Our wedding in Vietnam
Logistics
Tea Ceremony
There will be a traditional tea ceremony at Hanh’s home in the morning, followed by lunch. Details to come!
Reception
The evening reception will be held at GEM Center. Please arrive early for our cocktail reception and pictures. There will also be an after party!
GEM CENTER
8 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Accommodations
We recommend staying in hotels in District 1 for convenience. A guide for hotels.
(Pictured) - The Myst Hotel, near where we will stay.
Travelling to Vietnam from the U.S. or U.K./Europe
VISA
U.S. passport holders and some others will need a Visa to enter Vietnam. You can apply in advance using the Embassy website’s instructions or on arrival at an airport. If you don’t have a U.S. passport, please make sure you check whether you need a visa to enter the country, ideally a few months in advance.
PLANE TICKETS
Tickets are somewhat expensive, especially for the summer months. We recommend planning in advance, as much as is possible under the circumstances. A layover is required to get to Vietnam, as there are currently no direct flights from the U.S. If you want to make the most of your trip, you can schedule extended layovers through Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore or Bangkok and explore those cities. There are direct flights from London to Ho Chi Minh City via Vietnam Airlines, but they are not frequent so please do plan in advance.
WHEN TO GET HERE
To optimize your visit, we recommend to plan to stay for at least one week, and arrive at least 3-4 days before our wedding date. The time difference between Vietnam and the U.S./U.K. is substantial, so expect to be jet lagged upon arrival and take a few days to adjust. If you want to explore more of Vietnam, you could explore Saigon and the Mekong Delta before the wedding, and then venture north to central Vietnam after the wedding to see Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang, or many more other destinations. Within Vietnam, airfare is relatively inexpensive, or you can travel by bus or cab for shorter trips. The most iconic way to travel through the Vietnamese countryside is by motorbike, but be careful!
To know:
Vaccinations are not required for Vietnam according to travel guidelines, but you can get them if you want. Ask your doctor.
The weather will be hot and humid so do pack summer clothes.
Bring mosquito spray (or be sure to buy some in Vietnam).
You can contact us with any questions before or during the trip. We are happy to share our contact information.
We love giant golden statues
Independent Palace
Biggest banh mi in Saigon!
What to do in Saigon?
There’s so much to do! Definitely eat a lot of Vietnamese food and street food! If you are traveling from abroad and would like to see visit with us before the wedding, let us know and we will plan plenty of activities for everyone to get to know each other!
You can also take a day trip to the beach, the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi tunnel from Saigon as well.
To get around the city, you can hail a cab (Vinasun or Mai Linh), avoid other cab brands. Or you can download the Grab app and order a bike/car!
*************Our Master Recommendation List. ************
Things to do in Saigon
Attractions
Some must-see spots include Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Church, Old Post Office, War Remnants Museum, and Independence Palace. For the artsy tourists: visit the Museum of Fine Arts, see the water puppet show or a performance at the Saigon Opera House.
Some high streets to explore: Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue
Check out Landmark 81 building, and Takashimaya Mall for the best food court and indoor shopping.
Cafes
Saigon is known for its coffee culture, so you must try the legendary Ca phe sua da. Some Vietnamese coffee chains to try are Phuc Long, Cong, Ru Nam, Den Da. Hanh’s favorite order: the milk teas at Phuc Long.
Other coffee shops that also have workspace: The Workshop, L’uisine, Shin.
Restaurants
There are many great Vietnamese restaurants in Saigon. Click for guides on great restaurants in town, and dishes to try.
There are also plenty of international options. Asian food in Saigon is good. Pizza 4Ps is Hanh’s personal favorite.
Street food is definitely a must-try in Vietnam! Stop for Banh trang nuong (grilled vietnamese ‘pizza’) and bot chien (fried eggs + dough). And of course banh mi!
Excursions
If you are planning to arrive a few days early or stay back a few days after our wedding, you can do a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnel, see the Cao Dai temple, or venture down to the Mekong Delta to experience the floating market. The nearest beach to Saigon is Vung Tau (1.5 hour drive). Some companies also do Mekong trips and Saigon tours.
Neighborhoods
Most attractions and recommended spots are in District 1. District 2, located by the river, is a hip neighborhood that offers many Western food options. Here, you’ll find many small art galleries, outdoor restaurants, cafes, breweries, etc.
Nightlife
Saigon has a great nightlife with plenty of rooftop bars and clubs. There’s also good live music all around the city.