Last week, I visited Nha Trang, where I updated the Future Nha Trang guide. During my wanderings around the city, I found that even Google Maps was getting some information wrong about projects under construction. There are wrong names labelled in Maps, and sites pinned in the wrong location.

In addition to the update, I posted two new articles about Nha Trang.

Latest posts at Living In Asia

Nha Trang construction update – 2020 edition

A summary of Nha Trang construction activity in 2020.

Nha Trang in the South Central Coast region of Vietnam has been booming over the last decade. The city used to be a favourite destination for Russian tourists, then at some point over the last few years, Chinese tourism became the biggest market. When I visited in 2019, I marvelled at how many flights to Chinese cities were arriving at Cam Ranh airport. I wrote about that in my 2019 aviation report.

Like so many other places in Southeast Asia, Nha Trang had an over-reliance on Chinese tourism, leaving it vulnerable to a massive downturn should something go wrong. Returning in 2020 during the pandemic, I found dozens of towers that were empty, and most of the tourist shops were closed.

While the tourism industry is in tatters, the construction industry is limping along. There are several big construction sites that are still working. If they have already been paid for then they may as well keep building and hope that things restart in a year or so.

Vega City Nha Trang

Vega City Nha Trang is a coastal resort/new urban area that features hotels, villas, shophouses, and an entertainment area.

One of the places I visited was Vega City Nha Trang. This site has had different proposals over the years, and now it is fully underway. I’m publishing more of these project profile pages for search traffic. There’s not much information on these sorts of projects, apart from real estate companies flooding the search results with sales pitches.

Other News

Asia

Sounds and the city: Artists put Asia's changing urban identity on tape

“From vanishing street vendors in India to Hong Kong's iconic trams, rapid development is altering city soundscapes.”

Cambodia

As wetlands are filled, Phnom Penh ignores Bangkok’s flooding lessons

“As Bangkok attempts, at high cost, to reverse much of the damage done to the flood-prone city by restoring a more porous landscape, next door in Phnom Penh, wetlands are filled and skyscrapers erected as the Cambodian capital runs the risk of being submerged.”

Illegal land grabbing on rise as prices soar

“Illegal land grab cases are on the rise in protected areas as land prices have soared and the development of the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors has ballooned, Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra said.”

Cambodia to tap Shenzhen development

“It is set to be modelled after the high successful Shenzen development master plan which turned backwaters near the Hong Kong border into a bustling metropolis.”

China

GlobalData: China’s BRI projects face uncertainty due to COVID-19 disruptions

Indonesia

Indonesia focusing on strategic toll road construction

Key continuous beam closed in Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway

Japan

As Japan moves to revive its countryside, pandemic chases many from cities

“Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has made revitalising Japan's decaying rural regions a core plank of his socioeconomic platform.”

Malaysia

KL-Singapore HSR: Malaysia intends to continue with project given the ‘positive multiplier effect’ on economy, says finance minister

Revive KL-Singapore HSR, MRT circle line to spur property market

“Property players hoped that the government will revive the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) and Mass Rapid System (MRT) circle line to attract more inflow and foreign funds into the country and improve the property market.”

Myanmar

As Myanmar awaits election results, Japan’s soft power to aid construction

Pakistan

The world's worst public transport system attempts to modernize

“Incomplete roads in Karachi — the biggest city in Pakistan and the third-largest in the world — show what happens when a megacity becomes a political orphan.”

Philippines

'Mini economies': Pandemic tests the Philippines' mighty malls

Rich Filipinos are boosting beach home sales near Manila

“Prices of seaside properties near Manila are rising, as rich Filipinos look for second homes away from the Philippine capital region, broker Leechiu Property Consultants Inc. said.”

Thailand

Thailand to open Bang Sue Grand Station next year

Bangkok to renovate Bang Khen canal

“Canals in Bangkok were noticeably cleaner on Loi Krathong day last weekend, thanks to Bangkok City Hall’s efforts to clean up and renovate the canal network in the capital. City Hall now aims to dredge and renovate areas along Bang Khen canal, helping improve the scenery and the livelihood of local residents.”

The Phuket ‘light rail’ may end up being an electric bus instead

Environment Board approves urgent plan to tackle PM2.5

Sea gypsies benefit from historic deal

“Three groups given 15 rai of coastal land in return for pledge to preserve environment.”

Vietnam

200 kph dual purpose railway better option for Vietnam

“A 200 kph rail route that can carry both passengers and cargo will benefit Vietnam more than a 320 kph passenger exclusive, an expert says.”

Mekong Delta provinces build more wind power projects