Making the most of Nha Trang
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships dock at the Cau Da Port pier. very close to some shops and the Oceanographic Museum.
The city of Nha Trang city is 7 miles from the pier. Taxis and trishaws are generally available outside the port gate. A small taxi is about 100.000 Dong one way.
Printable map to take along.
The main attractions of the coastal town of Nha Trang are the monumental Cham Towers and white sand beaches. The area is also known to have the best coastal climate in Vietnam. The port was established in 1924 and became a popular recreational spot for American sailors during the Vietnam War. Nha Trang's earlier existence, however, goes back to the Cham Kingdom, a civilization that originated with the migration of Malay-Polynesians. The Cham people are one of Vietnam's ethnic minorities with their own language. In their unique culture, the women select their husbands and give their property to their daughters. Over the years, the Cham have…
Oceanographic Museum Built in the early 1920s, the institute contains a small exhibit of marine creatures and plant life, including a collection of preserved specimens.
Getting around
International driving licenses are not accepted in Vietnam. Therefore, there are no car rental companies such as Hertz and Avis etc.
Taxis are a good option, but be sure they turn on the meter to get the cheapest price. Test the driver first on his language skills and/or have a map with Vietnamese and English language on it.
Bicycle rickshaw trips.$5 dollars per hour to all the major tourists sights are available near the tender dock.
Vinpearl Amusement Park is built on an area of approximately 200,000m2 and consists of many modern and unique large-scale facilities comparable to the leading entertainment parks across the region and the world. Take the cable car which is close to the pier.
The area is rather spread out, so walking is not a good option.
Nearby places
Approximately 3.5 miles from the port are Nha Trang's famous sand beaches.
Food and shopping
The street just outside the port gate is a great place to find a wide range of typical souvenir items. Various galleries display and sell works of local artists. Other items of interest may include embroidered linens, carpets, wood carvings, ceramics and lacquer ware. Plenty of shopping opportunities can be found along the beach front. Beware of bag snatchers on scooters and pickpockets in crowded areas like the market.
Money
The national currency is the dong (d?ng, VND), U.S. dollars are widely accepted, the standard exchange rate for small quantities being 21000 dong to US$1.
ATMs are getting more and more common and can be found in most bigger cities and every tourist destination.
You can bargain on practically anything in Vietnam.
Staying connected
The people of Vietnam speak Vietnamese as a native language, English is becoming more popular as a second language. English study is obligatory in most schools.
Internet access is available in all but the most remote towns.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours: Daily 0800/0830-2100/2200.
By far the largest holiday of the year is Tet, also known as Vietnamese New Year, which takes place between late January and March following the unisolar Chinese calendar. During the three days of Tet shops close up and everybody heads home to their family, making this a somewhat difficult time to travel in Vietnam.