10 Amazing Things To Do In Nha Trang, Vietnam
For a place with more sunshine every year than anywhere else in Vietnam, Nha Trang is known for sun-kissed relaxation. The coastal city boasts empty sand beaches, clear waters, and untouched mountains. This gem of a city is 30 km away from Nha Trang airport, and the best way to go here is by bus. Going around the town is easy with taxis and motorbike taxis. Meanwhile, traveling from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh can be done by bus but is easiest via plane. So if a side trip to another city is in the plan, book accordingly.
Aside from basking in the sun, there are other exciting things to do in Nha Trang Vietnam. If you’re visiting for the first time, here are 10 amazing things to do in Nha Trang.
1.
Unwind On The Endless Beaches
©Photo by Aleksandr Zykov from Flickr
Do you dream of spending afternoons walking along the stretch of Nha Trang island? How about sipping on fruit shakes while enjoying a picturesque view surrounding it? With its endless beaches, a trip to Nha Trang beach is perhaps the greatest lure of the city. Add to that is the warm and comfortable Nha Trang weather, which makes a trip here always an excellent idea.
The town’s main beach is Tran Phu. Stretching 7 kilometers, the island is bordered by rustling palms. The beach is easy to walk to and from almost anywhere in the city, which makes it the most popular beach in Nha Trang. To fully enjoy the beach, make sure to bring the best water shoes.
The island is always packed with holidaymakers — both locals and tourists. Aside from swimming, there are plenty of watersports to enjoy here. You can choose from para-sailing, kite surfing, paddleboarding, or jet skiing.
Other Top Beaches To Enjoy
Hon Tre: Hon Tre is the biggest beach in Nha Trang. It’s also known as Bamboo Island. Aside from its beauty, many popular festivals are celebrated here. These include the Ong Nam Hai memorial festival, Ba Chua Xu, and the Ba Thuong Dong festival.
The Jungle Beach: The beach is an hour drive north from the city of Nha Trang. What makes the resort stand out is how the hotel rooms are made of and designed with bamboo. Aside from the jungle vibe, you get to enjoy the turquoise water and fine sand. To complete your holiday, sink your teeth into freshly caught seafood like lobster, octopus, and jellyfish.
Nhu Tien: If you prefer a more intimate and quiet beach, head on to Nhu Tien. Located on the route from Nha Trang Airport to Ho Chi Minh, Nhu Tien is considered a treasure for its beauty. Hidden in the mountains, this beach is famous for tourists who want ultimate serenity and relaxation. The spa resort offers a tennis court, a large golf course, a spa, and restaurants serving Vietnamese, Asian, and Western.
2.
Soak In Mineral-Rich Mud Baths
©Official photo of I-Resort
Among the popular and amazing things to do in Nha Trang is a mud bath. They say your trip to the city is incomplete if you don’t submerge in its mineral-rich clay. Offering therapeutic and skin healing benefits, mud baths in Nha Trang have been a must-try for many visitors. I-Resort is the most popular in the city. Aside from offering mud baths, you can spend your day in its huge water park with slides and pools.
Other Mud Baths To Enjoy
Thap Ba Spa: Thap Ba Spa is one of your cheaper options for a relaxing mud bath. It is also the oldest mud and hot spring spa in the city. The spa offers private mud baths, which are perfect for those who don’t enjoy bathing with strangers.
100 Eggs Mud Bath: This is undoubtedly the most unique among all the mud baths in Nha Trang. 100 Eggs Mud Bath has everything designed with eggs in mind, from the decorations to the tubs in egg shapes. Aside from that, you get to enjoy the backdrop of mountains while submerged in mud.
Galina Mud Bath & Spa: Galina Mud Bath & Spa sits on the third and fourth floors of Galina Hotel. This makes Galina the only mud bath in the city center. Despite being in the city, the mud bath area is designed to look like a cave, making it more relaxing. Aside from mud baths, you can indulge in their saunas and jacuzzis.
3.
Go Snorkeling
©Photo from Sailing Club Divers’ official Facebook page
Diving and snorkeling are by far the most popular among the fun things to do in Nha Trang. Nha Trang Bay is home to 12,000 hectares of reef-filled waters called Hon Mun Marine Protected Area. Sailing Club Divers is one of the top choices.
There are options to enjoy snorkeling. You can either swim offshore or take a boat to some of the idyllic islands surrounding Nha Trang. Either way, Nha Trang is sure to give you a memorable time.
