Nha Trang, city, southeastern Vietnam, capital of Khanh Hoa Province, a seaport on the rugged South China Sea coast at the mouth of the Rach Song Cai. Nha Trang was chiefly a religious center and beach resort until its port facilities were modernized in the 1970s. Timber is an important export. The Oceanographic Institute of Vietnam (1922) is here, and four Buddhist shrines, built during the 7th to 12th centuries, are nearby landmarks. The community was established by the 3rd century AD. It was under French rule from 1862 to 1954 and was part of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1976. During the Vietnam War, a U.S. military base was here. Population (1989) 263,093.
