Nha Trang is the most popular beach destination in Vietnam. The city has a coastline of six kilometers where you can enjoy a day of island hopping, diving, swimming or just relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset. The vast countryside is great for exploring by bike or motorbike. If this destination isn’t in your Vietnam’s bucket list, your trip to Vietnam will surely be a miss. Let Vietnam Shore Excursions show you top exciting things to do in Nha Trang.

5 Reasons to Visit Nha Trang

Relax on the beach
Go diving
Take a boat tour around the islands of Nha Trang
Explore Nha Trang and the countryside by bike
Work on your beauty in a mud bath

Things to Do in Nha Trang

Nha Trang Bay

Often listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Nha Trang boasts its beauty with the blue beaches, wild islands, gentle waves and fresh air. Anyone will find their best relaxing time here on 19 islands with all shapes and sizes and things to do. The Bay is home to most of the rare typical ecosystems of tropical seas such as coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass, as well as valuable animals including swallow, sea turtle, red coral, and more…

Nha Trang Bay offers you a chance to visit the worthiest islets in terms of nature and sightseeing: Mun Islet, Tam Islet, Mieu Iset and Noi Islet.

Po Nagar Cham Towers

Po Nagar Towers is the most well-preserved representative of Cham Culture in Central Vietnam besides the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary. Visiting Nha Trang without seeing this masterpiece of architecture and culture would be a mistake! Each tower in Po Nagar with the prominent Champa architecture, was built to honor different deities.

Come to Nha Trang from April to May, you might have the chance to join the bustling annual festival held at the towers.

Entrance fee is only $1 and the site is open from 7:00 – 19:00.

Long Son Pagoda

The reason why this pagoda should be on your list is the huge white Buddha statue lying on the hillside right behind the major compound. The statue is 24 meter high, making it visible even when you’re at the ground. The protests of local monks against Diem regime are also remembered through the portraits at the statue’s base. Long Song is just 400m west of the train station and can easily be reached.

Opening hours: 7:30 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 17:30, daily

Location: at the end of Xom Bong Bridge, 2 km out of Nha Trang city’s centre

National Oceanographic Museum

Come to the National Oceanographic Museum, you’ll see about 60,000 jars of pickled marine specimens, stuffed sea mammals and birds and a lot of displays of fishing artifacts and local boats which might be the most extensive collection of aquatic life in the Eastern Sea.

There are two floors to discover: on the 1^st floor where the fish tanks are located and the 2^nd floor is home to an 18-m long whale skeleton. The whale skeleton is absolutely a sight to behold.

Opening hours: 6:00 – 18:00 daily

Location: no.1 Cau Da, Nha Trang

Hon Chong Promontory

This site is just too iconic to miss when in Nha Trang. Located just 3.5km away north of the city centre, Hon Chong is a massive and unique rock setting lying off the beach just a little. The scenery is beautiful, combining with the tranquil atmosphere of the area which would make a great place for you to enjoy the sunset.

For those who love to admire the wonders of nature, remember to spend time at Hon Chong Promontory – a place you can’t find anywhere else outside of Nha Trang.

Maybe you are interested in Ho Chi Minh Tours, Dalat Tours, Mekong Delta Tour or Can Gio Mangrove Forest Tour when you travel to Ho Chi Minh City after Nha Trang.

Relax at Nha Trang Beaches

Nha Trang is known for its incredible blue beaches with the long, white sand banks that stretch gracefully along the city. Not just the beautiful beaches, Nha Trang also has a wide range of beach resorts and recreational activities you can enjoy.

With that many beaches, equal in beauty, you have a lot of choices for your beach break – either beaches that are near the city’s centre or empty, pristine beaches you can have all to yourself. Here are some names to check out: Tran Phu Beach, Hon Chong Beach, Bai Tru Beach, Bai Dai (Long Beach), Doc Let Beach…

As we’ve mentioned above, Nha Trang has some of the best beaches in Vietnam where the blue sea meets white sandy coastline. Not only the beaches, there’re plenty of services for accommodation and beachside activities you can enjoy.

