Nha Trang

For all the negatives brought about by colonialism, one could thank the French, and later on the Americans, for having the foresight to see beauty out of nothingness. What was once a sleepy coastline dotted with small fishing villages, the French transformed it into the very popular resort town of Nha Trang, also known as the Riviera of the South China Sea. To get there, one may fly directly to the Cam Ranh International Airport, use the train that passes between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi or buses from HCMC or Hoi An. The weather can make traveling a little tricky with the monsoon season from mid-October to December as months to avoid and summertime brings throngs of local and foreign tourists so spontaneous travelers may be hardpressed to find accommodations during those times.

The city center is a great place to experience the culture with ancient pagodas and French colonial buildings and churches but with beaches and nature just 20 minutes away. Though tempting as it is the most convenient to reach, the main beach at Nha Trang suffers from over-tourism but close by are other great alternatives such as Doc Let Beach, Bai Dai Beach, and Bai Duong Beach. One can do a bevy of activities such as sailing, surfing, kayaking, diving, and snorkeling. Then in terms of attractions, visitors may plan their trips to see the Po Nagar Cham Towers, Suoi Do Pagoda, Long Son Pagoda, and White Buddha, Nha Trang Cathedral, the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, and the Alexandre Yersin Museum. Other water-related attractions are the Ba Ho Waterfalls, the Thap Ba Hot Springs Centre, and the Hon Khoi Salt Fields.