Nha Trang Travelers Recommend

With three days in Nha Trang, there’s time to experience all of the coastal city’s main draws— which range from the snorkeling paradise of Ho Mun Island to therapeutic mud baths—and spend a day away from the city. Here’s how. 

Day 1: Sea Sailing and City Sightseeing

Spend your first day getting your bearings in Nha Trang, by exploring on both land and sea. Kick-start your stay with a boat trip, most of which last for half a day. Choose among snorkeling at Hon Mun Island, famous for its diverse marine life; eating fresh seafood on a secluded beach on a private tour; or staying dry on a glass-bottom boat ride around Nha Trang Bay. 

Back on land, discover the city sights without worrying about getting lost on a sightseeing tour by bike, cyclo, or air-conditioned vehicle. Tour staples include the 8th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers; the 19th-century Long Son Pagoda, with its 80-foot tall Buddha; and Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui), a reminder of French colonialism in Vietnam. Conclude your day with dinner and drinks at a restaurant overlooking Nha Trang Beach, the central hub of the resort’s nightlife scene. 

Day 2: Escape to the Country

Devote day two to getting a taste of local life on a tour that transports you to the countryside. Choose to explore the countryside—which is characterized by emerald rice paddies and rugged mountains—either by bike or a horse and carriage, and make stops at rural villages to meet locals and sample food  that is traditional to central Vietnam. Alternatively—especially if you’ve got kids in tow—spend the day at Vinpearl Amusement Park, which is accessible by a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) cable car that offers panoramic views of the South China Sea. Booking your admission ticket in advance means that you avoid waiting in a ticket line. Most day trips return to Nha Trang in the early evening, which leaves you time for a sunset or evening cruise that reveals the bay in all of its illuminated finery. 

Day 3: Mud and Markets

Dedicate day three to enjoying Nha Trang’s markets and mud baths, which attract visitors from all over Asia. Start with a shopping tour that covers Dam Market, a bustling hub with stalls selling fresh produce; XQ Historical Village, where you can purchase Vietnamese silk and embroidery; and Tran Phu Street, a top shopping destination. Then, spend the afternoon relaxing in a mud spa, an experience you can upgrade to private for added treatments such as massages. Finally, conclude your time in Nha Trang with a food tour that reveals lesser-known specialities and hidden gems you might miss otherwise.

As Vietnam’s premier holiday resort, Nha Trang packs a punch with its beaches, bays, and water-based activities. If you’ve only got one day in the coastal city, explore by both land and sea to make the most of your 24 hours. Here’s how. 

Morning: Sail the Seas

Devote your morning to getting out on the water. Tour options, which typically last half a day, cater to every traveler type: Opt to zoom alongside the coast on a high-octane Jet Ski tour; discover some of Vietnam’s best marine life during a snorkeling trip to Hon Mun Island; sail the sea on a traditional junk boat, most of which feature an open bar; or escape the crowds during a private trip that takes you to a secluded beach for a seafood lunch.  

Afternoon: Explore the Land

Nha Trang may be well-known for its beaches, but it’s also got plenty of history, which is best discovered as part of a sightseeing tour. Tours tend to visit the 8th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers, named after a Hindu Champa princess; the 19th-century Long Son Pagoda, with its 80-foot-tall (24-meter-tall) Buddha; and Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui), a reminder of French colonialism in Vietnam. Choose between exploring by bike, cyclo, or air-conditioned vehicle. 

Evening: Admire the Sunset

Continue to enjoy the city’s seafront location on either a sunset or evening cruise, both of which reveal Nha Trang Bay at its most magical. In addition to unobstructed views of the coastline, you can enjoy a 5-course meal accompanied by free-flowing drinks or stop at a riverside restaurant instead. After you get back to dry land, head to the bars that back Nha Trang Beach for a taste of the resort’s raucous nightlife; karaoke and cocktails are in abundance here. 

Two days in Nha Trang gives you ample time to explore the city by both land and sea, soak up the beachfront buzz of the resort’s nightlife, and sample local seafood specialities. Here’s how to plan your time. 

Day 1: Essential Nha Trang

**Morning:**From the water, Nha Trang looks even more impressive, so start your visit with a boat trip to escape the crowds on land. Options include private catamaran cruises, Jet Ski adventures, snorkeling tours of Hon Mun Island’s reefs, and glass-bottom boat tours of Nha Trang Bay.  

**Afternoon:**Take a break from sightseeing to relax in Nha Trang’s famous mineral-rich mud baths, which are said to have healing properties. Opt for a private package if you only want to share the mud baths with your party, or upgrade to include a mud-based massage. 

**Evening:**Spend the evening watching the sun set from the water. Cruises, which tend to include dinner and free-flowing drinks, offer unobstructed views of the coastline, which lights up the night sky after sunset. 

Day 2: City Sights and Local Bites

**Morning:**Devote the morning to dry land on a city tour that reveals the historic highlights of Nha Trang. Whether you choose to explore by cyclo, bicycle, or air-conditioned vehicle, you’re likely to check off Po Nagar Cham Towers, Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui), and Long Son Pagoda.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon immersed in local life during a visit to Dam Market, XQ Historical Village, and Tran Phu Street, all of which are abundant with shopping opportunities and covered by several half-day sightseeing options. 

**Evening:**Dedicate your final evening to Da Nang’s food scene, which is characterized by fresh seafood. Opt for a food tour to overcome the language barrier and sample snacks and dishes that you may otherwise have missed. Then, toast your last night with a cocktail on the terrace of a Nha Trang bar. 

With one of the world’s most beautiful bays, numerous white sand beaches, and typically sunny weather, Nha Trang ranks as one of Vietnam’s top seaside resorts. If you’re looking for a day of sun, sand, and sea, these beaches are your best bets.

Tran Phu Beach

Tran Phu, sometimes just called Nha Trang Beach as it fronts the town itself, is the main beach area and center of action, complete with a beachside promenade and easy access to numerous resorts, shops, and seafood restaurants. It’s also a popular nightlife destination.

Doc Let Beach

Doc Let Beach, situated north of Nha Trang, is well worth a visit to experience a simpler beach day. Local fishing families will cook for you right on the sand, and the calm, limpid sea is perfect for a good, long swim or snorkeling.

Hon Mun Island

Situated a few miles off the coast of Nha Trang, Hon Mun ranks among the region’s most popular beach escapes for snorkeling and scuba diving, thanks to the colorful fish-filled coral reefs located just offshore.

Long Beach

Long Beach, also known as Bai Dai Beach, attracts beach-goers looking for a more secluded and relaxed atmosphere. The clear water at this beautiful beach is perfect for swimming, and a few restaurants scattered along the waterfront serve a mix of Vietnamese and Western food.

Hong Chong Beach

Just north of Nha Trang lies Hong Chong Beach, a quiet stretch of sand next to a rock formation stretching out into the water with excellent panoramic views of the bay. Hong Chong is one of the area’s quieter beaches, yet visitors will still find several coffee shops and seafood restaurants lining the shore.