Vinpearl Empire Nha Trang, Affiliated by Meliá

The hotel is at 44–46 Le Thanh Ton beside Vincom Plaza, and at 1,221 rooms it is the largest property on this site. That scale has practical consequences: rooms are almost always available even at peak, but breakfast and the lifts are busy at the wrong hours.

The position is the clearest strength. Tran Phu beach is a few minutes on foot, the night market inside ten, and Vincom Plaza is next door, which puts a supermarket, a pharmacy and cash machines within reach, worth more than people expect when travelling with small children.

It is a five-star with an outdoor pool and a spa. The name invites confusion, so to be plain: this is the city property, not the Vinpearl on Hon Tre island. For the island and VinWonders, that is Vinpearl Resort & Spa Nha Trang Bay, a different place.

Cam Ranh airport is about 35 km away, so allow forty-five to sixty minutes. It suits a trip spent moving around the city; if the aim is a private beach, Bai Dai remains the right answer.

Other places to stay in the centre: The Backpacker Quarter (Hung Vuong – Nguyen Thien Thuat), Arima Nha Trang Hotel, Grand Tourane Nha Trang. Within walking distance: the Stone Church, Đầm market and the Trầm Hương tower.