Nha Trang, Vietnam: travel guide
Crescent beach, Cham towers and island boat trips on the south-central coast
A premier coastal city, Nha Trang is often called the "Pearl of The East Sea". It features stunning beaches, vibrant offshore islands, and thrilling water sports, as well as the ancient Po Nagar Cham towers.
About Nha Trang
Nha Trang is Vietnam's best-known beach resort town, a long curve of city beach backed by a seafront promenade on the south-central coast. The sea is the main draw, with boat trips out to islands such as Hon Mun, snorkelling and diving in the bay.
On land, the Po Nagar Cham Towers are a thousand-year-old Hindu temple complex still in use, and Long Son Pagoda has a large white Buddha overlooking the town. The Stone Church adds a note of French-era architecture, and mud baths and hot springs at Thap Ba are a popular way to spend an afternoon.
Nha Trang works well for beach holidays, families and divers. The best time to visit Nha Trang is usually from around February to September, when the weather is sunniest.
- Country
- Vietnam
- Currency
- VND
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh
- Nearest airport
- CXR
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Nha Trang
Nha Trang Beach
resort beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 6 km arc of white sand and turquoise water backed by a palm-lined boulevard of beach clubs, seafood restaurants and resort hotels. Beach chairs are free or very cheap at most restaurants.
Po Nagar Cham Towers
Cham towers · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The most important surviving Cham religious complex in southern Vietnam — four towers built 7th–12th centuries dedicated to the goddess Yang Ino Po Nagar. Still actively used for worship.
Long Son Pagoda
pagoda · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop pagoda with a giant white seated Buddha (24 m). Climb 150 steps for panoramic views of Nha Trang. The Buddha was added in 1963 to commemorate Buddhist monks who opposed the Diem regime.
VinWonders Nha Trang
theme-park · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Island amusement park reached by an over-sea cable car, with water park, aquarium and rides.
Hon Mun Island
island · 4.4 rating · about 3 h · entry 22,000 ₫ (≈ ₹81)
Protected marine reserve with the best snorkelling and diving reefs near Nha Trang.
Thap Ba Hot Spring Center
hot-springs · 4.2 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Mineral mud-bath and hot-spring complex with pools and waterfalls.
Nha Trang Cathedral (Stone Church)
landmark · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
1930s French-Gothic cathedral built of rough-hewn stone on a hilltop.
Hon Chong Promontory
rock-formation · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · entry 22,000 ₫ (≈ ₹81), 22,000 VND. No published nationality split.
Cluster of giant balancing boulders with views over the bay and Fairy Mountain.
I-Resort Hot Spring & Mud Bath
hot-springs · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Landscaped riverside hot-spring and mud-bath resort with pools.
Dam Market (Cho Dam)
local-market · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The city's circular central market for seafood, dried goods and souvenirs.
National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
science · 4.2 rating · about 1.3 h · entry 40,000 ₫ (≈ ₹150)
Vietnam's oldest marine institute with aquariums and a whale skeleton.
Sailing Club Beach
beach · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Liveliest stretch of Nha Trang's main beach with beach clubs and loungers.
Things to do
- Nha Trang Island Hopping & Snorkelling Trip Water Sports · 6 h · from VND 303,000 per person
- VinWonders Nha Trang Day Ticket Sightseeing · 6 h · from VND 827,000 per person
- Nha Trang 4-Island Boat Tour Nature · 7 h · from VND 496,000 per person
- Thap Ba Hot Springs Mud Bath Wellness · 2.5 h · from VND 331,000 per person
- Discover Scuba Diving at Hon Mun Adventure · 5 h · from VND 965,000 per person
- Nha Trang City & Temples Tour Cultural · 4 h · from VND 358,000 per person
- Nha Trang Sunset & Dinner Cruise Sightseeing · 2.5 h · from VND 551,000 per person
- Ba Ho Waterfalls & Countryside Tour Adventure · 5 h · from VND 413,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Nha Trang 4-Island Snorkelling & BBQ Cruise 8 h · from VND 413,000
Where to stay in Nha Trang
- Tran Phu Beach Road about VND 2,200 per night
The premium zone — a 6 km beachfront boulevard lined with international resort hotels, beach clubs and seafood restaurants. Nha Trang Sailing Club and XQ embroidery workshop are steps away.
