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

Day 1-Dinner at Hanh Xuan-1/26/25

Our first evening in Nha Trang couldn't have started any better. We left the Sunrise Hotel and enjoyed a leisurely walk across Tran Phú Bridge, which was beautifully illuminated with blue and green LED lights forming a series of glowing triangles. Reflected on the Cai River below, the lights gave the bridge a colorful, almost futuristic look against the night sky.

Reflected on the Cai River below, the lights gave the bridge a colorful, almost futuristic look against the night sky.

A short walk later, we arrived at Hanh Xuân Seafood Restaurant.

I wasn't expecting such a large, multi-level restaurant.

On the first floor, rows of tanks and displays were filled with live fish, lobster, crab, shrimp, clams, and other fresh seafood waiting to be selected.

Shrimps, clams, and a variety of snails.

Live crab

Lobsters in a tank.

We were led to the 2nf floor in the main dinning room.

We were seated at a table along the edge, where we had a wonderful view of the river and the sparkling city lights.

Dinner was a feast of fresh Vietnamese seafood. We started with a plate of sautéed morning glory with crispy fried garlic.

This dish is one of Vietnam's most popular vegetable dishes. The tender greens were perfectly cooked, while the fragrant garlic added a wonderful crunch and aroma.

Instead of traditional fried rice, we ordered crispy rice with egg. The rice was fried until the grains became golden and crunchy, then tossed with egg, creating a light, crispy texture that was both simple and addictive.

Rice and morning glory to start the meal

The highlight was the razor clams in a sweet and sour sauce were tender and juicy, coated in a tangy glaze that balanced sweetness with just the right amount of acidity.

We both enjoyed this dish.

Next was a whole crab in a rich sticky sauce.

The thick, savory sauce clung to every piece of the crab, making each bite messy but incredibly satisfying.

We also enjoyed a boiled shrimp infused with lemongrass

A simple preparation that let the natural sweetness of the fresh shrimp shine through, while the lemongrass added a delicate citrus aroma.

Every dish showcased the freshness of Nha Trang's seafood, making it a memorable first dinner in this beautiful coastal city.

As we relaxed over an excellent seafood dinner, it was one of those evenings that reminded us why we love traveling, great food, beautiful scenery, and the simple pleasure of discovering a new place.

We are now leaving the restaurant.

After dinner, we decided to walk back along the riverside promenade instead of taking the main road. The night was warm, and the colorful lights on Tran Phú Bridge were even more vibrant than before, casting shimmering blue and green reflections across the water.

Beneath the bridge, gentle waves rolled in and splashed against the concrete embankment, adding a soothing soundtrack to the evening.

We stopped for a few moments in the middle of the bridge to take it all in.

Around us, so many motorcycles zipped past, a familiar sight in Vietnam that somehow felt both chaotic and perfectly organized.

At the far end of the bridge, we reached a tall observation tower overlooking a broad waterfront promenade. Extending out into the river like a small man-made harbor, it offered a peaceful place to stroll and admire the skyline of Nha Trang glowing across the water.

As we continued past the bridge, we stumbled upon a wonderful surprise, a festive Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) celebration along the waterfront.

Decorative displays of colorful nón lá, Vietnam's iconic conical hats, hung overhead, creating a beautiful canopy for visitors to stroll beneath.

The park was filled with vibrant yellow blossoms, inspired by the hoa mai flowers that symbolize prosperity and good fortune in Southern Vietnam.

Families, couples, and friends wandered through the displays, stopping to take photos and enjoy the festive atmosphere. I

Farther along, rows of colorful lanterns illuminated the walkways, creating a festive atmosphere that invited everyone to stop for photos and enjoy the celebration.

In the center stood a large circular fountain, where water jets danced under glowing green lights, adding a magical touch to the evening.

Farther along, rows of colorful lanterns illuminated the walkways, creating a festive atmosphere that invited everyone to stop for photos and enjoy the celebration.

Nearby, a sea of vibrant flowers stretched across the park, creating a stunning display of yellow, orange, pink, and purple blossoms. The colorful gardens, combined with the glowing lanterns, fountain, and festive decorations, made the waterfront feel like a giant outdoor celebration welcoming the Lunar New Year.

The colorful gardens, combined with the glowing lanterns, fountain, and festive decorations, made the waterfront feel like a giant outdoor celebration welcoming the Lunar New Year.

What began as a simple walk back to our hotel turned into an unexpected glimpse of one of Vietnam's most cherished traditions, a perfect ending to a memorable evening in Nha Trang.

NEXT... Day 2-The Museum of Oceanography