Nha Trang is a coastal city in southern Vietnam, popular for its stunning beaches and rich underwater world. It is also the capital of the Khánh Hòa Province and was previously an important city of the ancient Cham kingdom.
In recent times, the city has developed into a full-fledged tourist destination with numerous luxury accommodations, restaurants, bars and water sports. However, the city still displays remains of its ancient Cham and recent French periods.
Nha Trang has a beautiful 6 km long coastline of sandy shores and turquoise waters. You will find the beaches lined with lounge spots, bars, restaurants and resorts. Tran Phu is the most popular and easily accessible beach and has an amazing nightlife and luxury accommodations. Hon Chong Beach, separated from Tran Phu by the Cai River is more serene and is just a 10 minute drive away. Bai Dai Beach, though almost 30 km away from the city, is a popular spot with a very lively and hippy vibe. The beach also has excellent restaurants and its clear waters are perfect for swimming and surfing.
You will also find that the beaches offer scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sports. In fact, it is one of the best places in Vietnam to explore the underwater world.
The Ponagar Towers were constructed between the 8th and 11th centuries by the Hindu Cham civilization. The towers are 3 km away from the city and located atop a small hill on the banks of the river Cai. It is believed that the complex originally had more than eight towers, among which four remain today. The temple is mainly dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mahishasuramardini and houses a ten-handed stone statue of the goddess in the main shrine. There are smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu gods like Shiva and Ganesha. The entire complex contains red brick buildings and you can admire the unique stone carvings of the Cham people.
The Long Son Pagoda is located atop a small hill near the train station and features typical Taoist architecture with wood works and a symmetrical layout. The entrance to the pagoda features traditional Taoist elements like tortoise, snakes and lions and mosaic dragons. From here a set of 152 steps will lead you to the massive white Buddha statue seated on a lotus, which is the highlight of the pagoda and is visible from most parts of the city. Likewise, you will also get stunning views of the city from here.
The Nha Trang Cathedral is located near the railway station and is a fine example of French architecture in the city. It was constructed in the early 19th-century, featuring French Gothic styles, stained glass windows and a clock tower. The interior also has a light Vietnamese touch, with red, pink and blue backlights.
From the beach in Nha Trang, a 3,320-metre long cable car ride will take you to an island housing the Vinpearl Amusement Park. The aerial journey offers splendid views of the bay and city. Here, you will find all the typical attractions of an amusement park including huge water slides, wave pools, thrilling rides and an aquarium. There is also a small beach and a resort, which are part of the park.
The Ba Ho Waterfalls are a series of three waterfalls located around 25 km away from the city. The drive will take you through a scenic coastal landscape, after which you will have to hike to the waterfall. Ba Ho is perfect for swimming, picnics and fishing and the surrounding rainforest, adds to the beauty of the spot.
Nha Trang has two major and very interesting museums. The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam houses a huge collection of marine species, both live and preserved. There are thousands of exhibits displaying rare and exotic species, traditional fishing equipment, boats and other ocean paraphernalia. The 18-metre long whale skeleton exhibit is one of the major highlights.
The Alexandre Yersin Museum is dedicated to the French bacteriologist who founded Nha Trang’s Pasteur Institute. The small museum will take you through his life, contributions and achievements. There is also a library, several lab equipment and photographs.
Nha Trang is seaside Vietnam at its best. With a lively urban atmosphere, plenty of scenic white sand beaches, interesting underwater life and a few historic landmarks, Nha Trang is an exciting destination to visit.
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