Hidden treasure The best resort in Vietnam for Honeymooners
The speedboat bounces the waves of Nha Trang‘s bay, bearing s towards Ninh Van Island. Upon glimpsing the lonely island, dotted with huge slabs of stone, I am over with curiosity. Even the resort’s name is intriguing: Hideaway

The sky is deep blue. The sea shines like an immense sparking mirror. I hear the sounds of lapping waves and birdsong. In the distance I can see some wooden, thatched-roofed villas perched on cliff tops or tucked into the trees at the edge of the turquoise sea.

The impression of landing on a deserted island vanishes as the resort’s marketing director, management board and other staff step forward to welcome us with broad smiles and warm handshakes. The reception area is located in a stilt house, its two floors decorated in a style that is simple yet luxurious.

A white sandy path threads through ancient trees. My 11year- old son and I step through the foliage to discover or villa hidden in a pretty garden, the stillness broken by a few the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Made of wood, the villa has two floors. The first floors hold a snowy white bed from which one can gaze at the swimming pool. A rough wooden ladder leads up to the second floor, where two armchairs beckon offering a view of the garden and sea.

A basket if fresh fruit and a bottle of champagne are there to greet us, along with a letter from the resort’s director, I am reminded of another time in my life when. After traveling a great distance and arriving in a strange place, I found s letter. It was 20years ago and I had just arrived in Minsk to study. A letter from my boyfriend, then studying in Moscow, was lying on the table, “I hope that after an extremely long flight, when you arrive in your dormitory and open this letter you will feel as if you have come home after a long journey...”

Time passes. That boyfriend got married and settled in Russia. My memories of that short, student love story have faded too, although the echo of what I felt when I read that letter will remain with me forever.

Night set in. following a line of flickering torches we walk to a monumental wooden restaurant set in the hills facing towards the sea. The décor is elegant and relaxed, with typical Vietnamese elements such as wooden pillars, a palm roof, and a bamboo fence. Surrounded by sparkling candles guest sample lobster, shrimp and other dishes, all grilled on a stone-topped stove.

Next morning, mu son jumps on a bicycle found in our villa’s yard and sets off down a sandy track. He looks so free and happy. After circling the island he is excited to see a white faced black monkey jumping into the swimming pool to drink. As I dry my son off I ask, “Do you feel relaxed enough to stay for four days?”

“I want to stay for s whole month!” he says.”Look Mon! Squirrels have eaten part of the fruit basket since we forgot to put it in the fridge!”

Cobblestone paths lead up the hills to other villas, some tucked into the hillside. Other perched on the cliff tops. All of these places offer views of the sea: breaking waves, sails far off in the distance, twilight fading over the waves… In such a thatched-roof cottage you will certainly feel at peace, as if a calm sea of love were covering the whole world.

Four days pass quickly. It is time to go home, to our confused lives. There are only a few people o the boat, but dozens of hands waving goodbye to the Evason Hideaway was life like waking from a beautiful dream in which my soul was at ease. I realized that it had far too long since I had felt such inner peace.

This article is written by lan nguyen from Vacation to Vietnam, for original article please visit:
www.vacationstovietnam.com/lastest-travel-news/hidden-treasure-the-best-resort-in-vietnam-for-honeymooners.html

www.vacationstovietnam.com

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Gorgeously hot mineral water springs, relaxing mud baths and local massages.
Not the most comfortable journey, but the appeal of locally endorsed Thap Ba Hot Springs in Nha Trang, Vietnam is well worth a winding, bumpy bicycle ride.
Relax in wooden bathtubs full with hot mineral mud, or share a larger pool with your pals, enjoy wonderfully warm and refreshing hot waterfall showers. In case you hadn’t chilled out enough, feel free to unwind further in soothing thermal mineral water baths, hour long massages for less than a fiver and an outdoor heated swimming pool, all whilst admiring the backdrop of eucalyptus trees, striking tropical flowers and an on-site lake. Still not enough? The pristine beaches of Nha Trang are merely a stone’s throw away.

www.thapbahotspring.com.vn
25 group,
Ngoc Son Hamlet,
Ngoc Hiep Ward,
Nha Trang City ,
Khanh Hoa Province
Directions: Leave Nha Trang town by crossing the Xom Bong and Ha Ra bridges, turn right after the Thap Ba temple and on your left there should be a sign for Thap Ba Hot Spring there, follow from there.

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An oasis of calm and relaxation awaits you at Thap Ba mud baths and hot springs. Situated on the outskirts of the city and set in woodland, eucalyptus trees and gardens, this therapeutic experience is yours for the vast cost of £3.20p for the day. It's well equipped with lockers, changing rooms, restaurants and bar. First you hop into a tub for 20 minutes filled with warmed mineral mud rich in sodium silicate carbonate, stimulating the nerves under the skin. Then slop your way to a sunbathing area and let the mud dry on your skin before washing off in a vigoating hot mineral power shower. Your skin feels so smooth afterward and any stress you had has faded away. That's just the beginning. Into another tub of hot mineral spring water, 38 degrees, which is pretty hot and lie and relax for 30 minutes. There are claims for good health and conditions like arthritis and rheumatism, but you will feel relaxed and refreshed. More power showers and then down through fragrant gardens to waterfalls, pools, one cool, one very hot, one for children. If you really can't unwind after all that go for one of the massages [£6]. The places is ideal for singles, couples, friends, romantics of any age and children. Go early/mid morning when it is less busy. And, yes, the mud does rinse out of your swimming gear after a day or two.
On your way back call into the ancient Ponagar Cham Towers and watch Cham dancing, have a marvellous view of the city and catch the afternoon breeze. Smile and sleep well, not all of Vietnam is hectic!

www.thapbahotspring.com.vn/index.php?ha=home
15 Ngọc Sơn – Ngọc Hiệp – Nha Trang, Khánh Hoà
+84 58 3835335

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I loved Nha Trang.

I emerged at night like the luscious amoral vampire I become in the tropics (something about crossing the equator - I follow the locals - do not go out in the heat of the day.)

Start at the Sailing Club and end up at the Why Not Bar (Why not?). 100 bars along the way but the real meeting places are the Sailing Club and Why Not Bar.

Every dollar I got ripped off, I loved, would've paid more to all the thieves and scammers if they would just play pool or backgammon with me! (Warning: all gambling is illegal in Vietnam.)

My body is at home in Australia but I accidently left my heart, soul and mind behind in Vietnam.

24 Tran Quang Khai
Nha Trang, Vietnam, 188463

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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

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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.

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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

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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).

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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.

www.iledelabaleine.com/

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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

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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

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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

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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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