Nha Trang is a 251-square-kilometer area in the middle of Khanh Hoa Province with over 19 islands, the largest of which is Hon Tre, a 36-square-kilometer island off the coast that creates Nha Trang bay windless and tranquil waves. Nha Trang is also known as the South China Sea Riviera, and because to its many magnificent beaches and islands, it has been named one of the world's 29 most beautiful bays.
The seaside town itself is rich in breath-taking architecture dating back to the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, as well as natural hot springs, salt fields, and distinctive waterfalls, and offers a variety of sightseeing and extracurricular opportunities.
Best time to visit
- Between February and May is when the average temperature in Nha Trang is between 26 and 27 degrees Celsius.
- Between January and October is the best for enjoying scuba diving.
- However, the months of April to August are the finest for clear seas and coral-rich diving locations. In Nha Trang, this is the time of year when rainfall is at its lowest.
How to get there
Cam Ranh Airport is Vietnam's fourth largest airport. It is responsible for both internal and international flights to Nha Trang, which is 35 kilometers distant. Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and VietJet Air are among the domestic airlines that fly here. Nordwind Airlines, Azur Air, Sichuan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Asiana Airlines, and Korean Air all have international flights to Nha Trang.
Nha Trang's attractions
- Po Nagar Cham Towers: The Po Nagar Cham Towers, which date from the 8th to 11th century, are a defining feature of Nha Trang. There were previously 10 buildings dedicated to Hindu deities atop Mount Cu Lau, with views overlooking the Cai River, but most have been destroyed over time. The Cham people still worship at the four remaining towers, which were built in honor of Po Nagar, Cri Cambhu, Sanhaka, and Ganeca. Po Nagar Cham Towers, located about a 10-minute walk from Tran Phu Beach, can get quite crowded during the annual Thap Ba celebration, which takes place around the end of April and the beginning of May.
- Long Son Pagoda: Long Son Pagoda, which dates back to the late 1800s, has beautiful mosaic dragons made of glass and ceramic tiles, as well as modern adaptations of classic patterns in the main sanctuary. A gigantic white statue of Buddha sitting atop a lotus blossom, as well as fire-ringed relief busts of Thich Quang Duc and six Buddhist monks who died in self-immolations in 1963, may be found at the top of the hill.
- Nha Trang Cathedral: The Nha Trang Cathedral, which sits on a hill overlooking the train station, is widely regarded as the city's largest church. It was built in the early nineteenth century in the provincial French Gothic style, with exquisite stained glass windows and a square clock tower topped by a massive crucifix.
>> Read more: A look at the historical sites in Nha Trang
- Oceanographic Museum: The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, founded in 1922, supports ongoing research and community projects such as captive breeding programs, coral reef preservation, and regeneration. The institute features approximately 20,000 living and preserved marine specimens, as well as unique exhibitions of local marine life. Glass tanks of varying sizes are packed with marine life such as reef sharks, turtles, anemones, puffers, and lionfish on the bottom floor, while hundreds of preserved specimens, local boats, fishing artifacts, and an 18-metre-long whale skeleton are on the upper floor.
- Alexandre Yersin Museum: The Alexandre Yersin Museum features exhibitions of the late French bacteriologist's personal items and scientific equipment, as well as actual letters and images from his journeys around Vietnam. The creation of Dalat, the discovery of a critical plague-causing bacterium, and research on agricultural practices and weather forecasting are only a few of his significant contributions to Vietnam.
- Hon Khoi Salt Fields: Between the months of January and June, female workers gather large amounts of natural salt from shallow fields, making the Hon Khoi Salt Fields one of Nha Trang's most unusual tourist destinations. The salt fields are around an hour's drive from Nha Trang city center, and they're on the way to Doc Let Beach.
- Ba Ho Waterfalls: The Ba Ho Waterfalls is 40-minute driving from Nha Trang City, with breathtaking views of the coastline and paddy fields along the way. It is made up of three natural waterfalls that lead to a clean lake surrounded by lush rainforest, providing a serene setting for swimming, picnicking, and fishing. For the most part, the waterfalls have been kept in their original state, with a few arrow markers and cement steps placed along the most difficult routes.
- Vinpearl Amusement Park: Vinpearl Amusement Park is located on Hon Tre Island and is connected to the mainland of Nha Trang by a 3,320-meter sea-crossing cable car that provides spectacular views of the bay along the way. The theme park has unique water slides, a big aquarium, a wave pool, an amphitheatre, a shopping mall, and a variety of rides for visiting families. The Underwater World Aquarium in Vinpearl Amusement Park is the largest of its kind in Vietnam, with over 300 species of marine life.
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