Nha Trang, Vietnam: 14 Places to Visit & Things to Know

Nha Trang city, located in Khanh Hoa province, is Vietnam’s famous coastal tourist destination. When you visit Nha Trang, you will have the opportunity to explore numerous fascinating tourist spots and engage in various recreational and cultural activities, such as the Nha Trang Sea Festival held annually.

In this article, we want to introduce to you the things to know, the places to visit in Nha Trang, and many other useful pieces of information, especially the top 14 most appealing tourist attractions in Nha Trang that you shouldn’t miss.

Read more: Phu Quoc island places to visit

Overview of Nha Trang

Nha Trang is the exquisite coastal city of Vietnam, situated in the central location of Khanh Hoa province, a region in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. When it comes to beach resorts, one cannot disregard Nha Trang, which has long been one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam. Nha Trang possesses all the necessary conditions to become a beach paradise. It not only boasts numerous beautiful beaches but also is renowned for its many fascinating sightseeing spots and a range of islands, both small and large, that still maintain their pristine beauty.

Best Time to Visit Nha Trang

The climate in Nha Trang is relatively mild, with a dry season extending from January to August, a rainy season from September to December but not very heavy, and notably, Nha Trang doesn’t experience a winter season, allowing for year-round beach activities.

From May to August in Nha Trang, the sun is intense, and temperatures are high. This is the peak tourist season for domestic travelers, resulting in relatively crowded conditions. If you plan to visit Nha Trang for a family vacation, the best time is from December to April. During this period, Nha Trang’s beaches are less crowded, the weather is pleasantly sunny, and it’s suitable for outdoor activities. Additionally, from January to April, Nha Trang hosts numerous distinctive festivals to cater to tourists, such as the Nha Trang Sea Festival, Thap Ba Festival, and more.

Transportation to Nha Trang

The coastal city of Nha Trang is approximately 411km south of Ho Chi Minh City and about 1290km north of Hanoi. To reach Nha Trang, you can choose from three readily available and convenient transportation modes:

Airplane

Vietnamese airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and Jetstar offer daily flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to Nha Trang, landing at Cam Ranh Airport, which is approximately 35 km from the city center of Nha Trang.

Train

If you want to experience the sensation of sitting on a train and enjoying the scenery on both sides, trains offer an interesting transportation option for your Nha Trang trip. There are multiple train routes to Nha Trang with varying price ranges.

Bus

If you are in the vicinity of Nha Trang, you can opt for this mode of transportation. However, if you are in Hanoi or Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), we recommend considering other options like flying.

Best Attractions in Nha Trang

VinWonders Nha Trang Entertainment Park

VinWonders, formerly known as Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nha Trang, Vietnam. To reach VinWonders Nha Trang, you get to experience the longest cable car journey over the sea in Vietnam at the time of its launch, providing breathtaking views of the vast blue ocean.

With a diverse combination of amusement parks and extensive recreational areas, this large-scale investment promises to delight every visitor. Some of the main attractions at VinWonders include:

The World Garden – Admire various types of flowers and plants.
King’s Garden Nha Trang – A zoo with a variety of animals.
Adventure Land – An area for adventurous amusement.
Thuy Cung Sea World Nha Trang – A place nurturing and conserving rare and fascinating marine creatures.

Hon Mun Island

Hon Mun boasts crystal-clear waters and a splendid coral ecosystem, earning it the recognition by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of Vietnam’s most biologically diverse marine areas. When visiting Hon Mun, you should not miss activities such as floating bars on the sea, exploring coral reefs through diving, and taking a glass-bottom boat ride.

Transportation: Take a boat from Cau Da Tourist Wharf, Nha Trang City.

Duration of the visit: At least 5 hours.

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is located near Hon Mun, making it convenient to visit both attractions in Nha Trang. At Coral Bay, you can indulge in observing various precious marine creatures such as coral and jellyfish. Moreover, you can create unforgettable memories by walking underwater and enjoying the beauty of the sea through a brand-new and exciting glass-bottom boat.

To reach Coral Bay in Nha Trang, you should choose a canoe for safe and quick transportation.

Coral Bay - Nha Trang — Coral Bay – Nha Trang

Hon Tre Tourist Area

Hon Tre is the largest island in Nha Trang Bay, known for its pristine natural beaches consistently rated among the top beach destinations. The island enjoys a mild climate with little wind, making it perfect for relaxing vacations.

Hon Tam Island

With an area of about 110 hectares, Hon Tam is located about 7 kilometers southeast of Nha Trang. From Hon Tam, you can have a panoramic view of both Nha Trang City to the north and Cam Ranh Peninsula to the south. Besides its beautiful beaches, this place is famous for activities such as exploring the sea with glass-bottom boats and enjoying coral diving.

Transportation: Join a 4-island tour.

Duration of the visit: At least 3 hours.

Hon Tam Island - Nha Trang — Hon Tam Island – Nha Trang

Ninh Van Bay

Located about 60 nautical miles from the coastal city of Nha Trang, Ninh Van Bay, situated on Hon Meo Peninsula, exudes a sense of wilderness and tranquility. It is a perfect spot for those seeking relaxation in a serene beach environment. Additionally, visitors can admire coral reefs, go diving, try surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Transportation: Take a high-speed boat from Nha Trang, which takes about 20 minutes to reach this beautiful bay.

Duration of the visit: At least 12 hours.

