Returning after 8 years
It wasn’t my first time in Nha Trang, but my last visit with my husband was 8 years ago. Back then, we stayed at a resort on a cliff, which meant we didn’t have much chance to enjoy the city’s famous white sand beaches. This time, we wanted to make the most of our second beach stay by choosing somewhere right on the sand – Cam Ranh.
Cam Ranh – location and what it’s known for
Cam Ranh lies in Khanh Hoa Province, just south of Nha Trang. Known for its long, pristine coastline, turquoise waters and peaceful atmosphere, it’s also home to a deep-water bay historically used as a naval base. In recent years, Cam Ranh has transformed into one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing luxury beach destinations, with world-class resorts and quieter vibe than Nha Trang itself. The area is also famous for fresh seafood, mangoes and year-round warm weather.
Getting from Mui Ne to Cam Ranh by train
As I mentioned in my Mui Ne post, we decided to travel by train from Mui Ne to Nha Trang, a choice we might think twice about next time. The journey started with a long car ride from The A Nam Mui Ne to Binh Thuan station, followed by a 3.5-hour train trip to Nha Trang, and then another car ride to Cam Ranh.
The train itself was comfortable enough, with spacious seats and friendly, helpful staff. However, despite the air-conditioning, the summer heat and the mix of food smells on board didn’t sit well with my sensitive nose. It was interesting as my first-ever train journey in Vietnam but in hindsight, a private car would have been quicker, more comfortable and not more expensive, plus it would have spared us the luggage juggling.
Choosing Fusion Resort Cam Ranh
When browsing options, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh immediately stood out. After a string of boutique hotels and resort on this trip, it was a refreshing change to stay at a larger spa-focused resort. Fusion is famous for its “all-spa inclusive” concept with one proper spa session per person per day included in the room rate. The resort also has its own farm, which turned out to be a highlight for my daughter.
First impressions and layout
Fusion offers a range of suites and villas for different group sizes, with or without private pools. The lush landscaping is immaculate. Everywhere you look, there’s green from the trees, blue from the sea and sky and white from the sandy beach.
Each suite or villa has its own private garden. Our one-bedroom suite was spacious and well-equipped with a huge bathroom that we amusingly converted into an evening “sitting room” to watch a movie on our laptop after our daughter was asleep. We’d hoped to book a two-bedroom villa but availability was tight, no surprise given how quickly the resort gets booked.
We arrived at dusk, just enough time to freshen up before dinner. Our rate included half-board and access to the executive lounge (which we didn’t have time to use). Based on our stay, I’d say half-board is well worth it here.
Dining at Fusion Resort
Dinner by the Pool
The resort is stunning at night, with soft lighting and a central water feature leading from the reception down to the Fresh Restaurant. The restaurant opens onto twin pools, with the beach just beyond. The a la carte half-board menu offered both Vietnamese and international dishes, generous portions and beautifully presented plates.
Breakfast Buffet
We began the next day with a swim, followed by an impressive breakfast buffet. It includes pastries, an extensive tropical fruit section (yes, Nha Trang mangoes, my favourite), hot dishes, sushi, noodles, rice, stir-fries and fresh juices. The proper Vietnamese phin coffee set up was a lovely touch for making your own strong brew.
Afternoon tea experience
We had pre-booked afternoon tea for day two, which we expected to be served in the restaurant. Instead it was beautifully set up in our suite, in the bathtub, with rose petals, oranges slices and herbs for a romantic twist. With our daughter in tow, we moved it to the dinning table so all three of us could enjoy it together.
The set was impressive, clearly carefully made in-house rather than mass-produced. Savoury highlights included:
- Salmon gravlax with dill cream cheese bagel
- Blackened shrimp with avocado & cucumber
- Crab cake with tartare sauce
- Crispy Thai chicken
Sweet treats were equally memorable:
- Mango yoghurt panna cotta
- Lemon tartlets
- Mini pavlova
- Pralines
I told my husband it was far better than the afternoon tea I’d had with friends at a Richmond hotel in the Uk just a couple of months earlier.
Seafood BBQ by the pool
Despite our afternoon feast, we couldn’t resist the seafood BBQ buffet that evening. Set up to resemble a fishing village, it featured fresh crab, jumbo prawns, octopus, mussels, sushi, salads, banh beo, banh xeo, noodles and more….Phew! The dessert station was my downfall plus Summer made her own rainbow candy floss which was a fun touch.
Breakfast at Breeze
After several buffet meals, we switched to Breeze Restaurant for a relaxed a la carte breakfast. The open-air setting overlooks a huge pool where we swam most mornings. The menu included fresh juices, smoothies, eggs made to order, pancakes, Vietnamese noodles and tropical fruit platters. Fusion also offers breakfast “anytime, anywhere” during your stay – a unique perk that would be amazing for a special occasion.
Culinary Pop-Up Dinner
A highlight of our dinners at Fusion Resort was the Culinary Pop-Up Dinner on the last night of our stay, held every Monday and Friday at Breeze Restaurant.
For starters, we enjoyed:
- Cheddar Potato Croquette – golden and crisp with a creamy cheddar and egg filling, served with beetroot aioli.
- Seared Octopus with Romesco Sauce and
- Kataifi Prawn with Mango Salsa, a vibrant combination of tiger prawn wrapped in kataifi pastry with sweet mango and green pea puree.
For mains, I chose the Confit Duck with Orange Salad, served with a lentil ragout and orange vinaigrette, while my husband went for the Pan-Seared Grouper, Cha Ca La Vong style, paired with vermicelli, dill and turmeric sauce.
Dessert was pure theatre – the White Chocolate Ball with matcha cheese cake inside, finished with a drizzle of hot matcha sauce at the table. A sweet memorable finale to our stay.
Beyond the food – spa, kids club and farm
Fusion’s daily spa treatments are a real highlight. We each managed a couple of sessions during our stay. My husband opted for an aloe vera sunburn wrap, which was a lifesaver after a bit too much sun.
Our suite was right behind the Kids Club, which has its own pool and slide plus daily actives like origami, leaf folding and crafts. The resort farm was a big hit – my daughter loved collecting eggs from the chicken coop and meeting goats, rabbits, sheep, ducks, peacocks and even tiny piglets.
A day in Nha Trang City
We used the resort’s shuttle bus to visit Nha Trang for shopping. If you have children, I recommend the To He workshop, where kids can create animal or flower figurines from colourful rice dough. My daughter enjoyed it so much that the hour flew by and she didn’t want to leave.
Goodbye Cam Ranh – for now
We truly didn’t want to leave after 5 days, but our trip had to end. Luckily, Cam Ranh International Airport is only a 5-minute drive from the resort, making our 1.5-hour flight back to Hanoi effortless. After a couple of nights in Hanoi, we returned to the UK, already thinking about when we’ll come back.
If you’re planning a trip to Nha Trang or Cam Ranh, I definitely recommend Fusion Resort for a stay that combines luxury, relaxation and a real taste of Vietnam’s coastal charm.
Please note: All photos in this post were taken by me and are copyrighted, unless credited otherwise.
