Getting to Know Nha Trang – Walking Tour

One of the biggest sites to visit in Nha Trang is its incredible cathedral. The Cathedral of Christ the King is the seat of the bishop of Nha Trang. The Diocese of Nha Trang is a part of the Arch Diocese of Hue, serving south-central Vietnamese Catholics. The Cathedral of Christ the King looks like some medieval European village church. It's tall clock tower soars above a stained glass rose window, and the vaulted ceilings give the cathedral an open, airy feel. The numerous stained glass windows let bright tropical sunlight fill the cathedral.

Long Son Pagoda, also known as Chua Long Son, is situated on the foothill of Trai Thuy Mountain in the city of Nha Trang. The temple is famous for its large white Buddha image, which sits atop the mountain crest and can be seen from anywhere in town. Built in 1886 in the style of Taoist architecture, Long Son Pagoda has been home to many high-ranking Buddhist monks and the Vietnam Buddhist Studies Foundation was founded here in 1936. After being destroyed by a cyclone in 1990, the whole complex was rebuilt at the present site further down the hill. In its attempt to recreate the exact replica of the old temple, Long Son underwent many restorations and additions, interrupted at times by the Vietnam War and civil unrests. The white Buddha image was constructed much later in 1964.

Nha Trang is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa Province, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Nha Trang is well known for its beaches and scuba diving and is also known as the Riviera of the South China Sea. Except for a six-kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline with white sandy beaches, clear waters, verdant mountain, there are also 19 untouched islets that are just a short boat ride away. A number of sightseeing and recreational activities, the coastal town itself is steeped with breath-taking structures that date back to the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, as well as natural hot springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls.

Commonly known as Thap Ba, the Po Nagar Cham Towers are a complex of temples erected approximately before 781 A.D. This complicated site belonged to the medieval principality of Khauthara, a small country near modern Nha Trang. The Po Nagar Towers are now situated on a mountain called Cu Lao, in downtown Nha Trang and next to Cai River. Compared to the original design, the towers nowadays have only a few differences (except for the Golden Dome which has been robbed by pirates). The four Po Nagar Towers today are truly beautiful and charming. Each of them was built to dedicate to a unique deity.