Known as the capital of Khanh Hoa Province, the coastal town of ${bigcity_Nha_Trang:"Nha Trang"} is home to the most pristine beaches and excellent diving spots, making it a popular destination for thousands of tourists every year. Packed with all the wonderful attractions, Nha Trang retained its small town atmosphere. No wonder on the number of visitors it lures to its sands. But beyond all the relaxing moments, there are more of this beauty and wonders that will unfold just slightly further ahead.

15 kilometers North of Nha Trang, a haven quietly sits. A bay called Nha Phu is a great place to explore for nature lovers who want to immerse themselves in tranquility. It is one among the four big bays of Khanh Hoa Province, of which, exploring it unfolds an entirely new world. Along it, visitors can explore many charming islands. The largest, Hon Lao, is also the most famous.

Hon Lao Island is called “Monkey Island" because of the over 1,000 tame monkeys that thrive in it. Apart from coming up close to the wild but friendly monkeys, tourists can enjoy entertainments and recreational activities including swimming, fishing, scuba diving, go-cart racing, bamboo raft racing and horseback riding. A trip to the Hon Lao Tourism Park offers a different kind of fun with the animal circus performed by goats, monkeys, cats and dogs.

Another popular among its islands is the Thi Island. It sits in a vast area of 500 hectares filled with the most graceful bodies of water. Its calm seawater makes it perfect for swimming all year round. Here, tourists can enjoy all the best fresh seafood, meat and vegetables that are served on bamboo tables. Apart from the wonderful natural landscapes, the island also features a pristine beach, ostrich and deer farms. Adorned with patches of wild flowers and fruit orchards where mangos, guavas, custard-apples, oranges, dragon fruit and coconut trees, exploring the orchards allows one to enjoy magnificent treats of impressive seaside rock formations and deep caves that will feed any adventurous spirit.

But the spectacle doesn’t end there, a little further from Thi Island is the Hoa Lan (Orchid) Brook on Hon Heo Peninsula - - - a place definitely worth exploring. Formed by several small streams flowing down from the rocky slopes of Hon Heo Mountain, and circling the entire stretch of the island, it shares its name with Hoa Lan Brook Tourist Park, which is known for a natural cave that is filled with orchid gardens. Here, visitors can explore the wide collection of beautiful orchids gathered from across the northern and central regions as well as plants native to the central coast. In fact, there are more than 3,000 specimens of 39 orchid species within the park's grotto-like “Cave of Orchid Flowers”. The park also features a unique 6-km labyrinth built in a forest of 45,000 willow trees.

Sam Island is another place visitors shouldn’t miss. With the fresh air and shade of the natural and native longan and orange trees the island is adorned with, along with its thick and lush forest, anyone who loves a quiet getaway will find peace here. But a quick stop the Hoa Lan Brook Tourist Park can be another great way to enjoy a cozy afternoon in Huong Viet Restaurant which sits under the shade of bamboo trees.

Though cruising may be fun, many wants to actually get wet and make the most of what nature from this part of Vietnam has to offer. Near Nha Trang, about 45 kilometers west of its coastal resort town, the Yang Bay Waterfalls is hidden beneath the lush forest in Khanh Vinh District's Khanh Phu Commune. No longer a secret to everyone, but still in its pristine state, the entire 570-hectare area along with the greeneries that envelope it has been turned into Yang Bay Tourist Park. From the 80-meter bay runs clear water which flows from a spring 2km long and dives down into a one-meter deep pool. Tourists love to spend afternoons swimming in the pond or just soaking themselves in the hot spring and enjoy the calm and quiet. Two waterfalls also flow nearby, the Yang Khang and the Ho Cho.

Tourists can also enjoy songs played by Raglay artists (one of the 53 ethnic minority communities in Vietnam) at the park’s ethnic musical instrument house. They play on traditional instruments like the Chapi, T’rung, Tacung flute, and Taleploi clarinet. There are many opportunities for visitors to stop and take pictures here.

Though Vietnam has incredible scenes around, Nha Trang Bay will always be sought for. Within it and even further beyond, the amazing scenes and adventure makes it a favorite place to come for a breathe of fresh sea air and a moment of tranquility not many others places are generous of.