Nha Trang Oceanographic Institute

The Nha Trang Oceanographic Institute was established in 1923 and is located at 1 Cau Da, approximately 6km southeast of the city center of Nha Trang. It houses over 20,000 specimens of 4,000 marine and freshwater species, collected and preserved over many years. Notably, the institute showcases a fully restored gigantic whale skeleton, measuring nearly 26 meters long and 3 meters tall, with 48 vertebrae.

Transportation: Motorbike or taxi.

Duration of the visit: 2 – 4 hours.

Ponagar Tower

Nha Trang is not only attractive for its beautiful beaches but also for its unique and stunning architectural structures. Ponagar Tower is one of the largest Cham Pa cultural architectural complexes in Central Vietnam, located about 2km north of the city center of Nha Trang.

After visiting Ponagar Tower, you can also combine it with a mud bath at the nearby Thap Ba Hot Mineral Springs Tourist Area. Transportation: Motorbike or taxi.

Duration of the visit: At least 5 hours.

Hon Chong – Hon Vo (Husband – wife)

This attraction is about 3km northeast of the city center. Hon Chong is a large cluster of rocks with various shapes stacked on top of each other, leading down to the beach from the high sandy shore. A smaller group of rocks at the eastern foot is called Hon Vo. The space at Hon Chong is almost secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. This place also offers one of the most beautiful views of the coastal city.

Transportation: Motorbike, bus, or taxi.

Duration of the visit and beach time: 3 – 8 hours.

Van Phong Bay

Van Phong Bay is located in Van Ninh District (Khanh Hoa), about 40km north of the tourist city center of Nha Trang. The bay attracts visitors with its pristine beauty of various large and small islands and the deep blue color of its smaller bays inside.

Transportation: There are two ways to reach the bay. One is by boat from Nha Phu Bay, and the other is by car or motorbike from Nha Trang City.

Duration of the visit: At least 12 hours.

Dai Lanh Beach

Located in the Van Phong Gulf area, Dai Lanh Beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. It is, therefore, a must-visit destination in Nha Trang. Dai Lanh Beach features clear and deep blue water and stretches of white sand. The sea level here is relatively shallow, making it suitable for swimming and relaxation in the cool water at Dai Lanh.

Transportation: Taxi or motorbike.

Duration of beach time and visit: At least 12 hours.

Doc Let Beach

Doc Let is a suitable Nha Trang tourist spot for those who love wilderness and tranquility. It offers breathtaking natural scenery with large and high sand dunes stretching to the sea.

Doc Let Beach has an area for visitors to camp. Therefore, you can prepare your tent or rent one on-site, bring food and drinks, and have a campfire for a night of enjoyment with friends, accompanied by soothing music and the warmth of the campfire. This sounds like a very promising experience, doesn’t it?

Nha Trang Dam Market

This is a beautiful architectural structure located in the heart of Nha Trang. Dam Market offers a wide variety of souvenirs and local products. Here, you can also find a rich selection of seafood, especially dried seafood.

Transportation: Walk or motorbike, taxi.

Duration of shopping visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Nha Trang Night Market

Nha Trang not only attracts tourists with its stunning beaches but also impresses with bustling night markets. There are four lively night markets in the city center. At Nha Trang Night Market, you can find a diverse range of products, from clothing and souvenirs to tempting street food that you can’t resist.

Address: 46 Tran Phu, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang.

Operating hours: 19:00 – 23:00.

Nha Trang Cuisine

Being a coastal region, Nha Trang Cuisine is rich in dishes made from seafood. In addition, this place also offers Vietnamese-flavored dishes such as squid pancakes, grilled fermented pork rolls, mini pancakes,…

Choosing Good Hotels in Nha Trang

Tran Phu is the road that runs along Nha Trang Beach, and there are several hotels here for you to choose from, such as Novotel, InterContinental Nha Trang, Sheraton Nha Trang, Lodge, and more. With the advantage of being close to the beach and the city center, the hotels along this road are priced from around $40 USD per night. Higher-end options can range from $100 to $200 USD per night. If you want to save costs, you can look for hotels or homestays located behind Tran Phu Road, which generally offer better prices.

If you’re fond of resort-style travel, with private spaces and a bit farther from the city center, Amiana Resort on Pham Van Dong Street, Vinpearl Resort on Hon Tre Island, or MerPerle are suitable choices.

Some Tips for Exploring Nha Trang

Book hotel rooms and flight tickets to Nha Trang 1 to 3 months in advance to get the best prices.
Prepare essential items such as sunscreen, hat, flip-flops, sunglasses, etc.
The entrance fees to tourist attractions in Nha Trang are the same for both Vietnamese and foreigners.
Some attractions close at 4:00 PM, so it’s a good idea to arrive earlier.
When shopping for souvenirs and goods at markets, consider bargaining to avoid overpaying.
Opt for all-inclusive island tours in Nha Trang as they tend to be cheaper than individual island tours.
If you’re exploring within the city of Nha Trang, you can rent a motorbike or hire a cyclo (cycle rickshaw) for transportation.

Conclusion

Nha Trang is a fantastic beach destination in Vietnam that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. To explore all the tourist attractions in Nha Trang, you would need several days. We hope our list of the 14 most attractive tourist destinations in Nha Trang mentioned above will help you easily choose your favorite spots to explore when visiting Nha Trang. Many of our Vietnam tour packages include Nha Trang in the itinerary, so please contact our travel advisors if you’re interested.

Image source: Internet

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