Best things to do in Nha Trang

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.

Nha Trang
Nha Trang

Why locals love to go to Nha Trang's beach

The beauty of Nha Trang Beach from above is considered as a vivid and magic ink-washing painting that nature has created. Tourists once setting foot on the beach will find hard to forget the gentle and poetic beauty that Creator has favorably bestowed the coastal city. Along the coastline, murmur coconut and casuarina groves much beautify ecstatic beauty of "Pearl of the Orient"... The combination of blue seawater, clean white sand shores and wonderful scenery has turned Nha Trang Beach into one of the most beautiful Nha Trang beaches attracting the large number of domestic and international tourists.

beach

Visit 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.

Vinpearl

Visit 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.

Ba Ho Waterfall

Visit 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.

Po Nagar

Visit 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.

Long Son Pagoda

Visit 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.

Monkey Island

Visit 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.

Museum