Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a small city belongs to Khanh Hoa province on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is known as a beautiful coastal city in Vietnam and in the world. The city is just 265,47 km2, and 392,000 inhabitants. Since locating in the middle part of Vietnam which is easy to come from Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang and move to the South, Nha Trang is compared as a precious Pearl of Vietnam tourism.
In the history, Nha Trang was known as Kauthara under the Champa hundreds years ago. Until now there are still a lot of heritages and Champa culture remaining here, especially Po Nagar towers . Nha trang had used to be small fishing villages before the French recognized that the place is an ideal for relaxing on beautiful beaches, they decided to invest to turn the town into resort city.
The position of Nha Trang is evaluated as one of the most beautiful Bay in the World, because of heavenly beaches , hot spring, the colorful beauty of the sea as diversity of fish, coral reef,… and nice weather during the entire year which is favorable for some activities like swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Nha Trang is known as center of entertainment with series of Vinpearl land, Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Hon Tam resort,… . Besides, Cam Ranh Bay is considered as one of three harbors that have the best natural conditions over the world. Having the area of over 60 square kilometers and the 18-20m average depth, this bay is out of the wind as a result of being surrounded by many mountain ranges. Van Phong Bay has a wonderful nature, temperate climate, idyllic beach with mostly fine sand, surrounded by hills, mountains and tropical forests, colorful coral reefs, several vestige of salt-watered forest, specific and valuable sea creatures, which is endowed with an ideal environment. These are great potentials for the development of ecological tourism in Van Phong.
Nha Trang, in southern Vietnam, has a tropical savannah climate with a lengthy dry season and shorter rainy season. Nha Trang's dry season lasts from January to August and the wet season is from September to December. During the rainy season, Nha Trang experiences around 41 inches (1,029mm) of rainfall. The wet weather in the city is caused by the presence of the northeast monsoon. It is best to avoid travelling to Nha Trang during the wet season as typhoons can also occur, bringing terrible winds. Throughout the year, Nha Trang experiences hot and humid weather, with temperatures that range between 69°F (21°C) and 91°F (33°C) all year round. The city becomes particularly humid between May and August, which is the peak of Nha Trang's rainy season.
GETTING THERE
Nha Trang is a busy tourist city with many connections by bus and train. The journey between Mui Ne and Nha Trang is very scenic with mist-covered mountains towering above green rice paddies.
By Bus: Depending on traffic, travel by bus from Saigon can take around 11 hours. The bus from Mui Ne should theoretically take only five hours.
By Train: Nha Trang's train station is located in the northwestern part of the city, well off the tourist strip. The train from Saigon takes roughly 10 hours to reach Nha Trang. Travel by train offers a pleasant break from the maniacal traffic!
By Air: Flights to and from Nha Trang now use Cam Ranh Airport (NHA) which was once an old U.S. airbase during the Vietnam War. The airport is around 18 miles south of Nha Trang; only domestic flights are available.
If this is the first time you traveling Vietnam then you do not want to miss this destination, this beautiful coastal city will definitely impress you by its attractions, magnificent beaches and islands as well as friendly local people and cannot mention many interesting activities like diving, snorkeling…
Po Nagar Cham Tower
Po Nagar Temple is the ancient architectural of Cham People, situated far from Nha Trang Center around 2 km to the north, the tower is the combination of 4 towers, 2 temples and the largest cathedral tower worship Po Nagar goddess. After visiting the Po Nagar Temple, you can experience mud pack at Thap Ba resorts hot springs nearby.
Hon Chong Island & Hon Vo Island
This destination far from the city center is about 3km northeast. Hon Chong Island (Husband Island) is a rocks space with a variety of shapes, stacked high running from the shore into the sea. A group of smaller stones, situated at the foot of the eastern hill, called Hon Vo Island (Wife Island). Hon Chong space almost separated from the bustling streets and it also is one of the most beautiful views of the city.
Hon Mun Island
Hon Mun Island has blue and clear sea waters and gorgeous coral ecosystems, was considered as the area of biodiversity in Vietnam by Foundation World Wildlife (WWF). Arrive Hon Mun Island, visitors can not miss activities like: Bar floating on the sea, explore coral diving,…
Ninh Van Bay
Ninh Van Bay situated far from Nha Trang city about 60 kilometers, located on Hon Meo Island peninsula. Ninh Van Bay bring beauty and pure scenery which is particularly suitable for those who want to feel relaxed in the quiet coastal space. Additionally, you can also watch coral, diving or try surfing, windsurfing or kayaking.
Hon Tam Island
This island has an area of about 110 hectares, 7km far from the center of Nha Trang towards southeast. From Hon Tam Island, you can see the whole city in the north of Nha Trang and Cam Ranh peninsula in the south. Besides beautiful beaches, Hon Tam Island is also famous for its activity such as coral diving, exploring the sea by glass bottom boat coral…
Dai Lanh Beach
Dai Lanh Beach is belongs to Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province, located on the 1A National Highway, far from Nha Trang City about 80km to the north. After swimming and exploring the sea, tourists can rent motorboats to visit Bai Lang, Khai Luong, Dam Mon, Vung Ro port, or to explore the village of Dai Lanh and lives of fishermen...
Van Phong Bay
Van Phong Bay in Van Ninh District (Khanh Hoa Province), situated far from Nha Trang Center about 40km towards the north. It attracts visitors with the wild beauty of small and large blue islands in the smaller bays inside. There are two ways to visit Van Phong bay, one is floating on the boat by sea from Nha Phu Bay, and the other are by car or motorbike from Nha Trang center.
