20 Things To Do In Nha Trang

Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s most vibrant coastal resort cities. Sitting on the southeastern coast, the city has become a hugely popular holiday destination for Vietnamese locals and international tourists. It is now packed with luxury hotels, shopping centres, casinos and attractions. Nha Trang also has stunning beaches and islands along with historic ruins and ancient cultural attractions a short way outside the city.

Whether you’re flying directly to Nha Trang or have already experienced other regions of Vietnam, Nha Trang offers a perfect escape with plenty of modern amenities, high-end shopping and dining and many activities for visitors of all ages.

Its location also makes it an ideal stopping point for those travelling north to south (or vice versa) through the country, where you can kick back, swim, snorkel in the clear waters, and have a mini beach break before continuing your trip. These are the top things to do in Nha Trang. 

Nha Trang, Vietnam

20 Things To Do In Nha Trang

1- Ba Ho Waterfall

Vietnam is brimming with natural beauty and while the first thing you want to do in Nha Trang might not be to leave again, a day trip to Ba Ho is worth the trip.

Nha Trang is surrounded by lush, green countryside and jungle.

Ba Ho Waterfalls are about 45 minutes north of the city, and once you arrive, you’ll need to hike through the jungle and past rock formations to reach the falls.

Once you arrive, however, you’ll find the perfect place for cooling off by swimming or jumping into the pools with the waterfall cascading from above.

You can quickly get here by motorbike, taxi or on a tour, and make sure to bring some snacks for the hike.

Recommended tour: Nha Trang: Half-Day Trip to Ba Ho Waterfall

2- Hon Mun Island

Nha Trang has several beautiful islands nearby and one of the most popular day trips is to the stunning Hon Mun Island.

It is classed as having some of the most diverse marine life in Vietnam, which is why many tours offer diving and snorkelling trips here.

There are a variety of caves and some beautiful beaches where you can relax and sunbathe too, plus a number of ‘floating bars’ where you can sit on a float and drink cocktails or local wine!

Other popular ways of seeing the island include glass-bottom boat cruises, parasailing adventures and sea-walking – where you’ll get to walk on the sea floor with the help of a breathing helmet, perfect for those who can’t dive.

Recommended tour:

• Nha Trang Island Discovery
• Nha Trang Exploring Coral Reef And Floating Bar Party
• Guided Diep Son Island Day Trip with Lunch 

3- Po Nagar Towers

If you’re looking for a slice of history in the otherwise built-up Nha Trang, you can’t miss a visit to the beautiful 7th Century Cham towers of Po Nagar.

The three-storey towers are intricately carved and still considered a religious site, so remember you must cover your shoulders and remove your shoes before exploring.

The towers are only around a 10-minute drive from the centre of Nha Trang, although you’re better off arriving early as they can get extremely busy.

As it is still a spiritual site, you might be lucky enough to catch one of the ceremonies or celebrations that sometimes happen here.

Recommended tour: Nha Trang: Half-Day Private City Tour with Hotel Transfers

4- The White Buddha

The White Buddha is at Long Son Pagoda, so you can easily combine these two experiences.

This fantastic Buddha statue measures 24m high and overlooks the entire city, so it’s worth visiting simply for the views.

There are also historic statues at the base of the Buddha, which tell visitors more about the site’s history.

Although you will need to climb almost 200 steep stairs to reach the Buddha, there’s plenty to see along the way, including Long Son Pagoda, which you can find out more about below.

Recommended tour: Nha Trang: Top Sight Must Visit City Tour

5- Long Son Pagoda

Standing in the same complex as the White Buddha, Long Son Pagoda is the oldest temple in Nha Trang.

At the foot of Trai Thuy Mountain, there are actually two pagodas you can visit here: Long Son on the lowest level, and Hai Duc Pagoda higher up.

This incredible red building is decorated with traditional artwork and carvings and features classic Vietnamese architecture.

Inside, the large hall is decorated with mosaic dragons and statues of mythical creatures.

The rest of the complex includes Hai Duc, the gorgeous Dai Hong Chung Bell Tower and the White Buddha at the top.

The pagoda is virtually in the city centre, meaning you can walk or take a Grab quickly depending on where you stay.

6- Bai Dai Beach

Nha Trang has its own beach but being backed by a strip of hotels, shops and casinos means it can get quite crowded, especially once you add in the beach clubs and bars.

However, if you travel just a little south of the city you can find the fabulous Bai Dai Beach which is far more peaceful.

Featuring the same soft golden sand and crystal clear water, there are fewer tourists here, although there are plenty of sun loungers, water sports rentals and places to grab a snack.

Some great sit-down restaurants also serve the fresh seafood Nha Trang is famous for, making it the ideal place to head for total relaxation, catching a sunset and an evening meal.

Recommended tour: Nha Trang: Stand-up Paddleboard Sunset Tour

7- Nha Trang Night Market

There’s simply no Vietnam without night markets and each city has its own take.

Nha Trang’s night market is a fun place to visit after the sun goes down; as you would expect if you’ve seen a market elsewhere in the country, it’s overflowing with stalls selling crafts, souvenirs, fresh produce and all manner of unusual items.

More importantly, there are many street food stalls where you can get a quick snack or a full meal for an affordable price.

Make sure to try local seafood delicacies and wash it down with an ultra-cheap can of beer, before heading off the haggle for some gifts.

Recommended tours:

• Nha Trang Food Tasting Tour by Cyclo (Pedicab)
• Viet Garden Cooking Class (Countryside and Market tour)

8- Vinpearl Amusement Park

Also known as Vinpearl Island or Vin Wonders, you can’t fail to spot this amusement park from Nha Trang Beach.

