Vietnam forum

What a lovely idea! I think Halong Bay would be a romantic place to propose. The only problem is that's it's hardly private, there are quite a few tourists, but I'm sure you could arrange a trip where there is only a small group rather then the usual large groups.

thanks for the info.. wheres the best place to sort out a trip? Is it the right season at that time.. as isnt it the wet season in november?

A few thoughts as well:

A place called Mediterraneo in Hanoi, on a very romantic street a stone's throw from the cathedral. Guy called Leo owns it, superb food and wine, Leo makes his own cheeses and meat. You could call ahead and make any arrangements.

Another very special restaurant in Hanoi is called Vine, it's near the Sheraton hotel. My sister in law lives walking distance from Vine, but I couldn't tell you how to find it - someone at the Sheraton would know for sure. It's owned by a Canadian guy from Quebec and has the best wine selection in VN. Food is classy and the decor is very romantic, the place is on a lake. Very expensive by Vietnamese standards, but really, 4 of us ate and drank wine for hours for only about US$120.

Like typical Vietnamese lovers in a swan boat on the West Lake, or sitting on your motorbike among the trees on the lakeshore.

Life Resort in Hoi An is stunning, with amazing food. Such a romantic, charming town in general. You could arrange a river boat tour at sunset for just yourselves, then treat your lady to a lovely meal and special night at Life. If you find a boat guy earlier in the day and let him know the plan, he'll take you to a perfect spot. If you slip him an extra $20 beyond what he's asking, I'll bet his family will wait to bring out the trinkets and sodas until after you propose. Or you could call that a corkage fee for the champagne you ask him to hide on the boat.

We stayed at the Victoria Phan Thiet resort which has a very nice and romantic-like restaurant overlooking the ocean, as well as you could organize horses or a jeep to go driving on the beach to find a secluded spot. Depending on your thrill seeking level, you could also borrow one of the resort's motorbikes to find the perfect spot along the PT-Mui Ne strip. My fiancees opinion of Mui Ne other than at the Victoria resort would tell you to find another place. Much of Mui Ne is neither classy nor charming, let alone romantic.

Another cozy, romantic spot is a restaurant called Skewers in HCMC. In the swanky part of town near the big hotels.

If you're going for an outdoor venue, the waterfall at Cat Cat village near Sapa would be a nice spot. Halong Bay nice as well, but you'll be the star attraction on your boat once you pop the question and I know when I proposed I enjoyed having some, ahem, privacy that night. We were on one of the nicer junks in Halong Bay and could hear every word said by our neighbours over the wall. A thought to keep in mind.

I have photos of a few of these spots if you'd like to see. In any case, congratulations and good luck!