Vietnam is a popular and inexpensive resort destination. It is considered the safest country for tourists. Due to its interesting geographical location, it is possible to find a place suitable for recreation here all year round.
Nha Trang - the main resort city of the country, the beach capital. The length of coastal coverings is about 6 kilometers, plus the “wild” beaches on nearby islands allow you to relax in solitude, enjoying nature and warm sand.
How to get there
There are direct flights from Moscow to Kamran Airport, from where it is easy to take a taxi to Nha Trang or use the bus. Tickets for it are sold at the airport, and a stop can be found near the exit. There are routes with a change, one or more. They are cheaper, but take more time.
You can also get to Nha Trang from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. The most economical option is by bus. They are quite comfortable and even allow you to sleep on the unfolded seat. A trip from Ho Chi Minh City will take about 8 hours, from Hanoi - 15. Cost - from 11 to 16 dollars.
You can also go by plane, low-cost airlines run between Ho Chi Minh City and Cam Ranh, prices are quite reasonable (about $ 30 per person). This is the most convenient option that takes the least time.
Another way is to travel by train. Such a trip is not suitable for everyone, Vietnamese cars are very different from the usual Russian, even reserved seats. The trip will take 12-19 hours, and you will have to pay 15-40 dollars, depending on the composition and city of departure. Fans of exotic adventures will love it.
Nha Trang in December: weather
Weather reviews are for the most part not the best. Tourists write that almost all the time is cloudy, there are rarely sunny days, there is a chance of falling in the rain, and large waves are not uncommon in the sea. And therefore, a vacation in Nha Trang in December is not suitable for everyone. You should think about this before planning your trip. If you want to just lie on the beach and swim in the sea, then it is better to choose another month for travel.
But Nha Trang is not only a beach holiday. It is also a large modern mud therapy clinic, plenty of water activities, interesting museums, temples and hundreds of cafes and restaurants.
What to do on vacation?
So, you went to Nha Trang in December, and the weather does not please the sun. On such days, you should go sightseeing or go shopping and markets in search of souvenirs. The city has a special tourist quarter, where there are shops with fixed prices. In the rest of the city, street trading is booming. For crocodile leather products, tourists go to a factory store on Chan Fu Street, the rest is purchased in the markets.
Tired of shopping? Then it's time to get acquainted with the cultural heritage of Nha Trang.
Top sights of Nha Trang
The National Oceanographic Museum presents a huge number of exhibits, both living, and in the form of skeletons or mummies. Many of the animals represented (crocodiles, fish, turtles) live only in the waters of Vietnam.
Long Son Pagoda is a temple complex built a little less than 150 years ago. During this time, he became an important attraction of the city. 152 steps, large stone dragons, two Buddha statues, one of which is 24 meters high, and rich painted halls - this is what awaits tourists.
Po Nagar Towers are located on Mount Ku Lao, which offers panoramic views of Nha Trang. It is considered a place of spiritual strength among the Vietnamese. The towers were built in the 7th-8th centuries; only 4 of them have survived to our time. Since this temple is active, the entrance to shorts and T-shirts is prohibited, but on the spot they give out special clothes for visiting.
Hot mineral springs Thap Ba . Mud therapy is good for bones and joints, strengthens the immune system and improves metabolism. In hospitals, strictly regulated procedures that are not suitable for everyone. Before visiting it is worth consulting with a doctor.
Amusement park Winperl . You can get to the island where the amusement park is located by cable car, the length of which is 3300 meters. It is considered the longest cable car in the world, passing over the sea (at an altitude of 70 kilometers).
Winperl includes a variety of attractions, an aquarium, a dolphinarium and a water park. By the way, if you are going to Nha Trang in December, then it is worth considering useful information from the reviews of tourists: there will be much less people in the amusement park than, for example, in January or February.
Monkey Island is a large park overgrown with jungle, in which there are many monkeys. There is also a circus in this place, where other animals perform.
Orchid Island is another beautiful island near Nha Trang, where you can ride ostriches, see peacocks and parrots and, of course, enjoy hundreds of orchids.
The city’s largest market , Central, is also considered a tourist attraction. People come here not so much for shopping, but in order to be filled with impressions of the local flavor. Reviews of tourists warn that prices in this market are somewhat overpriced.
Christmas and New Year in Nha Trang
Part of the Vietnamese population is Catholics, so Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in the country. If you are going to Vietnam (Nha Trang) in December, get ready to see little Santa Claus on the streets of the city, because the tradition of local residents is to dress children in these costumes for the holiday.
Also, a vacation in Nachang in December involves the celebration of the New Year. Officially, this holiday is celebrated in the country in February, but the streets of the city are specially decorated for tourists by December 31, and numerous cafes, restaurants and hotels offer various options for celebrating this night.
The most popular souvenirs
Having been in an exotic country, I want to bring home something for memory. And do not forget about gifts to friends and relatives. Banal magnets and key rings - not interesting. And among the local trinkets include :
- Crafts from bamboo. These are local cone-shaped hats, and dishes, and figures of people and animals.
- In Vietnam snake tincture is considered a cure for all diseases. It is not necessary to drink it, but a bottle with a snake inside will become an original decoration in the interior of the house.
- Silk products. And it can be not only clothes, but also embroidered paintings. The price of silk is low, and its quality is excellent.
- Crocodile belts and bags.
- Nha Trang is famous for its pearl jewelry. Tourists from all over Vietnam follow them here.
- Kopi Luwak coffee, considered the most expensive in the world. This drink has a very specific production process, and the price is so high that not everyone dares to buy it.
So, the sights are examined, gifts are purchased, it's time to have a bite.
Vietnamese cuisine
First of all, it is, of course, seafood. Lobsters, shrimps, crabs and a variety of fish are served in any institution of the island.
Many exotic fruits are another distinguishing feature of the country. These are the famous mangosteen, and no less legendary durian, mango (there is even a seedless variety), passion fruit, lychee, dragon fruit, oranges and tangerines loved by everyone, as well as little-known sour cream, starapple, rambutan and many others.
However, only Nha Trang is famous for a special dish - swallow nest soup. They are said to taste like noodles.
Pros and cons of traveling to Nha Trang in December
Reviews of tourists on this issue are still mixed. Some speak about the rest is very unflattering, and someone was delighted.
Of the advantages, it is worth noting the low prices for hotels, food and souvenirs in December, when there are still few tourists, and the Vietnamese are ready to make discounts.
The likely cloudy weather in Vietnam in December, including in Nha Trang, can turn out to be both a plus (for those who do not favor the heat) and a minus (for lovers of the beach and tan). Big waves at sea are also perceived differently, although for some it will only be a joy.
Is it worth the ride?
The best time to relax is January-August, although in fact the resort is warm all year round. The exception is the period from October to November. In these months there is a high probability of storms and downpours.
The weather in Nha Trang in December is suitable for those who do not like the heat and stuffiness. Air temperature + 25- + 26 degrees, water + 26- + 27. The rainy season is already passing by this time, but the sun is not too hot, and sometimes hides behind the clouds, so you can not be afraid to burn out (but the headgear and protective cream from suns are still needed). Despite the probability of cloudy days and waves, it is winter that is considered the tourist season, so going to Nha Trang in December is a good idea. Moreover, for a beach holiday, tourists can go to the nearest island, where the sea is much calmer.
If the vacation coincided with the end of the calendar year, but you want to go to Nha Trang, and even so that the sun shines brighter and the weather is hotter, then definitely go closer to the end of the month.