Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a beachside city and the provincial head of Khánh Hòa Province in South Central Coast Vietnam. Ninh Hoà District lies on the north, with Cam Ranh Town on the south, and Diên Khánh District to its west. The population of the city was expected to increase to 560,000 by 2015 then 630,000 by 2025. In September 2012 Vietnamese Prime Minister agreed that approximately twelve point eight seven kilometers square (4.97 square miles) of the western communes Diên An and Diên Toàn would be added to Nha Trang’s land area now totaling to two hundred sixty five point four seven kilometers square (102.50 square miles).
Nha Trang has become synonymous with white sand beaches and scuba diving; it has also become a major international tourist attraction where many backpackers go through as well as more affluent travelers on the south-east Asia circuit; Vietnamese tourists already flock here as it is with Nha Trang Bay being one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Sea Festival takes place every two years for visitors. Miss Universe 2008 occurred in Nha Trang on July 14, 2008 while Miss Earth 2008 took place on December 4th, 2010 in Vietnam’s beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang.On April fourteenth twenty fifteen finale for season eight of Face Off was held there also.Asian Beach Games will take place in Nha Trang next year.
In olden days, Nha Trang was known by Champa name Kauthara.The Po Nagar Tower an ancient temple built by Cham people still exist within this town.Nha trang is located at seaside and therefore owns an oceanographic institute called “Nhatrang Oceanography Institute”.Hon Mun marine protected area was one among four first marine protected areas around the world identified by IUCN.
Sometimes referred to as the Riviera of the South China Sea, Nha Trang has six kilometers (3.7 miles) of coastline with magnificent white sandy beaches. A long way from the beach there are clear waterways full of fish and blooming coral reefs, lush mountain ranges on both ends, and 19 uninhabited islets within at least one hour boat ride. This coastal town offers lots of sightseeing and recreational opportunities that feature stunning architecture from the Champa Kingdom period such as Buddhist temples and gothic catholic churches. Also for those who like nature there are hot springs, salt plains and marvelous waterfalls.
With fresh seafood available in restaurants throughout Nha Trang, Vietnamese cooking is also offered. There are many busy bars along this pristine beachfront where locals tend to spend their evenings at any cost or irrespective of taste by East sea coast line.
Tourism In Nha Trang
Due to its beautiful beaches with nice and neat sand, and the clean ocean water that is warm throughout the year, Nha Trang is among the most sought after tourist destination in Vietnam. Some of these deluxe resorts, amusement parks and aqua parks are found within the city limits while other are on neighboring islands such as Vinpearl, Diamond Bay and Ana Mandara. Tran Phu Street which stretches along its coast has been referred to as Vietnam’s Pacific Coast Highway because of its picturesque location.
Vinpearl Group runs a big resort in Hon Tre Island (also called Bamboo Island) just off the coast of Nha Trang. The five star resort and theme park located on Hon Tre Island are linked to mainland by means of Vinpearl Cable Car or Gondola Lift System.
Every year there are boat races from Hong Kong to Nha Trang. In recent times, there has been an increase in number of five-star sea trips in this area alone. Apart from sailboat racing; Nha Trang offers a wide range of tourism activities including such as water sports like scuba diving and island hopping too. A nongovernmental organization known as Nha Trang Tourist Information Center was formed to provide travelers with information about it.
Nha Trang’s most well-known specialties include grilled pork wrapped in rice paper and fresh seafood. There is a belief that one of the best bird nest soups found anywhere in Vietnam could be sourced from here. Birds’ nests are collected on some inner city residences, at bird farms around these islands close to shore outside Nhatrang peninsula.The main issue here is farmed Yn Hang or swiftlet also commonly known as Aerodramus fuciphagus germani in Chinese
The remarkable features at Long Son Pagoda include Gautama Buddha statue there for example (2). Kiteboarding catamaran sailing scuba diving can all be done quite easily (2). Consistent winds are there (1).
