12 Best Things to do in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Planning a trip to Nha Trang and not sure what to do? You’re in the right place!

We love Nha Trang because it combines some of the best features of Vietnam – beaches, temples and pagodas, and best of all, amazing Vietnamese food. It’s compact enough to wander on foot, with lots to explore just beyond the city center.

There’s a lot going on here, from scuba diving and sunset cruises to night markets, hot springs, and mud baths. So yeah, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you plan your trip, we’ve included 12 of our favorite tours and cultural experiences, plus a few tips we picked up while we were there.

Nha Trang At A Glance

Before we get into what to do in Nha Trang, here are a few important things worth knowing first. The city is pretty easy to get around, but these are tips we found useful and wish we’d known before we arrived. 

Important tip: Keep an eye on traffic! 

Get an eSIM: If you’re arriving from abroad, sort out your eSIM before you go. We always download Airalo before we take off, and it’s really easy to use. Having data from the moment you arrive makes ordering a Grab from the airport much easier.

Download Grab: Grab is one of the easiest ways to get around Nha Trang, so download the app before you arrive and add your payment card. You’ll see the price before booking, so there are no surprises.

Carry cash: Keep some Vietnamese dong in your wallet for street-food stalls, local markets, small coffee shops, and other little places that may not take cards. You don’t need to carry a huge amount, just enough to grab some food when you’re hungry without having to hunt down an ATM.

How We’d spend 3 days in Nha Trang

🍜 Day 1: City Sights & Local Bites 
Kickstart the morning with coffee and a light bite, then get to know Nha Trang with a private guide and end the day with a local dinner and a walk through Nha Trang Night Market. 

🏝️ Day 2: Islands, Diving & Night Views 
Choose between island hopping or scuba diving, then end the day with dinner by the beach and impressive nighttime views from a rooftop. 

🌅 Day 3: Beach, Culture & Sunset Cruise 
Start your day at the beach, visit Nha Trang Cathedral, and wrap up your Nha Trang trip with a sunset dinner cruise.

Things to do in Nha Trang

1. Explore Nha Trang’s top sights with a private guide

If it’s your first time in Nha Trang, I’d definitely set aside a day to see the city properly. There’s so much to see here, from hot springs, temples and historic landmarks to busy markets, amusement parks and soft-sand beaches, so having a local guide makes things much easier.

That’s exactly why I like this private half-day Nha Trang tour. You get your own driver-guide and an air-conditioned vehicle for 5 to 6 hours, so you can cover a lot without wasting half the day figuring out buses or taxis. Much easier, especially when it’s hot, and in Nha Trang, trust me, it is!

The itinerary takes you to Po Nagar Cham Towers, Dam Market, the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam, Long Son Pagoda, and Bai Tam Hon Chong. We had about 30 minutes to an hour at each stop, which felt like enough time to look around and actually enjoy each place.

But my favorite thing was being able to customize the day around what we wanted to see. Our guide, Sa, knew absolutely everything about the places we visited, so he shared it all with us in detail. And when we said we wanted simple street food for lunch, he took us to a roadside spot for one of the best banh mi I’ve ever had.

He also kept the pace just right for us in the heat and was quite the haggler at the market! We picked up some mango rice paper and jelly to snack on later, too. Honestly, if you’re only in Nha Trang for a few days, definitely do this. You get to see and learn a lot, plus you don’t have to worry about getting around. Win-win! 

2. Watch the sunset on a dinner cruise

If you’re celebrating an occasion or just fancy doing something different than tanning and sightseeing, this 4-hour dinner cruise is definitely worth checking out! I loved that they offer hotel pickup and drop-off because that saved us the headache of figuring out Nha Trang transportation.

From the dock, a small boat picked us up and took us out to the cruise. And wow, I was not expecting the inside to look like that! There were all these gorgeous period furnishings, and everything looked so sophisticated. I actually wished I’d put on something a little fancier because everyone looked pretty elegant!

There were about 40 people on board, but surprisingly, it didn’t feel crowded at all. They even had name cards on the tables, so there was no awkward “where do we sit?” moment either. 

For dinner, our options were lobster, beef, or salmon; just make sure you confirm your choice when booking. The couple sitting next to us mentioned they were vegetarian, and they went all out for them! They prepared a full 5-course vegetarian meal, plus some vegetarian options for the cocktail party. Now that’s service! Plus, you get unlimited drinks, both alcoholic and soft drinks. 

The best part? We had a lovely duet playing throughout the evening, which really set the mood.