Tran Phu Beach

The beach has the most convenient location since you can get to it from almost everywhere in Nha Trang. A wide range of seaside resorts, hostels and restaurants can be found on Tran Phu Street. Nightlife is also active here – most popular bars: The Sailing Club, ZIMA, Skylight Skydeck & Rooftop Beach Club.

Activities: surfing, snorkeling, bicycle tours, spa treatments, meditation and yoga

You only have to pay 35,000VND to hire a beach bed or deck chair along the beach

Bai Dai Beach

Located about 28km away from Tran Phu Beach, Bai Dai Beach is your perfect day trip from Nha Trang for those who love to see the empty, pristine beaches. Come to Bai Dai, not only you can enjoy the blue, clean sea water, check out the beachside Nha Trang restaurants which serve delicious local seafood dishes, western cuisine and beers.

Doc Let Beach

Doc Let deserves to be the most beautiful and untouched beach to visit in Nha Trang, lying 45km north of Nha Trang with an incredible white sandy beach and emerald blue sea. The beach also features palm trees, fishing boats docked offshore and salt fields which are just suitable for a photo time.

Boat Tour to Nha Trang Bay’s islands (Diving & Snorkeling)

If you still feel unsatisfied with just Nha Trang, set sail deep into Nha Trang Bay – one of the most beautiful bays on earth. The bay features a range of wild, pristine islands and islets which are open for visit. You can visit four of those by booking a boat tour from Nha Trang which often includes snorkeling, a visit to an aquarium, and fish farm. This is one of the best things to do for those who are seeking active water activities.

Diving & Snorkeling to see the colorful coral reefs at Hon Mun Marine Protected Area

Hon Mun Marine Protected Area (MPA) covers 38 sq km of land and 122 sq km of surrounding water, including not only Hon Mun but also Hon Tre, Hon Mieu, Hon Tam, Hon Mot, Hon Cau, Hon Vung, Hon Rom and Hon Noc. The protected area aims to preserve the diverse marine ecosystems and coral diversity of South Vietnam.

The coral reefs of MPA feature more than 350 species of hard coral species. This is the number one reason for you to go diving and snorkeling in Nha Trang. Best spots are:

10-15m deep: Hard Rock, Pipe Beach, Lobster Beach

15-30m deep: Mama Hanh Beach, Moray Beach, Madonna Rock, South Rock, Whale Island, Hon Trau Nam

Best time to do: avoid the windy season from October to December.

Ride a Hot Air Balloon to Enjoy the View

The newly renovated hot air balloon centre is located on Hon Tam Island, offering wonderful views of the immense ocean and Nha Trang city on the height of 150 meters. A ride lasts about 20 minutes, enough for you to admire the 360 aerial degree views of the city below.

Add: Pham Van Dong Street

Price: 100,000VND during the day and 120,000VND in the evening

Have Fun at Vinpearl Land

If you’re going with kids, bring them to Vinpearl Land where they can lose some energy with countless indoor and outdoor games. To get to Vinpearl Land, you’ll get a ride on the Vinpearl Cable Car – the world’s longest oversea cable car with a length of more than 3 km. Once you’re in Hon Tre Island, you and your kids might just forget about the time in the place which is called “Disneyland of Vietnam”.

Visit Tri Nguyen Fishing Village and Tri Nguyen Aquarium

If you prefer sites off the beaten track, go south of the city 10 kilometers to visit Tri Nguyen fishing village. This site is just an ideal destination to escape the summer heat and the noisy bustling cities. Tri Nguyen fishing village is a small village consisting of about 50 households in Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City.

Tourists coming to Tri Nguyen fishing village can enjoy the tranquil, peaceful atmosphere and beautiful landscapes, try catching fish, and ride the coracle boat. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious meal cooked by the local fishermen. Not far from the fishing village is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a wonderful place to take your kids to.

* How to get there: The best way to get to Tri Nguyen fishing village is to hire a boat from locals and ask them to take you to the place.

Admire the Architecture of Nha Trang Cathedral

Established from 1928 to 1933, Nha Trang Cathedral is the best place to admire the French Gothic architecture. The cathedral stands on a small hill facing the train station. If you look carefully, it’s easy to realize some Vietnamese touches on the building. All the walls of this church are constructed by simple cement blocks and the chapel’s dome was made of lattice girders and hard-core bamboo. This is the must-see site in Nha Trang for cultural explorers.

