Nha Trang

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Nha Trang was a short stop on our way from Saigon to Ha Noi we only stayed one night and one day. Got in the afternoon from Saigon - The trip was a nice ride and the road was in great shape - stayed one night at the Sinh Cafe recommended hotel, spent the day ripping about on a rented motorbike and then caught a night bus from here to Hoi An. Nha Trang is a reasonably major beach site but is also a working cargo and fishing port - lots of character that you'd expect in a major provincial town.

The day spent was fairly loaded fulla sight seeing, but the heat kept us from completing the full round on our list - you get heat stroke a couple of times and unlike the beer stroke, and you never wanna temp fate. After the day we took the night bus to Hoi An on a noticeably bumpier road than the road into Nha Trang.

Sights

Oceonographic Institute
Comments: A touch run down from what seemed to be its orginal condition but there were a number of very interesting fish and sea creatures to view.
Cost: VND 15K
Worth it?: mostly

Ponager Champ Tower
Comments: This was a hilltop temple when the Hindu Cham people controlled the area and a large portion of Viet Nam. Excellent views of the surrounding town and a fabulous cluster of structures. Met a couple of local people that gave us further info on the temple and the town.
Cost: VND 4.5K
Worth it?: yes

Hon Chong Pennisula
Comments: This is a small rocky promintory into a bay in Nha Trang. The charge you for entrance and parking even though there seems to be very few restrictions on access and building. Quite a beautiful place though and not a bad one to relax at, up above enjoying a coke and the view.
Cost: VND 16K
Worth it?: quite

Long Son Pagoda
Comments: The pagoda here housed a national treasure, the Buddha with a thousand heads and a thousand arms. Above the pagoda was the recently painted Buddha statue at the top of the local hill. Beautiful setting with an almost cloudless sky gave us views and sites that a professional postcard wouldn't do justice.
Cost: donation a to the temple and a kick ass 8 year-old tour guide
Worth it?: yew betcha

Meals

Good Morning Vietnam - Binh Thu
Comments: Tasty pizza in a nice place with good service, close enough to keep an eye on our bags at the Sinh Cafe depot.
Cost: VND 162K for two and beer

Accomodation

Shops

LD Tours
Address: Binh Thu
Comments: Le Dong was a consumate professional, one of the few people that actually delivered on more than he offered. He spent time with us, designed a day tour for us and rented a motorbike to us. His Internet cafe was comfortable and the line speed was pretty good. If you're ever in town, he'll treat you like gold.
Cost: US$5 for the bike, plus a decent tip