The beach and seafood haven of Nha Trang, located in southern Vietnam just over an hour’s flight from Saigon, is famous for its hotel stretch and massive Vinpearl Land Nha Trang theme park.
But if you’re looking to escape the party crowd for a change, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, located on a quiet peninsula northeast of the city, is where you can score that precious me time.
The resort is located on the side of a beachfront mountain slope.
Image credit: @sixsensesninhvanbay
Fronted by a bay and nestled under forested mountains, the resort boasts 62 villas, on-site seafood and international restaurants and bars, a spa offering local treatments, yoga and wellness classes, and both water and land tours.
To get you there, the resort can escort you from Cam Ranh Airport. You’ll take a 60-minute shared van ride to a pier lounge at Nha Trang owned by the resort, and finally go 20 minutes on shared boat to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.
Trips are USD62/person/way, half price for children from 6-11, and free for kids under 6.
A private deck and pool are available in all villas
Image adapted from @sixsensesninhvanbay and @sixsensesninhvanbay
Choose from hilltop or beachfront pool villas (158 and 176 sqm) from VND19,812,180 (~USD853.79), or larger family beach or two-bedroom hilltop pool villas (207 and 267 sqm) from VND26,577,592 (~USD1,145.34) a night. For the ultimate splurge, there are also villas set right on the bay that offer more privacy.
Bayfront villas
Image credit: @sixsensesninhvanbay
Whichever you choose, you’ll get a sea view and private pool, private deck and outdoor dining space, as well as the comforts of a mini-bar, tea and coffee, bicycles, WiFi, and on-call butler service.
Image credit: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Head to the Six Senses Spa with a gym and yoga pavilion for your morning stretches. The spa’s complete with a steam room, sauna, manicure and pedicure and meditation areas.
Image credit: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Pick from Vietnamese pressure point massages with heated suction cups and essential oils, green coffee body treatment that offers to improve lymphatic circulation of cellulite-prone areas, and more. Treatments start at VND1,749,825 (~USD75.41).
Beachside dining and a day bed where drinks are served
Image adapted from @sixsensesninhvanbay and @sixsensesninhvanbay
When you’re hungry after that, choose to dine by the bay all day or at the main swimming pool during lunch – both with ocean and bay views – with Vietnamese and international cuisine. You can also order bar drinks and enjoy them at beach daybeds, complete with TVs screening news and classic movies.
Or head into the Wine Cave restaurant that feels like a underground wine collector’s dining room for your meals out of the sun’s rays.
Vooc Village for kids
Image adapted from @sixsensesninhvanbay and @sixsensesninhvanbay
While on your activities or tours outside the resort, you can leave the kids with the Vooc Village activity center that also offers paid babysitting.
Volleyball, petanque, badminton, tennis courts, water sports and diving amenities are also at hand.
Vinpearl Land Nha Trang at night
Image adapted from @dima_altay_traveler
The famous Vinpearl Land Nha Trang theme park cannot be missed – as well as the Đa Bảo Pagoda (Chùa Đa Bảo) that doubles as a motorbiking and hiking destination with a rewarding Nha Trang Bay view.
The view from Đa Bảo Pagoda
Image credit: Son Son
Up-and-coming cafes are popping up at downtown Nha Trang – such as the pared-down, homey I Am Cake pastry spot and modern Korean hanok-inspired Sol Coffee and Desserts.
Image adapted from @_bloem_ici and @beennari
Of course, the Nha Trang beach (Bãi biển Nha Trang) strip is where you can join the locals who come out for a beer or two by sunset.
If you’d prefer the resort to arrange for your activities, there’re plenty – from cooking classes to hot spring mud baths, snorkeling at a protected reef, Nha Trang Bay island-hopping with a floating restaurant stop, or a Nha Phu Bay romantic cruise with wine.
Beach holidays need not be about clubbing and parties all the time – sometimes a quiet retreat far from downtown hubs can help you get the peace you need.
Visit Six Senses Ninh Van Bay if you’d like to try a resort with a view and offerings that truly rival our neighboring countries’ established ones.
Address: Ninh Vân, Ninh Hòa, Khánh Hòa
Telephone: 258 3524 268
GPS coordinates: 12°21’31.3″N 109°16’38.9″E
Nha Trang pier GPS coordinates (for those driving by themselves or taking a taxi): 12°20’39.8″N 109°12’08.5″E
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay’s website | Facebook | Instagram
Tip: the resort advises that divers visit from February to October for the clearest underwater views, and that hikers and sailors come from March to November for calmer weather.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @sixsensesninhvanbay and @sixsensesninhvanbay
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