“What’s your favorite city in Viet Nam?”
When people ask me which city I love traveling to the most in Viet Nam, the answer is always Nha Trang. Nha Trang is a coastal city located between Da Nang in central Viet Nam and the southern economic center of Ho Chi Minh. It boasts sunny weather throughout the year and its stunning beauty has earned it the nickname of “Naples of the East.” A local friend who has recently visited a number of Vietnamese resorts also said that Nha Trang was the best, considering the weather, sights, and food. To me, the charm of Nha Trang is that you can both relax and unwind in the beautiful sea and enjoy a variety of tourist attractions in the surrounding area.
The first place that comes to mind in Nha Trang is VinWonders. This theme park is located in Vinpearl Resort (formerly Vinpearl Land), under the Vietnamese mega-corporation Vinpearl Group. At the 5-star hotel, guests can enjoy a wide range of attractions, such as a theme park, water park, zoo, and golf course. There are several Vinpearl resorts and Vinwonders in major tourist cities in Viet Nam, but the reason Nha Trang is special is that it’s where the franchise first started. More importantly, the entirety of Hòn Tre Island is filled with Vinpearl Resorts and Vinwonders. Long ago, when Korean Air produced a television commercial for its first direct flight to Nha Trang, it showed the cable car connecting the mainland to Hòn Tre, garnering a lot of attention from travelers.
While you can enjoy a relaxing time on beautiful Nha Trang Beach, the city of Nha Trang is also packed with sights you just can’t miss. Interestingly, all the urban attractions are associated with religion: Ponagar Temple is Hindu, Long Son Pagoda is Buddhist, and Nha Trang Cathedral is Catholic. Out of the three, I recommend Ponagar Temple the most. With the most traces remaining of the Champa Kingdom, the Hindu site is highly valued as cultural heritage.
Toward Lotte Mart, which travelers often visit for shopping, is Long Son Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in Nha Trang. Completed in 1886, the temple features statues of both a reclining Buddha and a seated Buddha, and is an amazing experience for believers and nonbelievers alike. The seated Buddha is located on the highest hill, requiring visitors to climb 152 steps, but the sight of the massive statue is well worth it.
The final city tourist attraction to visit is the Nha Trang Cathedral, located near Nha Trang Railway Station. Built over 80 years ago in neo-gothic style stonework, it is dubbed the “stone church.” Due to its unique exterior, the cathedral is also famous among locals as a place for taking wedding photos.
If you are traveling to Nha Trang solely for recreation, I recommend resorts in the Cam Ranh area near the airport. Many resorts along the shore have their own private beaches, and you can enjoy perfect recreation in a quiet atmosphere away from the city.
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