From 1653 to 19th century, Nha Trang was still a deserted area and was an area rich in wildlife animals like tigers, and was a part of Hà Bạc, Vĩnh Xương County, Diên Khánh Province. After just 2 decades of early 20nd century, Nha Trang underwent a rapid change. On 30 August 1924, the Governor-General of French Indochina (Gouverneur-General de l’Indochine) by a decree, establish Nha Trang as a townlet (centre urbain)[2]. Nha Trang Townlet was established from ancient villages of: Xương Huân, Phương Câu, Vạn Thạnh, Phương Sài, Phước Hải.
During French Indochina, Nha Trang was seen as de facto capital (chief lieu) of Khanh Hoa Province. The colonical administration offices like Envoy Office, Commanding Office, Trade Office, Post Office….were situated in Nha Trang. However, local royal offices like: Province Chief, Provincial Judge, Military Commander…are situated in Dien Khanh city (a walled military city located 10 km south-west of Nha Trang). On 7 May 1937 , the Governor-General of French Indochina by another decree upgraded Nha Trang Townlet to town (French: commune)[3]. At this time, Nha Trang Town had 5 wards: Xương Huân was the fist ward, Phương Câu was the second ward, Vạn Thạnh was the third ward, Phương Sài was the fourth ward, and Phước Hải was the fifth ward.
On January 27, 1958, the president of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngô Đình Diệm by Decree 18-BNV abrogated the town status of Nha Trang and divided Nha Trang into two rural communes: Nha Trang Đông (Eastern Nha Trang) and Nha Trang Tây (Western Nha Trang), under the administration of Vĩnh Xương County.
On October 22, 1970, the government of the Republic of Vietnam by Decree 132-SL/NV reestablished Nha Trang Town on the ground of Nha Trang Đông and Nha Trang Tây and other rural communes, namely Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, Vĩnh Trường, Vĩnh Nguyên, and villages: Phước Hải (Vĩnh Thái Commune), Vĩnh Điềm Hạ (Vĩnh Hiệp Commune), Ngọc Thảo, Ngọc Hội, Lư Cấm Villages (Vĩnh Ngọc Commune) under the administration of Vinh Xuong County, together with islands: Hòn Lớn, Hòn Một, Hòn Mun, Hòn Miễu, Hòn Tằm. Nha Trang Town was made the capital of Khanh Hoa Province. The town included 2 districts: district 1 and district 2. District 1 covered communes: Nha Trang Đông, Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, and villages: Ngọc Thảo, Ngọc Hội and Lư Cấm of Vĩnh Ngọc Commune, Vĩnh Điềm Hạ village of Vĩnh Hiệp Commune; district 2 covered communes: Nha Trang Tây, Vĩnh Trường, Vĩnh Nguyên (inclusive of islands of Hòn Tre, Hòn Một, Hòn Mun, Hòn Tằm), Phước Hải village of Vĩnh Thái Commune.
Following that establishment, the government by Decree 357-ĐUHC/NC/NĐ dated June 5, 1971 divided Nha Trang into 11 urban zones, of which, district 1 covered urban zones of Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, Ngọc Hiệp, Vạn Thạnh, Duy Tân; district 2 covered urban wards of Vĩnh Nguyên, Vĩnh Trường, Phương Sài, Tân Phước, Tân Lập, Phước Hải. Decree 553-BNV/HCĐP/NV dated 22 August 1972 renamed urban zones into urban wards. Decree 444-BNV/HCĐP/26.X dated September 3, 1974 merged islands of Hòn Một, Hòn Cậu, Hòn Đụn, Hòn Chóp Vung, Hòn Đỏ into Vĩnh Hải ward (district 1) and Hòn Ngọc into Vĩnh Nguyên ward (district 2) of Nha Trang Town.
On April 2, 1975, communist (NLF/PRG/VPA) forces captured the city. On April 4, 1975, Khanh Hoa Military Commission (Ủy ban Quân quản Khánh Hòa) divided Nha Trang into 3 administrative: District 1, District 2 and Vĩnh Xương District.
In September 1975, District 1 and District 2 were merged to become one entity, the town of Nha Trang.
On March 30, 1977, the Council of the Government (now the cabinet) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by Decision 391-CP/QĐ upgraded Nha Trang to city status, a county-level city under the administration of Phu Khanh Province (a province created by merger of now Phú Yên Province and Khánh Hòa Province). 7 Communes of former Vĩnh Xương County, namely Vĩnh Thái, Vĩnh Ngọc, Vĩnh Hiệp, Vĩnh Lương, Vĩnh Trung, Vĩnh Thạnh, Vĩnh Phương was split from Khánh Xương County to become Nha Trang City territory.
On March 27, 1978, the provincial government by Decision 54-BT founded Phước Đồng Commune under Nha Trang City.
On July 1, 1989, Khanh Hoa was split from Phu Khanh Province to become Khanh Hoa Province as it was before, Nha Trang was made the capital of Khanh Hoa Province.
On 22 April 1999, the prime minister by Decision 106/1999 recognized Nha Trang City the second class municipal city.
Night life in Nha Trang
The best nightlife in Nha Trang offers ample reasons to explore this unique beach town after sunset, where neighbourhood bars and lounges draw in the city’s fun-loving backpacker community while Tran Phu’s vibrant beach clubs attract more affluent late night revellers. Boasting plenty of alcoholic offerings, local and international cuisine, as well as varying music genres, these nightlife spots are great for mingling with the locals and fellow tourists until the early hours of morning.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the local culture, Nha Trang is also home to numerous cultural spaces, where colourful puppet shows, light shows, and traditional tunes are held every night.
