Vietnam Royal Tourism

Nha Trang Overview

Its fine beach, island and mountain views, fresh seafood and gentle sea breezes have endeared Nha Trang to many a Vietnam Royal Tourism traveller. We spend time cruising the waters of the South China Sea, stopping to swim from our boat and visit an island fishing village. Whether eating on board, in the spectacularly located villas of the former emperor Bao Dai, or in one of our favourite barbeque restaurants, don’t miss the local seafood.

Nha Trang’s charms lie in its seaside surrounds, but you might like to take a cyclo ride along the beachfront boulevarde to the city’s market, and on to the ancient Cham towers of Po Nagar with their views over the colourful fishing fleet to the sea. Or if sport takes your fancy, why not join the locals as they gather on the beach in the evening for a friendly game of football.

Nha Trang has a split personality. One takes the form of a smaller Danang - a bustling Vietnamese city humming with commerce but blessed with access to a beautiful beach. The other is a Western resort town encompassing several blocks of hotels, tourist shops, bars and international restaurants. The city is indisputably beautiful, bordered by mountains, with the beach tracing an impressive long swoop along a bay dotted with islands. Topiary and modern sculpture dot the immaculately manicured foreshore. The only blight on the horizon is the Hollywood-style sign for the Vinpearl complex - an ugly scar dominating nearby Hon Tre Island. Nha Trang offers plenty to keep tourists occupied - from island-hopping boat trips and scuba diving, to mudbaths and historic sites. But the main attraction for most visitors is lounging around on deckchairs at a beach front bar and drinking cocktails in comfort.

Sights & Activities

BOAT TOURS

Khanh Hoa province's 71 offshore islands are renowned for the remarkably clear water surrounding them. A trip to these islands is one of the best reasons for visiting Nha Trang, so try to schedule at least one day for a boat journey. You can pay little more for a less-crowded and more luxurious boat that takes you to more islands. Indeed, you'll have to do this if you want to get in much snorkelling.
Shallow water preverts boats from reaching shore at some of the fishing villages. In this case, you must walk sometimes several hundred metres across floats. The floats were designed for Vietnamese people, and weightier-Westerners might get wet - balance carefully and take care with your camera. Nevertheless, ifs all good fun and a visit to these villages is highly recommended.

DIVING

Nha Trang is Vietnam's premier scuba-diving locale. Visibility averages 15m but can be as much as 30m, depending on the season (late October to early January is the worst time of year). There are around 25 dive sites in the area, both shallow and deep. There are no wrecks to visit, but some sites have good drop-offs and there are a few small underwater caves to explore. The waters support a good variety of sort ana hard corals, and a reasonable number of small reef fish. Most dive operators also offer a range of dive courses, including a 'discover diving' programme for uncertified, first-time divers to experience the thrill under the supervision of a qualified dive master.

MORE WATERY FUN

Right on the beach front, Phu Ong Water Park has hydroslides, shallow pools and fountains if salt water is not your thing. If salt water is your thing, check out Mana Mana Beach Club Offering windsurfing, sea kayaking, wakeboarding and sailing lessons, Mana Mana uses state-of-the-art equipment and has access to some great surfing spots in Cam Ranh Bay. Do you think hot muddy water might be your thing? Thap Ba Hot Spring Center is one of the most fun experiences on offer here. For US$ 10 you can sit in a wooden bathtub full of hot thermal mud, or for US$ 15 per person you can slop around with a group of friends in a larger pool. The centre also has private mineral baths and a large outdoor heated swimming pool complete with thermal waterfalls

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