Nha Trang

Coastal town of central Vietnam, situated on the right bank of the River Cai at its mouth on the South China Sea, 400 km/249 mi northeast of Ho Chi Minh City; population (2000 est) 260,600. It is the capital of Phu Khanh Province. Development as a seaport followed the updating of the port facilities in the 1970s and timber is now an important export. There is also an important fishing industry.

On the opposite bank of the river to Nha Trang are the shrines of the Cham dynasty known as Po Nagar (‘Lady of the City’), built between the 7th and 12th centuries, which are remarkable for their architecture and excellent state of preservation. The Oceanographic Institute of Vietnam was founded here in 1922.