Nha Trang

Good to know

1. 1The Po Nagar Cham Towers stand on a hill north of the centre. They were built by the Cham people, who ruled much of this coast for centuries, and the site is still used for worship.
2. 2The bay is dotted with islands, and boat trips for snorkelling and diving are one of the main reasons people come. Hon Mun is the island best known for its marine life.
3. 3Seafood is the heart of the local food scene. Grilled and steamed fish, shellfish and squid are everywhere, and bun cha ca, a noodle soup with fish cakes, is a local favourite.
4. 4Nem nuong, grilled pork sausage rolled up with herbs and rice paper, is another dish the Nha Trang area is known for.
5. 5The currency is the Vietnamese dong, and the language is Vietnamese. In the tourist areas you will find plenty of English, and signs in Russian are also common.
6. 6Alexandre Yersin, the Swiss-French doctor who discovered the plague bacillus, settled in Nha Trang and helped found a medical school here. A museum in the city is dedicated to his life and work.

Tips for a first visit

• The main beach area and the central streets are easy to cover on foot, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and common for longer distances.
• Carry some cash for markets, street food and small shops, since cards are not accepted everywhere. Larger hotels and restaurants usually take cards.
• Try the seafood at the busy local restaurants where Vietnamese families eat, and check how it is priced before you order.
• Book island and diving trips with an operator that has good reviews and clear safety equipment, and bring sun protection because the boat decks have little shade.
• Dress more modestly when you visit temples and pagodas, with shoulders and knees covered, and take your shoes off where others do.
• Agree on a price or make sure the meter is running before you set off in a taxi, and use a ride-hailing app if you want to avoid haggling.

When to go

The dry, sunny season runs roughly from January to August, with warm seas that are good for swimming and diving. Heavy rain and rougher seas come in the last months of the year, usually from around October to December, and boat trips can be cancelled then. Temperatures stay warm all year, which makes the coast easy to visit in most months.

From the airport

Nha Trang is served by Cam Ranh International Airport, which lies south of the city, roughly 30 to 40 minutes away by road. Taxis, ride-hailing cars and airport shuttle buses run to the centre, and many hotels can also arrange a pickup. There is no metro or train link from the airport, so road transport is the way to go.