Nha Trang’s Attractions
Po
Historically, Cham is an ancient civilization that was
really influential in Southeast Asia, especially in
Commonly known as Thap Ba, the Po Nagar Cham Towers are a
complex of temples erected approximately before 781 A.D. This complicated site
belonged to the medieval principality of Khauthara, a small country near modern
Nha Trang. The Po Nagar Towers are now situated on a mountain called Cu Lao, in
downtown Nha Trang and next to
What to see
Compared to the original design, the towers nowadays have
only a few differences (except for the Golden Dome which has been robbed by
pirates). The four Po Nagar Towers today are truly beautiful and charming. Each
of them was built to dedicate to a unique deity.
The largest, which is 23m high, was built in 817 AD and
contains a linga and a statue dedicated to Ponagar, who is said to have taught
new agricultural and weaving techniques to people of the area. In gratitude
they have built the complex to honour the Goddess. The central tower is in
honour of Cri Cambhu who blesses devotees with fertility, ence childless
couples often visit and pray there. The
If you are interesting in history, you can be amazed to find
hundreds of ancient relics displayed inside the complex. If you love taking
travel photographs, the promontory on which the towers stand has a fantastic
view of
How to
get there
The entrance fee is as low as $1 and the site opens from 7am
to 7pm. Access to the site is easy done by both car and motorbike.
Tips
The annual Thap Ba Festival is held from 21st to
23rd Mar of Lunar Calendar (approximately the end of Apr and
beginning of May), when a lot of Cham people’s traditional activities are
operated and people from all parts of the country will gather to honour their
Goddess.
There’s no doubt in our minds that Nha Trang is one of the
most relaxing and chilled out destinations in
The theme park covers nearly 200,000 square meters and it’s
built for thrills and spills for all the family. One of the key attractions is
the world’s longest sea crossing by cable car. Imagine the excitement of
travelling nearly 3 kilometers suspended by a rope over the sea. It offers
spectacular views of the mountainous region and the wonderful calm waters of
the sea.
There are rides and slides galore. With families enjoying
everything from sedate electronic horse riding to tea parties. There are plenty
of electronic games and then there are the main attractions. There are
rollercoasters which can leave you gripping the edge of your seat with
excitement and don’t worry they’re designed for the whole family so you won’t
end up with nightmares about the experience.
There are rides and slides galore. With families enjoying
everything from sedate electronic horse riding to tea parties. There are plenty
of electronic games and then there are the main attractions. There are rollercoasters
which can leave you gripping the edge of your seat with excitement and don’t
worry they’re designed for the whole family so you won’t end up with nightmares
about the experience.
The water park is quite fabulous. There are a whole host of
great slides to enjoy from long drops to winding spirals – as long as you can
swim you’ll have a great time here.
We’ve found that one of the highlights of the trip is the
Under Water World a giant aquarium where you can enjoy getting up close and
personal with
That’s not all either. There’s a giant shopping mall where
you can stock up on souvenirs for your loved ones and it’s based on the design
of Hoi An City (just a few miles further North). There’s a wonderful
amphitheater where you can enjoy Vietnamese music and spectacular laser light
shows. When you’ve seen all there is to see why not kick back and relax at the
Long
Son Pagoda
The 24meter-high white Buddha statue is the main attraction
at this pagoda and is an important symbol of Nha Trang. The seated Buddha
statue was built to honour the monks and nuns who died protesting against the
corrupt Diem regime, around the base of the Buddha are their portraits carved
in relief and surrounded by carved flames of the monks who set fire to
themselves (self- immolation). From the top of the hill you'll be rewarded with
a panoramic bird's-eye view of Nha Trang and its surroundings.
Address: Long Son Pagoda is at the foot of Mount Trai Thuy about 2km from the
town’s center just past the train station on
Alexandre Yersin was the French medical pioneer who
co-discovered a vital bacterium responsible for causing bubonic plague. Yersin
arrived in Nha Trang in 1891 and in 1895 founded the medical research institute
where he dedicated the rest of his life to scientific discovery until his death
in 1943. He is well remembered in Vietnam where he is affectionately called Ông
Năm and is highly respected for his contributions to Vietnamese society and is
also credited for discovering the city of Da Lat. Yersin died in Nha Trang on
March 1st, 1943and was buried according to the instructions he left
in his will, with his face touching the ground and facing the sea so that he
could forever embrace his second homeland. His grave is located on top of a
hill at Suoi Dau area in Dien Khanh District. His house in Nha Trang is now the
Nha
Trang Institute of Oceanography
The Institute of Oceanography was founded on September 14th,
1922 under the title Service des Pêche de l'Indochine next to Cau Da Wharf, it
was one of the earliest centers for scientific research in Vietnam and remains
an important location for tropical oceanographic research. Since its inception
almost 90 years ago the Institute has conducted numerous research programs
regarding oceanographic processes and the natural and biological conditions of
the sea, sustainable management and utilization of marine resources, and the
protection and security of the marine environment. The Institute has also made
important contributions to oceanographic research, national economic
development and maritime security as well as sponsors ongoing research and
community projects that include developing captive breeding programs and
encouraging the preservation and regeneration of local coral reefs.
