Travel like a local in Vietnam | Nha Trang & Dalat
Vietnam is in Southest Asia. After wars for the most part of the 20th century, the country today is a hotspot for tourists and foreigners here are treated as honored guests. We stayed at Nha Trang in our friends’ house, had a ride to Dalat and following are the memories of our month stay in Vietnam!
Loved the Asian cuisine, the exotic unique culture, and the beauty of its nature!
Food experience in Vientam
Vietnamese food is a blend of Chinese and Thai styles and features seafood, homegrown fruits, and vegetables. It is as healthy as it is varied.
Traditional Vietnamese cuisine at a local house
As you walk through the city of Nha Trang you may find yourself in front of a local’s house, where the family is preparing lunch in their yard. Just enter and ask what the meal of the day is. Usually, a dish costs 1€ per person. For a European a safe choice would be the steamed rice, some fried chicken, vegetables (the vegetables are served as they are, and then you cut them in small pieces with your hands). In one of the houses we visited, the chickens were running free in the yard, and you could choose on the spot the chicken you wanted to have for your meal...
Bánh mì - street food
We tried the traditional Vietnamese kebab {like the Greek souvlaki}, that you can find everywhere in the city as street food (0.80€). It a small baguette, filled with meat, vegetables, and sauce – best thing I’ve ever tasted!
For a coffee experience I would recommend the King Koi Coffee Garden in Ho Chi Minh, an aquatic wonderland we visited on our way back home! In pools set into the floor, several breeds of koi fish swim around you, while you sit at the table drinking coffee. You should order a Poop Coffee: a black coffee with ferret poop and no sugar!
Tip: you could buy some pet food and feed the koi fishes that are swimming around you in the surrounding pools. There are about 10 koi fish cafes in Saigon but this one is considered the best by the locals.
The Squid Game
A very cool touristic attraction in Vietnam would be squid fishing in a local fisherman’s boat, and of course we did that! Although it was an out of season period (May) we contacted our local friend to make the arrangements as locals do (…) and booked an afternoon fishing trip.
An old fishing trawler with its captain and his assistant were waiting for us at the port. We got in, had a seat and set off. It took us around an hour to reach the fishing place, and it was already getting dark. They opened the lights around the boat as squid feeds are attracted to light. The highlighted water was so impressive and seemed like a gigantic pool! We had been given a fishing rode with a plastic bate and we started fishing. Meanwhile the fisherman offered us snacks like mango fruit and spices and started preparing the cooking process, the bbq dinner! He was equipped with coals that he lit up to heat up the ceramic food bowl for making the squid. On the menu was a home-made soup as well! Absolutely loved the night squid fishing tour, a combination of food and adventure. What an experience!
True Wellness in Vietnam
The Vietnamese massage
The Vietnamese massage is rooted in Chinese traditions. Focused on working out knots in muscles through kneading techniques, the prime goal is de-stressing the body. We could say that it is a good mix of Southeast Asian therapies, primarily inspired by the Chinese healing art and a touch of Western cultures.
Wherever you will find yourself in Vietnam, there are several places to have a massage. We chose a more professional one, some kind of physical therapy clinic. We were given outfits to make ourselves comfortable, shorts and a t-shirt with practical buttons on the back. I won’t forget the smell of the creams. The result of a massage in Vietnam is to reduce tension and induce relaxation.
A tropical mud bath
Another wellness experience would be taking a mud bath! We visited the
I-Resort Nha Trang, a wonderful place with huge swimming pools, hot mineral springs and fake waterfalls!
You will have your personal locker for your belongings and you will be supplied with a towel and flip flops (sayonaras). The whole experience starts with the mud bath in huge concrete bathtubs located outdoors under the big trees. Before you enter the bathtub is emptied for hygienic purposes and the moment you arrive is filled up with fresh hot muddy water. You will be soaking for 20mins. The mud has a high mineral content with specific elements, especially bromine so after that your skin should be beautiful, smooth and firm. Next, we took a shower and we found a cave with a waterfall. We had also a swim in the giant hot-watered swimming pool and had some fun in the pool water slides. You can prebook and we totally recommend doing so.
Immerse your spirit and body!
Ba Ho waterfalls – a short jungle trek
Ιf you get bored lying on the beach, a journey to some majestic waterfalls might be an intriguing alternative especially for adventure seekers. Offering panoramic views of waterfalls and boulders, Ba Ho Waterfalls is situated only 20 kilometers north of Nha Trang. There are various ways to get there, but many tourists opt for a bike ride, taking into account the low expense and great views along the way.
Ba Ho means three pools in Vietnamese as The Ba Ho Waterfalls have three tiers. The first waterfalls are the easiest to access and the most beautiful of all (1.4 km). At the entrance, you will spend VND 20,000 for a ticket and another few thousand to park. You will also find small cafes and food stalls selling cold drinks and barbecue chicken. Climbing will be hard work, and it isn’t a bad idea to stock yourself with some take-away.
Our journey in Ba Ho was around three hours but we took our time. We enjoyed the view, walking around, taking photos, finding out information with fun vibes about the park and had a swim. We even rented a water bike! Make sure you pack enough water, snacks and light clothes. Wear sensible shoes so that you can climb intensively for a long time.
Yoga retreat
If you wish to get some exercise, a superb idea because of the heat and humidity, would be yoga. I had this experience, in a yoga gym place in Nha Trang. A beautiful place with wooden floors where we laid the mattresses and started the yoga session in a traditional way: we heard the gong bell and started 5’ meditation, followed by a group lesson (10 people) of yoga exercises.
Closest thing to summer - Beach please!