Before heading for a dive, take note of Nha Trang weather for the best experience. The best diving months are from April to October, especially July to August. This gives you fair visibility as well as a variety of small tropical fish to enjoy.
Recommended Dive Centers
Sailing Club Divers: An extremely professional dive center, Sailing Club Divers is one of the longest-running dive centers in Vietnam. This dive center is very tourist-friendly as it offers instruction in English, German, French, Vietnamese, and Russian. There is one instructor for every two divers to teach and assist you all the way.
Rainbow Divers: Rainbow is the first and only PADI-5 Star dive center in Nha Trang Vietnam. As a premier PADI Scuba Diving company, it offers full-range PADI courses and daily diving opportunities.
4.
Stay At Luxury Nha Trang Hotels And Resorts
©Official photo of Mia Resort
Nha Trang is home to enticing accommodations anyone on a holiday mood desires. From luxe hotels to serene resorts, there’s always an excellent place to find perfect comfort.
Mia Resort Nha Trang is a stunning 5-star resort located on the scenic coastline of Khan Hoa Province. The resort boasts a private beach, a world-class restaurant, and dreamy rooms set on sand or cliffs. The popular resort also has a spa for guests to relax. If you want to explore, there’s a free shuttle service to go around Nha Trang.
Other Top Luxury Nha Trang Hotels and Resorts To Enjoy
Alana Nha Trang Beach Hotel: With only a 3-minute walk away from the beach, there’s not much reason not to enjoy Alana Hotel. Aside from the beach, you get to enjoy an outdoor pool and sauna. There’s also a fitness center for the health buffs. To keep you company at night, there’s an excellent restaurant and bar with an amazing staff.
Hotel Novotel Nha Trang: This hotel sits conveniently on the main street, making it strategic and friendly. Enjoy swimming on the beautiful beach, which is only a minute walk, or on the outdoor pool. Guests are spoiled with the hotel’s modern rooms with breathtaking views of the ocean.
Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang: Vinpearl Luxury is among the most-loved Nha Trang hotels among tourists. Staying here means you’ll only be steps away from Vinpearl Land and Vinpearl Beach. If you want privacy and relaxation, this hotel should top your list. Aside from its stunning beach, the luxurious fine-dining restaurants will let you enjoy the best of European and Vietnamese cuisine. Aside from that, there’s a free roundtrip shuttle available to and from Nha Trang airport.
5.
Immerse Yourself In Cultural Sites
©Photo by Arian Zwegers from Flickr
A visit to cultural and historical sites is among the best things to do in Nha Trang Vietnam. Overlooking the South China Sea, Po Nagar Cham Towers gives you a breathtaking view. Built in the 8th century, Po Nagar Cham is considered the most historical spot in Nha Trang. The Cham, Chinese, and Vietnamese Buddhists actively use these towers for worship.
Other Best Sites To Enjoy
Nha Trang Cathedral: This is the largest church in the city. Sitting on top of a hill, the church gives you a magnificent view. Nha Trang Cathedral is a popular wedding and landscape photography spot. Made entirely of stone with beautiful stained glass windows, the cathedral is truly a must-see.
Long Son Pagoda: Long Son Pagoda is another incredible site in Nha Trang. Behind the pagoda is a huge Buddha sitting at the summit of a hill. With an impressive height of 14 meters, you can see the Buddha statue all over Nha Trang.
Buddhist Meditation Institute: The institute is a bit far from the town, but the serenity you find here is worth the trip. Covered in flowers and plants, the institute overlooks mountains and a beautiful vista of paddies. Apart from the Buddhist statues, visitors come here for the picturesque scenery.
6.
Dance And Drink The Night Away
©Photo from Sailing Club Nha Trang’s official Facebook page
The fun in Nha Trang doesn’t end on the beach; save some energy for the Nha Trang nightlife. Sailing Club Nha Trang is a flagship venue when it comes to the vibrant entertainment scene. The club has an extensive menu of alcoholic drinks and a huge dancefloor for partying. It’s perfectly set along Tran Phu Beach, giving guests prime beachfront location. For more than 20 years, Sailing Club has been throwing weekend beach parties, enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
Other Bars/Clubs to Enjoy
Skylight Skydeck & Rooftop Beach Club: This is Nha Trang’s first rooftop club. Skylight Skydeck is located on the 45th floor of Best Western Premier Havana. The location offers guests with a panoramic view of the East Sea. Coming here allows you to enjoy its bars, Pan-Asian cuisine, DJ booths, event spaces, and a swimming pool.
