Underwater wonder

Magical sea creatures, breathtaking colors and a world of wonder await visitors to the Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Khanh Hoa Province’s Bong Nguyen Island.
Situated five kilometers south of the beach resort town of Nha Trang and part of the Tri Nguyen Resort, the aquarium has long been a popular tourist destination since it was built in 1976. Here, visitors will enjoy seeing an abundance of marine diversity and a myriad of colorful creatures which have been collected from different regions around the country.
Sharks, sea turtles, and a brilliant array of coral are just a few of the attractions. In addition, children will delight in the aquarium’s amusing décor, which includes giant shrimp, crab and mushroom decorations.
To get to the aquarium, visitors can take a motorboat departing from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang out to Tri Nguyen Resort. The scenic ocean trip takes about half an hour.
The aquarium is part of a larger three-floor complex shaped like a ship and surrounded by a rock embankment. The first floor contains several large aquariums, the second floor is a retail area where souvenirs and handicrafts are sold, and the top floor is a restaurant.
Also known as the Water Palace, the “ship” boasts several look-out posts and a replica of a cannon where visitors can gaze out at the sea.
For several years, the Tri Nguyen Aquarium had just two areas where ornamental fish were raised, but in 1997 the Khanh Hoa Tourism Company spent VND10 billion (US$561,800) to expand and upgrade the facility, building larger aquariums and refurbishing the complex to resemble an ancient ship.
Following a trip to the aquarium, visitors can take a boat to visit other nearby islands in the bay of Nha Trang and camp, fish, sample the local seafood, or explore fishing villages to learn about the local trade.
Also nearby Tri Nguyen Aquarium is Bai Soi (Pebble Beach) where tourists can swim in azure waters or take a leisurely stroll and simply relax.