You won’t find any locals swimming at the beaches as tanning in Vietnam is unpopular. In Vietnam the whiter the skin the more beautiful unlike so many other countries. Don’t forget the sunscreen, a hat and stay hydrated.
Tran Phu Beach
Easy to walk to from almost anywhere in Nha Trang City, making it the most popular beach in the city. It's close to the iconic Tran Phu Street, a beautiful seaside promenade with plenty of luxury and mid-range beachfront resorts, hostels, souvenir shops, museums, and seafood restaurants.
Hon Mun Island
Hon Mun was assessed by WWF as having the most marine biodiversity in Vietnam with a total of 1,500 species and is a planning sea as well as a protected ocean area. Located 10 km southeast of Nha Trang, the total area of Hon Mun is 160 km2, in which caverns, black rocks, and limestone cliffs are the island’s main geological components. This place is perfect for explorers, however, if you want to enjoy a retreat experience, you can also book a private trip, floating on clear water and enjoying the freshest seafood with good wine on deck.
Hon Tam island
Hop on a boat and discover the well-preserved ecosystem and cultural values in Nha Trang. Located 7km from the southeast of the city, also known under the name “Thuy Kim Son”, which means “Water and golden mountain” in Vietnamese. The name truly describes the natural features of this island, in which both land and sea forests are well-protected. Besides the natural fascination here, the top resorts are available with high-quality services, facilities, and cuisine.
Nhu Tien Beach
A perfect tranquil heaven for mindfulness travel 10 km away from the city center. You can get there in 20-min via a shuttle bus from the city, and because it’s a privately owned beach, you must pay an entry fee if you’re not a guest at Diamond Bay Hotel. Facilities for retreat and dining experiences are excellent.
Test your luck!
As a communist country, Vietnam is officially an atheist state. Even so I got the impression that most Vietnamese are not atheists but practice folk religions, mostly a combination of Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Pagoda means temple and here are the three I suggest visiting.
Long Son Pagoda
Is known as the oldest temple in Nha Trang. This place is home to the world's biggest Buddha statue, according to the Guinness Book of World Records for Vietnaman, an iconic symbol of the city. It is located in an area of more than 3.000 m2 with impressively and meticulously unique architecture.
For reassuring my good luck as locals say, in one of the temples I visited, I rubbed my hand to the elbow of a lying Buddha statue and then touched my head. Just in case!
Po Nagar Cham temple complex
A complex built between 8th and 11th centuries by the Cham people who once ruled the central plain of Vietnam, renowned for their skills in sculpture and architecture. The complex was dedicated to the goddess Po Nagar (the goddess of earth).
There were once ten buildings, each dedicated to a different deity, but now only four remain. The tallest building, at 25 m., the Po Nagar Kalan, is the most impressive.
Tu Ton Pagoda Nha Trang
Few tourists know that there is a Tu Ton temple on Hon Do Island, just 300m from the shore of Nha Trang. Hon Do is a small island of 500 meters where there is only the temple - a sacred temple located in the middle of the sea, separate from all the hustle and bustle of the city, very photographic. Hon Do Island and the shore are connected by a small sandy road and there is a special path where visitors can walk to Tu Ton Pagoda from Nha Trang on the full moon days and the 1st when the tide is low. The entrance is free and when the water rises, visitors can rent a canoe also for free to reach the island.
There are so many temples in Vietnam! Take a moment, enter, and feel like a local! Most of the temples have an ongoing religious service. Make sure to remove your shoes before entering and dress modestly.
A road trip to Da Lat
We hit the road with our local friend to Dalat, a city of flowers and honeymooners with lovely French villas, fresh air, beautiful waterfalls, and gorgeous lakes. It’s also called “Little Paris” (“Le Petit Paris” in French) due to its history and French styled villas. It has all four seasons in one day: spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn in the afternoon and winter at night, so don’t be fooled with the high temperatures during the day and always have a jacket with you, but if you don’t have any, no worries, you will find plenty at the flea market (max. 15€)It is nestled amidst towering mountains, so get lost, explore, have a coffee, take photos and relax.
We also decided to get lost in the labyrinths of Crazy House! Such a fun place, a complex with unique architecture and beautiful colors. Designed by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga, the Crazy House is a unique and whimsical structure that resembles a treehouse, with its organic and surreal shapes and forms. The Crazy House also serves as a hotel, offering some the opportunity to spend a night in one of its uniquely designed rooms.
The Golden Buddha of Dalat is also an irresistible sightseeing experience, situated at the top of the highest hill and there is no entrance fee. You may enter the temple to pray and light up the sticks (as candles) that emit a wonderful aroma giving the effect of calmness and tranquility to body and soul.
The time of going back home has arrived. We took the coolest drive, a bus equipped with beds, where we lay down, watched a movie, even had a massage. After 6 hours we arrived at the Ho Chi Minh City (formerly and still commonly known as Saigon), a chaotic place where we stayed for the night and took our flight the next morning.
Travel tips
• Sim card: First thing when you arrive, is to get a local sim card for your mobile phone (~ 10€ per month for free data and 200’ international calls)
• Exchange money at a jewellery shop and not at a Spot Exchange to achieve better Currency Exchange (200€/ 5.150.000 dons)
• Transport: The best option is to rent a motorbike – always wear a helmet! It is rare in Vietnam to find local pedestrians as in Europe , as they prefer using a vehicle wherever they go.
• Flea market: They are everywhere, and you may find everything! Food, local meat (live animals to butchers), clothes, suitcases. I tried so many flip flops (1€) and got myself a traditional conical hat as locals wear one all the time.
• The best time to visit Vietnam is between November and April
Mara Manolakaki
Proof-reader Valerie Kousoulis
Super thanks @dronecapsule for the pics
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