Overall, this is a pretty fun way to spend an evening on the water, especially if you want to dress up and make a night of it!

3. Go island hopping around Nha Trang Bay

Nha Trang is gorgeous, and the nearby islands are just as pretty, with crystal-clear water and stunning views everywhere you look. So, once you’ve seen enough of the city, this island-hopping tour is a must!

Our first stop was Bai Tranh Beach on Hon Mieu Island, where we went for a couple of rounds of swimming. If you’d rather chill, there’s a lovely soft white-sand beach where you can stretch out and relax. There’s also plenty for the more adventurous types, including jet skiing, snorkeling, and kayaking, although these come at an extra cost.

A short boat ride later, we arrived at the Floating Restaurant on Hon Mieu Island for lunch. Oh boy, was the food delicious! The seafood was especially good, so don’t miss it! Definitely try the steamed shrimp with lemongrass and the Vietnamese sour soup with fish. At the end, we had a round of cold iced tea and a local dessert-yum!

After you’ve filled your belly, it’s time to hop over to Hon Tam Island, known for its hot mineral mud baths and waterfall bathing. Here, we had lots of time to chill in the mud baths (looks better than it sounds!), grab a few drinks, walk around, and even bathe in a waterfall. This is all included in the tour, so you can just kick back and enjoy it.

The whole thing takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the day’s schedule, and you’ll have around 2 hours at each of the stops, so there’s no need to rush around. All in all, it’s a pretty fun way to tick a few more islands off your bucket list!

4. Relax on Nha Trang Beach and walk the Tran Phu promenade  

No trip to Nha Trang would be complete without spending some time at Nha Trang Beach and taking a walk along the Tran Phu promenade. Both are free, super easy to get to, and worth fitting into your schedule, especially if it’s your first time in Nha Trang.

Nha Trang Beach is the main beach in the city, stretching along Tran Phu Street, with hotels, cafes, and restaurants right behind it. It’s an easy place to spend a few hours since you can swim, sunbathe, walk along the promenade, rent a lounger, or just throw down a towel and chill on the sand.

It’s more of a city beach than a quiet island beach, but that’s actually what I like about it. You can people-watch, go for a morning walk, have a quick swim, and then carry on with your day. I especially like it early in the morning and around sunset when it’s cooler, and the locals are out walking, exercising, and hanging out by the water. 

You’ll also see Tram Huong Tower and 2/4 Square right by the beach, so you can easily check them out while you’re there.

5. Ride into the mountains to discover Hon Ba Nature Reserve 

Nha Trang is busy and exciting, but we love how easy it is to get out of the city and into the countryside. We did just that on this full-day motorbike tour, riding past rice paddies and coconut plantations before heading into the mountains.

You’ll start the day at Long Son Pagoda, an ancient Buddhist temple built in the 19th century, with a massive 24-meter (79-foot) seated Buddha statue. It’s a pretty great photo op, to be honest! 

From there, you’ll visit Po Nagar Temple, a Hindu temple complex dating back to the 11th century. If you time it right, you might even catch the Cham Festival, one of the biggest festivals in the Central Highlands and South Central regions.

Then it’s off to Hon Ba Nature Reserve, where the scenery gets even better. We had some gorgeous mountain views and stopped for a swim in a crystal-clear waterfall before sitting down to a delicious BBQ lunch prepared by our guide.

We especially like this tour because it lets you see a completely different side of Nha Trang without having to plan a thing. Over the 5 to 7 hours, depending on the schedule, we rode through the back roads, saw local workers going about their day, and got to places we probably wouldn’t have found on our own. 

But don’t just take our word for it! Check out the glowing reviews and see for yourself. 

6. Browse Nha Trang Night Market

If you’re looking for something fun to do after dark, Nha Trang’s Night Market is an easy choice. This is the town’s most famous night market, and you could easily spend a few hours just wandering around and seeing what catches your eye.

You’ll find souvenir stalls, clothes, bags, small gifts, local products, and lots of snacks and street food. I especially loved the pearl jewelry and coconut products, but the seafood displays are pretty fun to look at too!

It’s free to walk through, but good luck leaving without buying something! I also loved how close it is to the beach and the main hotel area, so it’s super easy to add to your evening without planning a whole transport mission.

Be sure to bring cash and check prices before buying. Tourist pricing is pretty common here, so you can and should bargain. The sellers expect it!

Overall, it’s fun to walk around and pretend to be a local for a while. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably pick up a few souvenirs and try some strange-looking snacks just because.

