THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NHA TRANG BEACH

The island, home to 1,500 inhabitants who mainly live on fishing and tourism, hogged the limelight in 2015 after the Vinpearl Resort opened.

Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, a complex including an amusement park, a water park, and a shopping center, is the most popular tourist attraction on the island. Visitors can have a fun day by paying VND880,000 ($37.55) per person, including two-way transport by cable car and other sightseeing services.

From Nha Trang, the island can be accessed in about 15 minutes with speedboats that depart from Cau Da Wharf.

On Hon Tre Island, Bai Tru and Bai Chen are the most popular beaches that people flock to, to swim, surf and go kayaking.

Many resorts and tour companies also organize scuba diving excursions for memorable underwater exploration.

Long Son Pagoda or White Buddhist Pagoda as locals call it was built in the 19th century, making it the oldest such monument in the beach town.

Combining traditional Vietnamese architecture and symbols of Taoist belief with sculptures of mythical animals such as dragon and lion, the pagoda was destroyed during the Vietnam War and has undergone several repairs since.

After climbing 193 steps to the top of Trai Thuy Hill, one can take in the large white concrete statue of Gautama Buddha, recognized as Vietnam’s largest outdoor Buddhist statue by Vietnam Records.

Atop the mountain, the marble statue of Reclining Buddha rests against a background of finely carved relief that describes the scene of 49 disciples converging the day the Buddha passed away.

The Christ the King Cathedral in Nha Trang, also known as the Stone Church, was built in French Gothic style by Priest Louis Vallet in the early 19th century, and remains one of the town's most important architectural vestiges.
 

It holds Mass every day between 5 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and visitors need to register one day or at least an hour before the church opens at 8 a.m.

The Ponagar Tower built by the Cham people during the 8th-13th centuries is one of the largest Cham cultural heritage sites in the country.

The complex is of significant spiritual value and importance for the Cham people who organize special ceremonies including festivals.

Many tourists choose to visit the Cham Towers during the third lunar month when the largest Cham festival of the Central Highlands and south-central regions is held at the complex.

This festival worships Thien Y Ana or Holy Mother with unique rituals.

The Cham tower complex is located on the Cu Lao Marble Hill, around two kilometers north of downtown Nha Trang.


Diep Son Island in Van Phong Bay, about an hour by boat from the mainland, is famous for its pristine beauty and the sandbar connecting the islands.

From Nha Trang, ask for the way to Van Gia Village in Van Ninh District, more than an hour to the north. From Van Gia, take Tran Hung Dao Street to the wharf. Boats operate during the day, with the last trip at 3 p.m.

A private boat for about seven to eight people costs VND500,000 ($21.50). Since Van Phong Bay has strong waves and the island is quite far from the mainland, boats usually leave for the island in the morning so that they can return by noon or a bit later.

Some 80 families live on the island and make their living by fishing. Residents of the island only get to use electricity for three hours a day. Diep Son Island remains pristine with no hotels or motels, so it is advisable to take enough food and water on the trip.

Source: VNEXPRESS.