Sometimes, the nightlife may go on till early morning at Biet Thu tourist area, even though it is not as vibrant as other places. For this reason, nightlife in this town can be considered better off than the ones of neighboring beach cities such as Mui Ne Da nang and Vng Tàu. Even though it is worth visiting most of the year, with the possible exception of the wet season, Nha Trang typically is busiest during Vietnam’s New Year celebrations specifically November’s (4). The Nha Trang River Cai boat trip, often known as Song Cai locally since “song” in Vietnamese means “river,” is well-liked by tourists.
Climate Of Nha Trang
A tropical savanna climate characterizes Nha Trang, with long dry season from January to August and short rainy season from September to December. 54 inches (1,361 mm) of the city’s total 1,029 millimeters (41 in) is contributed by the north-east monsoon. During this wet period, although the town is protected against the worst winds it can receive much rain from typhoons.
Nha Trang has warm but relatively mild weather due to its position close to the ocean. The North or South do not experience more storms than other parts of Central Region because Nha Trang’s mean temperature at 26 degrees Celsius is neither too cold nor too hot.
There are two seasons in Nha Trang. The dry season covers January – August while September – December marks wet season. July and August are usually the hottest months in a year while January and February record the coldest temperatures. It is advisable to visit Nha Trang between March and June when it is cool, calm sea and plenty of sunshine.
Moreover, domestic travel has most people traveling between June and September so one may need to go earlier before that time to avoid congestion.
Furthermore, if you want a weekend trip or quick escape during monsoons here you will benefit from cheap transportation as well as few people coming into tourist attractions for example. Just be prepared that at this time thunderstorms will occur accompanied with heavy rains.
Geography Of Nha Trang
Almost 500,000 people live in a metropolitan area over Nha Trang city with 251 km2. It has boundaries to the north, south, west and east of Ninh Ha, Cam Ranh and Diên Khánh respectively. The city lies on Nha Trang Bay that is found among the 29 bays worldwide as rated by Travel & Leisure for two successive years. The reason why is it hard to destroy Nha Trang through powerful storms is that mountains surround it from three sides and there is a big island off coast which helps decrease wind velocity (Ocean near the main part of this city).
Economy Of Nha Trang
Tourism is at the basis of Nha Trang’s economy. The expansion of shipbuilding had led to a significant improvement in the economic situation in some of the suburbs of the city. A diversified economy comprising services and fishing is needed by Nha Trang. For instance, Khanh Ha Province, and Nha Trang in particular, have contributed a lot to Vietnam’s annual budget revenues. Lobster farming at sea is a huge industry for people who live in the outskirts.
Some industrial parks are being built around Cam Ranh Bay on the south side of town. These places are somehow available for investors. This area will be number three among major economic zones located within this province (after Nha Trang and Cam Ranh ports) when Van Phong Bay deep-water port becomes operational.
Internet, Comunication In Nha Trang
Due to the fact that hotels are now offering free Wi-Fi or computers for guests, there aren’t as many Internet cafés around.
Ensure you ask about rates each time you call a hotel. Google Hangouts and Skype are both free or cost-effective ways of staying in touch.
Mobile SIM cards come in different makes with Mobifone being the most favorable for travellers. In various places, their SIM cards cost 50,000 dong and slightly above this amount, while having about 100,000 dong credit on it within the first month – right? Alternatively, they offer monthly 3G data bundles like one point five Gb for 120K dongs. Cellular Data Details: APN is m-wap; Username is mms; Password is mms.
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Nha Trang Travel Guide
Best Time To Visit Nha Trang
The favourable and temperate weather in Nha Trang means that any time of the year could be a good time to visit the town for tourists. Of course, the other months may be enjoyable for tourists who would like to visit cultural and historical sites like Ponagar Temple Tower, Bao Dai Villa, Vinpearl, or The Nha Trang Aquarium. However, summer season usually commences in May with sunshine and warm weather suitable for natural tourism such as ecotourism, ocean tourism, or water sports.
