If you’re looking to explore beach life in Vietnam, there’s no other place to go than the city of Nha Trang. It’s where locals and foreigners meet to enjoy a different side of Vietnam, where they could spend their whole day sunbathing by the beach or drinking a mimosa as the slow waves brush up their skin.
Like every city in Vietnam, Nha Trang has seen the times shift all throughout the country’s history. With the vibrant life that Nha Trang holds day or night, comes the remnants of the past that it continues to preserve. You’ll get to wonder at all the beautiful sceneries as well as wander to all the best places in the city.
Surely, Nha Trang, with its strategic location on the South Central coastline, is everything you’ll ever dream of if you’re one to enjoy the fantastic nightlife. Unlike its surrounding cities, you’ll find a different excitement here, an excitement that might just keep you up all night!
So, if you’re planning on going to Nha Trang, here are 9 of the best places to explore!
1. Po Nagar Cham Towers
Dating back to 780 AD, first on our list are the Po Nagar Towers, remnants of the great Cham Kingdom.
Originally, there were 8 magnificent towers but as time went by, only 4 remained. The Po Nagar Cham Towers were built in honor of Lady Po Nagar who, according to legends, created the Earth and founded the Cham people.
One of the towers, which is called the North Tower, stands at a height of 28 meters and was constructed in the year 817 AD. The tower’s distinguishable mark is its pyramid-shaped roof. You’ll find various inscriptions on its walls and entrance, and when you walk inside, you’ll see the statue of Uma, the Hindu goddess of power and beauty. Other towers also honor deities of the Hindu religion.
Today, the Po Nagar Towers serve as places of worship for Buddhist followers, Cham people, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Po Nagar Towers are located on the banks of Cai River.
If you were to visit a site in Nha Trang, we recommend you to visit Po Nagar Towers first! These beautiful towers showcase intricate detailings and carvings that have stood the test of time. Definitely a great way to kick off your Nha Trang journey!
Location: 61 Hai Tháng Tư, Vĩnh Phước, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: $1 or VND30,000 per person.
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 5:30 PM, Daily.
2. Long Son Pagoda
All over Vietnam, there are a lot of pagodas. So, it’s no surprise to see yet another beautiful pagoda in Nha Trang.
The Long Son Pagoda dates back to 1886 and houses temples and other structures that have become icons of Vietnam such as the statue of the white Gautama Buddha, the largest outdoor Buddhist sculpture found in the country.
The Guatama Buddha that sits atop a lotus is located on the hilltop which can be accessed by taking the 193-step stairs. The statue itself is magnificent but we believe that what makes this statue memorable is the 7 statues of the monks who set themselves on fire in Saigon as a form of protest against the unjust persecution of Buddhists by the Catholic-led South Vietnamese government back in 1963.
As you walk around the complex, you’ll also find the statue of the reclining Buddha and the 49 disciples who gathered on the day of Buddha’s death. You’ll find Taoist architecture all throughout the complex too.
Location: 22 Đ. 23 Tháng 10, Phương sơn, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: Always open.
3. Ba Ho Waterfalls
The Ba Ho Waterfalls seem like they came straight out of a fairytale book as these three cascading waterfalls feel so majestic!
The Ba Ho Waterfalls are located approximately one hour away from Nha Trang. Ba Ho, in Vietnamese, means “waterfall with three basins” since there are three separate sets of waterfalls in this area. But the waterfalls found at the bottom gather a lot of tourists since it is easier to access.
However, all three waterfalls are as breathtaking as the other with boulders of rocks ornamented along the waterways.
The waterfalls are also popular among cliff divers, so it’s a normal sight to see visitors diving off the cliffs of one of the waterfalls. But if you’re not in the diving spirit, you can take a fun hike along the river, into the jungle, and see the other, less visited waterfalls.
Just remember to bring hiking shoes or shoes that can prevent you from slipping since the rocks can be slippery!
Location: Ninh Ích, Ninh Hòa, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: $4.50 or VND100,000 per person. The parking fee for cars is around VND4,000.
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 4:30 PM, daily.
4. National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
Vietnam is surrounded by the ocean and there is no doubt that there is much love for the seas and the marine life in the country! That is why, if you’re visiting Nha Trang, you must visit the National Oceanographic Museum!
The National Oceanographic Museum was opened back in 1922, making it one of the oldest scientific institutes in the country.
With its abundant marine life, the National Oceanographic Museum was opened in 1922 to present the different marine resources and the environment of the seas of Vietnam. It is one of the oldest scientific institutes in the country and was commissioned by the French colonizers.
There is much to look at and discover in the National Oceanographic Museum in Vietnam such as exhibits of hunchback whale skeletons, preserved specimens, algae, and phytoplankton. There is also an aquarium that you can wander around alone or with your family but most importantly, the museum also educates on natural disasters as well as local legends of Vietnam!
The museum is the biggest research center on marine biology and ecology and just like other important sites in Vietnam, it’s also important for us to know about the seas of the country as these bring life to it!
Location: Số 1, Cầu Đá, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: $2 or VND40,000 per person.
Opening Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM, daily.
5. Nha Tho Nui Cathedral (Nha Trang Stone Church)
The Gothic-style cathedral in Nha Trang which is made up of stone is every couple’s dream church for their weddings.
Built in 1928 and completed in 1933, the Nha Tho Nui Cathedral (Christ the King Cathedral) is a great example of the elegance of French Gothic architecture. This impressive structure is adorned with astonishing stained glass windows and high pillars. Inside, the church is bright and the ambiance is romantic.