Add: Intersection of Nguyen Trai Street and Thai Nguyen Street

Opening hours: 7:00 – 18:00 daily

Take Pictures at the White Spiral Stair

If you love to take pretty pictures, don’t miss the gorgeous white spiral stair located just 5km from the city centre. Come to Hoang Phu Residence to see this lovely stair that offers a breath-taking panoramic view of Nha Trang beaches and top-notch background for your photos. Hoang Phu Residence also has plenty of other corners to be your background with the European architecture style.

Location: 2/4 Street, Vinh Hai Ward, Nha Trang City

Opening hours: always open

Entrance fee: Free

Enjoy Nha Trang Nightlife

Nha Trang is a wonderful place to have a great night out with plenty of places to go and things to do. The seaside town of Vietnam offers a wide range of options from cultural performances to rooftop nightclubs and bars, all which will keep you entertained.

Here are some places to check out:

– Nha Trang Water Puppet Theatre – 46 Tran Phu Street

– Pool Pub – 40 Tran Phu Street

– Rooftop Lounge, Ha Van Hotel – 5^th floor, Ha Van Hotel, no 3/2 Tran Quang Khai Street

– Sailing Club – 72 – 74 Tran Phu Street

– Louisiane Brewhouse – 29 Tran Phu Street

Have a Healthy Mud-bath before Leaving

Sitting in a tub of mud that contains minerals and all the good stuff for your health would be one of the best things to experience in Nha Trang. And if you’re going with your family and friends then it’s perfect. There are more than half a dozen of the benefits you can get from mud-bathing such as: muscle, joint ache relief, body relaxation, detoxifying, circulation improvement and more. Why not spend a little time on your trip to do something good for your body?

* Where to take mud-bath in Nha Trang:

– Thap Ba Hoat Spring: prices range from 550.000VND/person

-100 Eggs Mud Bath (Tram Trung): avg. price from 150,000VND/adult, opening hours 8:00 – 18:00

– Galina Hotel & Spa: prices range from 250,000VND/adult, opening hours 8:00 – 21:00

Day Trips from Nha Trang

You can book the tour package to explore all the hidden charms and beauties of Nha Trang with Nha Trang Tour Package 4 Days.

Binh Hung – Binh Ba Islands

Binh Ba and Binh Hung islands are located near each other and about 60km from Nha Trang city, and 15km from Cam Ranh Bay. These two islands can be your destinations for not only day trips but also longer trips.

Binh Ba or Lobster Island is the place to enjoy the landscape, the pristine beaches and freshly delicious lobsters. Binh Hung, on the other hand, is almost untouched with sublime beauty of nature, especially Nuoc Ngot beach which has incredible blue sea water.

Nui Chua National Park

Lying right beside Cam Ranh Beach, Nui Chua National Park should be on your list if you are a keen trekker. Nui Chua is an ecotourism destination, covering a total area of 24,300 hectares. The national park is home to 664 species of plants and 201 species of animals, including many rare species that are nearly extinct.

Tourists to Nui Chua National Park can expect beautiful, wild nature scenery. Don’t miss to check out Da Vach Mount and Treo Lake – on top of the mountain. Nui Chua’s beach stretches on a coastline of 40 km long and you won’t have to worry about the crowds.

You can trek up Nui Chua from Vinh Hy bay on Vinh Hy – Thung Beach route which is a combination of forest, lake, mountain and beach. Or you can book tours directly from Nui Chua National Park’s Centre.

Recommended Tours and Package Holidays

Vietnam Shore Excursions is proud to share our signature Nha Trang Tours offering exclusive access to unique cultural experiences and special interests. They range from half-day to full-day programmes and can be incorporated into any customized itinerary for a more meaningful and enriching travel experience. Please contact Vietnam Shore Excursions today for your best Nha Trang Tours.

