Attracted by spectacular beaches with breathtaking scenic views, several French visitors have chosen Nha Trang City as their second homeland...
Attracted by spectacular beaches with breathtaking scenic views, several French visitors have chosen Nha Trang City as their second homeland.
Many fashion shops, hotels, restaurants and bars in the Foreigners’ Town are run by Frenchmen.
One of the most popular destinations is Le Petit Bistro (26D Tran Quang Khai), where great French cuisine specialties are served in a very traditional French setting.
The owner, 55- year-old Claude Durand, has been living in Nha Trang City since 2001. He has a Vietnamese wife with a 3-year-old child. The coastal city of Nha Trang has become his second homeland.
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| Patrick Deffein's bar has a variety of world famous wine brands. |
Bambou at 15 Biet Thu Street is also a French-run business. The owner is Eric Raymond Frabonlet, Claude Durand’s close friend. Eric Raymond Frabonlet’s business began in 2001 with a small retail fashion shop and then expanded into 6 franchises selling clothing, footwear, souvenirs and so on, creating work for 150 Vietnamese people.
The shop name, Bambou, is a French word for bamboo, as most of the clothing is made of exclusive fabrics such as bamboo fiber. The shop is also impressive in a traditional Vietnamese architecture
Patrick Deffein, 52, is the owner of Patrick Wine Bar (3/3 Tran Quang Khai). The first reason for his living in Nha Trang is the pristine beach. He has been living in Vietnam for 7 years, the first 3 years in Ho Chi Minh City, 1 year later in Hanoi and then in Nha Trang.
“I was born and grew up in Bretagne where there is a beautiful beach. Nha Trang reminds me of my homeland,” he says.
In addition, he loves Nha Trang for its temperate climate all year round, beautiful landscape and friendly people with great tourism potentials.
Well known for its wine and crêpe cakes, Bretagne specialties, Patrick Wine Bar also has a small stage for those who love singing, including the jovial and friendly owner.
A special music night was held at Patrick Wine Bar to mark the French Language Day on March 20 with 20% off all bills. “I love Vietnamese language and can speak Vietnamese quite well,” he says.
With deep attachment to Nha Trang City, all the French businessmen hope to see more improvements in Nha Trang.
According to Patrick Deffein, the local traffic and waste treatment systems should be upgraded. Besides, more recreational activities are required to meet tourists’ demand.
Apart from environmental protection for sustainable tourism, visa procedures should be simplified to create more opportunities for foreigners to live and work for a long term in Nha Trang City, Claude Durand suggests.
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