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I N D O N E S I A

M A L A Y S I A

T H A I L A N D

Nha Trang

P O R T E X P L O R E R

Nha TrangV I E T N A M

This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose. While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct,

we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing.

© RCCL 2008. All rights reserved.

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GENERAL INFORMATION Nha Trang was the site of the ancient Cham culture and is the setting for one of the most alluring beaches in Vietnam. The city is situated on the coast of the South China Sea, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Cam Ranh Bay, and is the capital of the Khanh Hoa Province. Approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Nha Trang is the beautiful Dai Lanh Beach. This beach is the most easterly point on the Vietnam mainland. The rocky islands off the coast of Nha Trang are home to sea swallows whose nests are used in the preparation of sea swallow’s soup, popular both as a delicacy as well as for its medicinal properties. Nha Trang’s dry season, unlike that of Ho Chi Minh City, runs from June to October. The wettest months are October and November, but rain usually falls only at night or in the morning.

This port city, with a population today of over 210,000, was established in 1924 and was a popular recreation spot for American sailors during the Vietnam War. The city is now Vietnam’s closest answer to a developed tropical resort.

HISTORY The origins of the Vietnamese people are surrounded in legend. Recent finds indicate that the earliest human habitation of Northern Vietnam stretches back 500,000 years. The Chinese conquered the Red River Delta in the 2nd century B.C. and found a feudally organized society based on hunting and agriculture. Chinese settlers migrated into the area over the next few centuries and tried to impose a centralized state system. From the 1st to the 6th centuries A.D., the south was part of an Indianised Kingdom of Funan, which produced refined art and architecture. After the collapse of the Tang Dynasty in China in the early 10th century, the Vietnamese revolted against Chinese rule. In 938 A.D. the Chinese lost the battle of Bach Dang River, ending 1,000 years of Chinese rule.

France’s military activity in Vietnam began in 1847, when the French Navy attacked Da Nang Harbor in response to Thieu Tri’s actions against Catholic missionaries. After the death of Emperor Tu Duc in 1883, the French attacked Hué and imposed a Treaty of Protectorate on the Imperial Court. The Japanese overthrew the French government in Vietnam in 1945. During their short reign it is estimated that 10 million people starved to death due to the lack of rice. After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan by the U.S.A., the Viet Minh assumed full control of the north, while other non-communist groups wrestled for power in the south. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was formed in Hanoi in September, 1945. The Viet Cong was formed in 1960 to force the withdrawal of all foreign troops on Vietnamese soil. In 1964, North Vietnamese troops were advancing to the south. The regime in Saigon

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History continued

was becoming weaker and the peasants were disillusioned. The Americans made a full scale military commitment to the preservation of the South Vietnamese Government. During the Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) Offensive of 1968, many major cities and towns were attacked by the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army. In 1975, North Vietnamese troops rolled into Saigon after a massive offensive and Saigon fell. In 1977, Vietnam entered the United Nations. The U.S. Trade Embargo against Vietnam was lifted in February, 1994 and full diplomatic relations were re-established in late 1995.

NHA TRANG POINTS OF INTEREST

1 Po Nagar Cham Towers, locally called Tap Ba,

were built between the 7th and 12th centuries on a site used for Hindu worship as early as the 2nd century A.D. Today, both Vietnamese and ethnic Chinese Buddhists come to Po Nagar to pray and make offerings. The towers of Po Nagar stand on a granite knoll 1.25 miles (2 km) north of Nha Trang on the left bank of the Cai River. There were once seven or eight towers at Po Nagar, four of which remain today.

2 Long Son Pagoda or Tinh Hoi Khanh Hoa Pagoda as it is also known is a popular sight with tourists. Located

approximately a third of a mile (500meters) west of the railroad station, the pagoda was founded in the late 19th century and has been rebuilt several times over the years. The main sanctuary is an attractive hall covered with modern interpretations of traditional motifs. At the top of the hill behind the pagoda is the huge white Buddha, seated on a lotus blossom, which is visible from all over the city.

3 Pasteur Institute and Museum is found across from the beach on Phan Thu Street. Andre Yersin, a Frenchman,

founded the Nha Trang Institute in 1895 to help research ways of improvingVietnamese hygiene and immune systems. Yersin is best known as being the man who discovered the cause of the bubonic plague. The library of Yersin has now been made into a museum.

4 Central Market or Dam Market bustles with activity. The market offers a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and

seafood – all colorfully displayed by local vendors. A selection of clothing and local handicrafts are also available.

