3 days in Nha Trang-1/26- 1/29/2025

Day 2-Guided tour -1/27/2025

Fruit stall and Dinner

After a short rest at the hotel, we were ready to experience a different side of Nha Trang. As the late afternoon sun began to soften, we stepped out of our hotel and onto the lively Tran Phú Street, the city's famous beachfront boulevard.

Just a short walk from the hotel, we passed one of Nha Trang's most recognizable landmarks, the Tháp Tram Huong, or Agarwood Tower. Standing in the middle of April 2 Square, this modern six-story monument has become the symbol of Nha Trang. Completed in 2008, its unique design is inspired by the shape of an agarwood blossom, representing one of Khánh Hòa Province's most treasured natural products. The tower also symbolizes the city's close relationship with the sea and serves as a cultural landmark along the waterfront.

As we continued along the boulevard, it was impossible not to notice the festive atmosphere. Since it was just days before Tet, the entire promenade had been transformed into a colorful celebration. Elaborate floral displays lined the sidewalks, with thousands of brilliant yellow chrysanthemums, marigolds, and apricot blossoms, flowers that symbolize prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for the Lunar New Year.

More new year decorations along the way...

As we continued our stroll along the bustling streets of Nha Trang, we came across several colorful fruit stands overflowing with tropical fruits. There were mountains of ripe papayas, jackfruit, dragon fruit, mangoes, rambutans, mangosteens, pineapples, bananas, and many other exotic fruits that we had never seen so beautifully displayed.

One friendly vendor smiled and invited us to stop for a tasting. Like many local fruit stalls in Vietnam, a few tiny plastic stools, barely a foot off the ground were arranged beside the display. We happily accepted the invitation and squeezed onto the little stools, sitting just inches from the street curb as motorbikes buzzed past only a few feet away. It was such an authentic local experience.

The first fruit we sampled was vú sua, known in English as the star apple or milk fruit. As soon as I saw it, a wave of nostalgia came over me. Vú sua was one of my favorite fruits growing up, and I hadn't tasted one in many years. The vendor sliced it in half, revealing its soft, milky-white flesh. With a spoon, we scooped out the sweet, juicy interior. The first bite instantly brought back childhood memories. Its creamy texture and delicate sweetness were exactly as I remembered, refreshing, smooth, and unlike any other fruit.

Next came the famous durian, often called the "King of Fruits." Unlike many visitors trying it for the first time, I was already very familiar with durian. The vendor had already done all the hard work. Instead of selling whole durians, the creamy golden pods had been carefully removed from their spiky shells and neatly arranged in small plastic trays, each wrapped in clear plastic wrap so customers could easily buy just the amount they wanted. It was a convenient way to enjoy the fruit without having to wrestle with its thick, thorny shell.

Before we began, the vendor handed us a pair of plastic gloves. Anyone who has eaten durian knows why, they protect your hands from the fruit's rich, creamy flesh and its unmistakable aroma that tends to linger long after you're finished.

We sat on our tiny plastic stools beside the fruit stand and slowly savored each bite. The durian was perfectly ripe, with a silky, custard-like texture that practically melted in our mouths. Its rich sweetness was exactly as I remembered from my childhood. It wasn't just the taste of the fruit that made the moment special, it was the flood of memories it brought back. Sharing one of my favorite childhood treats with my husband, on a bustling sidewalk in Vietnam, was one of those simple travel experiences that I'll always treasure.

Dinner at Oi Nha Trang

As evening settled over Nha Trang, we made our way to Oi Nha Trang Restaurant for dinner. By the time we arrived, the sky had turned a deep shade of blue, and the city had begun to glow with lights in celebration of the upcoming Tet holiday.

The restaurant entrance was absolutely beautiful. Large ceramic pots overflowing with golden chrysanthemums lined the entrance, their vibrant blossoms symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for the Lunar New Year. Suspended above us were rows of red lanterns, gently swaying from rustic wooden poles. Their warm glow cast a festive light across the courtyard, creating an atmosphere that was both welcoming and enchanting.

Stepping inside Oi Nha Trang Restaurant, we immediately felt as though we had entered a festive Vietnamese garden. The restaurant's open-air design was both elegant and inviting, with towering trees growing right through the dining area, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead.

Suspended from the ceoling were colorful silk lanterns in shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Their soft glow illuminated the evening, while delicate floral decorations floated among them, creating the feeling of dining beneath a magical garden in bloom.

Every direction offered another beautiful scene, making it difficult to decide whether to admire the décor or sit down for dinner.

Lining the walkways were countless pots of golden chrysanthemums, arranged in graceful curves throughout the restaurant. Since our visit was just days before Tet, these vibrant yellow flowers symbols of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune were everywhere, adding bursts of color against the lush greenery. Combined with the warm wooden beams, woven rattan chairs, and abundant tropical plants, the restaurant blended traditional Vietnamese charm with a modern garden setting.

We got a table with a view of the street. 

The ceiling is no nicely decorated.

The atmosphere was lively yet relaxing. Families gathered around tables, friends laughed over shared dishes, and the gentle glow of the lanterns reflected off the leaves above. Although we were dining in the heart of a busy city, the restaurant felt like a peaceful oasis tucked beneath centuries-old trees.

Once we settled into our table beneath the glowing lanterns, it was time for what we had been looking forward to all evening, an authentic Vietnamese dinner.

Our main dishes.

We began with a plate of sautéed morning glory (rau muong xào toi), one of Vietnam's most beloved vegetable dishes. The tender green stems were stir-fried with fragrant garlic and topped with crispy fried onions, adding a wonderful crunch to every bite. Simple as it was, the dish was packed with fresh flavor and quickly became one of our favorites.

Our main course was a generous platter of grilled pork jowl served with vermicelli noodles, crisp cucumber slices, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and an assortment of dipping sauces. The pork was perfectly grilled, slightly smoky on the outside while remaining incredibly tender and juicy. We each built our own bowl, combining noodles, pork, herbs, vegetables, and a spoonful of the savory fish sauce dressing. Every bite was a perfect balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and fresh flavors—a hallmark of Vietnamese cuisine.

To complete the meal, we ordered a steaming bowl of canh chua cá, Vietnam's famous sweet and sour fish soup.

The fragrant broth struck a perfect balance between tangy tamarind, sweet pineapple, ripe tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Tender pieces of fish, combined with vegetables, created a comforting soup that paired beautifully with the grilled pork and noodles. It was light yet incredibly flavorful, making it the perfect dish to share.

Every dish that arrived at our table was beautifully prepared and bursting with fresh ingredients. As we enjoyed dinner beneath the colorful lanterns and surrounded by the festive decorations for Tet, we couldn't have imagined a more fitting way to end the day. Between the warm hospitality, the enchanting atmosphere, and the outstanding food, Oi Nha Trang Restaurant became one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip. It was a meal that celebrated everything we had come to love about Vietnam, fresh flavors, vibrant traditions, and the simple joy of sharing great food together.

NEXT... Day 3-Walking around Nha Trang(coming soon)