Nha Trang's Boat Trips

Nha Trang’s boat trips became famous, or more accurately, notorious, when a local entrepreneur known as Mama Hanh set up Vietnam’s first booze cruises. Local legends about her ability to drink everyone under the table abound. Her riotous island beach parties scandalised the authorities until she disappeared from view several years ago – accounts differ, with prison, abroad, and retirement being the most common explanations, the latter being the most unlikely.

Nevertheless, the tradition has been observed in a more muted form by other companies. Downright decadent behaviour has been moderated to mildly outrageous, but the day excursions are still great fun, albeit cheap and commercial.If you get bored with the beach, you can be picked up from your hotel to cruise to four different islands, each with its own attractions. Mun Island offers accessible coral reefs. Snorkelling equipment is available to allow you to join the multicoloured fish darting among the corals. Non-snorkellers can don a lifebelt and splash around in safety. The boat will anchor off Mot Island for a communal picnic-style lunch on the boat washed down with local wine and beer. Adventurous souls can try the local delicacy – sea-urchin soup! Your boat crew will serenade and entertain you until the ‘floating bar’ opens – as much local wine as you can drink! After much hilarity, Tam Island is next. It’s a mini-resort with water sports – if time permits, you can parasail for a magnificent view of the islands and Nha Trang Bay if your stomach can cope with it. Finally, you’ll visit Mieu Island’s fish farm. The villagers will take you to the shore in a bamboo basket sampan – very similar to a small Welsh coracle. If you’ve never mastered the art of rowing a circular boat with a single paddle, this is your chance to learn. In practice, it nearly always turns into a full-scale splashing competition egged on by the local women who paddle the boats.

If you survive all this, you’ll dock in the late afternoon and be driven back to your hotel in time for the evening festivities.

For those of a gentler disposition, there are also sedate riverboat cruises along Nha Trang’s main waterway, visiting traditional villages and enjoying the countryside along both banks. The fishing boat harbour is the first stop, followed by visits to local craftspeople producing traditional clay ovens and incense sticks. You’ll be able to wander around Vinh Phuong, an attractive traditional village.