Considered Vietnam’s most famous seaside resort-town, Nha Trang attracts foreign tourists for not only its stunningly pristine beaches but also the urban atmosphere of a young tourist city.
Location & History
Nha Trang is a seaside town, also the capital city of Khánh Hòa Province – on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang is becoming increasingly popular in recent years thanks to its pristine beach, best scuba diving center of Vietnam as well as lots of interesting places and delicious food to enjoy.
According to historical records, Nha Trang was known as Kauthara under the Champa, as it is still home to the famous Po Nagar Tower built by the Champa. Until the French colonization, Nha Trang used to be no more than small fishing villages. The French recognized Nha Trang as a perfect place for bathing, so they invested in the transformation to turn Nha Trang into a resort town.
Nha Trang has consistently maintained its position as one of the most beautiful bays of the world. The town is about 450km north of Saigon and 1200km south of Hanoi. With the 4-km- long main strip of beaches, Nha Trang Bay covers the area of 405km2 including 19 large and small islands. As viewed from high above, the bay looks like the aquamarine stone sparkling in the sunshine, bounded by miles of smoothly golden sands.
What to do in Nha Trang
Together with the heavenly beaches, the hot springs, diversified kinds of fish, and the colorful coral reef underwater have made Nha Trang become one of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. Coming to Nha Trang in the period from January to August, one will have the chance to experience the most wonderful weather for swimming and sunbathing.
Nha Trang is known as the famous entertainment center of Vietnam, with series of complexes such as Vinpearl Land, Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Hon Tam Resort, to name a few. Designed to be an independent recreational spot,Vinpearl Land complex is built in an island, including the five-star international resort system Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang and Vinpearl Amusement Park. With the area of more than 200,000 m2; the park contains many modern and unique large-scale facilities. Some typical features of this complex are its Guinness record 3,320- meter long sea -crossing cable car system, Water Park, Under Water World, Amphitheatre, Shopping Mall and Food Village. Vinperal Land used to host many international beauty competitions such as Miss Universe or Miss Earth.
On the other hand, Hon Tam Resort is the harmonious combination of modern restaurants, swimming pools with wild beaches and tropical forest. Tri Nguyen Aquarium, with the design of a go-aground ship, is also worth visiting.
In developed countries with high living standard, zentourism is becoming more and more popular. Nowadays, people pay money for both travelling, relaxing and finding inner peace of mind. Khanh Hoa Province, in general, and Nha Trang, in particular, owns many places with the untouched nature which are very potential for zentourism development such as Hon Ba, Suoi Do, Ba Ho, Van Phong Bay. Besides visiting other famous tourism destinations and find out more about local culture, tourists will also take part in activities of practicing meditation and yoga in order to get rid of stress and mix completely with nature.
There are some other must-see spots for foreign tourists to visit, such asNational Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam (01, Cau Da Street), Nha Trang Live – a place to get free city maps, drinks and tour travel guide books, also the largest collection of local paintings (Thong Nhat Street & 2 Thang 4 Street).
What to see in Nha Trang
Surrounded on all three sides by mountain ranges, Nha Trang also offers the picturesque vista of primary forest, water fall and high mountain peak floating in soft could. Located 60km far from the city center, with the height of 1578m, Hon Ba Peak is regarded as “the second Da Lat of Vietnam”. Ones will need to drive about 25km of mountain pass and bendy slopes until reaching this area. Being overheated by the temperature of sunlight and ocean? The pure air and cool temperature here will definitely ease your feelings. Scientists estimate that there are more than 40 rare floras and 60 endangered species living in Hon Ba Mountain. If you are tired of beaches, Hon Ba may be a great place to visit.
Other tourism destinations for your consideration in Nha Trang:
> Long Son Pagoda: Thai Nguyen Street
> Po Nagar Cham Towers or Thap Ba: 2 Thang 4 Street
> National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam: 1 Cau Da street
> Nha Trang Live – a place to get free city maps, drinks and tour travel guide books: intersection of Thong Nhat and 2 Thang 4
What to eat in Nha Trang
Coming to Nha Trang, tourists will be amazed at its delicacies, mostly from various kinds of seafood. Nha Trang is well-known for producing the highest quality with best flavor fish sauce in Vietnam, thus, fish sauce plays an important role in the secret recipe of cooking Nha Trang’s specialties and making dipping sauce.
Among many dishes, grilled fermented pork roll, grilled beef, rice vermicelli with grilled fish and jellyfish, fresh seafood are most favorite. In addition, the swallow’s nest soup – with bird’s nests collected from the wild, is regarded as the best in Vietnam. Read our introduction to 5 cannot-miss food in Nha Trang for more ideas.
Some must try cuisines in Nha Trang includes: Cha ca (Fish patties), Cua (Crab), Nem Nha Trang (Nha Trang pork rolls).