We were coming from Phnom Penh, Cambodia by Bus at evening in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, arrived about 9pm local time. We took a one night stay over here at HCMC and will continue our journey to another Vietnam famous tourist spot that is Nha Trang City, in the morning time next day. But the question is Why Nha Trang ?
Nha Trang is Vietnam’s premier beach destination. Home to 6km of soft yellow sand, back-dropped by mountains and within easy reach of many islands, it’s the perfect destination for water sport enthusiasts, sun worshippers and seafood junkies. The nightlife’s happening too, making it a popular spot for tourists traveling the length of Vietnam’s S-shaped coastline. Hmmm made this trip in the year 2014, and I love it, always never regret to pick the best tourist spot in the Region.
Me and my other two friends flown from HCMC (Saigon) to Nha Trang city by domestic flight of VN Jetstar. We booked the promo fare and not to mention that It is very cheap, one way only at IDR 240,000 (about US.17 in recent currency). Weww...what a low cost adventuring then. We flown in the morning time around 9am. Hmm just an insert, at the SGN Airport HCMC we met two Indonesian guys at the airport they said they are happy to hear we are talking in Bahasa Indonesia hihhi...yeah when out of the country sometimes it will be another surprise if we can hear someone speak in our own language especially if you go to the place that not an english speaking and I am right, they said they already feel enough and frustrating about the language barrier because they put it as a main obstacle in term of a communication. Oh well I will give you tips for this situation later, ok.
Continued to the flight. The weather was fine and one sunny day. However, I remember exactly that unfortunately on the certain feet high we were experiencing the turbulence several times. Hmmm...but that is fine only I always be afraid if getting the turbulences like this. It feels so long to pass the terrible cloud, about 7 mins I guess to get through the dark cloud, times seems very long to run. And great we pass it the altitude slowly down and we arrived safely at Nha Trang Airport wew a very sunny day here !! We rush took the airport shuttle to hit downtown, the shuttle fare was VND 70,000 at the time, the vehicle is not a big bus but a van that accomodate about up to 8-10 people including our luggage,. Along the way to downtown we saw the beautiful view of the deep blue ocean and deep blue sky on the right side, wow the perfect feeling for another beach city adventure. I remember I saw some five star hotel chain are in the progress of building up, maybe today they have been operated already, the view is perfect from the side of the road, facing the ocean of Vietnam.
With about 40 minutes riding to the city, we are finally arrive at the drop off point at Central Tran Phu. Hmm what a perfect location. Walking from the drop off point to our hotel did not take very long hihihi...it takes about only 20 minutes but under the heat of Nha Trang and only with the spirit of holiday we did like it, took a walk to find our hotel, most of the passenger from the same van did it, they also took a walking to search their hotel that exactly surrounding that area and that is exciting one. Well, we keep walking on the left side of the road, we can see the beach along right side of the road, palm trees hmmm that is nice. It is a waterfront city concept and a prominade for local and tourits. (Owh just an intermezzo, it is not like in Jakarta, Ancol beach is blocked for public user means you have to pay if you would like to get some refreshement there also in Anyer beach, West Java, I am noticed the similar practical way is happened, it isn't free).
Well, back to my story, so after passing by several blocks of the road, we finally found our hotel and we found the fact that it is exactly very close to the Bar, Restaurant, Cafes, Market, and last but not least the beach is only less than 3 minutes walk. Exactly this is a local budget hotel with a basic facilities but that is absolutely fine for me. The hotel is spotless and the room is a hommy feel. It is trully exciting knowing the fact that our room is at the end of the aisle so we get the window and the terrace,NICE one. Nha Trang was very hot when we were there so by getting the Big window and the terrace we can open the window while we can also sit at the terrace and chit chat, one inside the room and others are at the terrace, hmm good interaction place. I also noticed that the bathroom is clean, the cupboard is clean, the aircon works well, bed is comfortable and Price is reasonable and considering cheap. Two things that missed out but they are not an issue for us at all are: No breakfast and No elevator we get the room on the 4th floor, hihihi smileee...but it is fun enough for us, anyway we should think the effective and efficient way for our back and forth to the room, do not forget something at the room if you are at the ground floor already and try to get down only once to do everything and going up at once too hihihihi....very practical way huh.
Shortly on the first day we walked along the beach and come back for an early dinner to the restaurant nearby our hotel. We get a flyer offering a promo set dinner from someone at the side of the road nearby our hotel coincidentally and we decided to go there. It is a pleasant cafe, I do not remember the name of that cafe but it is belongs to an Aussie guy and it seems He runs a family business. Dinner cost at only VND. 40,000 including drinks as It is a happy hour promotion. Rhum coke only VND 20,000. Hmmm cheap yeahhh....thus like many other people in the cafe we also enjoyed our time. Oh before the dinner time, we try a local street food a vietnames spring roll hmmm it is an original one and I must say I do not like it as too many cabbage and mint leaves inside but the dressing is good, the one made in a restaurant has better composition i think.
So after a huge portion of food finished we again took a walk to the beach and feel the fresh air of Nha Trang ocean breeze and the dusk. We met many local and tourists there. Shortly we were walking to feel it and sitting to enjoy it. From the evening breeze of Tran Phu beach, we continued walking to the famous Silk Embroider Shop and Gallery it is called XQ Hand Embroidery. Only two words I can say: Wow Amazing !! The gallery looks so Ellegant and very Classy. Staffs are kind, product seems in a high quality, we did expereince the faboulous gallery and shop. We enjoy our tour inside and decide to come for shopping tomorrow, nice. Then from the XQ Hand Embroidery Shop and Gallery spot, we continued our walk again to the Nha Trang night Market nearby the Thap Tram Huong. We were told by a local man (with a language barrier experience again) that we can walk along the street until we find the big T Junction where there is a traffic light we have to turn left. Okay got it Sir, we finally found it, The market was busy, there were many stalls there that selling souvenirs, clothes, food, beverages and many other most important things. Hmmm....We enjoy our time here a lot, shopping, yes of course especially the souvenirs and culinary again. We exactly mingle with local, trully like that atmosphere so much.
Time is running so f ast and showing it has been at 9.30pm already. Sadly, we have to go back to the hotel quickly. We took a walk back again but we passing by the other road (back road) not through the Tran Phu road or along the beach. We found so many shops along the way back and money changers that belongs to Russian, hmmm it is new to me knowing that Russian like to open their business in Nha Trang, cool. Therefore with about 40 minutes slowly walk we arrived at our hotel again. Hmm time showed almost 11,30pm I really need a hot shower, it is a long exciting day but it is FUN.
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Due to a failure of photo filing issue, I have to take pictures from various sources, and not from my own.
