An, Vietnam — Tranquil Hoi An ancient town

Hoi An ancient town is profound and tranquil with ancient houses located so closely that the light is just enough to brighten the veranda floor of the front house. Flowered walls reflect the light through clear drops of the rain. Small alleys run along among houses. In a yard, leaves that are dried for making glutinous rice cake have been collected and put in a corner. The sound of children learning spelling and the sewing machine in a tailor’s shop resound. The aroma of hyacinth flowers spreads throughout the alleys. Life and time seem to stop when entering the alleys.

Image by onewaytickettopanama.com

Transportation

• From Danang, you can rent a motorbike to Hoi An or take a bus to this ancient town.
• Danang is about 40km from Hoi An, along Non Nuoc, My Khe, Cua Dai and the beautiful Thu Bon River.
• From Hoi An, you can rent a car to My Son holy land, about 30km from the town.
• From Hoi An, you can book a tour to Cu Lao Cham.
• Vehicles such as motorbikes or cars are not allowed in Hoi An ancient town. The lantern evening will be held on the fifteenth of the lunar month.

Accommodation

• Family Guest House – 07 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (opposite to Phung Hung ancient house) – Tel: 0510. 3863 631. Price: $10/night
• Thanh Xuan Hotel in Ba Trieu street. Price: 200,000VND/room.
• Phuong Dong Hotel at 42 Ba Trieu. Price: $10 – $15/room.

Some of the typical dishes of Hoi An will be taught to tourists. The photo shows Cao Lau – a very famous food only found in Hoi An Photo: travel.anandi.vn

Cuisine, café

• Quang vermicelli at Mrs. Minh’s restaurant, Cam Ha or in Hoi An market.
• The rice cake of Ba Gia is the most famous.
• Mót Hoi An
• Cocobox

Mixed mussels

• Passing Cam Nam bridge about 100m, turn left, you will see a chain of restaurants serving a variety of dishes: “sweet corn soup, rice cakes and fried mussels”.
• Vermicelli with roasted pork roll: from Tran Phu Street to Le Loi and Tran Hung Dao Street.
• Rice and chicken of Mrs. Buoi and Mrs. Minh
• Dumpling cake in Hoi An can be found in 533 Hai Ba Trung.

Ninh Van Bay, Khanh Hoa — Immersing in the turquoise sea of Ninh Van bay (Khanh Hoa)

Ninh Van Bay of Ninh Hoa (Khanh Hoa) is an ideal escape because it is nearly separated from the outside world. Although many resorts are benefiting it, Ninh Van Bay is also very pristine. For a long time, Ninh Van has bee the perfect destination for honeymoons. Ninh Van Bay is located on Hon Meo penninsula, about 60km from Nha Trang beach city. The bay is where the sky, cloud, sea, rocks and trees meet.

Transportation

From Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, you take a flight to Nha Trang. From Nha Trang, if you take a high-speed ferry, it takes about 20 minutes to this magnificent bay.

Discovery

If Nha Trang is ranked in the world’s most exotic bays, Ninh Van bay features the most untouched location in Khanh Hoa. Those, who once visit the bay, comment that the sea and sand are very fascinating. Many people also compare Ninh Van’s sand with crystals when the waves surf the seashore and leave smooth sand sparkling under the sunshine.

The bay is separated from urban life without noisy entertainment services. Visitors can discover a tropical forest or immerse in the clear water. Those, who like water sports, can choose water skiing or surfing. Kayaking on the sea is also an interesting activity. Exotic coral reefs on the bay attract a large number of divers. Visitors can use a snorkel and swimming glasses to dive into the sea and witness the coral reefs. If you’d just like to view the bay and think about life, a corner for fishing in a private space will be the best.

Accommodation

Most of hotels in Ninh Van bay are classy resorts with well-appointed amenities in sea-view rooms, which harmonize with nature. This is also a destination for those who like peace and a private space. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and An Lam Ninh Van Bay are the best hotels in the bay.