A four-hour cruise in Nha Trang Bay offers scenery, culture and cuisine as visitors soak up the sun and enjoy music and seafood.
Hoai Trang, 22, and a friend took a weekend sightseeing cruise across Nha Trang Bay. She chose a two-deck yacht that can accommodate up to 48 passengers.
The vessel is equipped with a bar, lounge and dining areas, standup boarding boards, snorkeling gear, and jet skis.
The tour costs VND1.5 million (US$57) per person.
The yacht departs from Nha Trang Tourist Pier at 3 p.m. with guests given a safety briefing before leaving.
The cruise moves at a leisurely pace, allowing passengers to take photos. The bow is a favorite spot for pictures and also serves as a prime sunbathing area.
Guests are served seafood and a variety of Vietnamese dishes.
At 4 p.m. the yacht anchors off the southern coast of Hon Tre Island, near Con Se Tre Beach, where guests can enjoy swimming and other water activities for about an hour.
Fishing rods and bait are available for passengers interested in fishing.
"This tour is perfect for people who want to do a bit of everything, sightseeing, relaxing, dining, and playing in the water, when they're short on time," Trang says.
At around 5 p.m. visitors can enjoy views of the sunset over Nha Trang Bay.
Several companies operate cruise tours in Nha Trang Bay, including Aman Yacht, Vega Yacht, Nemo Yacht, and Catamaran Vietnam.
The yacht then continues past Hon Chong Promontory, a tourist spot known for its rock formations, ocean views, and a boulder balanced atop another with a handprint-like indentation.
According to Nguyen Quang Thang, vice chairman of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, cruise tourism not only enhances service quality but also aligns with sustainable tourism trends, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to mass tourism.
By 7 p.m. the yacht glides past Tran Phu Street, giving guests a glimpse of the city lights before concluding the tour.
Spread over nearly 250 square kilometers, Nha Trang Bay is one of Vietnam's 16 designated marine protected areas. It is home to a diverse ecosystem, including some of the richest coral reefs in the world.
