The most famous seaside resort city in Vietnam, Nha Trang is very popular among both domestic and foreign tourists. It is easy to see why, as its beautiful sand beaches look out over a gorgeous bay with idyllic islands lying off in the distance.
Located on the country’s South Central coastline, Nha Trang is a very important tourist hub in the country and has everything from fun-filled amusement parks and relaxing spas to fascinating historical tourist attractions and wonderful watersports.
Renowned for its brilliant scuba diving, nightlife, and fine dining, the list of exciting things to do in Nha Trang is long, and your stay can be as relaxed or adrenaline-filled as you make it.
12. National Oceanographic Museum
Opened all the way back in 1922, the National Oceanographic Museum is a great place to head to if you want to learn more about Vietnam’s abundant marine life. Located in a lovely old French colonial-era building, there are lots of interesting exhibitions for you to explore. Two of the most impressive items on display are the skeletons of a huge humpback whale and a much smaller dugong.
In addition to its various marine artifacts and preserved fish specimens, there is also a small aquarium for you to wander around. Swimming in the various tanks, you can see seals, reef sharks, marine turtles, and lionfish, with lots of colorful coral also on display. While staying in Nha Trang, the National Oceanographic Museum makes for a great day out for all the family.
11. Monkey Island
Located a short and scenic ferry ride away from Nha Trang, Monkey Island is so named due to the thousand or so monkeys that inhabit it. Bred for export to the Soviet Union, the program was abandoned during the American War, and now the mischievous primates can be spotted almost everywhere you go.
Besides seeing what monkey business they get up to, visitors can lounge on the beach and take in the peaceful ambiance, or go swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing, or scuba diving in the surrounding waters. On top of all this, there are a couple of lovely shops and cafes for you to check out, as well as a fun go-kart track to race around.
10. Doc Let Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in the whole country, Doc Let certainly does paint a pretty picture; its dazzling white sands and gently swaying palm trees lie next to the inviting, crystal-clear waters of the bay. Boasting an 18-kilometer-long beach that stretches as far as the eye can see, there is more than enough sand to go around; as it lies about an hour’s drive from Nha Trang, it seldom gets very crowded.
While some small hotels and resorts can be found here and there, most of Doc Let Beach is wonderfully undeveloped; as such, it is a very peaceful and relaxing place to spend a few days, and the glorious sunsets really do look spectacular.
In addition to its idyllic look and feel, there is also some great seafood on offer, as well as lots of fun watersports for you to enjoy.
9. Nha Tho Nui Cathedral
Built between 1928 and 1933, Nha Tho Nui Cathedral is one of the most important and impressive buildings in Nha Trang and certainly warrants a visit. Perched atop a hill with the city all around it, the French Gothic style architecture looks absolutely incredible, with some beautiful stained glass windows found beneath its sturdy and distinctive square clock tower.
Due to its picturesque setting with the mountains rising dramatically in the distance behind it, the cathedral is a popular place to get married among locals, and it still holds a daily mass.
8. Hon Chong
Jutting out into the sea, Hon Chong promontory makes for a beautiful sight. The view before you is even better, with forest-coated mountains and islands lying far off in the distance across the glittering waters. Besides clambering over the rocks and taking photo after photo of the stunning scenery, visitors can also check out the nearby local beach, which is much quieter than the one in Nha Trang itself.
Here you’ll find a delightful Ruong house which exhibits some wonderful traditional architecture, as well as some small restaurants and cafes. Lying just offshore is the small island of Hon Do, which has a very pretty and laidback Buddhist temple for you to wander around.
7. Long Son Pagoda
Speaking of temples, no visit to Nha Trang can ever be complete without stopping by the Long Son Pagoda – the most famous and impressive Buddhist temple in town. Built in 1886, the pagoda is very striking to gaze upon: majestic dragon mosaics cover the roof and entrance while its interior boasts an impressive ceremonial hall.
