Nha Trang is a coastal city in Vietnam surrounded by mesmerizing blue water, mountainous islands and some of the best seafood in Vietnam. Now, 10 hours up north, Da Nang is also a coastal city in Vietnam…also surrounded by magnificent blue water, mountainous islands and some of the best seafood in Vietnam. EEK! Travelemma much?
Now, I don’t know you, and I know nothing about your travel plans…BUT. When you come to sunny, tropical Vietnam, something tells me you might wanna escape the hustle and chaotic bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for a few days and spend some time kickin’ at a tropical beach with a coconut under a palm leaf. I get it!
But where do you go? Therein lies the problem. Nha Trang has a population of about 420,000, where Da Nang has a massive population of 1.5 million (although it definitely doesn’t feel that big!). Da Nang is much cleaner than Nha Trang, but Nha Trang has far less construction. Nha Trang has a nicer beach promenade, but Da Nang has a beautiful river walk. It really just depends what’s more important to you in a destination! Let’s break it down, shall we?
(Disclaimer: I live in Da Nang, so I promise I’ll try not to be biased!)
The beaches
OK. WOULD YOU RATHER…
HAVE THIS
OR THIS.
Impossible to decide? I know. Let’s talk about it.
Nha Trang
First thing’s first, the city beaches. Nha Trang has a stunning city beach – bright blue water looking out to the mountains, a beautifully landscaped promenade, and countless swanky-lookin’ beach bars to indulge yourself with a fancy schmancy cocktail on a plush lounge chair in the sand. You don’t feel like you’re at a city beach, thanks to the well-developed promenade that separates you from the chaos of the city – it’s truly an oasis. Although the thing that really sold me was the Louisiane Brewhouse, a beachside brewery complete with a free-to-use pool and in-house made craft beers for 50K (a reasonable $2.50)! Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about Nha Trang!
Break away from the city, and you’ve got a number of stunning islands with breathtaking crystal clear water to explore, easily accessible by boat. Just go to the Nha Trang port, tell them you want a boat to explore the islands, and voila! Smooth sailin’. The big con? While the water is absolutely jaw-dropping with its 100 shades of blue, the islands can get pretty littered, so buyer beware.
Da Nang
Now, Da Nang’s city beach has less stunningly clear water (con), yet has much finer, silkier sand (pro!) but less cool beach bars (con). While the city beach is right next to the main road with only a sidewalk separating the beach from the fast-moving traffic and very loud sounds of construction, the beach scenery itself is really stunning – with remote neighboring islands in the distance and Son Tra mountain’s buddhaful Lady Buddha looking back at you. While there isn’t an impressive selection of beach bars like in Nha Trang, you’ve got what you need – a few cabanas selling coconuts, the Holiday Beach hotel bar that’s right on the sand, and the chilled out beach bar that all the expats living in Da Nang go to (myself included), The Village. It ain’t theLouisiane Brewhouse, but it’ll do!
The real beach gold awaits only a 10 min motorbike ride away, on Son Tra mountain – no need to hop on a boat! Rent a motorbike (or if you’re not feelin’ so ballsy take a Grab – Southeast Asia’s version of Uber), and drive to close-by Son Tra mountain, where quiet, hidden beaches sit ever-so-calmy at the bottom of the mountain. Or, if you still want your island fill, take a short boat ride out to the secluded Cham Islands!
THE WINNER: Drum roll, please… NHA TRANG! With its jaw-dropping water, dozens of beach bars and surrounding islands to explore, Nha Trang takes the prize for this one.
City culture
Nha Trang
Here’s where Nha Trang gets a bit weird. Part of the local culture is…Russian? I mean, the city center is FULL of Russian tourists. Which isn’t a bad thing at all! Just…well, shocking. Menus are in Russian, storefronts are in Russian, the waiters even speak Russian. So…why go to Russia when you can go to tropical Russia! JK… anyway, the Russian tourists were really nice, so embrace learning a new culture! As for the local atmosphere, breaking away from that touristy beach neighborhood, I found the local vibes to be much less friendly and welcoming than in Da Nang.
Da Nang
If you’re not looking at a Vietnamese local, you’re probably looking at 1 of 2 scenarios: a Korean tourist in a sun hat, or a free-spirited life-lovin’ expat that has moved to Da Nang to pursue something artistic or entrepreneurial (did I mention the expat community here is like, really impressive? Anywho…). As for the locals, the local atmosphere in Da Nang is just wonderful. While the language barrier is real, the locals are always incredibly kind, helpful, friendly and always eager to say “hello!!!” to you with an ear-to-ear grin. A smile is the universal language in Da Nang, and it’ll get you quite far.
THE WINNER: Gotta love the Russians, but…this one goes to DA NANG!
Food
Nha Trang
Let’s cut to the chase. I mean isn’t food the real reason we all travel? Nha Trang is known for its grilled beef and of course, it’s seafood. There was one BBQ restaurant that just BLEW me away. It’s called Bo Nuong Lac Canh (pic above), and it’s a local institution that specializes in grilled beef. But it doesn’t just serve up incredible beef, but grilled vegetables, grilled oysters, grilled squid, grilled…well anything you can dream up! Tucked away in a little alley far from the central tourist area of Nha Trang, the minute you step foot onto the tiny street you’ll be hit with smoky aromas of grilled godliness. I’ve gotta say, it knocks any other BBQ restaurant I’ve been to in Da Nang outta the park. A reason in itself to go there? YES.
Da Nang
I can’t point to one single thing to try in Da Nang…it’s all just so good! It’s like, how do you pick your favorite child? You wouldn’t dare! Sure, there are local specialties like Mi Quang and Banh Xeo, and then there are incredible family-style restaurants like Bep Hen, and then there are those fresh seafood restaurants that align the beach, and OH! You can’t forget that real local street food fish spot, that grills up a whole fish in teriyaki sauce on a tiny grill right in front of you for less than $6 (128 Yen Bai, City Center)…see what I mean? Prepare to eat yourself to foodcoma.
THE WINNER: It’s a TIE! Let’s face it. No matter where you are in Vietnam, you’re gonna eat good food.
Location & accessibility
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is located in the central- southern region of Vietnam, a very short flight from Ho Chi Minh City (or an 8-hour-drive). Note, the airport is pretty far outside the city in the middle of nowhere, about a 45-minute drive from the city limits.
Da Nang
Da Nang is smack dab in the middle of Vietnam – right in between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. It’s conveniently awesome airport is surprisingly in the city, and from any point in the city it won’t take you more than 20 minutes to get there. Most travelers go to Hoi An, and must pass through Da Nang’s airport anyway…so why don’t ya get comfy and just stay a while!
THE WINNER: Of course, this depends on your travel itinerary. Butttt, Da Nang’s airport is way more convenient, and due to its central location right next to popular Hoi An, this one is for you DA NANG!
So, Nha Trang vs Da Nang! Which will it be?
By A Wandering Casiedilla