Vietnam
Cold day in Nha Trang? Why not go and get completely covered in hot mud? We did and decided it was a very good plan indeed. Hot mud, hot pools and budget massages - perfect should you find yourself in Nha Trang in the rainy season!
www.thapbahotspring.com.vn/index.php?ha=home&site=en
It's the other side of town from the main hotels area, but its quite easy to organise a taxi + I think there are buses too.
www.vietnamtravels.org/nha-trang
Hate to post a negative comment on a suggestions site, but wanted to steer readers away from My Hoa Hotel in Nha Trang. We arrived to learn they'd given away our room, before being told they tried to call us even though we hadn't left a number.
It being Tet (hence us booking in advance) everywhere else was full, so in desperation we asked if there was anywhere they could put us. After saying no, they changed their mind and said they could make up a room, which they did, in a grubby old room in the house/office behind the hotel. We gratefully took it, before asking how much it would be – and were very surprised to hear $40USD, the full room rate. with no luck negotiating this down, we stayed, paid and left the next morning as soon as possible. Finally, arriving back in the UK, we've just found they actually charged us in pounds sterling!
I know this is all just one incident, but if you have a choice of places to stay I thought this might help future visitors.
The Vinpearl Land, located on white sandy beaches of Hon Tre Island, is just 10 minutes by sea cruise to the luxurious five-star resort, off the South East Coast of the cultural and historic township of Nha Trang, Vietnam.
It is wonderful for families or young couples on a romantic holiday. Outstanding customer service, very clean and beautiful public areas and rooms, excellent food at reasonable prices, largest swimming pool in Vietnam, beautiful beach (but watch out for floating garbage), an adequate business centre, next to an amusement park good for young children, and a decent spa and beauty salon.
Vinpearl Land - Nha Trang - Viet Nam
Tel: (+84) 58 598 188 - Fax: (+84) 58 598 199
Email: info@vinpearlland.com
www.vinpearlresort.com/
www.smiletravelvietnam.com/travelvietnam/vietnamResort.aspx
Jungle beach is a little cluster of bamboo and palm leaf huts on the South China sea run by a flamboyant Amercian whose laissez faire attitude pervades the whole ‘resort’ - if you can call it that.
The huts are very basic - thin foam mattresses on bamboo platforms with mossie net - no windows so the breeze off the sea provides air con. An hour’s trip from Nha Trang, it’s the perfect pitstop if you’re travelling the length of the country and a great place to relax and recharge between cities.
There’s nothing to do except swing in hammocks, go for walks along the beach (swimming is quite dangerous due to strong currents) visit a local waterfall - and eat.
Fantastic home-cooked meals are served around a communal table and at night there’s a lot of swapping of travellers' tales and drinking of beer. During our stay there was a real mix from posh teenage backpackers to an ageing biker. I thought a day or two would be enough but we ended up staying four and didn’t want to leave. It’s amazing how good doing nothing feels.
You need to book the accommodation in advance - so that they can arrange a pick up from Nha Trang airport (getting there independently would be tricky).
A stunning little island about 80km north of Nha Trang, Whale Island has only one small resort with superb food, very good diving (by VN standards) and gorgeous bungalows. It's not cheap, but it's utterly beautiful and very relaxing.
A Canadian/Vietnamese couple runs this small, relaxed guesthouse with hammocks and 3km of its own beach. The £10 daily fee includes basic accommodation and three amazing meals per day served on a large communal table.
Relax, trek in a jungle, or hike over the boulders to a lovely natural swimming pool under a water fall. The place is sociable and especially popular with backpackers.
60km north of Nha Trang. Get off at the DocLet bus stop and ask waiting motorbike drivers to drop you to Jungle Beach. You can also arrange a van pickup with Canadian owner Sylvio. Email for booking and arrangements: syl@dng.vnn.vn
If you like to relax with a good glass of wine then you must stop by Andy's Wine Bar and Restaurant in Nha Trang.
Go upstairs and nab one of the cozy balcony seats - you'll have a bird's eye view of street life below.
The wine bar has a very special ambience with its cathedral-like ceilings and large open windows overlooking the neighbouring church yard.
If you're not a wine drinker and just want a relaxing place to eat, they have some really tasty Vietnamese dishes (at very resonable prices too).
Restaurant is owned and managed by two local brothers, who generously provide tips on travel around Vietnam. You may even be lucky enough to join them on one of their bike tours into the Nha Trang countryside.
Andy's Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1G Hung Vuong street, Nha Trang.
Tel: 058-527214
Relax on the beach in style by day – rent a sun lounger, get a massage and have food and drinks brought out to you – then party by night. Great place to watch the sunset from the beach bar, which then has DJs and dancing til late. Also has restaurants if you want a fix of western food (Indian, Italian etc).
72 Tran Phu, Nha Trang;
tel (84-58) 826 528;
www.sailingclubvietnam.com
These are NOT for the faint hearted! For $10, get picked up at your hotel and taken on a boat around the beautiful waters of Nha Trang.
Be prepared for a mighty feast, some lethal Vietnamese wine, serious drinking games and a boat full of travellers.
Snorkeling and food/drink is included. It's one hell of an experience.
Ask at any hotel in Nha Trang - they'll know what you mean and help you contact Mama Han.
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