The ancient Cathedral stands out from its surroundings and it’s no surprise why it is beloved by to-be-weds! So, when you come to Nha Trang, make sure to stop by the Nha Tho Nui Cathedral. Its grandeur might just get you to imagine yourself walking down the aisle or waiting at the altar for the love of your life! (No offense to the single people out there!)
Location: 01 Thái Nguyên, Phước Tân, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 4:45 AM to 5:45 PM, daily.
6. Vinpearl Amusement Park
The happiest place on earth might just be found in Nha Trang. There’s no Disneyland here in Vietnam but we have Vinpearl!
Vinpearl Amusement Park might just be the quick fix you’re looking for if you’re craving the fun of Disneyland. It’s a perfect place to spend a day with your family, especially if you’re with your kids!
The amusement park was opened in 2006 by Vingroup Corporation. It spans over 50 hectares located on Hon Tre island. the area is divided into 6 subdivisions full of memorable experiences waiting for you to collect.
Your little kiddos, and yourself, will surely enjoy all the fun rides at Vinpearl Amusement Park. It has a rollercoaster, a waterpark with lots of swimming pools and slides, and an aquarium. The Ferris wheel in the Vinpearl Amusement Park stands at a height of 120 meters, making it one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world!
As you enter the amusement park, you’ll get to ride the cable car which is suspended over the South China Sea. Shops are conveniently placed inside the premise for you to check out. And although there might not be a Mickey Mouse in town, there are unique cartoon characters that go around the area too. And then, after all the fun and games you’ve had, you can relax by the beach and watch the sunset!
Ticket prices for a Vinpearl land ticket + round trip cable car ride cost $39, a bit pricier compared to the rest of the attractions on this list but we can confidently say that it’s worth it!
You can quickly check out Vinpearl Amusement Park bundles here if you’re really curious or visit their website to know about offers exclusively offered by Vinpearl!
Location: Nha Trang – Vinpearl Land, Vĩnh Nguyên, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: Usually costs around $39 or VND920,000 for a full-day land ticket with a cable car ride.
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 8 PM, daily.
Vinpearl Cable Car
To access Hon Tre Island, you can ride the Vinpearl Cable Car that connects it to Nha Trang. The cable car ride measures 3,320 meters and takes 15 minutes to complete. The thought of a cable car this high and this long might scare but the view you’ll get to see might remove all of it as you get a stunning view of the South China Sea.
Even Disneyland doesn’t have a grand entrance as stunning as this!
7. Nha Trang Beach
Nha Trang is famous for its pristine beach and nobody can argue with that!
The beach stretches around 6 kilometers of white sand and clear waters. Swimming is clearly one thing you want to do here but if the sun is not your best friend, you can also walk along the boardwalk.
However, tanning is a popular activity at Nha Trang beach too. Food isn’t a problem here since vendors offer a variety of snacks and refreshments to cool you off. So, if you’re visiting the coastline, pack your SPF because you might not want to leave the beach!
There might be days when the weather is gloomy and the skies are grey so make sure to check the weather forecast before you come out to the beach. You don’t want to end up feeling disappointed.
Location: Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: Always open.
8. Hon Chong Promontory
People come to Hon Chong to see the big boulders of granite rocks by the beach and take pictures. Although it is quite a sight, there is more to Hon Chong!
Nha Trang beach might be too overwhelming with the number of tourists and visitors who frequently go there but there’s a much quieter beach that you can check out in Hon Chong.
After taking a pic by the rocks, head on out to the beach where you’ll find a rebuilt Ruong house. Around the area, you’ll find different restaurants and cafes for you to check in and have some refreshing drinks. There are not many people here so it’s perfect for a chill afternoon by the beach. If you have time, you can visit the Hon Do where a humble Buddhist temple awaits.
Some say that there’s not much in Hon Chong but we think it’s the best place to seize the day!
Do take note that Hon Chong beach is free to enter but you might be asked to pay a dollar to climb the rocks!
Location: Vĩnh Phước, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM, daily.
9. Hon Mun
Hon Mun Island is the epitome of tropical paradise just off the coast of Nha Trang!
There’s no island in Nha Trang that is more beautiful than Hon Mun. This 12,000 hectares of land reserves a lot of activities for you to do!
If you fancy a good hike, you can go hiking up the rocky hills and explore some hidden caves. You can go cliff diving off of high cliffs if you’re looking to exhaust your adrenaline rush! And most especially, you can dive deep into the deep blue sea and meet your fish buddies who are waiting for you down there! In fact, marine life in Hon Mun is quite possibly the most abundant in all of Vietnam!
You can book scuba diving experiences locally but to secure the best deals on scuba diving tours, you can check out the deals on the websites we trust! You can skip the negotiating and the hassle of finding the right person to talk to as the offers on these websites come from known merchants.
Before you leave, don’t forget to have a picture of the glass-bottom boat in Hon Mun to prove just how clear the waters are!
Location: 735 Nguyễn Tất Thành, Phước Đồng, Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa, Vietnam
Entrance Fee: $1 or VND22,000 for adults and $0.50 or VND11,000 for children.
Opening Hours: Always open.
Map of the Nha Trang Sites
To make it easier for you to navigate, we prepared a simple map for you to follow to give you an idea of how you should go about your trip to Nha Trang!
All locations are marked with a black pin!
Final Thoughts on Nha Trang
Nha Trang is exquisite because of the beautiful coastal experience it offers. Unlike other places in Vietnam like Hue, Da Nang, or even Ho Chi Minh, this city is much more relaxed and laid back.
We actually don’t expect you to go on a full-on adventure here because we believe that if there’s a place in Vietnam where you should simply enjoy yourself and take your time, it would be here in Nha Trang!
If you liked this article, you can check out other blogs we made where we talked about the best countries to travel to on a budget! Reading them would also help us a lot!
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