Hotels
- Six Senses Ninh Van Bay 5-star · VND 15,000,000 to VND 40,000,000 per night
- InterContinental Nha Trang 5-star · VND 4,000,000 to VND 18,000,000 per night
- Mia Resort Nha Trang 5-star · VND 4,000,000 to VND 9,000,000 per night
- Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang Bay 5-star · VND 4,500,000 to VND 20,000,000 per night
- Amiana Resort Nha Trang 5-star · VND 3,500,000 to VND 7,000,000 per night
- Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang 5-star · VND 4,500,000 to VND 10,000,000 per night
Where to eat
- Lanterns Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 280,000 per person
- Nha Trang Seafood — Quan Bui Vietnamese, Seafood · about VND 400,000 per person
- Lac Canh Restaurant Vietnamese, BBQ · about VND 180,000 per person
- Nem Nuong Dang Van Quyen Vietnamese · about VND 120,000 per person
- Costa Seafood Seafood, Vietnamese · about VND 350,000 per person
- Nha Hang Yen's Restaurant Vietnamese · about VND 200,000 per person
- Louisiane Brewhouse International, Bar · about VND 350,000 per person
- Sailing Club Nha Trang International, Bar · about VND 400,000 per person
Getting to Nha Trang
Airport: Nha Trang (CXR)
How visitors arrive in Nha Trang
- Flight into Cam Ranh airport By air from Ho Chi Minh City · common
The airport lies south of the city; domestic and international routes. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Long-distance sleeper bus By road from Ho Chi Minh City · common
Guide says nearly all long-distance sleeper buses stop in Nha Trang; also from Da Lat, Quy Nhon and Mui Ne. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Train on the north-south line By train from Ho Chi Minh City · common
Station is close to the centre on the main line. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport bus route 18 from Cam Ranh
Route 18 (Dat Moi bus) runs between Cam Ranh airport and central Nha Trang, ending near the 19/8 Stadium with stops along Tran Hung Dao. Check the timetable at the information desk or boarding point. Source: dulichso.khanhhoa.gov.vn
- Taxi from Cam Ranh airport
Taxis are available at the airport, with fixed-rate and metered options. The airport is a good distance south of the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the railway station to the centre
- Train to Nha Trang station unconfirmed
Nha Trang station, on Thai Nguyen Street, is on the North-South railway line and sits close to the city centre, so taxis or ride-hail apps cover the short hop to most hotels. Source: en.wikipedia.org
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Travelling by motorbike is described as the most convenient way to reach the beaches and sights outside Nha Trang.
- Taxi
Metered taxis operate in Nha Trang, with Mai Linh preferred by the guide, and Grab is available as an app alternative.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Island Tour Bait-and-Switch
Tran Phu Beach boat operators
Cheap island tour tickets are sold on the street; the actual boat is overcrowded, the "snorkelling spot" is murky, and guides push expensive extras throughout.
How to avoid it: Book island tours through your hotel or a licensed operator (Blue Diving Group, Rainbow Divers). Check online reviews. Avoid beach hawkers selling tours.
Aloe Vera Massage Scam
Nha Trang Beach
A person offers a free sunburn aloe vera treatment, then demands $50+ or refuses to leave until paid. Intimidation is common.
How to avoid it: Politely but firmly decline all unsolicited beach services. "No thank you" in Vietnamese: "Không cảm ơn."
Best time to visit Nha Trang
- Jan 25°C
- Feb 26°C
- Mar 27°C
- Apr 29°C
- May 30°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 30°C
- Nov 29°C
- Dec 27°C
More in Vietnam
Frequently asked questions about Nha Trang
- How many days do you need in Nha Trang?
- A typical trip to Nha Trang is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Nha Trang?
- The highest-rated places in our Nha Trang guide are Nha Trang Beach, Po Nagar Cham Towers, VinWonders Nha Trang, Long Son Pagoda, Hon Mun Island.
- Where should I stay in Nha Trang?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nha Trang: Tran Phu Beach Road.
- How do I get around Nha Trang?
- Ways to get around Nha Trang covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Nha Trang?
- Scams reported to us for Nha Trang include Island Tour Bait-and-Switch; Aloe Vera Massage Scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Nha Trang?
- Average daytime highs in Nha Trang run from 25°C in Jan to 32°C in Sep.
- Which airport is nearest to Nha Trang?
- The nearest airport to Nha Trang has the code CXR.