June 6, 2024
Leaving Hanoi for Nha Trang
Today was our last day in Hanoi, and we were flying to Nha Trang.
For breakfast, we walked to a pho place (see on map) near our hotel. The restaurant was crowded with locals. Since only Vietnamese menus were displayed on the wall, we ordered by pointing.
The staff also brought us freshly fried bread that we hadn’t ordered, but it looked good, so we bought it. The total was 120,000 VND for two bowls of pho and two portions of fried bread. Everything tasted great.
My friend is a light eater and barely touched the bread, so I ended up eating most of it.
Heading to Hai Phong Airport
After breakfast, we took a taxi to Hai Phong Airport (see on map). We booked it through an app called Xanh SM: Book EV Rides, which one of the hotel staff members—who had been incredibly helpful during our stay—recommended.
He insisted, “It’s better than Grab! You can even schedule pick-up times.”
The green EV car was clean, quiet, and comfortable. The ride from downtown Ha Long to Hai Phong Airport, including the highway tolls, cost 532,000 VND.
At the airport, I enjoyed my usual treat—using Priority Pass to spend some relaxing time at the Phuong Vy Business Lounge. Light snacks were available, and the seating area was pleasant.
Our flight started boarding about 30 minutes late. We flew with VietJet Air again, and the one-way fare was 21,914 yen per person.
Arriving in Nha Trang
At Cam Ranh International Airport, we had a pre-booked transfer to our hotel, which made the arrival very smooth.
We checked in at Citadines Hotel(see on map). The four-night stay in a two-bedroom unit with breakfast was 41,952 yen.
The hotel is right in front of the beach, and guests can use the laundry machines for 150,000 VND each for washing and drying.
After settling in, we took some free time and explored Nha Trang separately. As expected from Vietnam, the streets were full of motorbikes.
Exploring the City
We walked through the tourist-friendly night market (see on map). The neon lights were beautiful.
We later met up with a couple—friends of a friend—who live in Nha Trang, and we all had dinner together.
Dinner With Local Friends
First, we had bánh căn, an egg dish cooked in small clay molds.
Then we tried bánh canh, a noodle dish made from cassava (the same ingredient used to make tapioca). The noodles were smooth, chewy, and incredibly delicious—one of my favorites.
We also tried an omelet wrapped in rice paper.
This is the traditional tool used to cook bánh căn.
The couple told us that today happened to be Vegetarian Day in Vietnam, a day when many restaurants that serve meat are closed. We originally planned to go to a place with meat dishes, but it was closed because of the holiday.
Buying Fruit Before Returning to the Hotel
Before going back to our hotel, we stopped by a fruit shop (see on map).
We found a fruit called sugar apple—known in Japan as シャカトウ（釈迦頭）—which neither of us had seen before. We bought two for 50,000 VND.
We’re excited to see what it tastes like.
