Nha Trang
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| Nha Trang | |
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  Nha Trang
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Vietnam |
| Admin. division | Khanh Hoa Province |
| Area | |
| - Land | 251 km² (96.9 sq mi) |
| Population (2005)[1] | |
| - Total | 350,375 |
Nha Trang pronunciation is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa province, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is well known for its pristine beaches and excellent scuba diving and is fast becoming a popular destination for international tourists, attracting large numbers of backpackers as well as more affluent travelers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It is already very popular with Vietnamese tourists. Nha Trang Bay is amongst the world's most beautiful bays. Tourists can participate in Sea Festival and August- Nha Trang Rendez- vous Festival every 2 years. Nha Trang is the site of the Miss Universe 2008 Pageant to be held on July 14, 2008. It will be broadcast live on NBC Television on that date (which will be on the evening of July 13 back in the US.)
The city has about 300,000 inhabitants and is projected to increase to 500,000 to 600,000 inhabitants in the year 2020[citation needed] according to estimation of Nha Trang Administrative Board Statistics.
Historically, the city was known as Kauthara under the Champa. There's still Po Nagar Tower of Champa in Nha Trang now.
As a coastal city, Nha Trang's developed in marine science with Nha Trang Oceanography Institution. There's also Hon Mun marine protected area - one of four first marine protected area in the world admitted by IUCN. The famous French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Émile John Yersin (who discovered the Yersinia pestis bacterium) identified himself with Nha Trang's life for 50 years (people called him Ông Năm- Mr Fifth in familiar way), established the Indochina Pasteur Institution (Nha Trang Pasteur Institution now) to research bubonic plague and then died on March 1, 1943 in Nha Trang. A street in the city is named after him, there is a shrine located next to his tomb, and his house has been converted into the Yersin Museum.
Lying off Nha Trang is Bamboo Island, operated by the Sofitel Vinpearl Group. There is now a motorized chair lift system, reportedly the longest in the world, linking the mainland to the five-star resort and theme park on Bamboo Island.
Commercial flights to Nha Trang no longer use the city's municipal airport, but fly into the larger Cam Ranh airport, a former U.S. Air Force Base (built during the Vietnam War) located about 35 kilometers or 22 miles south of Nha Trang (see the Transport section below for additional details.)
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[edit] Geography
Nha Trang city has a metropolitan area of 251 km² and population of about 500,000 (as of 2007). It borders Ninh Hòa town by the north, Cam Ranh city by the south, Diên Khánh town by the west and the South China Sea to the east. The city is located on a beautiful bay, the Nha Trang Bay, which was chosen by Travel and Leisure in two succeeding years as one of 29 most beautiful bays in the world. Nha Trang is surrounded on all three sides by mountains and a large island on the fourth side (in the ocean directly in front of the city's main area) that blocks major storms from potentially damaging the city.
[edit] History
From 1653 to 19th century, Nha Trang was still a deserted area and was an area rich in wildlife animals like tigers, and was a part of Hà Bạc, Vĩnh Xương County, Diên Khánh Province. After just 2 decades of early 20nd century, Nha Trang underwent a rapid change. On 30 August 1924, the Governor-General of French Indochina (Gouverneur-General de l’Indochine) by a decree, establish Nha Trang as a townlet (centre urbain)[2]. Nha Trang Townlet was established from ancient villages of: Xương Huân, Phương Câu, Vạn Thạnh, Phương Sài, Phước Hải.
During French Indochina, Nha Trang was seen as de facto capital (chief lieu) of Khanh Hoa Province. The colonical administration offices like Envoy Office, Commanding Office, Trade Office, Post Office….were situated in Nha Trang. However, local royal offices like: Province Chief, Provincial Judge, Military Commander…are situated in Dien Khanh city (a walled military city located 10 km south-west of Nha Trang). On 7 May 1937 , the Governor-General of French Indochina by another decree upgraded Nha Trang Townlet to town (French: commune)[3]. At this time, Nha Trang Town had 5 wards: Xương Huân was the fist ward, Phương Câu was the second ward, Vạn Thạnh was the third ward, Phương Sài was the fourth ward, and Phước Hải was the fifth ward.