Beyond Central Nha Trang

Cau Da is a tiny village about 3 miles (5 km) south of Nha Trang and allows for easy access to Mieu Island, where an interesting

aquarium (Bao Dai) may be found.

SHORE EXCURSIONS To make the most of your visit to Nha Trang and surrounding areas, we suggest you take one of the organized Shore Excursions. For further information consult your Shore Excursion brochure or contact the Shore Excursion desk. When going ashore, guests are advised to take with them only the items they need and to secure any valuables.

LOCAL CUSTOMS Bargaining: Bargain in either the local currency (Dong) or the U.S. Dollar. Bargaining should be good natured – smile, don’t raise your voice or argue. In some cases you will be able to get a discount of up to 30%. Prices tend to be fixed in most large stores, but smaller shops will negotiate.

Tipping: Tipping is becoming increasingly expected in Vietnam, although it is not usually required. Government run hotels and restaurants generally add a 10% service charge.

Dress Code: Light cotton clothing is suggested. T-Shirts, shorts and jeans are suitable in most cases. For women, longer dresses and pants are the norm. The Vietnamese on the whole are very tolerant, but a show of too much skin is taboo. When visiting temples be sure to dress more conservatively. Slip on shoes (not open toe) are the easiest to get in and out of.

Avoiding Offence: Displays of emotion – from affection to anger – are considered crass and rude. Never show anger, regardless of the situation as most Southeast Asians abhor conflict. Don’t touch the head of anyone, including children as it is a sign of disrespect. The feet are considered to be unclean. When seated, don’t point them in anyone’s direction.

Local Cuisine: The Vietnamese are particularly fond of seafood, but prepare chicken, beef, pork and vegetable dishes equally well. The proper way to eat is to take rice from the large shared dish and put it in your rice bowl. Using your chopsticks, take meat, fish or vegetables from the serving dishes and add them to your rice. Do not stick your chopsticks vertically into a rice bowl and leave them there as this is a classic Buddhist death sign. Pho is the Vietnamese name for the noodle soup that is a special favorite at breakfast. Lau, fish and vegetable soup; Bun Thang, rice noodles with fried egg and prawns; Ech Tam Bot Ran, frog meat soaked in batter and fried; and various vegetarian dishes are the most popular.

Drink Specialties: Vietnamese coffee is served French-style, brewed at the table. Vietnamese tea is inexpensive, but not particularly tasteful. Nuoc Dua (coconut milk) can be sweetened with sugar and is excellent on a hot day. So-Da Chanh (lemon soda) is the most prevalent. Coca-Cola and Sprite can usually be found as well. Imported beer is fairly cheap in Vietnam. Imports such as Heineken, San Miguel and Tiger are available in hotels and marketplaces. The local brew is 333. New local brands are emerging quite rapidly. Bottled water is recommended.

SHOPPING FACILITIES The main shopping areas are found in the center of Nha Trang on Nguyen Hoang Street and Doc Lap Street as well as along Nha Trang Beach. For souvenirs of the sea, (shells, stuffed sealife) you will find an abundance of kiosks in Cau Da. The Central Market carries local handicrafts, clothing, fruits and vegetables.

The specialties of the area include silk clothing, wickerware, jade, ceramics, antiques, carvings and books. Many tourist oriented stores and street merchants may accept U.S. Dollars. Most stores allow the use of major credit cards.

LOCAL CURRENCY The unit of currency in Vietnam is called the Dong (d). There are no coins currently in use. Notes are available in the following denominations: 200, 500, 1,000 and 5,000.

POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE FACILITIES The General Post Office (#5 on map) is located at 2 Tran Phu Blvd. near the northern end of Nha Trang Beach and one block from the Thang Loi Hotel.

The Nha Trang Telecommunications Center can be found at 2 Le Loi Street. Collect overseas calls will need to be placed by a Vietnamese operator.

Dial the following access numbers to use a personal calling card:

AT&T: 1.201.0288 MCI: 1201.1022 service only available from local post officesSprint: Not available

TRANSPORTATION Taxis may be available at the pier, but most are not metered. Taxi drivers will, for the most part, accept local currency and the U.S. Dollar. Fares and currency used should be negotiated with the driver before departing.

TOURIST INFORMATION The Khan Hoa Tourism Office is located at 1 Tran Hung Dao Street.

USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES

Good morning/afternoon – Xin chao (Buoi sang)How much? – Bao nhieu? Thank you – Cam onYou’re welcome – Khong co chi Please – Lam on, vui longWhere is the toilet? – Phong ve sinh?

The official language is Vietnamese, which is a combination of Chinese, Thai, Cham and Mon-Khmer. English and French are widely spoken.