ha Trang is one of Vietnam's premier beach resorts. Miles and miles of empty beaches, deserted bays, numerous islands and coral reefs provide opportunities to swim, snorkel and scuba dive. Seafood restaurants and cafes ring the beach side area and the food is excellent. Quiet beaches can be found minutes from the centre of the town. Boat trips to surrounding coastal areas and islands provide another escape for the traveller.

Day 1. Arrive Nha Trang. On arrival at Nha Trang Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel of your choice. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 2. Nha Trang. After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your half day Nha Trang City tour this morning

Visit Long Son Pagoda, which was founded in the late 19th Century. The entrance and roofs are decorated with mosaic dragons made of glass and ceramic tile. From the pagoda, you have the chance to climb the 152 stone steps leading to the giant white Buddha seated on a lotus blossom. There are superb views of the whole city from the platforms around the Buddha (14 metres high), which was built in 1963.

You will also visit Dam market in the centre of Nha Trang - one of Vietnam's most interesting local markets. There's a colourful selection of local produce.

Evidence of the ancient Cham civilisation of Vietnam can be seen in Nha Trang at the hill top Po Nagar Cham Towers. Built between the 7th and 12th Century and named in honour of the former Cham Princess who introduced her people to profitable weaving and wet rice cultivation techniques, it is still used as a centre for worship today. Walk across Ha Ra Bridge below to photograph the abundant fishing boats moored in the shallow Nha Trang harbour. Boats are brightly painted in blue and red - an engaging sight against a typically azure sky.

Return to hotel. Balance of the day is at your leisure. B

Day 3. Nha Trang. Relax and enjoy the resort or take optional sightseeing excursions. B

Optional Tours

People Of Nha Trang (4 hours)

Just a few kilometres from Nha Trang's beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Here the local people go about their daily business, with farming and cottage industry traditionally the mainstream of their simple lives. Board a small, motorised boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang.

Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes. The aroma wafting from the primitive oven is tantalising! The village path leads us to the home of one family who weave mats from rushes, which grow abundantly in the area. Two people working together will weave just four mats in a day, which will be taken to the local market and traded for food and other essentials.

Boats and Bays (5 hours)

A relaxing half-day cruise on the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Your craft is a simple (but safe and comfortable!) reconverted fishing boat. Off shore from Nha Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with idyllic fishing villages.

We pause at one of these villages - Bai Tru - and you are free to wander at will. The local people are very friendly and hospitable to visitors. Young children will ferry you between the boat and shore by coracle, the round bamboo boats so commonly used in coastal Vietnam. Should you wish, there will be opportunity to swim and snorkel in secluded bays.

Day 4. Depart Nha Trang. Transfer to the airport or extend your stay in this beautiful destination. B

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