Best Hotels & Hostels in Nha Trang

On the beach – The beach has a beautiful promenade along the sea where many resorts, budget hotels, museums, eateries and bars are located. You can also enjoy a wide range of activities such as surfing, snorkelling, bike rides, spa treatments, meditation and yoga.

The city center – Offers very affordable accommodation options within walking distance of sights such as the Po Nagar Cham towers, the Cho Dam market and the Long Son pagoda. You can rent a bike or motorbike to ride through the city, but traveling on foot is also great here.

Resorts on islands near Nha Trang – Nha Trang are surrounded by the Ninh Van Bay. Whale Island, Hon Tre Island and Hon Tam Island, are all a short ferry ride away. Great for wealthy travelers, because these islands are dotted with luxury resorts.

Best hotels in Nha Trang

Budget hotels & hostels

Mojzo Dorm
Backpack Abode Hostel
Vitamin Sea Hostel – Nha Trang
Binh An Hotel Nha Trang

Mid-range hotel

Aaron Hotel
Regalia Nha Trang Hotel
Gosia Hotel
Liberty Central Nha Trang Hotel

High end hotel & resort

Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang
Amiana Resort and Villas Nha Trang
Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa

Restaurants in Nha Trang

As expected from a large resort, Nha Trang has no shortage of food options for all budgets, from casual Vietnamese-style terraces on plastic chairs to high-end restaurants. Nha Trang is famous in Vietnam for its fish, but also offers a wide range of Western dishes.

Lanterns Vietnamese Restaurant
Yen’s Restaurant
Lac Canh Restaurant
Rainforest
Sailing Club Nha Trang
Altitude
Alpaca Homestyle Cafe
LIVIN Collective
MIX restaurant
Bogosov Burgers & Steaks

What to Eat in Nha Trang?

In Vietnam, all the seaside cities have the freshest, most savory and diverse dishes of seafood. Nha Trang is no different. People come to Nha Trang not just to swim and enjoy its blue sea but also to buy home some kilograms of squids or fish. For street food enthusiasts, Nha Trang is a place of nostalgic, rustic cuisine you can find anywhere else in Vietnam, combined so fine with the top-notch taste of local seafood.

Nem Nuong

This dish is famous in not only Nha Trang but all of Central Vietnam. The main element of Nem Nuong is the grilled pork sausages. Ninh Hoa district in Khanh Hoa is the famous place to find this dish.

The pork sausages are flavored with garlic, fish sauce, sugar and black pepper, making the fragrance so savory. Eating Nem Nuong is such a joy when you do it with a group of friends or family. The sausages, all kinds of vegetables, fruit slices and herbs are all wrapped in rice paper then dipped into a bowl of wonderful dipping sauce which is made of fish sauce, minced pork, and lime water.

* Where to find nem nuong in nha trang:

Nem nuong Ninh Hoa Dang Van Quyen

– Address: 02 – 04 Phan Boi Chau Street (this is just opposite the previous restaurant)
– Price: around 50,00 VND per portion

Nem Nuong Nha Trang

– Address: 39 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street

– Price: around 40,000 VND per portion

Goi Ca Mai (Herring Salad)

One of the best seafood dishes in Nha Trang, made with the local deep herring fish. The dish requires a meticulous process of preparing. Deep herring is small, white colored and less smelly than many other fishes. The herrings used for making salad should be fresh-caught, the bone removed, then marinated with lime water, tamarind, sour star fruit, or vinegar. After leaving some time, the fish is mixed with ground roasted soybeans, chopped onions, chopped garlic, cilantro, and perilla.

* Goi Ca Mai can be found in many Nha Trang restaurants.

Goi Ca Ha Ra

– Address: No 166, 2 Thang 4 Street

– Price: 30,000 – 70,000 VND

Hai San Nina

– Address: 6 Ngo Si Lien Street

– Price: 100,000 VND

Bun Cha Ca (Noodle with Grilled Fish)

Bun Cha Ca can be eaten for any meal of the day but best in breakfast and lunch. Noodles soup is served topped with grilled chopped fish, fresh caught from the local sea. The dish is rather simple, focusing mainly on the tasty, fleshy, and flavorful grilled chopped fish. Served with herbs, onions, sweet and sour broth, this dish will leave such a great memory in your Nha Trang trip.