The institute has indoor and outdoor aquariums which display
about 20,000 living marine creatures that include reef sharks, clownfish, lionfish,
turtles, puffers, sea horses, crabs, living coral, anemones, and many species
of reef fish. And a museum houses 40,000 marine specimens some of which are
skeletal remains, in particular a 26m long and 3m high skeleton of a humpbacked
whale with 48 vertebras, while whole specimens are preserved in formaldehyde
solution. The museum also includes an extensive library with a section for old
books about sea, research devices and fishing tools. In 1933 the world's most
well known oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, began his successful career here
when it was officially named the Institut Océanographique de l'Indochine.
Tri
Nguyen Aquarium
Situated 5km south of Nha Trang on
The aquarium has been a popular tourist destination since it
was built in 1971 by Mr. Le Can, a local fisherman and consists of a man-made
lagoon created by constructing a stone wall 130m in length across the bay. This
lagoon is subdivided into tanks for housing and breeding the many varied
species of local marine life that includes different species of sharks, sea
turtles, shrimp, lobster, stingrays, carp, bass, Japanese butterfish, Picasso
triggerfish, grouper, snapper, eel, seahorses and a brilliant array of coral.
The main aquarium is part of a larger three-story complex
shaped like a sailing ship raised from the depths all covered in coral, it is
60m long and 30m high. The first floor houses large aquariums, the second floor
area is a retail of souvenirs and handicrafts and on the top floor is a
restaurant. A 600m walk through forested land brings you to
Thap
Ba Hot Mineral Spring
The Thap Ba Hot Springs and its Mud Baths has become a very
popular site in the region. On offer at the centre are diverse spa services
including flower and medicinal herb treatments, mud baths, VIP spa, sauna, warm
mineral water swimming pool, Tien Sa mud bath and a range of therapeutic
massages all taking place in a natural and tranquil atmosphere. The process
begins with soaking in the warm mineral water baths which reach temperatures of
around 40oC then immersing in the hot silica mud bath which is
warmed to 37-39oC, after soaking take a long sunbath to bake the mud
which stretches the skin, finally head to the high-pressure sprays for
cleansing and a light massage.
The Therapeutic Benefits Of Hot Mineral Water:
Soaking in the hot spring water (around 40oC) at
Thap Ba can be very therapeutic and relaxing. The thermal effects of hot
springs minerals on the skin’s glands and blood vessels has numerous subtle benefits
due to increased hydrostatic pressure on the body, thus increasing oxygen-rich
blood circulation and cell oxygenation. The increase in blood flow helps
dissolve and eliminate toxins from the body bringing improved nourishment to
vital organs and tissues. The mineral content of the spring water is the result
of eroding and dissolving underground layers of rocks leaving trace amounts of
minerals such as sodium silicate chloride, carbon, sulfur, dioxide, magnesium,
calcium, and lithium which are absorbed by the body and provide healing effects
to various organs. The healing effects of bathing in these hot mineral waters
helps the body heal itself from many different diseases, including psoriasis,
insomnia, sciatica, dermatitis, fungal infections, wounds, PMS, gynecological
problems, fatigue, respiratory problems, arthritis, joint pain, skin injuries
as well as beautifying and rejuvenating the skin.
The Therapeutic Benefits Of Hot Mud Baths:
Mud baths are ancient treatments that are not just fun and
relaxing but have been used for centuries to treat arthritis, sciatica, muscle
fatigue, nervous diseases, joint pain, bone tuberculosis, kidney diseases,
urinary and gynecological problems and as treatments for various skin ailments
such as fungal infections, dermatitis and psoriasis. The Thap Ba hot mineral
mud is an inorganic mud rich in mineral content which is absorbed into the skin
replenishing it with minerals that relieve muscular aches and pains while also
drawing toxins out of the body. The fine mud exfoliates the skin removing dead
cells and leaving your skin feeling smoother.
Islands
in Nha Trang
There are many Islands in Nha Trang Bay as Hon Lao Island,
Hon Thi Island , Hon Tre Island with the Vinpearl Resort 5*, Hon Tam Island
with nice beach and further is Hon Yen, Hon Mun. Nha Trang provides a rich
variety of tourist activities for visitors. Island hopping, scuba diving, water
sports and other sporting activities can be enjoyed in the city.
