Unwind With the Unexpected: Vietnam

Must-Do: Indulge in a restorative mud bath filled with mineral-rich clay from the area at Tháp Bà Mud Bath, the oldest in Nha Trang. Rinse off in hot or cold mineral pools or in waterfalls also located there. Tháp Bà Mud Bath also has swimming pools, hot tubs, a sauna, and other water fixtures for total relaxation. Before or after a soak, visitors can admire and immerse themselves in the lush tropical flowering plants and trees that surround this one-of-a-kind retreat.

Eat: Nha Trang is considered the seafood capital of Vietnam, and Hải sản địa phương Vien Ho is a favorite local eatery. Here, diners enjoy plates such as steamed mussels in a savory brown sauce garnished with local chilis, gently steamed lobsters split down the middle, and fried fish served whole and seasoned with the flavors of Vietnam. For dipping purposes, dishes are accompanied by house-made sauces, some sweet, some spicy. And the seafood is so fresh that one diner recently wrote in an online review, “Everything was swimming before it went into the kitchen.”

Day-Trip: You can spend a day exploring temples in Vietnam, and it’s well worth it. Located on the northern bank of the Cai River, Po Nagar Temple melds history and religion that date back to the seventh century. Follow the scent of burning incense to this ancient place of worship, where Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists still go to pray. Like giant chess pieces waiting to be played, a series of pillars leads to the main towers, intricate and impressive tributes to the Vietnam goddess Yan Po Nagar.