NIGHTLIFE

Nha Trang is famous for the coast’s best nightlife. Much of the area is walkable around the ‘budget hotel zone’ (between Trang Quang Khai and Biet Thu Sts, between the beach and Nguyen Thien Thuat St). At some point, everyone ends up at Sailing Club (below).

Bars

The infamous CRAZY KIM BAR (tel 058-523-072; [email protected]; 19 Biet Thu St; open 9.30am-midnight) is worth a look. It gets a bit garishly Tex-Mex, particularly in the back with the pink dentist chairs used for drinking purposes later on. Kim may be crazy, but she puts money to help street kids (and prevent paedophelia), and maintains an active school for kids in the back (during the day only). That’s something to toast to.

Far more stylish is electronica-fueled GUAVA (17 Biet Thu St; open 10am-late) with comfy lounge seats in a two-room bar with pool table and plenty of drink specials too.

Around the corner to the north is the compact SHAMROCK BAR (56A Nguyen Thien Thuat St), sporting the smell of last night’s beer and cricket, soccer or Aussie rules football on the telly. A pint of Foster’s is US$1.60 (3-10pm).

After midnight most action moves to the beach – that is, if not before – and the late-night hub is the slick SAILING CLUB (72-74 Tran Phu St), with three restaurants and beach seats. It gets loud late, with dancing and plenty of drunk people.

Discos

Hotels tend to have the best nightclubs. Try the dancefloros at Saigontourist-run YASAKA HOTEL NIGHTCLUB (18 Tran Phu St) or NHA TRANG LODGE NIGHTCLUB (42 Tran Phu St).