Beginner’s guide to Nha Trang - Review: Lapostolle Residence, Chile

With a sweeping crescent beach and world-class diving on the doorstep, Nha Trang also boasts an abundance of bars, temples and local landmarks to entertain any first-time traveller.

Welcome to Vietnam’s hustling, bustling beach capital, situated some 440 km north of Ho Chi Minh City.

There's no shortage of bars, historic landmarks and water activities across Nha Trang. — There’s no shortage of bars, historic landmarks and water activities across Nha Trang.

Eat

Galangal

Arguably one of the best places authentic Vietnamese cuisine, Galangal’s menu has a strong focus on street food.

Try the street food buffet, with a tasty array of dishes crafted some fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Address: 1A Biet Thu

Louisiane Brewhouse

Set right on the beach, this open-plan brewhouse serves delicious homemade beers as well as an assortment of local and international cuisine, including an in-house sushi bar.

Almost as good as the food is the music and atmosphere – visit on Wednesday for flamenco, Friday for pop or Saturday for rock and blues, from 8:30pm.

Address: 29 Lot Tran Phu

Lac Canh Beef BBQ

No trip to Nha Trang is complete without stopping at Lac Canh Beef BBQ.

This fast paced, cook-it-yourself restaurant serves Nha Trang specialties, such as bo lac canh (marinated beef).

For a real treat, order a bread roll to soak in the remaining marinade and grill it for a few minutes. Garlic bread never looked so passe.

Address: 44 Nguyen Binh Khiem

Bo Ke Seafood

Sampling local seafood doesn’t get much better than this.

Taking in both river and ocean views, this relaxing waterside restaurant showcases seafood the local way, with everything on the menu caught fresh each day.

Address: 42B Cu Lao Trung

Shop

Artful Collection

The handiwork of French photographer and designer Thiery Beyne, Artful Collection is a gallery and souvenir shop in one.

Housing a collection of Beyne’s work, here you can pick up limited-edition, originals and black-and-white prints portraying his impression of the country he now calls home.

Address: 1 Tran Quang Khai

Saigon Pearl

Here you can pick up a pretty little pearl keepsake, produced in nearby Van Phong Bay, using modern techniques from Japan.

All of the pearls sold at Saigon Pearl have matured over two years, providing top-notch quality.

Be sure to ask the shop assistant for a demonstration on how the pearls are cultivated.

Address: 150 Hung Vuong / InterContinental Nha Trang, 32 Tran Phu

XQ Hand Embroidery

Quickly becoming the most recognisable embroidery brand throughout Vietnam, XQ has been a driving force behind the art of embroidery becoming ingrained in Vietnamese culture.

Some of the embroidered works here are so exquisite, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s a photograph.

Address: 64 Tran Phu

Po Nagar Temple, Nha Trang. — Po Nagar Temple, located at the mouth of the Cai River in Nha Trang.

Visit

Thap Ba Mud Bath Hot Springs

A concept that has existed for thousands of years, Nha Trang’s mud baths are the result of natural hot springs combined with volcanic ash.

Swimming in these mud baths is believed to have beneficial health properties, then you can rinse off in hot mineral water.

Address: 15 Ngoc Son, Ngoc Hiep

Po Nagar Temple

Located at the mouth of the Cai River in Nha Trang, this ancient temple features the unique architecture of the Champa culture.

Built between the 8th and 13th centuries during the prosperous reign of Hinduism in the Cham kingdom, the temple is the largest left in Central Vietnam.

Twice a day beautiful Cham girls perform traditional Cham dancing at the temple from 8am to 11am and 2pm to 5pm.

Hon Khoi Salt Field

Situated about a 45-minute drive from Nha Trang city, between January and June this salt field is quite the spectactle to witness.

From 4am to around 9am, women work here carrying heavy baskets of salt on their shoulders from shallow pits, and piling them up for the trucks to distribute across the country.

Try to arrive before sunrise for a spectacular and unforgettable view.

Address: Ninh Au Co Quang An Tay Ho

Tu Van Pagoda (Shellfish Pagoda)

Built around 1968, Shellfish Pagoda became famous for using solid ocean matter in its construction.

The 39-metre Bao Tich Tower alone took five years to contruct, using only coral and decorated with shells and clams.

Much of the materials used over the years was collected by the pagoda’s monks, found along local beaches.

In recent years, the landmark has grown to include more towers, caves, tunnels and bridges, all decorated with findings from the beach. Check out the 500-metre tunnel leading to ‘Hell’ while there.

Address: Thang 4 Street, Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa

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Ho Mun island

Nha Trang is famed for its world-class diving sites, regarded at the scuba diving centre of the country.

But the pinnacle of local dive sites is the marine park of Hon Mun – boasting over 350 listed varieties of hard and soft corals, as well a rainbow of tropical fish and other marine life.

STAY

Intercontinental Nha Trang

Situated on the golden street of Tran Phu in Nha Trang City, Intercontinental Nha Trang is just one of the luxury hotel brand’s outposts in Vietnam.

The property features 279 guest rooms, all of which feature a spacious balcony with private sitting area.

Guests can also make use of the complimentary Wifi provided, while those who are a part of Club InterContinental are also treated to private check-in and check-out, complimentary afternoon tea, and all-day non-alcohol beverages.

The hotel’s signature restaurants and bars promise a range of gourmet experiences too. Cookbook Café for instance (the main restaurant), serves all-day dining a-la-carte menus and buffet at night.

Three outdoor swimming pools, dedicated fitness centre, spa and kid’s club are just some of the facilities at Intercontinental Nha Trang hotel.

Guests can also indulge in cocktails at Lobby Bar or Aqualine Bar or soak up glorious Nha Trang sunshine at the poolside lounge.

Other facilities include a dedicated fitness centre, three outdoor swimming pools, a spa and kid’s club to entertain younger guests.

Intercontinental Nha Trang, situated on the golden street of Tran Phu in Nha Trang City, overlooking the iconic coastline.

Advice

Exchange rate

Vietnamese Dong is the local currency. So $1AUD is equal to about 17,000 VND (check here for the latest rate).

Gratuity

Whilst there is no expected amount for gratuity, a small tip will always be appreciated.

What to wear

Nha Trang is best known as a beach town and open to various forms of street fashion.

However, always dress properly with covered shoulders and knees when sightseeing, particularly religious sites.

Remember to remove shoes before entering temples or someone’s home.

Weather

Nha Trang’s dry season lasts from January through August, with a short wet season from September through December. The average annual temperature high is a pleasant of 30.7˚C.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Beginner’s guide to exploring Nha Trang, Vietnam