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Beach Life - this pretty much sums up the exciting yet charming resort town of Nha Trang, which lies on the coast about eight hours' drive north from Saigon, and two hours east of Dalat. The town is surrounded by green hills, and its deep-blue bay is fringed with a glorious crescent of golden-white sand. It is this beach which lends Nha Trang its "picture-postcard" image, and it is this beach around which life in the town revolves.
Beach front cafes, restaurants and bars do a roaring trade with both foreign and local tourists, but the resort strangely rarely feels overcrowded. Boat trips can be arranged easily from any of these tourist spots, sublime one-day affairs cruising the blue waters around the many small islands which protect the bay from the unpredictable South China Sea. With stops for swimming and snorkeling (even scuba diving with one or two operators) and a fabulous seafood lunch - prepared, cooked and eaten on board - a cruise is the major highlight of a visit to Nha Trang for many. Another major draw for the town is the excellent seafood available at reasonable rates throughout Nha Trang. The fleet leaves port every evening, their winking lights visible on the horizon, and each morning the fresh catch is deposited quayside for transport to the local markets (and beyond). And that beach. With a wide range of water sports available, and with its pristine golden sands, the beach is an obvious attraction. For those less beach-inclined, or perhaps thirsting after a little culture, Nha Trang boasts a cluster of Cham towers dating from the 9th century, and a 14-metre statue of the Buddha overlooking the town. The market is a site in itself and there are numerous shops selling all manner of goods for tourists. Accommodation is plentiful, with the excellent and luxurious Ana Mandara topping the list. There are also plenty of mid-range hotels and guest houses dotted along the beach and around the town. Restaurants are everywhere, with fresh seafood topping the list of cuisines available, although one can easily find western menus including great French and Italian - even British - fare. Nightlife can also get pretty wild here - unlike most other tourist towns in Vietnam. However, it is really quite easy to slip away into the quiet night along the beach and to lose oneself in romantic reverie. For all these reasons, Nha Trang is a "must do" on any visit to Vietnam. To explore Nha Trang further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide.com users, simply select your channel of choice at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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