Nha Trang, Vietnam: Sun, Scuba and All-Night Parties
Nha Trang, a seaside resort town located on the south central coast,
is Vietnam's beach capital. Nha Trang attracts many types of visitors,
from sun worshipers, to scuba diving enthusiasts, to the hard core party
goers. If you are looking to explore another side of Vietnam and still
catch a few historical sites between mojitos and all-night dance
parties, then Nha Trang is your ultimate destination. This idyllic
seaside community with its backdrop of jutting mountain tops, palm tree
lined white sand beaches, and turquoise colored water dotted with
islands offers a plethora of activities to keep you busy.
The number one attraction in Nha Trang is the beach. For beach bums, the best time to visit is June to October in the dry season but the beach is usually busy with tourists and locals year round. Nha Trang's 6 kilometer stretch of white sand beach is lined with palm trees, water front promenades, and oceanfront resorts from budget to 5-stars. During the day, the beach is full of activity with vendors selling everything from cigarettes to sunglasses to lunch. Local vendors steam up lobsters, prawns and other delicious seafood in large cast iron pots, and slice up exotic fruits for tourists right next to where they are laying in the sand. In addition to catching rays on the beach, you can rent a pool side deck chair and enjoy the western style beach resort atmosphere at either one of Nha Trang's popular pools: Nha Trang Sailing Club or the Louisiana Brewhouse.
Nha Trang offers an assortment of water sports and activities. For the adrenaline junkies, the best time to visit is October through February in the wet season when the sea is rougher. Numerous shops along the beach offer equipment rental and lessons for kayaking, wake boarding, wind surfing, sailing, jet skiing, paragliding, body boarding and snorkeling. Nha Trang is also the number one scuba diving destination in Vietnam offering the best visibility and cheap PADI certification. If you aren't into adventure you can enjoy more relaxing water based fun at Phu Dong Water Park located near the beach or the island resort of Vinpearl Land accessible by a scenic cable car with amusement park style rides, arcade games and a water park. A great way to also enjoy the water is on a boat tour of the outlying islands of Nha Trang. For dirt cheap you can take a boat tour visiting four of the nine islands: Mieu Island, Ebony Island, Swallow Island and Bamboo Island. For a break from the sun and surf visit one of the many spas offering cheap massage. The Thap Ba Hot Springs, located a few kilometers outside of Nha Trang, provides the ultimate in relaxation with hot springs, mud baths and a hot artificial mineral waterfall. You can organize a private spa trip with a group of friends for a discount or be a big spender and enjoy the VIP spa.
The best way to see the city's cultural sites is by bike. Po Nagar (Thap Ba) Cham Towers are located north two kilometers outside the city across the Cai River. The towers were built by the Cham civilization between the 7th and 12th century and sit on top of a hill providing beautiful views of the harbor below. Only four of the eight original towers still stand with the tallest being 23 meters high. On your way back to town take some time to visit the fishing village located between the old and new bridges and the "real" Nha Trang, a bustling Vietnamese city vastly different than the seaside resort town along the coast. To the west of town is Long Son Pagoda, a Buddhist temple founded in the late 19th century, still home to resident monks. At the top of the hill, behind the pagoda, is a 79-foot tall giant white seated Buddha visible from town. Climb to the top of the hill for stunning panoramic views of the city and bay. Take a ride south and visit the Oceanographic Institute and Bao Dai's Villas, a beautiful example of French colonial architecture and the former residence of the last king Bao Dai. The grounds are lush and well manicured and it's a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking the sea on a hot day.
At night, a different side of Nha Trang comes alive. Known as the Cancun, Mexico of Vietnam, you can party all night in Nha Trang. Most nights the beach district is teeming with locals and tourists drinking at bars, dancing at clubs and partying in the streets. The best place in town to dance is the Nha Trang Sailing Club, which hosts its very own version of Koh Phangan's famous all night Full Moon Party called Insomnia. Another way to join in on the debauchery of Nha Trang is to take a booze cruise, an all-you-can-drink party boat on a scenic trip around the bay. If you aren't ready to shake it, head to one of Vietnam's tradition local bars called a "bai hoi" for cheap keg beer curbside. The city also offers a more relaxing evening at one of the many waterfront restaurants along the beach. There's a wide range of choices, from Western to Vietnamese cuisine to local seafood specialties. For cheaper food try the restaurants in town or the waterfront restaurants away from the main tourist district. A popular option is Lac Canh, one of the busiest local restaurants in Nha Trang located near the Cai River area.
Nha Trang Bay is widely considered among the world's most beautiful bays and is fast becoming a popular destination with international travelers of all ages. Whether you spend your days kayaking the bay or relaxing on the beach, Nha Trang has an assortment of activities to please just about everyone.
Traditional Customs In Vietnamese Tet
Vietnam's Tet holidays (the Lunar New Year) is right around the
corner. Just like Christmas and New Year holidays in Western country,
Tet holiday is the biggest and most special occasion in year. It is a
chance for family gathering, for friends and relatives visiting each
other, for people celebrating the past year and welcoming the New Year.
Travelers visiting Vietnam during this time will have a chance to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Tet, to experience the traditional rituals and customs that only happen during Tet and to have a taste of traditional dishes that are special for Tet only. You can have a glimpse of Tet if you're staying in a Vietnam hotel, however, it is best to have Tet celebrated with a Vietnamese family to get an insight of this infamous holiday.
There are some traditions and customs foreigners should be aware of when having Tet in Vietnam.
First, the first day of the New Year is a very special day that affects the luck and success of the whole New Year. That is why Vietnamese often choose who they want to be the first one to visit their house on this day. So, don't show up at their door on this day unless you're invited. People often visit friends and relatives from the second day onward.
Second, number 4 and number 7 are considered bad luck in Vietnamese culture (number 4 means "die" while number 7 means "fail" – not a very lucky thought for a brand new year). Therefore, do not give presents that in anyway indicate these two numbers. Giving things relate to number 6 and 8 instead. Aside, the lucky color is red, so anything in red will be fine. Also being considered extremely bad luck, do not eat or give squid and duck meat and dog meat as presents at the beginning of the New Year.
Third, do not ask someone to lend you money or repay your debt in the first 2-3 weeks of new year. It is believed that if people pay or borrow money at the beginning of new year, they will have to do that all throughout the year.
Fourth, fire and water are the lucky signs of the new year, so don't take these things out of the hosts' house on the new year. Some of the things you should avoid taking out are lighters, matches, coals, fire fluid, gas, or bottles of water, water containers, drinking cups, glasses out of the hosts' houses.
Finally, giving red envelope or Li Xi (with money inside, of course) to those who are younger than you (mostly kids and students) is an expected action. Luckily, this is expected from people who have jobs only.
Tet Vietnam has become so familiar, so sacred to the Vietnamese that when Spring arrives, the Vietnamese, wherever they may be, are all thrilled and excited, and they feel an immense nostalgia, wishing to come back to their homeland for a family reunion and a taste of the particular flavors of the Vietnamese festivities. Foreign tourists will have a great experience participating in this biggest cultural event of Vietnam.
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