Whereas most of Southern Vietnam turns into water through monsoon winds over six months in a year, Nha Trang merely undergoes four “wet months” (from September to mid-December) that are also not good times to travel there at all. The finest time to commence your holiday in Nha Trang is somewhere between January and August since the first eight months of the year bring about pleasurable and stunning seaside city.
How To Travel To Nha Trang
Lots of regular flights are accessible domestically from Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Da Nang, and Hanoi and Haiphong where fares start at 250,000 dong. On an international scale, the city is linked to South Korea (Seoul) and a large number of Chinese cities.
Cam Ranh International Airport which is situated 30 km S from Nha Trang, was built in 2004 on the site of the former American airbase.
If you get a taxi without knowing how much it costs beforehand, then you might end up paying about 100 thousand dongs more than if you had paid a fixed price for a trip between these two points. Instead of that one can choose airport-shuttle bus which will take him directly to the city center. Several buses belonging to different companies using this route park in front of the airport gate.
How To Travel Around Nha Trang
Visitors are often advised to use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis, where the drivers typically go by the meter and do not overcharge tourists. No one should ever pay more than a few tens of thousands of dong for a trip in Nha Trang. However, going outside Nha Trang on a taxi can cost one hundreds of thousands of dollars even more when you want the driver to wait for your return to the city.
Motorbikes are definitely the least secure but most convenient mode of transport in Nha Trang and also other parts of Vietnam especially if you are going towards beaches and tourist places outside town. Read through general tips for motorbike ride in Vietnam.
Walking around in Nha Trang is far from walk in park; it is relatively safer though not as dangerous as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Prices in Nha Trang
Tourist (Backpacker) – 30 $ per day
Estimated cost per 1 day including:
- meals in cheap restaurant
- public transport
- cheap hotel
Tourist (business/regular) – 70 $ per day
Estimated cost per 1 day including:
- mid-range meals and drinks
- transportation
- hotel
Beaches in Nha Trang
Other than its rivals, the winsome town of Nha Trang has been able to maintain its leading status as the main beach destination in Vietnam. It is a place that is full of hustle and bustle but still maintains an aura of serenity because of its diminutive size. A wide six kilometers stretch of soft white sand runs between hotels and restaurants on one side and some interesting modern sculptures on the other.
Among them are scuba diving lessons, various other water sports, paperback books being sold by hawkers, fresh pineapples together with massages. Local businesses also offer popular day tours from Nha Trang to nearby islands; these involve trekking, snorkeling and a seafood meal at sea. Actually during November and December when the rainy season starts to bite, it’s not wise to venture into the rough sea when swimming in this beach becomes almost impossible since it loses most of its appeal.
Attractions & Things To See
Nha Trang still have certain historical Cham spots that once existed on the Champa people. Po Nagar Cham Towers (or Po Nagar Temple Complex) is one of the most popular places which have exclusive architectures and a long history. The pagoda was founded in honor of the Goddess of Country called Po Nagar, who was built between 8th and 10th centuries with a stepped pyramid roof. Even though only four of its original ten towers are left, Po Nagar Towers are still major religious sites for Cham Buddhists as well as Vietnamese.
White Buddha Pagoda or Long Son is one of the well-known pagodas in Khanh Hoa Province at the bottom of Trai Thuy mountain. It has been more than hundred years since this pagoda was built with an amazing glass and ceramic tiles dragon pattern.
Activities & Things to do in Nha Trang
Water Puppet Theater, +84 58 3527 828. In the Vietnamese community since the eleventh century, it first appeared in North Vietnam’s Red River Delta that was water puppetry. The modern Vietnamese water puppet theater is a special adaptation of traditional Asian puppet show.
