Nha Trang Travel Guide

General Information

1039 km from Hanoi and 321 km from Nha Trang, Nha Trang is a tranquil coastal city and capital of Khanh Hoa Province. Nha Trang is located in the South Central Coast and is praised as the ‘Pearl of Eastern Sea’. With a wide range of islands, archipelagos, mountains, and white-sand beaches, Nha Trang is an attractive destination for beaches and sun lovers. It is one of the must-go destinations on a beach vacation in Vietnam.

Covering an area of more than 500 square kilometers, Nha Trang Bay is the home to 19 islands and islets in which Hon Tre is the largest one with an area of 32.5 square kilometers. Some most irresistible islands in Nha Trang are Hon Mun, Hon Mieu, Hon Tam and Hon Tre. As high from high above, the bay is sparkling in the sunshine, surrounded by hundreds of miles of golden sand. Its diverse kinds of fish and coral reefs have made Nha Trang a spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Not only do water sports attract visitors here, Nha Trang also possesses world-class accommodations and delicious local cuisines. You can find outrageous night entertainment here with a number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

Apart from the beaches, you can discover Cham culture and architecture in this city. Known as Kauthara under the Champa, Nha Trang is the home to the famous Po Nagar Tower from the ancient kingdom of Champa.

Nha Trang Weather

The climate of Nha Trang is relatively pleasant, not as severe as the North and not as hot as the South. Nha Trang is warm year-round and the summer here is long but not too hot. The average temperature of this city is 27 degrees Celsius. From mid-March to September is the best time for travel to Nha Trang. The rainy season starts in September but the most significant rainfall is recorded between October and December.

Getting to Nha Trang

By bus

• From Da Lat: 150 km. Duration: 3 hours
• From Ho Chi Minh City: 460km. Duration: 10 hours
• From Mui Ne, Phan Thiet: 220km. Duration: 4 hours
• From Buon Me Thuot: 200 km. Duration: 4 – 4.5 hours
• From Quy Nhon: 230km. Duration: 5 hours
• From Hue: 630km. Duration: 14 hours

By train

Nha Trang Railway Station is located at No. 17 Thai Nguyen Street. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can catch the SE1 which depart at around 9:20 pm and arrive at 4:40 am. Duration: 7 hours.

By plane

Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) is 35km from Nha Trang, about 45 minutes drive.

• From Ho Chi Minh (SGN): 460km. Duration: 1 hour
• From Da Nang (DAD): 500km. Duration: 1 hour
• From Hanoi (HAN): 1300km. Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes

Getting around Nha Trang

You can travel around the city by taxi, motorcycle taxi (xe om), bicycle or private car. Some taxi companies in Nha Trang are Mai Linh Taxi, Nha Trang Taxi, Khanh Hoa, etc. Hotels also provide transfer services to the airport. If you want to rent a private car with driver in Vietnam, contact a travel agency. Price and quality are fixed before departure.

Where to Stay in Nha Trang

Here are some recommendations for your trip to Nha Trang:

• Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa (5-star)

Address: 12-14 Tran Phu Street

• Amiana Resort & Spa Nha Trang (5-star)

Address: Turtle Bay, Pham Van Dong, Vinh Hai Commune

• Mia Resort Nha Trang (5-star)

Address: Bai Dong, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa

• Alana Nha Trang Beach (4-star)

Address: 7 Tran Quang Khai Street

• Dessole Beach Resort Nha Trang (4-star)

Address: Km 11, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Bai Dai, Cam Hai Dong, Cam Lam, Khanh Hoa

What to See in Nha Trang

Nha Trang is an impeccable destination for your family holidays in Vietnam with stunning beaches, delicious seafood, educational museums and glorious religious spots.

Picturesque Beaches

Possessing beautiful beaches, Nha Trang is a popular destination for those who want to escape from the hectic life of bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City when traveling to Vietnam. The beaches are beautiful with white sand, swaying coconut trees, and blue waters. In Nha Trang, a wonderful holiday at the beach is definitely possible for people with budget constraint.