The main feature, however, is its glistening white Buddha statue that towers to a colossal 24 meters. As Long Son Pagoda is set upon a hilltop, many people come here to take in the fantastic views that it offers of the rest of Nha Trang while basking in the peaceful ambiance and taking in the astounding architecture all around them.
6. Vinpearl Cable Car
Linking Hon Tre Island to Nha Trang, the Vinpearl Cable Car takes you on a 3,320-meter-long ride across Nha Trang Bay until you reach the fun-filled Vinpearl Amusement Park. The journey takes around 15 minutes to complete, and the long cable that keeps you in the air is strung up between seven red and white towers that look like miniature versions of the Eiffel Tower.
As the cable cars run around 40 meters above the ground and sea, there are lots of fantastic views for you to drink in, and this unique approach to the amusement park only makes your arrival there even more special.
5. I-Resort
If you’re looking to kick back, relax, and unwind, the upmarket I-Resort is a great place to head to. It boasts a fantastic outdoor water park, hot mineral mudbaths, and a spa salon where you can book every type of massage imaginable. Set in a tranquil spot surrounded by lush forest, the I-Resort has a very harmonious feel to it, and the sparkling waterfalls that gently cascade into its many pools only add to the ambiance.
As a number of fun water slides meander their way around the site, which also sports a great restaurant, it is a very family-friendly place to visit; you can easily spend the day in the resort’s peaceful confines.
4. Po Nagar Towers
Lying on the banks of the Cai River, the well-preserved remains of the Po Nagar Towers certainly make for an impressive sight, and it is not without reason that they are one of the most popular attractions in Nha Trang. With some of them dating all the way back to before 780 AD, the four remaining towers represent some of the finest examples of the incredible architecture that the once-mighty Cham Kingdom left behind.
In addition to the fabulous brickwork of the towers, there are some lovely stone statues and altars for you to check out, with lots of intricately carved inscriptions also on show. Dedicated to the goddess of the country – Yan Po Nagar – the site is still in use to this day. When you visit, you’ll find a mix of Buddhists, Cham, Chinese, and Vietnamese all worshipping amongst the magnificent old temples, columns, and meditation halls that dot the complex.
3. Ba Ho Waterfall
Located around an hour’s drive to the north of Nha Trang, Ba Ho Waterfall actually consists of three separate and equally scenic cascades that lie along a fast-flowing river surrounded by dense jungle. The rugged rocks that line the falls and jut out from the thick forest make for an incredible sight. Some brave visitors even dive off the first waterfall’s craggy clifftop into the pool below.
Meaning ‘waterfall with three basins’ in Vietnamese, Ba Ho’s outstanding beauty makes it a perfect place to visit for nature lovers. There is also a great hike you can do along the river and through the jungle to reach the other two falls.
2. Vinpearl Amusement Park
Dubbed Vietnam’s Disneyland, the fun and festive Vinpearl Amusement Park makes for a great day out for all the family, as there is an endless array of entertaining and exhilarating things for you to see and do. Located on Hon Tre Island, the park boasts a plethora of rides and rollercoasters, as well as a huge water park and fish-filled aquarium.
As you approach the island on the Vinpearl Cable Car, your excitement will only build as you see everything laid out before you, with lots of swimming pools, restaurants, and shops to be spotted around the tree-filled resort.
In addition to its many, many attractions, Vinpearl also has a gorgeous beach for you to recline on, with lots of fantastic watersports also on offer.
1. Nha Trang Beach
Curving gently around the bay, Nha Trang’s main beach is a delight to visit. Although it certainly is not the most beautiful beach you will ever see, it really does have everything you could want close at hand. Besides its welcoming sands and inviting waters that make for some great sunbathing and swimming, there is a lovely boardwalk for you to stroll along, as well as lots of gardens, playgrounds, and sports facilities nearby.
On top of all of this, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars can be found lining its six kilometers of sand, while beach vendors also pass by from time to time selling fruit, drinks, and seafood.
Nha Trang can offer a great urban beach experience, just make sure you visit this place in the right season. The beach can be disappointing when the weather is grey and the waves choppy. During this time the beach turns into a strip of brown sand with a multitude of empty beach chairs and no one to be seen.
