Nha Trang's main beach is a 6 km curve of pale sand backed by the Trần Phú promenade, a line of palm trees, and a wall of resort hotels. The sand is fine, the water is warm and usually clear, and the bay is sheltered enough that the sea is calm for most of the year. By Vietnamese beach standards, this is as good as it gets.
The beach is divided informally into sections — the northern end near the Cai River is quieter and more local; the central section in front of the main hotels gets crowded with tourists; the southern end near Tran Phu bridge is favoured by local Vietnamese families. Hawkers and beach vendors are present but not overwhelming outside peak season. The promenade is pleasant for an early-morning or evening walk.