Planning a Destination Wedding in Vietnam

Are you planning a destination wedding in Vietnam? This South East Asian country makes a picture-perfect backdrop for your big day. Vietnam features jaw-dropping beauty, from jungles to beaches, quaint villages, and large metropolitan cities.  It makes for stunning photographs and forever memories.  Keep in mind that Vietnam is an affordable country, so you can spend a little more money where it counts.  

In addition to your passports, you need to decide whether to hold the legally binding ceremony before or after your Vietnamese marriage celebration.  Getting married in Vietnam is a complicated and lengthy process, so it can be better to hire a celebrant to oversee the destination wedding festivities but make it official at home!

1. Visit First

If you’ve never been, visiting Vietnam before planning your wedding is a must. Some great locations for destination weddings include Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang. Travel around the same time you plan to have your wedding the following year. 

2. Pick the Venue and Wedding Photographer

Dream what your perfect Vietnam wedding venue would be; Vietnam is sure to have exactly what you have in mind.  You may have a traditional wedding indoors or a whimsical barefoot ceremony on the beach.  You can easily choose a catered, westernised menu or a feast featuring the best local flavors. Be sure to book your wedding photographer early also! Send a save the date card at least eight or nine months before your destination wedding in Vietnam, so friends and family have time to make plans.

3. Planning your itinerary

Crafting an itinerary ensures a well-organized and enjoyable wedding celebration:

Wedding Day Schedule: Coordinate with vendors, photographers, and entertainers to create a seamless flow of events from ceremony to reception.

Pre-Wedding Activities: Plan welcome dinners, sightseeing tours, and cultural experiences to immerse guests in Vietnam’s beauty and traditions.

4. Hire a Wedding Planner

You probably won’t be able to make dozens of visits to Vietnam to plan every aspect of the big day so hiring a highly rated wedding planner is good insurance that everything will go smoothly. If your event will be at a resort, see if there’s an on-site wedding planner to watch over the arrangements.

An experienced wedding planner based in Vietnam will handle a hundred little details that might not occur to you.  It’s also a great way to ensure you and your guests connect with the country, its people, the cuisine, and the culture.

5. Weather Considerations

Vietnam experiences distinct weather patterns, so choosing the right time of year is crucial. The dry season, typically from November to April, is ideal for weddings, offering pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall. Be mindful of the summer months, which can be hot and humid, especially in southern regions. Read my guide to the best months for your Vietnam wedding here.

6. Immerse Yourself

Vietnam is a magical place to visit and begin the journey of the rest of your lives together. So enjoy the best this country has to offer.

Food is generally flavored perfectly using fresh, often local, ingredients.  Vendors along the streets are favorite places for locals to get a quick, delicious bite, so follow their lead.  Fresh seafood, Pho, and Banh Mi are all excellent.

Vietnam’s natural beauty is unrivalled.  Consider using flowers and greenery from the natural surroundings in your wedding decor, boutonnieres, and bouquets.