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

Day 3-Lunch/Beach-1/28/2025

Next, we headed to lunch at Bánh Căn – Bánh Xèo Hai San on Tô Hien Thành Street. My cousin had recommended this place and told us that bánh căn is one of the specialties of the Nha Trang area, so we were excited to try it.

What makes bánh căn so interesting is the way it is cooked. The vendor pours rice-flour batter into a special round mold with several small circular wells, which sits directly over a hot stove.

The little cakes cook right in these individual molds, becoming lightly crisp around the edges while staying soft and tender inside. They can be topped with quail eggs, shrimp, squid, or other seafood, and are served with a flavorful dipping sauce and fresh toppings.

While waiting for our bánh căn to cook, we ordered cha giò, Vietnamese crispy spring rolls. They arrived beautifully arranged in a bamboo basket lined with banana leaves eight golden, perfectly fried rolls surrounded by fresh salad greens, Vietnamese perilla leaves, and a small bowl of colorful pickled carrots and daikon.

The spring rolls were wonderfully crispy on the outside and flavorful inside.

We wrapped them with the fresh herbs and lettuce, adding a little of the tangy pickled vegetables for extra crunch and flavor. They were absolutely delicious and the perfect appetizer while we waited for our bánh căn.

Finally, our bánh căn arrived, six little cakes, each with a different topping.

They were beautifully cooked in the round molds, with crispy edges and soft, savory centers. We added pieces of fresh mango on top, which gave the warm, savory cakes a wonderful sweet and tangy contrast. With the delicious cha giò we had enjoyed while waiting, we had a wonderful lunch and a perfect taste of one of Nha Trang's local specialties.

Nha Trang beach

After lunch, we headed to Nha Trang Beach, one of the city's most famous landmarks. Stretching along the coast, the beach is known for its long sweep of white sand and beautiful views of the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. A wide promenade runs alongside the shore, making it a wonderful place to walk and take in the scenery

As we walked along the waterfront, we could see the gentle curve of the beach stretching into the distance, with tall buildings and hotels lining the shore and mountains rising beyond them. It was midday, and some stretches of the beach were surprisingly quiet, with plenty of open sand.

I noticed a man sitting alone on the soft white sand, watching as the waves rolled toward him. It was a peaceful moment against the backdrop of the lively city, 

 a beautiful contrast between Nha Trang's bustling streets and its tranquil coastline.

As we walked farther along the promenade, we came across a neat row of white umbrellas set up along the beach, each with wooden benches underneath where people could sit, relax, or soak up the sun.

The scene gave the beach a more resort-like feel, with the umbrellas lined up against the beautiful stretch of white sand and blue water.

Further along, we noticed a red flag flying near the beach, a warning that swimming conditions might be dangerous that day. We continued walking along the boardwalk, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and the open views.

When I looked back, I could see the park stretching alongside the promenade, with the beach surprisingly quiet and almost empty in the midday sun. Farther down the shoreline, tall buildings lined the end of the beach, while a beautiful range of mountains rose in the distance to the right. It was a wonderful view that showed how Nha Trang brings together the city, the beach, and the mountains all in one place.

As we continued farther along the beach, we came across another area filled with rows of comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas, which looked like they might belong to one of the upscale hotels along the waterfront.

People enjoying the beach.

The waves also seemed stronger here, rolling toward the shore with more energy.

Eventually, we reached the far end of the beach, where the atmosphere became much more festive.  The trees lining the beachfront had been decorated with masses of bright yellow blossoms that looked so realistic they could have been real flowers.

There were more lounge chairs and umbrellas spread across the sand.

At the end a  lively beachfront bar called Happy Beach.

We decided to stop for a quick break, not at the beach bar itself, but at the main bar and restaurant.

The interior is really nice with its warm wooden tables and chairs and a wonderful view overlooking the beach.

We ordered some snacks and cold beers. From our table, we could see the yellow blossoms decorating the trees below.

The courtyard was just as charming, decorated for with pots overflowing with yellow and red flowers, lanterns, and red envelopes hanging from the trees.

A large Tet sign added to the festive atmosphere. After our long walk along the beach, it was the perfect place to relax, enjoy a beer, and take in the beautiful coastal view.

After our break, we began walking back to our hotel along Tran Phú Street. Not far from Nha Trang Beach, we passed a beautifully landscaped roundabout with a fountain at its center. Surrounding it were colorful floral displays and large decorative panels celebrating 2025, adding even more festive spirit to the city as Tet approached.

A little farther on, we noticed a towering Vietnamese flag flying proudly over Quang truong Nha Trang (Nha Trang Square), one of the city's main gathering places along the waterfront.

The flag could be seen from quite a distance, standing as a symbol of national pride against the blue sky.

We then walked along the beach.

As we looked back toward the beach, it was now around 5:00/6:00 p.m., and the atmosphere had completely changed.

The afternoon heat had begun to fade, and the beach was coming alive. More locals and visitors were strolling along the promenade, families were gathering on the sand, and people were enjoying the cooler temperatures as the sun slowly made its way toward the horizon.

As we continued our walk, we passed another section of the beach where rows of lounge chairs were shaded by swaying coconut trees, creating a picture-perfect tropical setting.

Once we reached the seaside promenade, a refreshing ocean breeze made the walk incredibly comfortable after the warm afternoon.

 With the cooler evening air, the gentle sound of the waves, and more people coming out to enjoy the beach, Nha Trang had taken on a completely different atmosphere from the quiet midday we had experienced just a few hours earlier.

Out over the water, we watched several people enjoying water sports. They were being pulled across the sea by speedboats while soaring beneath colorful parachutes, adding splashes of color and excitement to the blue sky.

NEXT... Day 3-Dinner at Ot Hiem