Makaï Lounge: For some European-style Nha Trang nightlife, head on to Makaï Lounge in central Nha Trang. The bar offers a variety of shishas and cocktails. There’s also a Latino party every Wednesday. Saturday nights are also a perfect time as resident DJs play guests a good mix of house music to dance the night away.
7.
Go Shopping
©Photo by Marco Verch on Flickr
Among the fun things to do in Nha Trang Vietnam is to go shopping. The city offers a wide selection of local markets for tourists to explore. For some local experience, find your way to Dam Market. This is the city’s main market. Boasting three floors full of boutique shops and stalls to explore, Dam Market won’t disappoint a hungry shopper. Here, you will find all sorts of items, from clothes, bags, shoes to tourist trinkets and packaged foods, among others. Don’t miss the dried seafood section. This is where you’ll find some of Nha Trang’s famous local delicacies such as dried squid, shrimp, and cuttlefish.
Other Best Markets to Enjoy
Xoi Moi Market: This market offers a more raw experience as this is where locals shop for their groceries and everyday needs. Visit early because it’s a little further away from the center of the city. Don’t worry about the early trip, though, as the market has delicious breakfast offerings. Don’t pass the chance of buying some delicious fruits such as milk fruit, mangosteen (seasonal), mango, and rambutan.
Nha Trang Night Market: Just like the other cities in Vietnam, Nha Trang has a night market. You can find many interesting items here, from cheap clothes, shoes, souvenirs, and different novelty items. You can find them all in the stalls lined up on the street. A stroll at the night market is a great option after a hefty dinner.
8.
Ride The Nha Trang Cable Car
©Photo by Aleksandr Zykov on Flickr
Nha Trang cable car is an excellent chance to view the city above the air. The adventure spot has 65 booths. The highest point of the tour is at 75 meters above the sea, which gives you a good chance to take amazing photos. Aside from the thrill, Nha Trang Cable Car is the most convenient way to view the sea and the city of Nha Trang. This is most especially true if you ride at night. The cable car is also lit at night, making the long stretch of booths spectacular in the evening.
9.
Feast On Scrumptious Food
©Official photo of Cookbook Cafe
Being a coastal city, it’s no surprise that Nha Trang restaurants offer a variety of freshly caught seafood. Feast on giant prawns, crabs, squid, jellyfish, urchins, and shellfish of all shapes and sizes. Satisfying seafood cravings is one of the best things to do in Nha Trang.
Restaurants here also offer international cuisines such as French, Greek, Indian, and others.
Top Restaurants To Enjoy
Cookbook Cafe: Cookbook Cafe offers an extensive array of char-grilled meats, seafood, and authentic Vietnamese specialties. The stylish restaurant allows you to enjoy your meals inside its air-conditioned section or breezy outdoor terrace. Don’t miss their star dishes, including pork and prawn rolls with homemade peanut sauce. You can also feast on their Piri-Piri roasted chicken and Vietnamese-style sweet and sour pork ribs.
Sandals: Sandals Restaurant is led by Master Chef Phil Ward from the U.K. This world-class restaurant serves Vietnamese and Mediterranean delicacies. You can enjoy your meal inside or on the veranda while you take in the view of the East Sea. For early dinners, the sunset serves as a romantic backdrop to your meal.
Sen Vietnamese Restaurant: Set on Tran Phu Beach’s Sailing Club, Sen Vietnamese lets you dine and relax in a garden patio. The must-try dishes here include goi cuon, banh xeo, and Vietnamese pho noodles.
10.
Complete Your Day With A Hot Air Balloon Ride
©Photo by skeeze on Pixabay
For the more adventurous souls, a hot air balloon is among the best things to do in Nha Trang. The balloon center is found at Pham Van Dong Street. Going up to 150 meters in the air, the ride gives you the best view of the city. For about 20 minutes, breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the view, and take the best aerial photos.
Perhaps It’s Time You Visit Nha Trang
Nha Trang is truly a gem in Vietnam. The coastal city offers a 6-km stretch of coastline with pristine sandy beaches, clear waters, and untouched mountains. For a city that has a lot to explore and enjoy, a single day trip to Nha Trang Vietnam is perhaps not enough. From water activities, cultural sites, scrumptious meals to shopping, the things to do in Nha Trang go beyond its endless beaches. Hopefully, this list of 10 amazing things will help you enjoy the best of Nha Trang Vietnam.
