Situated at a 7 hours journey by train and takes
some 8 hours road ways from Saigon(HCMC), Nha Trang is considered as the one of the top 29 bays in the world. Nha Trang city also attracts quite a good number of international tourists and backpackers for its Scuba diving, beautiful beaches and mud bath one of its kind. Nha Trang have their own domestic AirPort also having direct flights from HCMC.
Nha Trang photos can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.co.in/kumar.prashant108/NhaTrang
If you are not in holiday season it is easy to find sleeper buses and train to go to nha trang starting in night which will take u to see sunrise in Nha Trang. You can just book 2-3 days in advance. In holiday season planning 10-15 days in advance and then booking hotel on phone will make your trip pleasant. Try to get hotel on tran phu Street which is the main street of Nha trang and adjacent to beach. Many tourist spots and tourists offices are situated on this road. You can find all kind of hotels on this road. A descent room for two in 10$ to 20$ with sea facing balcony is easily available.
Historic name of Nha Trang city was kauthura which was under champa dynasty. Founded in 781AD Ponagar was the name of the place. The main city of nha trang was dense forest populated with tiger and different wild animals. In early of 20th century Nha Trang went under a rapid change. At that time Nha Trang five ward and villages merged to make a town which is now one of the most busy tourist point in Vietnam. There are still the remains of Ponagar and the Hindu temple of goddess Bhagvati. Also god Shiva and shivalingam was worshipped in this temple. The remains of temple are still standing high and telling the stories of centuries.
Ponagar is located 3 kms from city centre and open till 6pm. Entrance fee is 11.000VND.
Nha Trang is a popular destination of two very different kind of activities you can cherish here. First is Scuba diving and second is Mud bath.
There are few certified Scuba Diving centre in Nha Trang which start their trip in morning 7:30 and will finish by 1pm. Cost varies from 40$ to 50$. Don’t mix your scuba diving with any other activities. You will end up with wasting money. Also at the entire tourist centre you can have scuba diving trip which they divert to the certified Scuba diving centers. You can take the address from these tourist centres and go to scuba diving centre directly to get a discount up to 15-20% which they give as a commission to these tourist companies. The Scuba Diving team includes trained and certified divers who will take you for diving at 3-4 different island locations and will include lunch. There is no cheating and all scuba diving trips are well planned.
Situated 2 km away from Ponagar is located one of its kind hot Mineral water mud bath. They have mud bath tub for 2 for 4 for 8 and for 12. Will cost around 200.000Vnd per head and includes swimming pool and sprinkler which can be enjoyed after mud bath. The best time to go in evening and it closes by 8 Pm. Ypu can spend 3-4 hours here. Also have massage center which is charged separately.
Also there is a full day trip to 4 islands on boat which starts by 8am and ends by 3Pm. Try to get the trip from sin Café .
They have nice dance and singing program on boat and also have floating bar in ocean where you will swim in sea and can drink.
