Nha Trang

Nha Trang stretches along one of Vietnam's most beautiful bays — a sweeping crescent of turquoise water backed by a lively beachfront promenade. The city's main beach is a six-kilometer ribbon of sand lined with loungers, seafood restaurants, and coconut vendors, bustling from dawn when locals practice tai chi to long after sunset. Offshore, dozens of islands dot the bay, and half-day boat tours hop between them for snorkeling, swimming, and floating seafood lunches. Serious divers head to Hon Mun Marine Reserve, where protected coral reefs teem with colorful fish, rays, and occasional sea turtles. On land, the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the 7th and 12th centuries, crown a hilltop overlooking the Cai River and stand as a haunting reminder of the Champa kingdom that once ruled this coast. The nearby Long Son Pagoda features a giant white Buddha visible from across the city.

Nha Trang is arguably Vietnam's best city for seafood, with the morning catch arriving at markets and restaurants throughout the day. Start with bún chả cá, the city's signature dish — a noodle soup topped with fried fish cake, jellyfish, and fresh herbs that you will not find this good anywhere else in the country. For breakfast, try bánh căn — tiny rice flour pancakes cooked in clay molds and served with fish sauce and scallions. The seafood restaurants along Trần Phú beach road let you choose live lobster, prawns, and shellfish from tanks and have them grilled, steamed, or stir-fried to order at remarkably low prices. In the evenings, the night market behind the beach buzzes with stalls selling Vietnamese pancakes, fresh spring rolls, and tropical smoothies. Don't miss the local bia hơi scene — fresh draft beer served at tiny sidewalk establishments for about 5,000 VND (20 cents) a glass, best paired with grilled squid and a sea breeze.