Nha Trang Travel Guide

Nha Trang has a split personality. One takes the form of a smaller Danang – a bustling Viet­namese city humming with commerce but blessed with access to a beautiful beach. The other is a Western resort town encompassing several blocks of hotels, tourist shops, bars and international restaurants. Entering this sheltered enclave you could be anywhere in the world, if it weren’t for the constant hassling from xe om drivers, many of whom seem to moonlight as pimps and dealers.

The city is indisputably beautiful, bordered by mountains, with the beach tracing an impressive long swoop along a bay dotted with islands. Topiary and modern sculpture dot the immaculately manicured foreshore. The only blight on the horizon is the Hollywood-style sign for the Vinpearl complex – an ugly scar dominating nearby Hon Tre Island.

Nha Trang offers plenty to keep tourists occupied – from island-hopping boat trips and scuba diving, to mudbaths and historic sites. But the main attraction for most visitors is lounging around on deckchairs at a beachfront bar and drinking cocktails in comfort.

Getting There & Away

Bus: Lien Tinh bus station is Nha Trang’s main intercity bus terminal, 500m west of the train station. Seven daily buses head north to Quy Nhon (65, 000d, 5½ hours), with at least two continuing to Danang (120, 000d). Regular buses head south to Phan Rang (24, 000d, 2½ hours), with a dozen continuing on to HCMC (110, 000d, 11 hours) and a similar amount heading into the highlands to Dalat (60, 000d, seven hours).

Nha Trang is a major stopping point on all of the tourist open-bus tours. These are the best option for accessing Mui Ne, which is not served by local buses. Sinh Café runs a comfortable coach at 7.30am, reaching Ca Na before 11am and Mui Ne just after midday. It stops here for lunch before continuing on to HCMC (arriving 5.30pm). It also runs services to Dalat (six hours) and Hoi An (11 hours).

Car & motorbike: Road distances from Nha Trang are: 235km to Quy Nhon, 523km to Danang, 104km to Phan Rang, 250km to Mui Ne, 448km to HCMC, 205km to Dalat and 205km to Buon Ma Thuot.

Train: The Nha Trang train station (822 113; Ð Thai Nguyen; ticket office 7-11.30am, 1.30-5pm & 6-10pm) is down the hill west of the cathedral. Destinations include Danang (203, 000d, 8½ to 12½ hours, seven daily), Tuy Hoa (44, 000d, 2½ hours, five daily), Thap Cham (35, 000d, 1½ to 2½ hours, eight daily) and HCMC (160, 000d, seven to 12½ hours, nine daily).