Nha Trang is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa province, it is well known for its pristine beaches and excellent scuba diving and is fast becoming a popular destination for international tourists, attracting large numbers of backpackers as well as more affluent travelers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It is already very popular with Vietnamese tourists. Nha Trang Bay is widely considered as the 29th most beautiful bay in the world and known as the Vietnamese Mediterranean. Nha Trang was the site of the Miss Universe 2008 Pageant on July 14, 2008. Commercial flights to Nha Trang no longer use the city's municipal airport, but fly to the larger Cam Ranh International Airport located approximately 35 km south of Nha Trang.
 

   Nha Trang has 19 islands with more than 2, 500 households and about 15, 000. The largest of these is Tre Island with an area of some 30km2, sheltering the bay from strong winds and waves.