NHA TRANG CITY

Loud and proud (say it!), the high-rise, high-energy beach resort of Nha Trang enjoys a stunning setting: ringed by a necklace of hills, with a sweeping crescent beach, the city's turquoise bay is dotted with tropical islands.
The shoreline has been given a huge makeover in recent years, with parks and sculpture gardens spread along the impressive promenade, while the streets inland reveal some quirky boutiques and a cosmopolitan array of dining options.
As the restaurants wind down, the nightlife cranks up – Nha Trang is a party town at heart, like any self-respecting resort should be. Forget the curfews of the capital; people play late in this town.
If cocktails and shooters aren’t your flavour, there are some more sedate activities on offer. Try an old-school spa treatment with a visit to a mud bath or explore centuries-old Cham towers still standing in the centre of town.
This part of the country has its very own microclimate and the rains tend to come from October until December, a time best avoided if you are into lazing on the beach or diving in the tropical waters.Loud and proud (say it!), the high-rise, high-energy beach resort of Nha Trang enjoys a stunning setting: ringed by a necklace of hills, with a sweeping crescent beach, the city's turquoise bay is dotted with tropical islands.
The shoreline has been given a huge makeover in recent years, with parks and sculpture gardens spread along the impressive promenade, while the streets inland reveal some quirky boutiques and a cosmopolitan array of dining options.
As the restaurants wind down, the nightlife cranks up – Nha Trang is a party town at heart, like any self-respecting resort should be. Forget the curfews of the capital; people play late in this town.
If cocktails and shooters aren’t your flavour, there are some more sedate activities on offer. Try an old-school spa treatment with a visit to a mud bath or explore centuries-old Cham towers still standing in the centre of town.
This part of the country has its very own microclimate and the rains tend to come from October until December, a time best avoided if you are into lazing on the beach or diving in the tropical waters.

Area: 5,217.7 sq. km

Population: 1,183.0 thousand habitants (2012).

Capital: Nha Trang City.

Administrative divisions:

- City: Cam Ranh.

- Town: Ninh Hoa.

- Districts: Van Ninh,  Dien Khanh, Khanh Vinh, Khanh Son, Truong Sa, Cam Lam.

Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Ra Glai, Hoa, Co Ho...

Geography

Khanh Hoa Province is a coastal province of South Central Viet Nam. To the north, it borders on Phu Yen Province, to the west, on Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, and to the south, on Ninh Thuan Province. The Khanh Hoa coast is 200km long, with more than 200 islands offshore, of which Truong Sa District gathers over one hundred islands around. The two largest rivers flowing through the province are the Cai and Danh rivers. Khanh Hoa represents one of the deepest seas in Vietnam, adjoining open oceans and international marine routes. With ragged seashore spreading out around 200km long, it contains various well-known bays, such as Cam Ranh, Van Phong and Nha Trang.

Cam Ranh Bay is considered as one of three harbors that have the best natural conditions over the world. Having the area of over 60 square kilometers and the 18-20m average depth, this bay is out of the wind as a result of being surrounded by many mountain ranges. 

Van Phong Bay has a wonderful nature, temperate climate, idyllic beach with mostly fine sand, surrounded by hills, mountains and tropical forests, colorful coral reefs, several vestige of salt-watered forest, specific and valuable sea creatures, which is endowed with an ideal environment. These are great potentials for the development of ecological tourism in Van Phong. 

Climate

Khanh Hoa has a tropical monsoon climate with an average temperature of 26.5°C. The rain season lasts 4 months (from September to December). But for the region around Nha Trang City, the rainy season lasts only 2 months, thus providing very favorable conditions to develop a long-lasted tourism season and organize year-round tourist activities. Particularly, on the Hon Ba Mountain (30km from Nha Trang), the climate likes in Dalat and Sapa.

Tourism

Khanh Hoa has been deeply marked by the strong ancient culture of the Cham. Until today, Champa Kingdom has left an invaluable inheritance of ruins and historical sites to visit. Khanh Hoa is endowed with beautiful natural sites and sand beaches. Visitors will enjoy the group of five or six islands situated close to each other. The largest of the islands is Hon Tre, which is located 3km from Nha Trang. The city of Nha Trang has long been renowned for being a sea resort with plenty of historical vestiges and wonderful sceneries: Cham Po Nagar Towers, Long Son Pagoda, Ba Vu Mausoleum, Bao Dai Palace, Hon Chong, Hon Yen, Tri Nguyen Fish Pond, Bai Tru, Suoi Tien, Dai Lanh Beach... and many islets offshore. Nha Trang Bay has been recognized as one of 29 most beautiful bays in the word since 7/2003.The population mainly constitutes Kinh people, as well as a small percentage of Ra Glai, Tay, Nung, Muong, and Cham.

