NHA TRANG

Description

Nha Trang, also known as the Riviera of the South China Sea, offers a six-kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline with white sandy beaches, clear waters with an abundance of marine life and thriving reefs, verdant mountain ranges at each end, as well as 19 untouched islets that are just a short boat ride away. Offering a myriad of sightseeing and recreational activities, the coastal town itself is steeped with breath-taking structures that date back to the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, as well as natural hot springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls.

Catering to any budget level and preference, Nha Trang restaurants serve up fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine while lively bars and pubs along the pristine beach are favourite hangouts for tourists to watch the sunsets over the East Sea.

How to get there

While it is a 500 Km road journey south from Hoi An, you can take a relatively frequent direct flight from Da Nang airport, to Nha Trang airport.

What to see

Nha Trang Beaches
Nha Trang beaches are spread out around the beach resort city, offering a myriad of sightseeing and recreational activities for visitors looking to soak up the sun during their holiday. Often called the Riviera of the South China Sea, Nha Trang boasts a six-kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline with a wide array of dining and accommodation options set along the white sandy beaches.

No two beaches are the same in Nha Trang, ranging from the bustling Tran Phu Beach for travellers who want to be in the centre of all the action to the more remote Bai Dai Beach that is great for when you want to escape the often overcrowded city. Some of these locales may be a long drive away from Nha Trang City, but the tranquil scenery of the coastline makes it well worth trip.

Tran Phu Beach is easy to walk to from almost anywhere in Nha Trang City, making it the most popular beach in Nha Trang. It hosts the iconic Tran Phu Street, which is a beautiful seaside promenade with plenty of luxury and mid-range beachfront resorts, hostels, souvenir shops, museums, and seafood restaurants.

Nightlife around Tran Phu Beach is also popular. Alternatively, there’s a wide array of activities such as surfing, snorkelling, bicycle tours, spa treatments, meditation and yoga in Tran Phu Beach.

Island Hopping around Nha Trang
Island-hopping can take you to some of Nha Trang’s neighbouring islets, offering a full day of sightseeing, live entertainment, and fun-filled activities with fellow tourists.

Travel Loop Adventure can take you to Mun Island, Mot Island, Tam Island, and Mieu Island for about an hour for each one. After hotel pickups, visitors are taken to the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam for a brief visit before a shuttle speedboat transfers them to Mun Island.

At Tam Island, visitors can enjoy water sports such as jet-skiing and kayaking, relax by the beachside, or see the local fishermen at work catching cuttlefish, shrimps, and flower crabs. Before heading back to the main island, the boat stops at Hon Mieu Island, which hosts the Tri Nguyen Aquarium. Built in 1971, it resembles a massive pirate ship that’s made of concrete, housing hundreds of marine species and a manmade pond on the ground floor, souvenir shops on the second, and a restaurant on the top floor.

Cooking Class
As Vietnamese food is gaining massive popularity worldwide, attending a cooking class is a good way of immersing yourself in the local culture. Available in many local restaurants and five-star hotels in Nha Trang, it is a half-day session that starts with a morning stroll to the local market. An experienced chef guides participants on selecting fresh herbs, spices, and meats before they head back to prepare classic dishes such as spring rolls, hotpots, and Vietnamese curry. Restaurants run classes almost daily, where participants are provided with their own cooking stations and a special gift bag at the end of their class.

Mud Baths
As odd as it may sound, mud baths are popular amongst travellers looking to relax after a day of exploring Nha Trang. Locals believe the all-natural mud contains a wide array of minerals that can help relieve fatigue, remove dead skin cells, strengthen bones, and alleviate pain. Highly recommended is the Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre which is private and shared mud-baths, herbal-bath, Jacuzzi, waterfall, swimming pool, and sauna.

Bicycle Trips
This is one of Travel Loop Adventures special areas of expertise. There is no better way to see a new place than on a bike.

Bicycle tours are among the best (and healthiest) ways to explore Nha Trang’s beautiful countryside, pristine waterfalls, and verdant mountains. Group bicycle tours for small groups can be arranged which include an English-speaking guide, entrance fee, hotel transfers, meals, cycling equipment, and drinking water. You will pass by Nha Trang’s vast paddy fields, waterfalls, rural villages, and iconic landmarks such Alexandre Yersin’s Tomb and Bai Ho Waterfalls.

NHA TRANG