Nha Trang, VIETNAM
Airing Date: Mar 19th, 2002
With an average temperature of 26C and warm water the miles of beaches are a real experience - they are also some of the best in Vietnam.
On the beach you'll be offered everything from a manicure to a grilled seafood lunch cooked in front of you.
Most days between 5 and 8am Nha Trang beach is filled with local people taking in the fresh sea breeze, socializing, playing soccer, badminton or practicing Tai chi.
Most people in Nha Trang still walk or use the bicycle as their means of transport, which adds to the tranquillity of the town.
In the South China Sea, directly off Nha Trang, you'll find 20 small islands well worth a day trip.
At Tam Island, 30 minutes from Nha Trang, you can see the basket boats or 'thung chai' which are used by the locals. Rowed standing up, these circular baskets can carry as many as five people.
Back in Nha Trang take a look at the Cham Towers of Po Nagar. Build around the 10th Century, no one really knows how these towers were build, but one theory is that the bricks were laid wet then a fire was lit around the outside to bake them in.
Just three kilometres away is the Longson Pagoda, colourfully decorated on the outside with ceramic dragons. Inside you'll find the 'The Goddess with 1,000 Heads and 1,000 Eyes'. According to Buddhist belief she's all seeing and all knowing!
If you want your own 'all seeing' tour of the city, hitch a ride in a cyclo. Clyclos are the Vietnamese equivalent of the Indian cycle rickshaws, except that the people riding the cyclo are in front of the peddler.
Built in the style of an old Vietnamese village and surrounded by lush gardens Ana Mandara Resort is a great place to stay. It also offers classes in traditional Vietnamese cooking.
The facts
Thai Airways International has 23 flights a week to Ho Chi Minh City from most capital cities. Prices start from $1,088 from the east coast and $1,110 from Perth.
Thai Airways
Tel: 1300 651 960
Website: www.thaiairways.com.au
Vietnam Airlines flies to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City twice daily.
Travel Indochina has Beach Escape Packages staying at Ana Mandara resort. The deal includes 4 nights accommodation, daily breakfasts and airport transfers from $415 per person, twin share.
Travel Indochina
Tel: 1300 365 355
Website: www.travelindochina.com.au
Suggested Reading Material
Lonely Planet
Website: www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides
Website: www.roughguides.com
