Nestled along Vietnam’s southern coast, Nha Trang is a tropical paradise for travellers seeking sun, sand, and adventure. The capital of the Khanh Hoa Province boasts an unending coastline, promising an abundance of beaches and untouched islands perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling. Famous as the seafood capital of Vietnam among foodies, Nha Trang is also home to the freshest supply of fish and shellfish. Uncover the secrets of this hidden gem with our guide to all the exciting things to do in Nha Trang, a must-visit destination in Vietnam.
During my recent two-week-long trip to Vietnam, I spent three memorable days exploring the coastal paradise. Based on my experiences, I’ve curated a guide to the top attractions and things to do in Nha Trang. For more details on my water adventures in Vietnam, check out my guide to a Ha Long Bay cruise.
Island-hopping to scuba diving: Top things to do in Nha Trang
Spend the weekend having child-like fun at the VinWonders Nha Trang
VinWonders is a popular amusement park chain in Vietnam, with locations in several cities, including Nha Trang. Drawing inspiration from Disneyland, VinWonders offers a wide range of attractions, from thrilling roller coasters to immersive musicals, water parks, and safaris. VinWonders Nha Trang is a sprawling amusement park located on the picturesque Hon Tre Island.
The journey to VinWonders Nha Trang is an adventure in itself. A scenic cable car ride transports visitors from Nha Trang to the island, offering stunning panoramic views of the ocean. VinWonders Nha Trang offers endless entertainment and exploration with much to see and do. While it’s easy to spend an entire day or more enjoying the park’s attractions, I couldn’t see everything with only a day to explore. There is a waterpark, zoo, rollercoasters, and more, spread across the island in sections like Fairy Land, Adventure Land, World Garden, Water World and Sea World.
Timings: While the park is open 24X7, some sections like rides and the waterpark close by 10 pm.
Tickets: starting from VND 950,000 (approximately HKD 292).
Go island hopping around Nha Trang
Nha Trang is surrounded by several tropical islands that promise a range of amazing experiences! Some of the most iconic ones include Hon Tre Island (famous for VinWonders), Hon Mun (the best place for snorkelling in Nha Trang), Monkey Island (a habitat for the primates), Hon Tam (a luxury retreat), and Diep Son Island (an untouched paradise known for its iconic sandbars).
Book your stay at Hon Tam Resort via Booking.com
Book your stay at Hon Tam Resort via Agoda
Go scuba diving and snorkelling in the pristine ocean
Nha Trang is teeming with marine life, best explored through scuba diving and snorkelling. Several guided tours offered by professionals take you deep into the wonders of the underwater world. You can spot clownfish, barracudas, trevallies, hawksbill turtles, angelfish, and butterflyfish while scuba diving or snorkelling in Nha Trang.
I went snorkelling in the Hon Mum Marine Protected Area on Hon Mun Island, where marine life is found closer to the surface, with the rocky beach and shallow waters brimming with fish. Follow my guide to snorkelling in Vietnam to plan your escape.
Relax on the sun-kissed golden beaches
The city has a beach running along the main road, Tran Phu Street, where locals and tourists gather to relax and have fun on the golden sand. Many other beaches, like the Duong, Hon Noi, Hon Tam, and Nhu Tien, are only a few kilometres away from the city centre.
Explore more with our curated 10-day Vietnam itinerary.
Enjoy a mud bath
One of the popular things to do in Nha Trang is to enjoy a mud bath. Warm baths filled with detoxifying mud are the ideal way to rejuvenate on your trip. The minerals in the mud bath help exfoliate the skin and relax the muscles. There are four major places for mud baths in Nha Trang — Thap Ba Mud Bath, 100 Egg Mud Bath and I-Resort.
Book your stay at Vinpearl Beachfront Nha Trang via Booking.com
Book your stay at Vinpearl Beachfront Nha Trang via Agoda
Discover why Nha Trang is the seafood capital of Vietnam
Nha Trang is known as the best seafood hub in Vietnam. Street-style local shops are lined up north of Tran Phu Bridge, offering fish in all styles — fresh, fermented, steamed and stir-fried. These establishments are unlike a typical restaurant; you have to select your choice of seafood, ranging from crabs, clams, shrimps, squid, shellfish and more. The waiter will charge you for the weight of the fish and ask you how you want it prepared.
Other popular Nha Trang delicacies to try are the Bún Cá Sứa (Jellyfish Vermicelli Noodle Soup), Nem Nướng (Grilled Fermented Pork Rolls), Bánh Căn (Rice Flour Pancakes) and Bò Lạc Cảnh (Grilled Beef).
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Marvel at the Long Son Pagoda and Ponagar Temple
Explore the cultural side of Nha Trang through the Long Son Pagoda and Ponagar Temple. These two monuments stand as symbols of the religious influences that have shaped the city through the years. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam come together at these landmarks.
Located in the heart of the city, Long Son Pagoda houses one of the biggest sitting statues of Lord Buddha. Perched at a height, it offers panoramic views of Nha Trang. Long Son Pagoda is open 24 hours and entry is free.
Ponagar Temple is a Cham temple that stands as a historical site that tells the story of the ancient Cham people. Located on top of Cu Lao Hill, it is two kilometres away from the city centre. The temple is open from 6 am to 5:30 pm, and the entry ticket is priced at VND 30,000 (approximately HKD 9).
Shop the best travel experiences here
All currency conversions were done at the time of writing
(Feature image credit: mspinks/Pixabay)
Related: These Are the Best Family Hotels and Resorts in Vietnam in 2024
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The best outdoor adventure activities to do in Nha Trang is scuba diving and snorkelling.
The must-try local food in Nha Trang is seafood, Bún Cá Sứa (Jellyfish Vermicelli Noodle Soup), Nem Nướng (Grilled Fermented Pork Rolls), Bánh Căn (Rice Flour Pancakes) and Bò Lạc Cảnh (Grilled Beef).
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Priyaja Bakshi
Digital Writer - Growth, TravelPriyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism ..Read More