7. Try scuba diving at Hon Mun Island 

If you’ve never tried scuba diving before, this is a pretty fun place to give it a shot. This full-day tour takes you to the marine reserve around Hon Mun Island for two dives in crystal-clear waters.

We met at the dive center in the morning and headed to the pier with a group of other divers. Our hotel was less than a 5-minute walk away, but pickup is available if you’re staying farther out. Once we were on the boat, we had breakfast with coffee, water, and fresh fruit. It was actually really nice to have something to eat before the 45-minute ride to Hon Mun Island. 

We did two dives, each around 30 to 45 minutes, with some basic safety skills to practice before the first one. And there was lunch too! They served delicious food between the dives, and they definitely didn’t skimp on it. We had baguettes, beef stew, grilled pork, spring rolls, buns, fruit, coffee, and water!

Once we got in the water, we saw starfish, a huge cuttlefish, stonefish, and eels, plus an old bicycle sitting underwater. Yep, a bicycle! Obviously, that makes for a pretty funny photo.

All the instructors take safety seriously, and Sam and Duc made sure we were comfortable, never rushed us, and went at our pace. That made a big difference, especially for first-time divers! 

This tour has no more than two participants per instructor and is open to ages 10 and up. You can also buy the photos for a little extra, so you can take home proof that you actually did it!

8. Swap the coast for Dalat’s waterfalls and pine forests 

If you’re looking to escape the heat of Nha Trang, this full-day tour takes you about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) up into the mountains to Dalat, where you can truly cool down. The drive is long, but our guide, Long (I know, what a coincidence), made lots of stops for snacks and local treats. 

We started at Linh Phuoc Pagoda, which is an impressive 49-meter-long (160-foot) dragon temple made of 12,000 bottles! Then we headed to Datanla Waterfall and jumped on the alpine coaster. Now that was fun! 

The itinerary also includes a stop at Truc Lam Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake before heading to the old Dalat Railway Station. The scenery and landmarks were spectacular, and you’ll probably end up taking an unhealthy amount of photos.

We also managed to squeeze in two lunches. Yes, two! First came a delicious bowl of beef pho, followed later by Vietnamese pizza, and we weren’t complaining.

Our guide was great with the itinerary and happily changed things around to suit what we wanted to see. He was also a really careful driver on those winding mountain roads and took some pretty great photos for us, which are now framed on our walls.

Just a heads-up, this is a packed day, so you won’t have time to do every extra activity. Pick one or two favorites and let your guide know early. All in all, it’s a long day, but getting out of Nha Trang and seeing Dalat was absolutely worth it.

9. Relax with a traditional mud bath or mineral soak

Nha Trang isn’t all about beaches, crystal-clear water, and gorgeous scenery. The city is also known for its mud baths and mineral springs, and after a few busy days of sightseeing, diving, waterfalls, or long day trips, this is exactly what you’ll need. You can soak for a while and let your legs recover a bit-just what the doctor ordered!

We really like Thap Ba Mud Bath, which is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) outside the city, right next to the Cai River with Ponagar Tower in the background. I-Resort is another popular option, surrounded by mountains and shaded by palm trees. Both have beautiful surroundings and different mud bath and mineral soaking packages, so you can pick whichever sounds more your style.

You can also choose between shared and private mud baths depending on the package, so check what’s included before booking. Bring your swimwear too, and definitely check whether towels, lockers, and showers are included.

In short, this is a great option for couples, friends, or anyone who wants a relaxing afternoon without paying luxury hotel spa prices. And yes, getting covered in mud is actually part of the fun, no matter how yucky it sounds! Apparently, it’s good for you too, so soak away! 

10. Join a hands-on cooking class 

If you want to get away from the touristy parts of Nha Trang and see a more local side of the city, this cooking class is a fun way to do it. You don’t just show up and start cooking either. There are a few stops first, and that’s what makes it interesting. 

We started at a coconut farm, where we had fresh coconut juice and learned a little about how coconuts are used locally. Next, we visited a noodle factory to see how they make pho noodles; then we hit a local market to pick up ingredients for our class. We also stopped at a vegetable and herb garden, which was pretty cool to see.

Then we headed to Chef Dat’s home, where he has a cooking area set up in the garden. We made three Vietnamese dishes: spring rolls, bo la lot, and bun cha, and we got stuck into pretty much every part of the cooking. Chef Dat was great at showing us what to do and was happy to change the menu around to suit us.