Best Time to Visit Nha Trang
As it is known for its stunning beaches and fun watersports, most people head to Nha Trang during its long dry season which lasts from January to August. Temperatures of 26 to 32°C (79 to 89°F) are perfect for sunbathing, swimming and scuba diving.
While its resorts are packed during July and August due to the summer holidays, some great deals can be found from March to June. This is the low season though some do visit around Easter or for the Po Nagar Towers Festival. If the sun ever gets too hot, you can cool off in one of its water parks or at the Hon Ba Nature Reserve.
Summer also sees the Yacht Festival and biennial Nha Trang Sea Festival take place. While the beaches in town might get crowded, there are plenty more to visit nearby. You can also take boat trips around the idyllic islands.
As September to November is very rainy with typhoons sometimes occurring, most people stay away as they can’t sunbathe or enjoy any outdoor activities.
December to February is yet another of the most popular, busy and expensive times to visit. Aside from the Christmas holidays, Vietnamese New Year is also celebrated around then as is the Nha Trang Fishermen’s Festival.
Where to stay in Nha Trang
There are various options when it comes to selecting a place to stay in Nha Trang. Many come with sea views from up high, stunning infinity pools, and even access to private beaches. Choose a budget option or go for affordable luxury for the ultimate in your urban Vietnamese beach getaway.
Liberty Central Nha Trang – This is a modern hotel which boasts impressive glass fronting and impressive rooms to match. The contemporary and neutrally decorated rooms have a minimalist feel and come with large beds and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Some even have baths that look out of floor to ceiling windows.The hotel also boasts an attractive outdoor pool area and an in-house restaurant that serves up a selection of dishes, as well as a bar.
Azura Hotel – Boasting beautiful beach views, this coastal hotel is great for those who want to be close to the vibrancy of the city but also relax by the sea. It’s the best of both worlds. The beach is practically on the doorstep. The rooms here are all gleaming tiled floors, high ceilings, and hardwood furniture, complete with bathrooms separated by a glass wall; the rooms also boast balconies with sea views.
Boton Blue Hotel & Spa – A truly beautiful, luxury hotel in Nha Trang, this is the sort of place that will really wow you. This place has a lot to boast about, including a gorgeous infinity pool that looks out across the sea – perfect for taking in a sunset. The pool also has an amazing swim-up bar for proper luxurious living. The hotel has a private beach with sun loungers for guests to enjoy.
Rosaka Nha Trang Hotel – Featuring a cool infinity pool, this is a warm and welcoming place to stay, which is a nice vibe for a big hotel. The rooms here are spacious, and stylishly decorated with a natural theme, complete with polished wooden floors and floral artwork. From here, Nha Trang Beach itself is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Vinpearl Resort – Located on Hon Tre Island, this polished hotel has a spacious outdoor terrace dotted with tables for great beach views. There’s a pool, complete with sun loungers for soaking up the rays. This resort boasts four bars – including a pool bar and a beach bar – so you will never be short of a spot to drink.
New Sun Hotel – This hotel is a contemporary option with glitzy design throughout. Think rooms that boast leather-effect feature walls and gold detailing, round beds, and glass-walled ensuite bathrooms. The rooms look out over the city’s rooftops towards the sea.
Maple Hotel – This tall, towering hotel has a selection of rooms to suit different travelers. There are studios and apartments on offer here that are large enough to sleep up to ten people, making this a good option for big groups. Rooms feature clean lines, simple color palettes, and stylish wooden kitchens for extra convenience – and to keep costs low.
Alana Nha Trang Beach Hotel – This hotel boasts a beautiful outdoor pool, sun loungers, and views out across the city. The rooms here are subtly sophisticated, decked out with an ashy color palette complemented with design-led features and wood paneling. Fans of sailing will enjoy being close to Vietnam Sailing Centre. The Phu Dong Water Park is also within walking distance for when you want to cool off with a side of fun.
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