Evason Ana Mandara

Nha Trang is one of those bustling beach resorts, sprawled out along a huge sandy beach, where people have been coming to enjoy the sun, sea and sand for years. If you want to be right in the thick of the action but still have a chance to relax in luxury, then Evason Ana Mandara (the only beachfront resort in town) is definitely the place for you.

You can sit and watch the daily beach life from the balcony of your villa, or from one of the resort’s beds on the beach. There are also 2 pools where you can get the best of both worlds enjoying the beautiful ocean views plus the tranquility of the resort.

We loved being right next to the beach during our stay (and waking up to those sea views from our beachfront porch) but we also got to see a completely different side of life in Nha Trang by taking an early morning market tour.

Up at 5.30 am (it was worth it) we headed out along the seafront in old fashioned cyclos, leisurely rolling past hundreds of local people doing exercises on the beach and in the many beachside parks. After a walk around the local market and some breakfast, our guide took us for coffee where we sipped iced Vietnamese coffee and chatted about life, just like the locals sat on the neighbouring tables.

It was once of those not-to-be-missed experiences where we saw a different side of Nha Trang and Vietnamese life.

The Vegan Food

There was a well presented breakfast buffet with a range of juices (including delicious fresh coconut water), plenty of tropical fruit to sample, local fresh bread (a must try if you are in Vietnam) and all kinds of Vietnamese food that was easily veganised.

Our favourite (and highly recommended) was the veganised ‘banh mi’ made with tofu, pickles, fresh herbs and a sweet, spicy, rich sauce that pulled it all together, a great way to start the day…

After breakfast we ate lunch by the pool where we enjoyed Vietnamese staples like fried spring rolls with soy and chilli dipping sauce, full of juicy vegetables with a crispy rice paper wrapper but there were also Western favourites to choose from including burritos stuffed full of crunchy vegetables with delicious tomato dip and a fresh mango salsa.

More veganised Vietnamese cuisine was enjoyed at the Beach House Restaurant with the ‘bun chay’ noodle salad being one of our favourite dishes. Rice noodles with peanuts, crunchy salad, crispy spring rolls and the most delicious lemongrass and chilli tofu, tossed together with soy based dressing to enjoy all the flavours of Vietnam in one hit.

Smoky on the outside with a fresh, citrus dressing; it was a pleasure to eat

There are many Medditeranean dishes to choose from including a delicious mezze platter, plus we also got some Italian inspired menu items veganised. The gazpacho was light, tangy and fresh (perfect for the hot Vietnamese weather) and the specially created aubergine cannelloni, stuffed with sticky rice was a great vegan version of this classic dish, utilising a famous Asian ingredient.

Smoky on the outside with a fresh, citrus dressing; it was a pleasure to eat

We were also treated to some great vegan food on our early morning market tour too, with our guide finding a local vegan restaurant at the market where we could eat an authentic Vietnamese breakfast and hang out with the locals. It’s a great way to learn about the culture of a country and the food was tasty.

We loved the opportunities to try out local food, which can also be experienced from the comfort of the resort. Order a glass of ‘chanh muoi’, a preserved lemon drink which is salty and sweet and enjoyed by locals all over the country. Be warned though, it’s addictively delicious.

The Vegan Essentials

We got to choose from a pillow menu that had a huge range of vegan pillows, including the comfortable ‘buckwheat’ pillow that we selected.

Rooms have Six Senses signature amenities which are all plant based and not tested on animals, as well as being stored in refillable containers to be even more planet friendly.

There is a Six Senses Spa on resort (again they have a range of vegan products and treatments) as well as products by luxury brands Sothys and Pevonia. Neither company tests on animals and both have a strong focus on using natural ingredients. All Pevonia skincare and body care products are vegan with the exception of 4 proteins (Collagen, Elastin, DNA ad Caviar) that are extracted from fish so check the label carefully on the product you may wish to buy.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Check in at the Evason Ana Mandara for a beachfront break at the best located resort in central  Nha Trang. Enjoy vegan food from a a range of cuisines including getting to experience delicious local dishes that are veganised for you.

Take the early morning market tour for a glimpse of the town from a local perspective and enjoy seeing this side of life in one of Vietnams’ busiest beach destinations.

We were guests of Evason Ana Mandara but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views

Evason Ana Mandara
Beachside Tran Phu Boulevard
Nha Trang
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 58 352 4705
Cost From: £160 / $240 per night (Oct 2015)