On January 27, 1958, the president of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngô Đình Diệm by Decree 18-BNV abrogated the town status of Nha Trang and divided Nha Trang into two rural communes: Nha Trang Đông (Eastern Nha Trang) and Nha Trang Tây (Western Nha Trang), under the administration of Vĩnh Xương County.
On October 22, 1970, the government of the Republic of Vietnam by Decree 132-SL/NV reestablished Nha Trang Town on the ground of Nha Trang Đông and Nha Trang Tây and other rural communes, namely Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, Vĩnh Trường, Vĩnh Nguyên, and villages: Phước Hải (Vĩnh Thái Commune), Vĩnh Điềm Hạ (Vĩnh Hiệp Commune), Ngọc Thảo, Ngọc Hội, Lư Cấm Villages (Vĩnh Ngọc Commune) under the administration of Vinh Xuong County, together with islands: Hòn Lớn, Hòn Một, Hòn Mun, Hòn Miễu, Hòn Tằm. Nha Trang Town was made the capital of Khanh Hoa Province. The town included 2 districts: district 1 and district 2. District 1 covered communes: Nha Trang Đông, Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, and villages: Ngọc Thảo, Ngọc Hội and Lư Cấm of Vĩnh Ngọc Commune, Vĩnh Điềm Hạ village of Vĩnh Hiệp Commune; district 2 covered communes: Nha Trang Tây, Vĩnh Trường, Vĩnh Nguyên (inclusive of islands of Hòn Tre, Hòn Một, Hòn Mun, Hòn Tằm), Phước Hải village of Vĩnh Thái Commune.
Following that establishment, the government by Decree 357-ĐUHC/NC/NĐ dated June 5, 1971 divided Nha Trang into 11 urban zones, of which, district 1 covered urban zones of Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, Ngọc Hiệp, Vạn Thạnh, Duy Tân; district 2 covered urban wards of Vĩnh Nguyên, Vĩnh Trường, Phương Sài, Tân Phước, Tân Lập, Phước Hải. Decree 553-BNV/HCĐP/NV dated 22 August 1972 renamed urban zones into urban wards. Decree 444-BNV/HCĐP/26.X dated September 3, 1974 merged islands of Hòn Một, Hòn Cậu, Hòn Đụn, Hòn Chóp Vung, Hòn Đỏ into Vĩnh Hải ward (district 1) and Hòn Ngọc into Vĩnh Nguyên ward (district 2) of Nha Trang Town.
On April 2, 1975, liberation (NLF/PRG/VPA) forces captured the city. On April 4, 1975, Khanh Hoa Military Commission (Ủy ban Quân quản Khánh Hòa) divided Nha Trang into 3 administrative: District 1, District 2 and Vĩnh Xương District.
In September 1975, District 1 and District 2 were merged to become one entity, the town of Nha Trang.
On March 30, 1977, the Council of the Government (now the cabinet) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by Decision 391-CP/QĐ upgraded Nha Trang to city status, a county-level city under the administration of Phu Khanh Province (a province created by merger of now Phú Yên Province and Khánh Hòa Province). 7 Communes of former Vĩnh Xương County, namely Vĩnh Thái, Vĩnh Ngọc, Vĩnh Hiệp, Vĩnh Lương, Vĩnh Trung, Vĩnh Thạnh, Vĩnh Phương was split from Khánh Xương County to become Nha Trang City territory.
On March 27, 1978, the provincial government by Decision 54-BT founded Phước Đồng Commune under Nha Trang City.
On July 1, 1989, Khanh Hoa was split from Phu Khanh Province to become Khanh Hoa Province as it was before, Nha Trang was made the capital of Khanh Hoa Province.
On 22 April 1999, the prime minister by Decision 106/1999 recognized Nha Trang City the second class municipal city.