Bun cha ca in Xom Moi market

– Address: at Vo Tru Street corner open daily from 1 PM to 7 PM.

– Price: around 20,000 VND per bowl

Bun Ca Nam Beo

– Address: B2 Phan Boi Chau Apartment, Phan Boi Chau Street

– Price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND

Bun Sua (Jellyfish Noodle)

Are you ready for the most unique Nha Trang specialty? The dish is similar to Bun Cha Ca but still unique for its very special chopped jellyfish meat, accompanied with grilled chopped fish to create such a refreshing taste you can only find in Nha Trang. The jellyfish must be caught far offshore then made into two-finger or thumb size pieces, transparent color and thick. This dish is best tried in summer for it will release the heat in your body.

Bun Ca La Cay Bang

– Address: 6 Han Thuyen Street

– Price: 30,000 – 35,000 VND

Bun Ca Sua Yersin

– Address: 87 Yersin Street

– Price: 25,000 – 35,000 VND

How To Get to Nha Trang?

You can get to Nha Trang by airplane, train and bus.

By Airplane: Khanh Hoa’s airport is not located in Nha Trang but in Cam Ranh. The international airport is located about 30 kilometers away from Nha Trang, talking about 50 minutes. You can find a Vietnam Airlines booking office in Nha Trang at 91 Nguyen Thien Thuat. Available flights from Nha Trang to: Da Nang (Vietnam Airlines), Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Jetstar) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Jetstar).

Cam Ranh Airport

From Cam Ranh Airport, taxi fare to Nha Trang city is fixed at 350,000VND – this rate is much cheaper than charging with the meter. You might negotiate it down to 300,000VND. An alternative choice for you is the airport minibus, costing 65,000VND per person.

By Train: Since Nha Trang is on the route of the Reunification Train, there are plenty of trains stopping at Nha Trang Railway Station. There are five classes of seats with different levels of comfort.

Trains to Nha Trang are available from HCMC, Da Nang, Hue, Hanoi:

HCMC departure hours: 8:35, 11:44, 17:55, 20:34, 21:22, 22:12, 22:46. Duration: 7-9 hours. Prices range from 300,000VND to 700,000VND per seat
Da Nang departure hours: 03:21, 05:00, 13:26, 16:29, 19:54, 21:29.
Hue departure hours: 03:21, 05:00, 13:26, 16:29, 19:54, 21:29
Hanoi departure hours: 03:21, 05:00, 13:26, 16:29, 21:29

By Bus: you have plenty of choices for the bus to Nha Trang. Most popular bus service is Open Bus Tour which costs more than regular local buses. Most reliable companies that run Open Bus are The SinhTourist, Phuong Trang and Hanh Cafe Open tour. Prices can be varied from 100,000VND to 300,000VND depending on where you start.

How to get around Nha Trang?

Cycling: The majority of Nha Trang is fairly flat, so it’s easy to see all the sights by bike. Many hotels have bicycles for rent from 30,000 a day.

Taxi: It is safer to take a meter taxi from a well-known company such as Mai Linh.

Motorbike: Renting a motorbike is the best option if you want to explore the Nha Trang countryside at your own pace. The costs are between VND 60,000 and VND 100,000 per day.

More tips for traveling in Nha Trang

Where to go next?

Buses and cars bring you in just a few hours to Dalat. Buses and trains go south to Ho Chi Minh City via Mui Ne. Trains and buses to the north go all the way to Da Nang via Quy Nhon. Because there is a well connected airport, you can easily go to parts of Vietnam that are further, such as Hanoi.

Nha Trang with Kids

Nha Trang is a good place to bring children. Besides the beaches, the city has plenty of attraction parks and water parks to visit.

Nha Trang clearly lives up to its name as one of the worthiest destinations in Vietnam. A paradise-like getaway for those who get tired of the noisy, bustling city life. Come to Nha Trang to enjoy the nature so close to you and the uniqueness of Cham culture. Your trip to Nha Trang will be even more memorable when booking tailor-made tours with Vietnam Shore Excursions because we always take your interests and affordability into consideration.

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