Nha Trang is a tropical beach paradise known for fancy, beach front resorts and their world famous spas featuring their distinctive mud baths. This is the perfect spot to stop for some restorative relaxation, beach days, massages, and, yes, even mud baths.
We stayed at the Amiana Resort and the stay was wonderful. The grounds are gorgeous, their service was impeccable and the spa (including its own onsight mud baths) was phenomenal. The only downside to the resort (or a plus, depending on what you are looking for) is that it is somewhat of a drive from the airport. Note that short distances on a map can take incredibly long to drive to in Vietnam. The speed limits are extremely slow and enforced strictly. It is not uncommon for you to get into your taxi shuttle and take a 20mi drive that takes 90 min.
Other incredible resorts that we researched and would definitely stay at in the future include: The Mia Resort, The Vinpearl Luxury, and Evason Ana Mandara.
Stay at one of those four hotels and you absolutely can’t go wrong. One other word to the wise is to pre-book your airline transfers either through your hotel if possible or through a tour company. Even though English is well spoken everywhere in the country even by cab drivers, taxi scams are prevalent where they’ll ask you for additional money for driving into the airport or for taking you to your hotel. It’s just nice to get off the plane and have a guy with your name on a sign sitting there ready to take you to your destination. No hassle, no worries about trying to describe the address to the cab driver and no concerns over scams as everything is pre-paid and tips are at your discretion.
Mud Baths
Make sure to book a mud bath spa at either your hotel or one of the many dedicated mud bath spas around Nha Trang. If you’re interested in something of a unique experience, you can head to Nha Trangs mud bath spa egg themed park where you can sit inside your own private egg with your significant other or in a larger egg with a group and enjoy a mud bath in a giant cliffside egg.
Nha Trang specializes in mud baths because it sits on top of some of the most extensive naturally occurring hot springs on Earth which bubble hot water to the surface and provide excellent natural hot tubs. Further, their mud is supposedly filled with unique minerals and nutrients that are supposed to relieve muscle and joint pain, provide you with deep relaxation, detoxify your pores and skin, soften your skin, and improve your circulation. I can’t attest to all or any of the medical science behind any of these ancient claims, but I can tell you that we felt very relaxed and had incredibly smooth skin afterwords. Other than that it was a fun unique way to spend an hour.
Other famous spas in Nha Trang include: Thap Ba Hot Spring Center, I-Resort and Galina Spa and Mud Bath.
Other things to do in Nha Trang include:
– Take a hike to one of Nha Trang’s famous waterfalls: Ba Ho and Fairy Springs Waterfalls
– Dive or Snorkel: There are currently ten snorkel and dive companies all of which are highly reviewed. If this is something you are interested in we recommend asking your hotel for the best company to fulfill your needs.
– Eat Street Foods:
– Thịt bò nướng lá lốt: Beef wrapped in leaves and grilled giving it a delicious and unique herbal flavor. The best place to try this food is at the intersection of Bạch Đằng Street and Mạc Đĩnh Chi.
– Nem nướng Ninh Hòa: Platters of grilled pork meat balls, rice paper, lettuce leaves, fresh herbs, rice vermicelli, garlic, and chilies. You’ll wrap these up in rice paper and dip them in the fish sauce provided. Ngọc Tiên (No.59 Le Thanh Phuong Street), or Nem Đặng Văn Quyên (No. 16A Lan Ong Street) are excellent places to try this dish.
– Banh Can: mini rice flour pancakes topped with fresh/dried meat, like roast pork, and seafood, egg, mangos cooked in round pans over hot coals. The best place to try this dish is at no.51 To Hien Thanh Street.
– An excellent source for additional information can be found at the following websites: Here