[edit] Administrative divisions
Nha Trang is subdivided into 27 wards and communes, of which 19 are urban wards, namely: Vĩnh Hải, Vĩnh Phước, Vĩnh Thọ, Xương Huân, Vạn Thắng, Vạn Thạnh, Phương Sài, Phương Sơn, Ngọc Hiệp, Phước Hòa, Phước Tân, Phước Tiến, Phước Hải, Lộc Thọ, Tân Lập, Vĩnh Nguyên, Vĩnh Trường, Phước Long (founded in November 1998), Vĩnh Hòa (founded in April 2002); and 8 suburban communes, namely: Vĩnh Phương, Vĩnh Trung, Vĩnh Thạnh, Vĩnh Thái, Vĩnh Hiệp, Vĩnh Ngọc, Vĩnh Lương and Phước Đồng. Since 1998, due to the high pace of urbanization, many urban planned zones have been built, namely: Hòn Rớ, Bắc Việt, Thánh Gia, Đường Đệ, Nam Hòn Khô…
[edit] Origin of the name
According to some researches, the name Nha Trang derives from a false Vietnamese spelling of a geographical name in the Cham language of the site Ya Trang (lit. là Lau River), the name of the now Cai River as referred to by the Cham people). From the name of this river, the name was adopted to call what is now Nha Trang, which was officially made Vietnam’s territory in 1653.
As far as the recorded naming of Nha Trang is concerned, in Toàn tập Thiên Nam Tứ Chí Lộ Đồ Thư, a geographical book written by a Vietnamese scholar with the family of Đỗ Bá in the second half of the 18th century, the name Nha Trang Môn ("Nha Trang gate") was mentioned[4]. In another map dating to the 17th century, known as Giáp Ngọ Niên Bình Nam Đồ by a noble called Đoan Quận công Bùi Thế Đạt, the name Nha Trang Hải môn (Nha Trang Sea Gate) was also cited[4]. In Vietnamese recorded historic bibliographies, these books are perhaps the earliest ones that mentioned this place name.
In a work by Le Quy Don called Phủ biên tạp lục (1776), many Nha Trang-related names were also mentioned, such as đầm Nha Trang, dinh Nha Trang, nguồn Nha Trang, and đèo Nha Trang.
[edit] Education
Nha Trang is home to a multidisciplinary university, Nha Trang University (formerly Nha Trang Fishery University); Naval Academy; Air Force Academy; Normal (Teacher's) College; Kindergarten Teacher's Training College; and Arts and Tourism College. The city is home to the many high schools. Nha Trang Oceanography Institute, the unique institute of oceanography in Vietnam, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute one of the famous Pasteur Institutes in Vietnam are located in Nha Trang.
[edit] Transport
When Cam Ranh Bay used to be an important naval base, Nha Trang Airport was the main airport of the city. This airport was used by the United Stated Air Force and South Vietnam Air Force during the Vietnam War. When part of Cam Ranh Bay was made economic development zone by the Vietnamese government, Cam Ranh Airport (also a military airport built by the United States during Vietnam War) was made new civilian airport of the city. This airport is located by Cam Ranh Bay, 45 km (28 miles)south of the city and is currently (as of 2007) the fifth busiest airports in terms of passengers traffic in Vietnam serving more than 500,000 passengers in 2006. The city is locate by National Road 1A, the backbone north-south road of the country. The Reunification Railway also crosses the city and stops at Nha Trang Railway Station. The construction work of Van Phong Port , north of the city, a deep-water project capable of handling ships up to 100,000 tonnes and with a capacity of 100 million tonnes of cargo per annum is under progress by a consortium of Japanese corporations. The estimated investment capital for this port-city complex project is expected to reach US$15 billion (15*10^9).
[edit] Economy
Nha Trang’s economy relies largely on tourism. In the suburban areas around the city, the shipbuilding industry has developed and contributed significantly to the city’s economy. Fishery, services are also important to the city. Khanh Hoa Province in general and Nha Trang is particular are among one of the largest contributors to Vietnam's annual budget revenues. Lobster farming on the sea is an important industry for the people living in suburb areas of the city. To the south of the city, by Cam Ranh Bay, several industrial parks are under construction and have been partly available for investors. Once the construction of deep-water port on Van Phong Bay has been completed, this area will become another economic for this province (besides Nha Trang and Cam Ranh).
