Nha Trang - a travel guide in photos

By Mark Bowyer / Last updated 20 Nov 2014

Introduction

Nha Trang has long been Vietnam's favourite beach destination. Over the past decade, it's opted for mass tourism with high-rise internatonal hotels, a cable car and some pretty tacky development, transforming a small city that only a decade ago was delightfully mellow. Nha Trang still moves at a more leisurely speed than cities like Saigon and Hanoi, so if you want to chill by the sea for a few days, get stuck into some great seafood and explore Vietnam's glorious coastline, Nha Trang may be a good choice.

Nha Trang is Vietnam's most popular beach resort. It's also become its most developed. In fact it's getting awfully close to being overdeveloped just decades after the country opened its doors to tourism. Despite all that, Nha Trang still has a nice laid back feel, great seafood and is a pleasant place to chill for a few days.
Nature's been very very kind to Nha Trang. The bay, dotted with islands and enclosed by mountains, is stunning and the sun shines for most of the year.
The beach is postcard perfect - but I've become a little concerned about its cleanliness if you're seeking out more than a casual dip. There are a few problems. The first is that during the wet season, heavy rains see the nearby Cai River dump a brown discharge across the shoreline. Some of it's harmless. But supporting a city of 500,000 people means that some less pleasant matter finds its way into the water as well. Don't despair though. If you're looking for a proper, immersive ocean swim, check out some of my other suggestions.
Something of a monument to the wrongheaded development priorities of the local government - around 8 or 9 years ago, a tasteful memorial to communist lives lost in the Vietnam War was demolished on this spot. It was replaced by this eyesore - a viewing tower. There's no avoiding it. This is prime, downtown, beachside Nha Trang. Vietnamese have been moaning about it for years - so far to no avail.
Nha Trang's at its best in the early morning. Locals rise with the sun to to get some exercise in. The water is usually blissfully calm.
Morning exercise, Nha Trang. Try and join in at least once.
Early morning on Nha Trang beach.
Back from the beach, hotels are in a competition for views.
Narrow high-rise hotels on the Nha Trang beach strip.
In recent years, Russian tourists have rediscovered Nha Trang. The Russians were the first post- Vietnam War tourists to head to the beaches here during the 80s when Vietnam was closed to the world and the former US base at Cam Ranh Bay, became a major Soviet naval outpost. In recent years they've returned en-masse. And as with Australians in Kuta, and Brits in Spain, there's a price to be paid for allowing any single market or traveller profile to take over.
This tongue in cheek Russian restaurant plays on the Cold War ties between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union.
Nha Trang's Po Nagar Cham temple has long been a major tourist attraction.
The Cham Kingdom stretched from central Vietnam through the south of the country until they were conquered by the southward movement of the Viet people. These towers were built between the 8th and the 12th century.
Right by the Cham towers, it's worth stopping for a wander along the riverfront to catch the action of the fishing fleet.
Nha Trang waterfront. Repairing fishing nets.
Nha Trang riverfront. An afternoon break before a night ahead at sea.
Nha Trang mud baths can be easily reached from the Po Nagar Cham temple.
Around town, Nha Trang's Catholic Cathedral is worth a look.
Nha Trang's Catholic cathedral.
You can visit the downtown sights by cyclo. Most of the drivers are nice guys - but be careful. Make sure you finalise a price first. Cyclos and motorcycle taxis are definitely a more risky proposition at night - especially after a few drinks. Like many cyclo drivers, this guy was a soldier in the US backed South Vietnamese army before 1975. He spoke good English - with an American accent.
Long Son Pagoda with its famous Buddha.
Nuns. Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang
Buddha statue. Kong Son Pagoda.
Long Son Pagoda. Nha Trang.
Long Son Pagoda. Nha Trang.
Photographer Long Thanh's studio has some great black and white shots spanning Nha Trang and Vietnam over the decades.
Long Thanh photo gallery. Nha Trang
Alexandre Yersin and Louis Pasteur are two French names that continue to be respected in Vietnam long after the end of colonialism. Yersin conducted research into bubonic plague among other things and spent decades living in Nha Trang prior to his death in 1943.
The Yersin Museum is a worthwhile half hour stop and a tribute to a very interesting man.
There were so few visitors during my last visit that the enthusiastic staff pulled out original photos and notes written by Yersin for me to look at. It felt a little intrusive and I couldn't help but feel that the man's work deserved more care.
A controversial cable car connects Nha Trang with Vinpearl Island - formerly known as Bamboo Island. The views from the cable car are great and the fun park is excellent for families - providing it's not too crowded.
Aquarium - Vinpearl Island Nha Trang.
Aquarium - Vinpearl Island Nha Trang.
Water Park - Vinpearl Island Nha Trang.
Nha Trang is one of Vietnam's most popular dive spots. Experts tell me it's a good recreational dive spot but more serious divers will be disappointed.
Lots of companies offer daily dives for everyone from experienced hands to learners and snorkellers.
Diving Nha Trang.
VIetnam's last king, Bao Dai, built this long-neglected villa complex in the 1920s on Nha Trang's best piece of real estate. The site was recently closed for development of luxury apartments. The main building in the complex will be preserved. In a sign of the times, the former royal residence will move from being public space, back into the hands of Vietnam's new royalty.
Take a bicycle ride along the river for some picturesque rural scenes.
Boat workshop. Nha Trang.
An old wooden bridge between 2 small villages along a cycling route. Nha Trang.
Nha Trang's seafood's great so head down to the Cai riverfront and join the locals for a feast.
Fresh seafood, Nha Trang
Seafood, Nha Trang
Ginger squid, Nha Trang
Meanwhile, these Italian guys came back to this backpacker stall for a kebab each day.
Street stalls sell local specialties like banh canh bun noodles.
Banh canh bun stall, Nha Trang
Some of Nha Trang's busiest eateries are these little streateries. This one's on Pham Ngu Lao St.
Cycle 6kms up the coast from town to some cleaner beaches.
Or pull into one of these restaurants that's specially set up for an ocean frollick. The water's clean and towels and deckchairs are available.
Cycling north of Nha Trang
If you're feeling very restless, head further north to Doc Let beach, 50kms from Nha Trang.
Doc Let beach
South of Nha Trang, Bai Dai (Long Beach) is another popular spot.
Bai Dai (Long Beach) is setup for the weekend crowds with seafood, beers and deckchairs.
As the sun goes down, the crowds head to Sailing Club for a beachside cocktail. Sailing Club also kicks on into the night with DJs and dancing.
Why Not Bar is another Nha Trang late night establishment - popular with backpackers.

Quicklink - Introduction - Nha Trang

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