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A night scene showing two men in rickshaws. One is reclining with hands behind his head, the other is sitting upright wearing

Nha Trang, Vietnam

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We ended up in Nha Trang by accident. Our original plans were to go to Hanoi and Da Nang, but floods disrupted things, so we decided at last minute to go to Nha Trang instead. It turned out to be a good switch. Nha Trang is a seaside city in central Vietnam, in Khanh Hoa province, set on a fairly sheltered bay with beaches, islands, and coastal scenery. It’s commonly used as a base for beach days, boat trips, and island-hopping, and it’s also near Po Nagar Cham Towers and Nui Chua National Park.

Sandy beaches of Nha Trang

Where We Stayed and the Views

We lived in a high-rise hotel with an excellent view of the water, which made the whole stay feel easy from the start. The town had that beach-town charm, with the bay always in view and a lot of coastline around the edges. It felt quieter than Ho Chi Minh, but there were still a lot of people on the streets. The resorts near the hotel seemed more commercial, and I’d recommend staying nearer the beaches and town instead.

Snehal in the infinity pool, enjoying the view of the ocean
A man and a woman stand side by side, looking out at distant mountains. A Ferris wheel is visible in the distance.

Food and the Night Market

The food was great, and the Banh Mi's were great again (from Ho Chi Minh). Our hotel was near a night market, which was perfect. It gave the evening an easy rhythm: you could step out, walk for a while, eat something, and still feel like you were in the town rather than sealed off in a resort.

A photograph taken from outside a street food stall or small restaurant, looking through a glass display case. The case is packed with various food items. In the background, behind the counter, an older woman with dark hair pulled back is visible, appearing to look down or adjust her hair. The display case is organized with glass shelves. The top shelf holds rows of golden-brown fried dough balls (likely bánh mì bread or similar pastries) and cans of beverages. The middle shelf contains stacks of red packaged goods (possibly instant noodles), glass jars with preserved items, a carton of eggs, and cans of tuna. The bottom shelf features a stainless steel counter with various cooked items: fried pork, meatballs, slices of pork, a block of tofu, and a large block of fried tofu or fish cake. A sign on the glass reads 'MINH LIÊN' in large red letters, with an address below: '41 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai'. There is a reflection of the street scene on the glass. The lighting appears to be from the fluorescent tubes inside the display case, creating a slightly hazy, film-like quality.

Our excellent food experience in Vietnam continued at Nha Trang (Clockwise from top left) A lady behind a Banh Mi cart on the street, Kimchi flavoured chips! Rice cakes and pork floss, Mung bean cakes with Jasmine tea, Pho and the famous Vietnamese Egg Coffee

Streets, People, and Small Shops

There were a lot of Russian tourists here, which added to the busy, international feel of the streets. We also noticed a lot of big-brand knock-offs for hats, shoes, bags, jackets, and similar items. That seems to be quite common across Vietnam, so it was just another part of the street-market texture.

A candid photo taken at night in a bustling outdoor night market. There were various market stalls filled with stuffed animals, snacks, and clothing.

One of the standout details was the three-wheel bicycles used to transport people around. Some of them had neon lights on them, which made the streets feel playful and a little surreal after dark.

3 wheeled cycles to transport people were both flashy and unique
A woman with light brown hair tied up sits at a small black folding table on a paved outdoor area at night. She is smiling, wearing a tan t-shirt and a dark apron, with her left hand in a peace sign and her right hand resting under her chin. On the table is a round, uncooked pizza or flatbread on a paper plate, alongside a pair of scissors and a small wrapper. Behind her are empty metal folding chairs, a bright yellow wall, and a stack of luggage (suitcases). The scene is illuminated by artificial lighting.
A busy night street scene in an urban area, likely in Vietnam, filled with scooters and pedestrians. The scene is illuminated by streetlights and shop signs. A group of people, appearing to be tourists, are stopped or waiting in a traffic lane on scooters, some sitting side-by-side.

1. Snehal eating some Vietnamese pizza (Roasted rice paper with toppings) 2. Busy streets at night

A woman standing with her bicycle loaded with stuff to sell, wearing a traditional plaid longyi.
The image captures a street scene in what appears to be a Southeast Asian locale, featuring a street vendor on a bicycle and a young woman. The man, wearing a red t-shirt and grey shorts, is mounted on a bicycle loaded with various bags. The bicycle has a rear wooden rack holding several handbags and a large black basket in the front filled with wallets, belts, and a small backpack. The man holds up a blue patterned wallet towards the woman, seemingly offering it for sale. The woman, dressed in a grey t-shirt and patterned pink shorts, stands with her back to the camera, appearing to listen or look at the goods. The background features a restaurant or cafe with outdoor seating, wooden chairs, and tables. To the left, a market stall with fruit and a parked red motorbike are visible.
A black and white photograph featuring a vintage white Citroën 15-H (or similar classic model like the 2CV predecessor) parked on a street. The car has a prominent double-chevron grille, separate round headlights on fenders, and distinct body styling. It is parked next to a concrete curb. In the background, there is a busy street scene with a woman on a motorbike/scooter, other vehicles including a white van and a modern car, and buildings/shops. The image has a monochromatic, high-contrast look.
A densely packed convenience store or general store interior, likely in a tropical or semi-tropical region. The space is cluttered with merchandise. On the left, numerous bags of chips and snacks hang from hooks. The center and right areas feature shelves and tables laden with goods. Visible items include bottles of alcohol and liquor on upper shelves, cartons of juice, canned goods, boxes of crackers, and various packaged snacks. There is a large display of instant noodles in the lower right, a stack of canned goods, and bins of loose items at the bottom. A green military-style cap is visible on the counter.
A group of uniformed personnel and civilians are gathered in an outdoor plaza in front of a raised monument or stage. On the upper level of the structure, three figures in green military uniforms stand at attention. Below them, several men in white shirts and dark trousers, some wearing hats, are standing or moving about; one man in the center appears to be conducting or addressing the group. In the foreground, a shirtless man with a blue cap stands barefoot on the paved plaza, looking towards the others. The background features palm trees in planters and a cloudy sky.

