Nha Trang

Big enough to bustle, yet small enough to retain its relaxed air, the delightful city of Nha Trang has, despite increasingly stiff competition, earned its place as Vietnam’s top beach destination. A grand 6km scythe of soft yellow sand is lapped by rolling waves on one side and fringed on the other by cafés, restaurants, hotels and some unusual modern sculptures. Hawkers are on hand to supply paperbacks, fresh pineapple and massages, while scuba-diving classes and all kinds of watersports are available. Local companies also offer popular day-trips to Nha Trang’s outlying islands, combining hiking, snorkelling and an onboard feast of seafood. Bear in mind that the rainy season, around November and December, sees the sea get choppy and the beach loses much of its appeal.

There’s far more to Nha Trang than sea and sand. The culinary scene is noteworthy, as is the range of accommodation amongst some stylish boutiques and bars. Then there are a few sights, both in and around the city, with the intriguing Po Nagar Cham towers of greatest appeal – by the time Nguyen lords wrested this patch of the country from Champa in the mid-seventeenth century, the towers had already stood here for over seven hundred years. Beyond the centre, you’ll find hot springs in which you can wallow in mud, the world’s longest cross-sea cable-car ride, and more besides. Last, but not least, is the city’s huge and hugely photogenic fishing fleet, which moors just north of the centre – a place of salty, local appeal in a city that has been embracing change for decades.

Beach-bumming certainly takes precedence over sightseeing in Nha Trang, but there are a clutch of worthwhile places to visit in the city itself, including the Alexandre Yersin museum, and a beautiful pair of religious buildings.

Read more: Top 10 attractions to visit in Nha Trang
Best local food should not be missed in Nha Trang

In addition, tourists coming to Nha Trang are free to explore a wide range of local food. Nem Nuong (Grilled Pork) is scrumptious for you to give a try. You can enjoy the grilled pork together with the fried spring roll wrappers and salad. The key element here is the sauce, and simply put, it is incredibly delicious. Its ingredients include fish sauce, salt, sugar with minced pork and purple onion. The taste of this dish is a surprisingly well-balanced mixture of saltiness, sweetness and sourness, which will leave a deep impression on your Vietnam private tour. Tourists also can try fishing village's seafood like shrimp, squid, oysters, snails and especially grilled gecko fish (Ca Tac Ke) – which is very famous in Nha Trang. If you can handle live seafood, salmon is another must try.