Location & History
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
