Vietnam - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 882

he shallows that ring Hon Tam ,
2km southeast of Mieu, are good for
snorkelling. Hon Tre is the largest of Nha
Trang's islands, endowed with dramatic
cliffs and a fine, white-sand beach, Bai
Tru - perhaps the best beach in the area.
Two smaller isles hover off Hon Tre's
southern coast: Hon Mot has a stony
beach which is popular with snorkellers,
and while there's no beach to speak of on
Hon Mun , there's some great coral.

CRIME IN NHA TRANG
Nha Trang seems to have more petty
crime than elsewhere, so leave surplus
cash in the hotel safe when heading out.
There have been reports of attacks on
young men coming back alone late at
night, as well as drive-by bag snatchings
and laced drinks in nightclubs. Check
prices on tickets to avoid being
overcharged at tourist sites.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Cam Ranh Airport ( W nhatrangairport.com) is
28km south of town; Vietnam Airlines runs buses to and
from its pick-up point at 86 Tran Phu (60,000VND) two
hours before scheduled departure times; metered taxis
costs about 320,000VND.
Destinations Da Nang (2 daily; 1hr 20min); Hanoi (5 daily;
2hr); HCMC (9 daily; 55min).
By bus Nha Trang is a major stop for open-tour buses
which terminate at their respective agencies' o ces in the
centre. They run twice a day to HCMC (9hr) and Mui Ne
(6hr), and once a day to Da Lat (5hr), Da Nang (12hr),
Hanoi (32hr) and Hue (17hr). Open-tour buses are the only
way to reach Mui Ne, which is not served by local buses.
The Phia Nam Nha Trang long-distance bus station is 500m
west of the train station on Thai Nguyen. The recommended
Mai Linh company (book through your lodgings) runs
buses to Buon Ma Thuot (several daily; 4hr), Da Lat (several
daily; 5hr) and HCMC (hourly; 9hr) from the bus station;
hotel pick-up available.
By train Nha Trang's train station is just west of the centre
along Thai Nguyen. The ticket o ce is open daily
7-11.30am, 1.30-6pm & 7-9pm.
Destinations

22/4 Hung Vuong ( T 012 29037795, W divingvietnam
.com); and Oceans 5 Dive, 78 Tue Tinh ( T 058 3522012,
W oceans5.co). Expect to pay $75 for two fun dives for
certified divers, including lunch on the boat. All offer PADI
Open Water beginner and advanced courses ($395).
Watersports Waves Watersports, based at La Louisiane
Brewhouse (see p.887), organize wakeboarding, water-
skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, kitesurfing and
kayaking. They also offer surfing courses in the winter
($100/day).

11

ACCOMMODATION
Backpackers House 54g Nguyen Thien Thuat T 058
3524500, W backpackershouse.net. Very popular hostel
with spacious a/c dorms and private double rooms, one
with a private garden. Wi-fi is patchy an d bathro oms could
be cleaner. Breakfast included. Dorm $7 , double $12
Binh An Hotel 28H Hoang Hoa Tham T 058 3524858,
W binhanhotel.com. Hotel run by a congenial old couple,
with spotless, tiled rooms, some with balconies, fresh fruit
for guests, and a quiet loc ation just outside the main
backpacker area. Double $15
Hien Mai Hotel 55/6 Nguyen Thien Thuat T 058
3526745. Family-owned hotel with considerate staff,
clean and secure rooms feat uring cable TV and a/c.
Breakfast included. Double $25
Mai Huy 7h Hung Vuong T 058 3527553, W maihuyhotel
.com. Appealing guesthouse in a quiet but central alley-
way, offering warmly decorated fan and a/c ro oms with
wooden furniture and pretty bedspreads. Double $15
★

Da Nang (5 daily; 12-15hr); Hanoi (5 daily;
26-33hr); HCMC (5 daily; 9-12hr); Hue (5 daily; 11hr
30min-16hr).

INFORMATION AND TOURS
Services Vietcombank is at 17 Quang Trung. There are
pharmacies at 23d Biet Thu & 21 Quang Trung and the post
o ce is at 24 Hung Vuong.
Tour operators Tour operators can arrange motorbike
tours ($20-60/day, depending on distance), open-tour
buses, tours of the region, and boat trips to nearby islands.
Reputable operators include Sinh Tourist, 2a Biet Thu
( T 058 3522982, W thesinhtourist.vn).

Mojzo Inn 120/36 Nguyen Thien Thuat T 058
6255568, W mojzo-inn.com. The staff here are a lot of
fun, plus the good location, free breakfasts, particularly
comfortable bunk beds and thoughtful touches such as
storage cages and individual p ower so ckets make this a
top backpacker choice. Dorm $8 , double $18
Perfume Grass Inn (Que Thao) 4a Biet Thu T 058
3524286, W perfume-grass.com. Thoughtful employees, a
good café, and compact, tastefully furnished en-suite
rooms equipped with cable TV and a/c or fan. The upper
rooms have sea views, and all rates include breakfast.
Double $17

ACTIVITIES
Diving During the rainy season, visibility can be low, and
dives are often cancelled. The most reliable and profes-
sional operators are Rainbow Divers, 90a Hung Vuong
( T 090 8781756, W divevietnam.com); Mark Scott's Diving,