Nha Trang travel information and local guide

Nha Trang at the moment is a mid-sized town of about 200,000 people, and is Vietnam's number-one resort area. While not a particularly charming town, its surf isn't bad and the beach has a breathtaking setting, with views of the more than 20 surrounding islands. There is no shortage of good places to stay and excellent fresh seafood to eat.

Unfortunately, far from becoming a gracious hideaway, Nha Trang looks like it's on the way to becoming raucous, and it might as well just go ahead. If you accept it as such, it's a fine place at which to spend 2 or 3 days frolicking in the surf, taking a snorkeling or diving cruise to the nearby islands, or enjoying the services of one of the many massage, manicure, and depilatory practitioners roaming the beach (and even the cafes). The main drag is Tran Phu Street, right off the ocean. It's a wide boulevard lined with palm trees off which lie most hotels and restaurants.

Culturally, there are a few things to keep you occupied: the Pasteur Institute is here, offering glimpses into the life and work of one of Vietnam's most famous expats; there are the interesting Long Son Pagoda and the well-preserved Po Nagar Cham Temple.

Off-season (from October through March), the surf is far too rough for swimming and sports, and you may want to rethink stopping at Nha Trang at all.

Visitor Information You'll more than likely end up booking tickets and boat tours through your hotel in Nha Trang, or from one of the many ticketing agencies around the town and along the beach. They all sell tickets to the same boats, basically, and the prices are all the same. For bus tickets and a tour on to Dalat.

Currency Exchange/Banks Vietcombank's local branch is located at 17 Quang Trung St. (tel. 058/821-483). Hours are 7:30 to 11am and 1:30 to 4pm. It offers the usual currency and traveler's check exchange and credit card cash withdrawal services. Along Biet Thu, some of the tour operators will cash traveler's checks and change money--rates are the same as at the bank (except for a small service fee) and they're open longer hours.

Internet/E-mail Biet Thu has a cluster of Internet cafes for between 200 and 300 VND (a couple cents) per minute usage.

Post Office/Mail The main branch is at 4 Le Loi St. (tel. 058/823-866). Hours are 6:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday. DHL express mail services and Internet access are available. There is another branch at 50 Le Thanh Ton.

Telephone The city code for Nha Trang is 58.