Transportation

Various forms of convenient transports are available.

- Road: The National Highway 1A and the railway from north to south run through Khanh Hoa Province, linking it with the other provinces in the North and South. The National Highway 26 links Khanh Hoa to some provinces in the Central Highland. Nha Trang is 105km from Phan Rang, 190km from Buon Ma Thuot, 205km from Da Lat, 238km from Quy Nhon, 441km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 1,278km from Ha Noi.

 

- Airlines: Nha Trang Airport is 5km from the center of the city. Vietnam Airlines offers daily connections with Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, and four connections a week with Da Nang. Cam Ranh Airport is 35km south of Nha Trang has flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to there.

 

- Train:Regular connections between Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City all stop in Nha Trang, daily train between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang.

 

- Bus: There are connections with Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Vinh, Pleiku... Minibus for Hoi An, Hue, and Da Lat...

 

- Water: Cam Ranh and Nha Trang ports connect Khanh Hoa with many regions in Viet Nam as well as with abroad.

Perched on a pristine stretch of the southern coast, Nha Trang is the country's beach capital. All year round, the sunny urban hotspot attracts both Vietnamese and foreign tourists with its clean, well-maintained beaches and vibrant nightlife.

Sun Seekers

During the day, Nha Trang Beach is awash with sunbathers. A few kilometres south of the city, Long Beach is home to its own clutch of local seafood joints, as well as a couple of surfing spots which provide lessons and board rentals to visitors. More adventurous beachgoers can hire a motorbike and head north to Doc Let or Dai Lanh beaches.

Getting Down and Dirty

One of Nha Trang's most unique attractions is its mudbaths and hot springs. Nestled in the hills just north of town are a handful of spa-like facilities, which offer travellers the opportunity to sit in a pool of warm mud before rinsing off and relaxing in hot mineral water. Extras like massages and saltwater pools only add to the appeal.

Aquatic Adventures

Back on the bay, several boat tours ferry passengers around Nha Trang Bay, sometimes providing equipment for snorkeling or diving. These are typically daylong excursions that travel between the mainland and a series of small islands nearby.

Those who prefer to stay dry can also hop on the city's iconic cable car to visit Vinpearl Land, the country’s most famous amusement park. The island is also home to one of the country’s best golf courses, with views of the surrounding sea from nearly every green.

Pagodas and Palaces

For those who require a break from the beach, Nha Trang's other sights are equally worthy of your time. Long Son Pagoda and its towering, 78-foot-tall Buddha statue are a sight to behold, as are the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers, while less-visited spots like the Bao Dai villa just south of downtown Nha Trang also shed light on the area's history.

Party Time

Nha Trang plays hard during the day but its nighttime energy is unmatched. Beachfront parties routinely take place at the city's Sailing Club, while dozens of other lively venues around town play thumping dance music well into the night.

Itineraries

48 hours in Nha Trang

Pay a visit to Long Son Pagoda in the early morning before grabbing a bowl of bún chả cá for lunch. Spend the afternoon catching rays on the beach or poolside at the waterfront Louisiane Brewhouse before stopping by Hon Chong in the late afternoon. Rally for a night out on the town.

For your second day, make the trip out to the Po Nagar Cham Towers in the early morning before heading to the mudbaths. In the afternoon, spend another afternoon putting in beach time, or if you're feeling adventurous, cross the water to Vinpearl Land for a bit of adrenaline-inducing fun.

72 hours in Nha Trang

To tack on an extra day to your visit, book a full-day snorkeling or diving tour for some on-the-water fun or head out to nearby Ba Ho Waterfall for a half-day hike.

When To Go

Rainy season in Nha Trang takes place from April to September but the southern coast is less prone to heavy storms than its northern counterparts. Travellers can arrive in Nha Trang at any time of year and still enjoy their visit.

How To Get There

As one of the country's most popular destinations, Nha Trang sees travellers from near and far. Travellers have the option of arriving by plane, train or bus. Flights from Vietnam's three major cities – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang – regularly arrive in Nha Trang, while trains travel the coast from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa. Sleeper buses also reach the city from many southern destinations.

Contact

Vietnam Concierge

Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam