Travel Guide to Nha Trang, Vietnam
The stunning city of Nha Trang, located on Vietnam’s southeast coast, is the capital of the country’s Khanh Hoa province. This immensely popular tourist destination is renowned the world over for its fabulous shimmering white sand beaches, enveloped by crystal blue seas. Divers, back-packers, affluent pleasure-seekers, and locals, head to the beach-side paradise of Nha Trang throughout the year, for it is blessed with nearly 300 days of sunshine and offers fantastic opportunities for scuba diving and snorkeling.
This beautiful city by the bay also has a burgeoning glamour quotient and in recent years has hosted high profile events like the Miss Universe pageant in 2008 and the Miss World pageant in 2010. These events have firmly established Nha Trang as a coveted destination on the map.
However Nha Trang is not only about the sun, sand and beach, for it also offers an assortment of well-known cultural attractions like the Long Son Pagoda and the Po Ngar Cham Towers, historical relics bound to satisfy the avid sight-seer as well. For families vacationing with children, Nha Trang has much to offer in the form of glorious beaches like Doc Let, along with entertaining attractions like the Vinpearl amusement park and the truly fascinating National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam. In short, Nha Trang has something to offer all ages and preferences.
Best time to visit
Nha Trang experiences a long dry season that usually lasts from January to August. The northeast monsoon brings much rain to this beach side paradise, between the months of September to December, when typhoons are also a common occurrence. Nha Trang is generally thought to be a year round destination, though it is concurred that the best time to plan a visit to the area is during the months of March and June, when the weather is quite dry and daytime temperatures are pleasant enough for sight-seeing and beachside recreation.
Visas
Citizens of many nations require a visa to enter Vietnam. Visa exemptions are available for citizens of the following countries:-
1. Citizens of Brunei can enter Vietnam without a visa for visits of 14 days at the maximum.
2. Citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos are allowed entry for visits of a maximum of 30 days.
3. Citizens of Philippines are granted entry for visits of 21 days at the maximum.
4. Citizens of Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia and Finland gain visa free entrance of 15 days at the maximum.
5. Citizens of France and Chile (who hold valid diplomatic or official passports) gain visa free access to Vietnam for visits of 90 days at the maximum or several visits of 6 months at the maximum.
6. APEC Business Travel Card holders- Holders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) card are allowed visa free visits for 60 days at the maximum.
Citizens of other countries can apply for a Vietnam visa at their local Vietnamese consulate or online at sites like Myvietnamvisa (http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/), which is officially recognized by the Vietnamese immigration authorities.
The visas procured online are issued on arrival at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh airports. These online Vietnam visas usually take two business days to process, though they can also be issued on an urgent basis within 24 hours, for a higher price.
Getting to Nha Trang
Nha Trang is located at a distance of 445km from Ho Chi Minh City and at a distance of 1299 km from Hanoi. Vietnam’s national carrier, Vietnam Airlines offers daily connections to Nha Trang, from these two cities, though it also flies to Nha Trang from Danang four times a week.
Nha Trang is served by Cam Ranh Airport, a military facility located 35km south of the city. Many of the large resorts located in Nha Trang usually offer complimentary or paid airport pickup services for their guests. The Cam Ranh airport can be accessed by a thirty minute taxi ride from the heart of the city
Aside from its airport, Nha Trang is also equipped with a bustling train station, which has daily train links with major tourist centers like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally since the city is a prominent destination on the back-packer trail, it also hosts a long distance bus station which offers connections to various tourist hotspots in Vietnam like Dalat, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue.
Family-friendly hotels in Nha Trang
A popular family getaway, Nha Trang is equipped with many child-friendly hotels which cater to all budgets.
Budget
Hotel Novotel Nha Trang
Hotel Novotel Nha Trang is located in the heart of the city and offers 154 modern rooms, each of which is equipped with a terrace and offers stunning sea views. The hotel touts itself as being ‘free’ for children, since youngsters under the age of 16 can be accommodated for free in their parents or grandparent’s rooms. Under 16’s can also take advantage of a daily free buffet breakfast, when accompanied by their parents or grandparents. The hotel also offers baby-sitting services for a fee and is equipped with play areas for all ages.
http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml
Mid-Range
The Vinpearl Resort
The Vinpearl Resort is located on Hon Tre Island off Nha Trang City. The resort is connected via cable car to the mainland, though it can also be accessed by speedboat. The Vinpearl Resort is equipped with 485 deluxe rooms, available in various sizes. The resort offers a wide array of facilities like seven restaurants and two swimming pools. It is also equipped with a Kid’s club and offers an assortment of water sports on its gorgeous, white sand beach front. However the main reason for the resort popularity is its proximity to the Vinpearl amusement park, and the fact that hotel guests get free access to the park.
http://www.vinpearlresort-nhatrang.com/en-US/Home/default.aspx
Above: Evason Ana Mandara
Luxury
Evason Ana Mandara
The fabulous Evason Ana Mandara resort is yet another sumptuous beach front resort in Nha Trang, which is surprisingly very child friendly. Fashioned after a traditional Vietnamese village, the resort which offers 64 rooms is equipped with two main swimming pools and offers watersports like snorkeling and diving on its golden sand beach. The hotel is also equipped with a Just Kids club which provides recreational activities for younger children. Other facilities at the hotel include free cots for babies, reasonable childcare services and free Wi-Fi.
http://www.sixsenses.com/evason-ana-mandara-nha-trang/
Family-friendly attractions in Nha Trang
Po Ngar Cham Temple Complex
The Po Ngar Cham temple complex was constructed by the Cham people in the 8th century. It is located on Cù Lao Mountain and consists of three levels, the highest of which encompasses two rows of towers. The Chams were Hindus who built the complex to honor the deity, Yang Ino Po Ngar, or goddess Bhagavati, the mother of the kingdom. The original complex consisted of ten temples but today only three remain. The main tower called Po Ngar Kalan is the tallest Cham structure in the world. The temple complex is a functioning temple complex that is used by the Buddhist population of Nha Trang today. The Po Ngar Cham temple complex affords gorgeous vistas of the coastal region around Nha Trang.
http://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/po-nagar-cham-towers.html
National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
The Nha Trang Oceanography Institute is situated at the foot of Bao Dai Village, located at a distance of 5km from the Nha Trang city center. This institute, which is housed in a French colonial building, opened to the public on September 14th, 1922. This research facility cum museum offers a dazzling display of the marine life found in waters of the Khanh Hoa province and beyond. It is accordingly equipped with many large fish tanks that display creatures from the deep seas, like reef sharks, turtles, puffer fish, lionfish, seahorses and more. Also on offer at the museum is an exhibit of an 18 meter long whale skeleton. All the exhibits at the aquarium and museum are labeled in Vietnamese and English for the benefit of visitors and locals alike. The Oceanographic Museum is guaranteed to delight children of all ages.
http://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/oceanographic-museum-of-vietnam.html
Hon Chong
The Hon Chong rock promontory is a famous scenic spot in Nha Trang. This rock formation, which consists of one rock lying on top of another, is believed to be representative of a couple. In fact the name ‘Hon Chong’ in Vietnamese translates as ‘husband’. This rock promontory is located on a magnificent Hon Chong beach situated at a distance of 3.5 km from the city center of Nha Trang.
http://www.vietvisiontravel.com/viewer.asp?pgid=274&aid=2190
Long Son Pagoda
The Long Son Pagoda was first built in the late 1900’s but it has been rebuilt several times over the years. The current pagoda is located at the foot of Mount Trai Thuy in the northern part of Nha Trang. The Long Son pagoda features a huge statue of Sakyamuni Buddha that stands 24m (79-ft.) high. The pagoda is regarded as a symbol of Nha Trang and its base is adorned with carvings that depict the Buddhist monks, who immolated themselves to protest against the corrupt Diem regime in the 1960s.
http://www.buddhistravel.com/index.php?id=68,348,0,0,1,0
Family-friendly activities in Nha Trang
Vinpearl Land
Vinpearl Land located on Hon Tre Island (Bamboo Island) of Nha Trang city, is undoubtedly its most famous family-friendly attraction. This western style amusement park offers a water park, divided into three zones and outfitted with various age-appropriate rides like the Free Fall, the Tsunami, the Space Hole, the six-lane water slide, the wave pool and more.
Also on offer at the park are various indoor and outdoor games, gardens, an aquarium (Under Water world), a 5000 seat amphitheater and various dining and shopping outlets. Vinpearl Land is also renowned for its cable car system which is not only a mode of access for the resort but is also the longest sea-crossing by cable car in the world.
http://vinpearlland.com.vn/en-US/amusementpark/default.aspx
Day trip to Doc Let
The beach town Doc Let is known for its pristine white sand beach front and shallow clear water, which is perfect for swimming. Doc Let is easily accessible from Nha Trang and is worth considering for a day trip with family, whilst on holiday in Nha Trang.
Whale Island
Whale Island lies to the north of Nha Trang and is easily accessible by a combination of road and boat travel. This beautiful peaceful island is known for its tranquil waters and serene fishing villages. Accommodation on the island is scarce and consists of one all-inclusive resort called Ile de la Baleine, which offers a slew of water sports like scuba diving, fishing, sailing and more.
http://www.iledelabaleine.com
Useful Numbers to keep handy when on holiday in Nha Trang
The Nha Trang Tourist Information center
Nha Trang Tourist Information center is located in the heart of Nha Trang and operates round the clock. The center, which is staffed by locals, offers much information and help for visitors. The center can be accessed by calling +84 (0) 90 714 3404.
Vietnam Tourist Office: +84 (0)4 942 3998 (Hanoi) or www.vietnamtourism.com
Foreign Embassies in Vietnam
United States Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 3850 5000
British Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 936 0500
Canadian Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 734 5000
Australian Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 831 7755
South African Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 936 2000
Irish Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 974 3291
New Zealand Embassy, Hanoi: +84 (0)4 824 1481
Emergency Numbers for Vietnam
Emergencies: 13 (Police); 15 (Ambulance)