Putting Vietnam on the map
By Ivar Schout. TODAY | Posted: 25 September 2008 1125 hrs

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Vietnam boasts a beautifully long stretch of coast with miles and miles of divine beaches that, for a long time, went largely unnoticed by tourists. These days, however, it’s a different story, with the number of hotels and tourist attractions enjoying double-digit growth every year.

Already the first casinos and international hotel chains have arrived, which only means one thing: There is no better time than now to enjoy the Vietnamese coast in all its authentic glory.

Party weekend: Vung Tau

Escape the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City with a 90-minute ride by hydrofoil boat to the south-central coast and party town of Vung Tau.

Smack in the centre of the town is a mountain, atop which a large statue of Jesus looms, Rio de Janeiro style (Catholicism is the religion with the largest following in Vietnam). And like the Brazilian party capital, this town boasts all the spoils of a rich nightlife which attracts weekend partygoers in droves.

Unlike Rio de Janeiro, however, Vung Tau provides lovely beachside strolls and awesome grilled seafood.

While some of its bars cater to the oil rigger crowd who make up some of Vung Tau’s weekend migrants, there are plenty of other fabulous bars and clubs to have a great time with the friendly locals who certainly know how to entertain their tourists.

After an exciting weekend of fun, follow the south-central coast towards the north and you’ll find the quieter charms of Mui Ne.

Go fly a kite: Mui Ne

A small and quiet fishing village, Mui Ne belongs to the larger Phan Thiet town, renowned to kitesurfers the world over. In this sport, a 12m-wide power kite pulls a small surfboard through the water from the air.

It’s easy to see why Mui Ne’s 10km stretch of white-sanded beach and its perfect winds have made it a hit among kitesurfers, who contribute to the laidback vibe of this idyllic town.

Behind the beach are stunning resorts, with their tropical gardens providing verdant shelter from the sun. And just outside of the town are postcard-pretty white and red sand dunes where local children indulge in sandboarding.

Witnessing a heavy tourist sledding down the dunes on a thin metre-long plastic board is rich entertainment for the locals, I discover. And despite being, quite literally, the butt of the joke, I am utterly relishing the experience.

Sun, sand, sea and mud pools: Nha Trang

Further north along the coast is Vietnam’s most popular beach town Nha Trang. Here a massive white Buddha (Kim Than Phat To) overlooks the town and pagodas, such as the centuries-old Long Son, are worth a visit.

The major attraction, however, is the 7km-long beach. The ocean’s clear blue water makes Nha Trang a perfect place for snorkelling and diving. Below the surface is a wonderful array of sea life — from stingrays and giant angelfish to delicate coloured corals.

Just outside Nha Trang are natural hot springs and mud baths. Jumping into one of these after a day at the beach is a real treat. Another treat are the town’s fresh oysters that cost just $3 for half a dozen.

When the sun sets, the town comes alive and the people don’t stop partying till the sun goes down. I experienced this first hand at the famous Sailing Club on the beach. Every time I tried to leave the dance floor, the locals reminded me that since the sun hadn’t risen, I wasn’t allowed to leave.

Like the rest of Vietnam’s coast, the town of Nha Trang, with its over 300,000 inhabitants, is becoming increasingly developed — and rapidly too. So it’s best to pack your swimsuits and head there now, while there’s still the opportunity to enjoy large swathes of beach all to yourself. - TODAY/ra

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