Nha Trang Beach in Vietnam

In Vietnam life revolves around water - indeed the Vietnamese word to express country, 'nuoc', is the same word used for water. With thousands of kilometers of coastline, and a narrow S-shape to the land, wherever you are in Vietnam you are never far from the sea. Much of this coastline remains untouched and undeveloped, but many travellers planning an escape to the coast are drawn to Nha Trang, a city that offers comfort and entertainment without ruining the natural beauty around it.

With an impressive, sweeping bay in front of it and backed by unspoilt rolling green hills, Nha Trang is in a stunning location, and the islands in the mouth of the bay not only mean the sea remains calm and sheltered for much of the year but greatly improves underwater visibility – which has made Nha Trang a very popular destination for scuba divers. The diversity of marine life is spectacular, and there are fun dives available even to those who have never dived before.

Nha Trang is a popular university town attracting bright young students from the neighboring provinces, offering far more of a culture and genuine picture of life in Vietnam than some beach resorts. Although many of the tourist facilities are clustered in one area it is easy to go for a wander through the backstreets and markets - and every day at dawn and dusk the city’s residents come down to the seafront to swim, exercise, walk along the promenade or cruise up and down the boulevard on their scooters.

The boulevard running along the sea front hosts a good number of restaurants, seafood shacks and sun loungers, and is a lovely place to walk in the early morning or evenings before the heat of the day kicks in. At midday you may wish to simply sit on the beach and await the next passing vendor, who will take a seat next to you and cook beautifully fresh seafood - shrimps, crabs and even lobster - to order at very inexpensive prices, while offering stories about the local area. If that seems like too much hard work, why not make a stop at the Sailing Club or Louisiane Brew House, where efficient waiters will ensure you never go hungry or thirsty as you lie on the beach or by the pool.

At night many travelers opt to head inland to the main tourist block, where a wide array of restaurants offer food from all over the world: Indian, Italian, Thai, French, Japanese and even some Vietnamese food! There are many bars to suit all tastes too, so whether you are in the market for a smooth cocktail on a hotel balcony or a cold beer with some banging tunes in the background there is something to cater for you. Later on in the evening a couple of bars up the volume and clear the tables away for some serious dancing which can go on till the early hours, with some revelers only making it home as the town wakes up.

Others may choose to opt for an early night and to join the locals in a refreshing dip at sunrise, watching the sun creep slowly into the sky from behind the islands opposite. Another popular option for the early risers is to hop onto a boat for a tour of the local island, some swimming and snorkeling - but for some that just seems too much like hard work, so they roll out of bed to a tasty breakfast on the beach, to set themselves up for another day of serious rest and relaxation.