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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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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