Blessed with a spectacular palm-fringed coastline, a city strewn with tourist attractions such as the "world's longest cable car" (running the Nha Trang-Vinpearl route) and an upbeat and cheery atmosphere, Nha Trang is Vietnam's own city-resort. The thriving metropolis has many colorful buildings with towering mountains in the backdrop, a good number of lodging and food options, and an airport for easy access. Urban trekkers, beach-bums, and tourists converge in the country's prime waterfront and leave with satisfied smiles on their faces.
Nha Trang's prime lure is the stunning Nha Trang beach, a sliver of heaven on earth with its sugar-white sand, waters in every shade of blue, and a stunning view of the horizon. Tourists can prop their beach umbrella and recliner, order a cocktail, and just soak up the tropical heat until sundown. Those who seek a more adrenaline-pumping venue can strap on their scuba gear and head out to sea. Nha Trang's beach offers one of the country's famed diving sites with beautiful gardens of corals and marine life.
The town proper takes pride on the many urban attractions. A good way to start is museum-hopping through Alexandre Yersin Museum, Khanh Hoa Museum, National Oceanographic Museum, and the Long Thanh Gallery. For a closer look at the local culture and history, tourists can head to the various worship places scattered in the city. The hilltop Long Son Pagoda, whose crown jewel is the 79 ft. white Buddha statue, overlooks Nha Trang and is a great vantage point. To The East is Nha Trang Cathedral which boasts of French influence, evident on its gothic architecture and intricate detailing. Probably the oldest of all the religious venues, however, is the Po Nagar, a series of Cham towers dating back to the 2nd century AD.