Once everything was ready, we sat down and ate. And wow, there was a LOT of food! I remember being full for the entire day afterward. Honestly, definitely worth doing. 

11. Visit Nha Trang Cathedral

Nha Trang is mainly Buddhist, but in that sea of temples and pagodas, this French colonial-style cathedral comes as a bit of a breath of fresh air. Nha Trang Cathedral was built between 1928 and 1933 and is also known as Stone Church or Mountain Church because of its stone exterior and elevated position.

It has a simple Gothic-style design, stained-glass windows, and is really well maintained, plus it’s free to enter. We visited while exploring the city center and enjoyed a short but pretty peaceful stop away from the busy city streets.

Since it sits atop a 12-meter (39-foot) high hill, it offers some pretty great views over Nha Trang. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing here, so keep your voice down, avoid disrupting services or wedding photos if there’s an event happening, and make sure you’re dressed appropriately.

It’s one of the most attractive tourist attractions and worth a brief visit if you’re nearby and looking for a calm break.

12. Explore villages, workshops, and rural scenery near Nha Trang

If you’re curious to see how Vietnamese people live outside the busy city, this countryside tour is definitely worth checking out. The day starts at a local market, where you pick up food to donate to a Buddhist orphanage. From there, the tour heads into the countryside, where you’ll see rice paddies, orchards, small villages, and locals going about their day. 

The itinerary also includes a stop at a local home where two women still weave traditional rush mats by hand. When you reach the Pagoda Orphanage, things get pretty touching. Buddhist nuns and volunteers care for around 160 children here, and you can drop off your donations and may even get a little thank-you song from the kids.

Then it’s time for a local lunch by the Cai River. And there’s a LOT of food! Chicken, shrimp, fish, plenty of veggies, drinks, and possibly even some leftovers to take with you for later. Pretty sure you won’t be complaining!

After lunch, the tour continues to a family making traditional conical hats, a rice paper workshop, and the 68-meter (223-foot) Amitabha Buddha statue. The final stops are Dam Market, where you can shop for cheap souvenirs and local snacks, and an embroidery workshop where you can watch artisans create their masterpieces.  

We especially like that it’s a private tour and doesn’t feel rushed. It’s a pretty packed day, but you’ll see a side of Nha Trang most visitors miss.

Where to Stay in Nha Trang

Staying in Central Nha Trang offers the convenience of a city stay, just steps from the beach. After a full day of tours and activities, you can easily relax and dip your toes in the ocean. Here are our top picks for a luxury, mid-range, and budget hotel right in Central Nha Trang.

Luxury – $$$ 

If you want to be in the center of it all, Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is just the place. We love it because it’s right by the beach on the iconic Tran Phu Street, so you’ve got everything you need right at your doorstep, literally.

The place is huge, with around 280 rooms, all with private balconies facing Nha Trang Bay. Then there’s the massive outdoor infinity pool, which is a great place to hang out when you’ve had enough of the sand.

Prices average around $170 USD per night, which is a pretty good deal for a place like this. Check your dates and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$ 

If you’re looking to keep costs down, Adamas Boutique Hotel offers great value right in the heart of the lively Western Quarter, with Nha Trang Beach just a 5-minute walk away. This is also where we stayed, and honestly, we couldn’t have picked a better location.

Rooms are modern and clean, with connecting options that are ideal for family trips. There’s also a rooftop pool for afternoon fun or cocktails at night, while the seamless airport shuttle service makes arriving and leaving a lot easier.

Rooms go for about $100 to $120 USD per night. Read the great reviews and book Adamas Boutique Hotel here!

Budget – $

Azura Gold Hotel & Apartment is our top budget-friendly choice here. We love it because it’s a bit removed from the busy street, yet still within a short walk of the beach. The rooms are spacious, modern, and updated, and you’ll find plenty of practical amenities, including a pool, gym, free parking, and a convenient airport shuttle service.

You don’t have to go far for food, either, as there’s an on-site restaurant serving everything from Asian to vegan dishes.

With prices starting at just $75 USD per night, you’ll have plenty of money left to spend elsewhere. Browse current rates and book your budget stay here!

For more options, see all of the hotels in Nha Trang here!

Thanks for reading!

We loved our time in Nha Trang. From the stunning beach and island trips to historic sights and outdoor excursions, you won’t be bored here!

Before you go, check out our other Vietnam blogs. We’ve traveled up and down this beautiful country and have plenty of guides to help you plan a memorable trip. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination. Cheers!

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