Cinema. There are two multiplexes there. With about 120 seats each, the Nha Trang Center shopping and entertainment complex has three movie theaters on its third floor. Dialogue is in English on American films and there are regional subtitles attached to them. Next to the railway station at Maximart supermarket located on the fifth floor, there is another cinema called Lotte Cinema. Seventy thousand dong.
Boat cruises: A typical one-day multi-island trip costs USD $6, which includes such activities as snorkeling, fishing among others.
Food & Restaurants in Nha Trang
When visiting Nha Trang for the first time, you have to taste some of the best local dishes. In one of Vietnam’s most stunning beach towns, you can not only eat a lot of fresh seafood but also try new variations of traditional Vietnamese foods like spring rolls and curries.
Food in Nha Trang has a unique sweet and savory flavor; fish sauce is always provided as a dipping sauce. From street market vendors to city restaurants, unique foods such as jellyfish are common all over the place.
Fish foodstuff is called by Vietnamese speakers as “hi san” and hence there are numerous sea-food eating joints in Nha Trang that are situated along pristine white sand beaches. You’ll discover various enormous prawns, squid, urchins, crabs, jellyfish and shellfish of all shapes and sizes…
Shopping in Nha Trang
Nha Trang has quite a few local markets, high-end fashion boutiques and less sophisticated looking ones. The most bustling retail outlets are the open night markets as well as Dam Market. Most people move around to purchase from expensive handicrafts to cheap clothes, ornaments and native delicacies.Saigon Pearls, Artful Collection and Hoang Yen Tailor are some of the places tourists can go for more expensive unique items like silk and pearls.
In contrast, Nha Trang’s shops tend to be simple in design as compared to those in Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh City which are ornately decorated. If you can ever get a chance attend Nha Trang market in the morning hours. You will find that Nha Trang market is conveniently located and easy to find seafood which is mostly fresh from the sea.
Nightlife in Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a well-known attraction for tourists in Vietnam. It is known for its neat beaches, delicious food and beautiful landscapes… but that’s not enough. The great nightlife of Nha Trang remains one of the biggest attractions to this city.
One of the most popular places where you can have fun with your friends or just hang out with them till late night is Sailing Club situated at 72-74 Tran Phu Street in the heart of Nha Trang City. This luxurious club has an area of 2400 square meters and its interiors resemble that of Mediterranean type with a wide dance floor meant for entertainment at night.
Maka Lounge is also an interesting place to visit when you are in Nha Trang beach city as it is located along Nguyen Thi Thuan Street number 111 B. At the bar customers will find various lively games and drinks from where they can do dancing, smoking shisha or drinking strong spirits.
Festivals in Nha Trang
Nha Trang’s awesome culture is influenced by the ancient Cham, merging effortlessly with lovely landscapes. Moreover, as for its culture, the city is somewhere between southern and central Vietnam. By touring architectural wonders like Po Nagar Towers of the Chams in addition to involving in festivals like Cau Ngu and Salanganes Net, visitors can get to know more about the cultural values of this country.
Every year from 20th to 23rd day in third lunar month see Thap Ba Festival takes place at Po Nagar Cham Towers. It’s the biggest celebration in the province at which Po InoNogar, Goddess looking after well-being of area is honored. This Goddess is believed to have made this land, kept it for future generations and taught people how to cultivate it.
Stay Safe & Healthy in Nha Trang
Firstly, in the daytime, Nha Trang is relatively a safe place to travel. The towns are filled with thieves and pickpockets that steals from tourists who have gone to bars or moved around during late hours. In particular, you should store anything valuable, for example mobile phones and cameras which are often stolen, in your hotel room. It is not recommended to carry valuables when going to bars unless you intend to lose them.
Although the city has low crime rate like always if not at all, but petty crimes become more common there as night falls than it does most other Asian cities. The Sailing Club is one of the areas where pick pocketing becomes rampant after midnight in this city. While beach activities may be considered relatively safe during daylight hours one can have her bag snatched so avoid carrying any good things along . Avoid wearing too much jewelry and keep your eyes on personal belongings
