NHA TRANG ~ Sharing Vietnam Travel Experiences

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 and 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.

An entertainment paradise

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.

A unique place for zen tourism

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.

> Tran Phu Beach, Doc Let Beach, Dai Lanh Beach: best places for surfing and diving.

> Hon Tam (Silkworm islet): Vinh Nguyen, Nha Trang

> Hon Tre (Bamboo islet): Vinh Nguyen, Nha Trang

> Tri Nguyen Aquarium: Hon Mieu Island, Tri Nguyen Lake, Nha Trang

There are some other must-see spots for foreign tourists to visit, such as National 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).

Here are 5 must-try foods list for people first coming to Nha Trang:

1. Grilled fermented pork roll- Nem Nuong:

When mentioning Nha Trang cuisines, we definitely cannot neglect grilled fermented pork roll, also known as Ninh Hoa’s or Nha Trang’s fermented pork roll. We can eat fermented pork roll fresh (nem chua”) or grilled (“nem nuong”). However, most of the tourists will choose “nem nuong” to enjoy in Nha Trang, and buy “nem chua” as the gifts for family at home. Grilled directly with the fire of coal brazier, fermented pork roll is served with raw herbs as well as dipping sauce with pickled green papaya.

Where to try:

Nem Nuong Vu Thanh An- 15 Le Loi- Nha Trang- Khanh Hoa. The restaurant is crowded with customers from late afternoon till midnight.

2. Lac Canh’s Grilled Beef:

The secret of making perfect grilled beef lies on the recipe of mixing beef with honey and more than ten kinds of spices. The recipe is handed down from generation to generation, and only known to specific members of restaurant owner’s family. Customers are free to grill the beef and enjoy the dish in their own way.

Lac Canh’s grilled beef is so favored by tourists that it appears in many famous international travel guides.

Where to try:

Han Hon Minh restaurant (opened since 1963)- 44 Nguyen Binh Khiem- Nha Trang- Khanh Hoa.

3. Rice vermicelli with grilled fish and jellyfish- Bun cha ca:

It’s “bun cha ca” broth, which is made from boiled sailfish and mackerel’s bones, that determines the exclusive taste of this specialty. Different from the fatty boiled pork bones’ broth; “bun cha ca” broth is sweet and savory, especially suitable for people who are going on a diet. A bowl of Nha Trang’s “bun cha ca” also contained jellyfish and steamed sailfish.

Where to try:

Bun ca Nam Beo- Block B2- Phan Boi Chau- Nha Trang- Khanh Hoa

4. Lang Chai’s Seafood:

Before visiting Hon Tam, Bai Soi or Bai Mini beaches, tourists are advised to drop in Lang Chai to buy some seafood. Customers can choose fresh seafood which is raised in cage under the sea by their own hand. After that, people will sail to nearby restaurant by ferry, where seafood will be immediately prepared and cook. On mainland, tourists can consume fresh seafood at reasonable price at Chieu Anh Restaurant.

Where to try:

Chieu Anh Restaurant- 86 Tran Phu- Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa

5. Banh can- “Can” cake

Sitting around the warm fire of coal brazier, watching the cook skillfully pouring flour into moulds , and then enjoying hot “banh can” in a windy day is an unforgettable experience for anyone when in Nha Trang.

“Banh can” is a popular snack in Central and Southern regions of Vietnam, including rice flour, lard, spring onion and eggs. The cakes are sold in pair, and served with special sweet and sour dipping sauce made from Nha Trang’s famous fish sauce, and raw vegetables.

Where to try:

Crossroad of Le Thanh Ton and Nguyen Thien Thuat Street.