Among Vietnam’s many beaches, the beaches here are considered a miracle and a dazzling pearl created by Mother Nature. In addition to swimming, you can also enjoy many other exotic water activities such as diving, sailing or fishing.

Some most beautiful beaches of Nha Trang are:

• Doc Let Beach: The water is calm so it is suitable for the elderly and children. This beach is still pristine and unspoiled by mass tourism.
• Tru Beach: Located on Hon Tre Island, this beach is a great place to relax.
• Dai Beach: Dai Beach is the most famous beach in Nha Trang. This beach is located in a convenient place where you can easily find many hotels, restaurants and bars.
• Hon Tam Beach: 7km southeast of Nha Trang, it is a very large beach with an area of more than 100ha. Ranked among the 29 most beautiful beaches in the world, it would be unfortunate not to visit this beach during your trip here.

Spectacular Islands

1. Mun Island (Hon Mun)

If you are seeking for a romantic island of Nha Trang, Hon Mun is the answer. This island attracts visitors not only by the beauty of natural landscapes but also by the variety of ecosystems. You will surprise because there are 2000 coral and marine species in the world and 1500 of them can be found in Hon Mun! Take this opportunity to dive and snorkel here.

2. Mot Island (Hon Mot)

Mot Island is a small island with less than one square kilometer and more than 200 inhabitants. On the island, there is also a very rich ecosystem, with coconut gardens, mango orchards and also many beautiful corals.

3. Tam Island (Hon Tam)

If you want to both relax and participate in water activities when traveling to Nha Trang, you are advised to visit Hon Tam.

4. Mieu Island (Hon Mieu)

On this island, there is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a place to preserve and present to tourists the diverse and abundant marine species in Nha Trang.

5. Bamboo Island (Hon Tre)

Hon Tre is one of the largest islands in the area, which is the home to a variety of entertainment, resorts and spas. In addition to Vinpearl Land, there is many seaside and goft resorts for your stay in Nha Trang.

6. Binh Ba Island

Binh Ba Island is about 15 km from Cam Ranh Port. The cost of the trip here is very cheap. Binh Ba is famous for Chuong Beach, Nom Beach and Nha Cu Beach, where you can enjoy scuba diving, fishing  and trying fresh seafood.

7. Diep Son Island

Diep Son Island consists of three small islets, connected by long sandbanks. Visiting Diep Son Island, you can get lost in a paradise with white sands and light breezes.

Po Nagar Cham Towers

Also known as Thap Ba, Po Nagar Cham Towers are one of Nha Trang’s most visited attractions. In the past, the ancient Cham civilization influenced Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia and Vietnam.

This complex was built between the 8^th and 11^th centuries by Cham people who once governed the central part of Vietnam. Among the towers, the largest building, about 23 meters high, the Po Nagar Kalan is the most imposing. This building includes a linga and a statue dedicated to Po Nagar, who taught new farming and weaving techniques to the locals.

Opening hours: 7.30 am – 5 pm Monday – Sunday

Location: 2 Thang 4 Road, 2km north of the city

Vinpearl Land Nha Trang

Owning a sumptuous tourist complex as well as several hospitality services, Vinpearl Land is an attractive entertainment center in Vietnam.

Located in the beautiful Hon Tre, Vinpearl Land welcomes millions of travelers every year. Amazing landscapes and perfect services have made Vinpearl Land a paradise island. Those who come to Vinpearl Land will discover not only white sandy beaches, green palms and mild sea wind, but also the luxury of many world-class resorts.

Long Son Pagoda

It is one of the largest pagodas in Nha Trang with 100 years old. The main attraction of this pagoda is a huge Buddha statue located on the hill. This statue measures 24 meters high and is considered an iconic symbol of the city.

Opening hours: 7.30 am – 5.30 pm Monday – Sunday

Location: No. 22, 23 October Street, about 2 kilometers from the city center

Nha Trang Cathedral (Christ the King Cathedral)

Established from 1928 to 1933, Nha Trang Cathedral features a French Gothic style with stained glass windows. This cathedral stands on a small hill overlooking the train station. Many couples choose this cathedral to celebrate their marriage and to certify their eternal love.