[edit] Tourism
Nha Trang is one of the most important tourist hubs of Vietnam, thanks to its beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperature all year round. There are several resorts, amusement parks in this city and on islands off the coast. The most beautiful streets of the city is Tran Phu Street along the seaside. Nha Trang is a venue for annual sailing boat racing from Hong Kong. In recent years, the city has welcomed many 5-star sea cruises. The city’s cuisine is famous for its fresh seafoods. The area's Bird's nest soup is deemed one of the best in Vietnam. Bird’s nests are collected naturally and in bird’s farms in the islands off the city coast and in some houses in the inner city. As a seaside city, its cuisine is characterized by several seafood dishes.
In addition to the sailing boat racing, Nha Trang has a wealth of tourist activities for visitors. Island hopping, scuba diving, water sports and many other great beach resort community activities can be had here in Nha Trang.
[edit] Recreation and night life
There is a lot of good and inexpensive fun to be had in Nha Trang. Scuba diving costs around $20 per trip, and there are several competing dive shops offering different dives to suit your taste. Most also offer the option to gain PADI certification. It is possible to kite board, but conditions are not as great as in[[Mui Ne}} further down the cost. A 16-foot Hobie Cat (Catamaran) sailboat is available for hire at around $25 for an hour, and an instructor from the rental shop will go out with you if you're not an experienced skipper. Winds are steady but don't expect to get up on one hull too often (if at all).
The nightlife is limited, but far better than most Vietnamese costal towns (Mui Ne, Da Nang, Vung Tau etc.). It is usually busiest around the New Year period, but it's worth visiting any time of year, as even in the off season there is a buzz about Nha Trang. The 'Sailing Club', right on the beach, is not to be missed. 'Why Not?' bar is a fantastic clean and reasonably cheap place to play some pool, and chill out with some air conditioning and Fosters on tap. If you've got more time, there are dozens of smaller places from Bia Hoi (the local draught beer - an acquired taste) places to slightly trendier, very cheap, bars.
[edit] Security
Robbery is not uncommon in Nha Trang, particularly of western tourists walking home at night after drinking at bars.
If planning a particularly big night out the usual precautions should be taken:
- Don't drink too much. You're less likely to be approached if you look like you might resist.
- Carry minimal cash, use a money belt rather than a wallet.
- Leave all other valuables including cameras with reception at your hotel, they should have a safe to securely store them in.
[edit] Tourist Attractions
- Alexandre Yersin Museum
- Boat tour on Cai River, visiting islands off the coast and Ba Ho Waterfall.
- Bao Dai king Palace
- Thap Ba Hot Spring
- Nha Phu Lagoon
- Hoa Lan Stream
- Monkey Island
- Sạn Beach
- Hòn Chồng Island
- Hòn Tằm Island
- Hòn Mun Island
- Hòn Con Sẻ Tre Island
- Hòn Ông Island
- Đảo Yến Island (Swallow Island)
- Hòn Tre Island
- Suối Đổ Stream
- Suối Tiên Stream
- Hòn Bà Island
- Yangbay Waterfall
- Tháp Bà Ponagar Nha Trang (a Champa Tower)
- Chùa Long Sơn (Long Son Pagoda or White Buddha Pagoda)
- Nha Trang Oceanography Institute, the largest of its kind in Indochina where thousands of oceanic life samples, exhibits are on display. It is also home to the largest oceanic library in Vietnam.
- Chánh Tọa Church (or Mountain Church)
- Nha Trang Pasteur Instittute
- Trí Nguyên Aquarium (an aquarium where hundreds of rare oceanic species are fed)
[edit] References
- ^ Giới thiệu thành phố Nha Trang
- ^ According to J.O.I.C page 1689, a copy from French version kept as archives Monographical Department of Khanh Hoa Province Library.
- ^ According to Official Gazette number 9 of 1937 by the French colonial government, kept as archive in Monographical Department of Khanh Hoa Library.
- ^ a b Hồng Đức bản đồ, bản dịch của Bửu Cầm và cộng sự, Viện Khảo cổ Sài Gòn xuất bản 1962.
[edit] External links
- Nha Trang photo gallery
- Hotel Directory for Nha Trang
- Official website of the provincial government
- Official news agency off the province
- Khanh Hoa Province map
- Nha Trang Online
- Vinpearl Land
- The coastline of Vietnam
- Nha Trang Sea Festtival Website
- Khanh Hoa Online
- About Nha Trang Festival
- Nha Trang accommodation
- Nha Trang Club
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