This four-mile stretch of beach is the most famous of Vietnam’s ‘R&R’ playgrounds. Nha Trang town actually looks like a seaside resort, with a long breezy marine drive dotted with palm trees, lively restaurants and tourist shops. The region is blessed with deep, warm waters all year round and is surrounded by archipelagos, islands, mountains and white sand beaches which ensures it is a an attractive resort for most of the year. The magnificent coral sea bed also makes it ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling.

It was not too long ago that Nha Trang was a sleepy fishing town with a gentle rhythm – a handful of decaying, low-rise state-run hotels and some of the country’s best fresh seafood. Nowadays, it is significantly more built up and it has no shortage of great restaurants and the nightlife options are plentiful. However, most of the best resorts are well out of town, all of which are gloriously isolated and tranquil. Nha Trang’s central beach, on the other hand, will not permit any hotels to build directly on to the sands and it, therefore, retains a community feel. In the very early morning, you will find it to be a hive of activity as the locals take a pre-breakfast swim, practice Tai Chi, play badminton, or kick a football around. However, come 9 a.m the sand clears for the remainder of the day.

One of the best ways to enjoy Nha Trang is on a day cruise to the nearby islands for snorkelling and a BBQ. Or for those wishing to escape the beach, the nearby 9th century Po Nagar Cham Towers are certainly worth a visit, as is the nine-metre high Buddha, set on a hillside overlooking the town.