Nha Trang

Nha Trang curves around a long crescent bay on Vietnam's south-central coast, with a wide beach backed by hotels and a busy seafront road. The port at Cau Da pier is about 7 miles south of the city centre, and taxis or trishaws are the easiest way in. The Po Nagar Cham Towers, a Hindu temple complex dating from the 7th century, sit on a hilltop just north of the city with views over the bay and the Cai River. Long Son Pagoda, topped by a large white Buddha statue, rewards the climb with a wide panorama. Dam Market in the centre is dense with dried seafood, tropical fruit, and local handicrafts. Mud baths at the Thap Ba hot springs are a popular half-day trip. Street food is cheap and good: try bún chả cá (fish cake noodle soup), a Nha Trang speciality. Bargaining is expected in markets, and a few words of Vietnamese go further than English in most stalls.