(Clockwise from top left) A vendor selling some purses, a lovely vintage car, early morning military school exercises and a shop filled with stuff to the brim

Beach and Night Air

Nha Trang is a beach town with great views, and the bay shape makes that feel natural. At night, the beach had a nice breeze, and that made the whole area relaxing. People sat on the sand, palm trees lined the promenade, and the lit-up shoreline gave the bay a busy but still easy coastal mood.

A black-and-white photograph capturing a vibrant night scene on a wide, sandy beach. The composition is split between the dark, wave-swept ocean on the left and the illuminated city skyline and boardwalk on the right. The high contrast of the monochrome image highlights the glow of the streetlights and the textures of the palm trees against the night sky.
A black-and-white photograph capturing a vibrant night scene on a wide, sandy beach. The composition is split between the dark, wave-swept ocean on the left and the illuminated city skyline and boardwalk on the right. The high contrast of the monochrome image highlights the glow of the streetlights and the textures of the palm trees against the night sky.
We rented a beach umbrella and some chairs from him, and he agreed to let me take a photo of him smoking
A wide, panoramic view from an elevated position overlooking a beach and ocean under an overcast sky. The water is a murky green-grey, with small waves breaking on a sandy shore lined with palm trees and beach umbrellas. In the distance, several hazy islands or peninsulas with mountains are visible. On the right foreground, the corner of a tall white building is visible, showing dark rectangular windows. The lighting is diffuse and grey, suggesting rain or heavy cloud cover.
A coastal scene viewed through the fronds of a large palm tree in the foreground. The sky is overcast and grey, suggesting an early morning or late afternoon setting. The ocean stretches across the middle of the frame with white waves crashing near the shore. In the foreground on the sand, a person stands facing the sea. In the water, a figure is waist-deep in the waves. To the left, partially obscured by the tree, a group of people is sitting on the beach. In the distance, hazy hills or mountains are visible against the horizon.

A wide, panoramic view from an elevated position overlooking a beach and the ocean under an overcast sky

A wide-angle night photograph of a tropical beach coastline. In the foreground, a woman in a bikini top sits on the sand facing the ocean, accompanied by others nearby. To the left, a brightly lit promenade or boardwalk is lined with tall palm trees and streetlamps, illuminating a bustling area with people and what appear to be beachside restaurants or bars with umbrellas. In the background, a modern city skyline with illuminated high-rise buildings (one notably topped with a crescent-shaped light) stretches along the coast. The dark ocean has small waves rolling onto the shore, creating white foam on the wet sand. The sky is a deep, featureless black, emphasizing the artificial lights.
A night photograph of the beach in front of our hotel

A Short Reflection

It wasn’t the trip we had planned, but it worked. The views were good, the food was easy to love, the night market was close by, and the evening breeze on the beach made it simple to slow down. The last-minute change felt like the right kind of pause.

A photo taken from behind people walking through a bustling, covered market aisle at night. The image captures the backs of several individuals moving away from the camera, while others face the camera or browse stalls on the sides. The aisle is flanked by various shops selling goods like clothing, souvenirs, and food. Overhead, strings of warm-colored lights hang, creating a bokeh effect in the background.
A black and white photograph taken at night showing a young man walking on a paved sidewalk next to a busy road. He is looking down at a mobile phone in his hands. To his left, a white SUV is driving with its headlights on, creating glare. The sidewalk is tiled with circular patterns. In the background, there are other vehicles and possibly a rickshaw or cart on the right side.
A black and white photograph showing three people sitting outdoors at night. On the left, an older man in a light-colored button-down shirt with pens in his pocket is speaking. In the center, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a sleeveless shirt with the word 'FREEDOM' printed on it is listening. On the right, a woman with sunglasses on her head and a headband is looking towards the center. The background features a textured wall, a large leafy plant, and a glass door with metal handles.

Chaotic streets and people on the streets of Nha Trang

A black and white photograph focusing on a large puddle on a paved urban surface. The reflections of three passersby and a street lamp are clearly visible, appearing upside down and slightly distorted on the water's surface.
Reflections of people on the ground
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