Opening hours: 7 am – 6 pm Monday – Sunday

Location: the intersection of Nguyen Trai Street and Thai Nguyen Street

National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam

Housed in a large French colonial building in Cau Da port area of Nha Trang, this museum contains 60,000 exhibits of marine specimens, marine mammals, birds, and numerous samples of fishing objects and boats. In fact, you cannot see anywhere else with such an intensive collection of live specimens from the Eastern Sea as in this museum.

Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm Monday – Sunday

Location: No.1 Cau Da Street

Tu Van Pagoda

60 km from the city, Tu Van Pagoda is well-known for its Bao Tich Tower, which was built from shells and corals by the monks of the pagoda. On the courtyard, the 18 levels of hell are built, which aims to educate pilgrims that we should lead an honest and virtuous life.

Alexandre Yersin Museum

The museum houses a library, an office, and laboratory belonged to Dr. Alexandre Yersin. You will find in this museum his laboratory equipment, his books, old photographs and Alexandre Yersin’s letters to his mother.

Opening hours: 8 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 4.30 pm Monday – Saturday

Location: 10 Tran Phu Street

Khanh Hoa Museum

This museum offers a collection of Cham art, with statues and objects, as well as a collection dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, with his belongings including the microphone with which he gave his speech on September 2, 1945 at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.

Opening hours: 8 am – 11 am and 2 pm – 5 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Location: No. 16 Tran Phu Street (Trần Phú), Nha Trang

Local Markets

Located in the center of Nha Trang City, Dam Market is the city’s busiest market. When you visit the Dam Market, you should not skip a dry seafood section located to the right of the market.

The nearby Xom Moi market is exclusively for those who want to buy daily household and food products. This market is not as big as Dam Market, but shopping here will bring you a more local experience.

Souvenirs of Nha Trang

During your trip to Nha Trang, you can easily find interesting, charming, unique and creative souvenirs at markets, malls or souvenir shops. Souvenirs in Nha Trang are diverse in genres, colors, sizes and prices. You can buy jewelry (stone rings, pearls, pearl necklaces, earrings, etc.), shell flowers, shell wind chimes, pearl shell or snail-based artisan products.

What to Eat in Nha Trang

1. Grilled fermented pork roll (Nem Nuong)

When talking about the gastronomy of Nha Trang, you cannot neglect the fermented pork roll of Ninh Hoa. You can eat fresh fermented pork roll (nem chua) or grilled (nem nuong). However, most tourists choose ‘nem nuong’ to eat directly in Nha Trang and buy ‘nem chua’ as a gift for their families.

2. Can cake (Banh can)

This cake is made from rice powder mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, green onions and seafood (shrimp, squid, etc.). You can dip it in a delicious fish sauce to enhance the flavor.

3. Fish and vermicelli noodle soup (Bun cha ca)

The broth of Bun cha ca is made from steamed fish and mackerel bones which give the exclusive taste for this food. The broth is sweet and salty, particularly suitable for people who are on diet. A bowl of Bun cha ca also contained jellyfish and several different kinds of fish.

4. Seafood

You cannot help trying seafood when visiting this beach city. Crab, shrimp, oyster, lobster, etc. – prepare for a feast for your senses. We advise that you should eat seafood on an island such as Hon Mun and Hon Tre where the foods are cheaper.

Some famous restaurants in Nha Trang

Fish noodles:

• Ninh Hoa Restaurant: 2 Lan Ong Street
• Nguyen Loan Restaurant: 123 Ngo Gia Tu Street

Sea food

• Vietnam Village (Lang Viet) Restaurant: 1 Tran Quang Khai Street
• Gio Bien Restaurant: 10 Pham Van Dong Street

Can Cake:

• Can Cake 151 Hoang Van Thu Street
• Can Cake 165 Nguyen Trai Street