Reached by cable car which you’ll ride all the way over the water to the island, the theme park is so much fun for both kids and adults.

Not only does it have picturesque views, but a range of attractions and rides such as water slides, rollercoasters, live performances and of course, a lovely sandy beach for relaxing.

There’s also a Ferris wheel, zipline, underwater aquarium, dolphin show, safari park, flower dome, and more.

It’s sometimes called the Disneyland of Vietnam and once you visit, you’ll soon see why!

Skip the line and book your entry ticket here. 

9- National Oceanographic Museum

If you really want to get immersed in the ocean, then along with the excellent snorkelling and diving, make sure to stop at the National Oceanographic Museum.

It makes learning about the ocean both educational and fun, with a variety of displays using marine skeletons, rare corals and preserved species, which inform visitors about the diverse marine life found in Vietnam’s waters.

There’s also an emphasis on protecting the ocean, as many of Nha Trang’s surroundings are protected areas, and the large aquarium will be fun for younger children to get a glimpse at the tropical fish.

Some of the species in the aquarium include colourful anemones, pufferfish and lionfish.

10- Yang Bay Eco Park

Yang Bay is a super cool place to visit as it perfectly mixes activities for adventure lovers and those looking to get away from the city.

Home to both stunning, tumbling waterfalls perfect for swimming and relaxing, as well as rainforest walking trails, natural hot springs and lots of unique wildlife, visitors of all ages can find something to enjoy.

There’s also a crocodile feeding area, ostrich riding and the chance to catch sight of bears.

Adults may prefer to take a dip and enjoy a meal in the lakeside cafe.

Make sure to also visit the fairy garden and pearl island on the lake, and catch a traditional Raglai musical show performed by a local ethnic minority.

11- Tri Nguyen Aquarium

Yes, Nha Trang certainly has more aquariums than most places, but that’s because it has such incredible marine life!

Tri Nguyen is a unique aquarium perfect for families, as it has loads of beautiful displays and tanks of tropical fish, sea turtles and coral reef systems just like those you’ll see out under the waves.

The aquarium is also a breeding centre for more than 40 species of tropical fish, turtles and crustaceans.

The best part about the aquarium is that it’s on Hon Mieu Island, meaning you can do a fun island day trip here, chill out at the beach, visit the complex and grab some food before heading back.

12- Fishing Villages

Just outside the chaos of Nha Trang, you’ll find traditional working fishing villages that maintain their fascinating way of life.

You can easily do a tour or self-guide to one of the villages south of Nha Trang, where the floating villages are home to locals who catch and sell fish for a living.

Some of the villages visited on a tour are more organised, as you will be taken around them by boat, allowing you to see daily life.

However, it’s also easy to drive yourself to one of the many villages sitting along the coastline, where on any given day you can spot fishermen reeling in a catch or women in conical hats sorting through their day’s catch.

13- Thap Tram Hung

One of the most iconic sights in Nha Trang is Thap Tram Hung, also known as Agarwood Tower.

This salmon-pink tower stands right on the beachfront and is one of the first things you’ll notice in Nha Trang.

The unique shape of the building is designed like a lotus flower, with leaves going all the way up.

Inside, the building is dedicated to promoting the beauty of the local area and the people of Khanh Hoa, while visitors can also go up to the first floor for better views.

On the higher floors, you’ll find beautiful artwork, exhibitions, and traditional agarwood products.

Being such a famous Nha Trang attraction, it’s unmissable and perfect for learning more about the local area.

14- Nha Trang Cathedral

Vietnam has some spectacular churches, and Nha Trang’s Cathedral is easily up there with the best of them.

This stunning church dates back to 1928 and stands on a hilltop, designed in classic French Gothic style with exquisite stained-glass windows and stone arches.

It’s a short walk up to the church, and you’ll have incredible views over the city from the outside courtyard.

It’s one of the largest churches in the country and also features a vast stone clock tower.

It may be surprising to find a cathedral like this in the middle of Nha Trang, but it serves as the main Catholic church in the area and is a very popular tourist spot.

15- Monkey Island

As the name might suggest, Monkey Island is home to about 1,500 of these friendly local creatures who run around with almost free reign on the island.

Easily reached by boat or ferry, the island is fun for all ages, where you can interact with the curious monkeys and watch them in their natural habitat.

There are also frequent monkey feeding shows, along some excellent, peaceful beaches where you can rent a small hut or loungers to relax for a few hours.

Naturally, you can also do water sports such as snorkelling and kayaking, and many boat tours combine the island with other activities.

16- Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

You’ve already read how great the water-based activities are on Hon Mun and Monkey Island, but it’s worth reiterating how great Nha Trang is overall for both snorkelling and diving.

With loads of offshore islands, protected marine areas and sparkling blue water, there’s unique marine life to be found and colourful coral reefs.

Multiple diving schools are along the main beach, meaning you can fun dive or get certified.

Snorkelling trips are also frequent and affordable, usually including a huge lunch at a deserted beach cove, and a half day of snorkelling in various beautiful spots around Nha Trang.

Recommended tour: Half-day snorkelling trip in Nha Trang

17- Soak In Thap Ba Hot Springs

For a modern spa day, Nha Trang has plenty of hotel pools, spas and massage parlours, but that’s not the way to experience relaxation the Vietnamese way.

Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud Baths are the ideal place to head for half a day to get away from the heat of the city and unwind.

Here, you’ll find a series of both hot and cold natural pools for bathing and swimming, along with multiple mud baths.

The mud here is said to have healing properties and is great for the skin – don’t worry, you can wash it off afterwards.

There’s also a waterfall, mineral baths and a sauna, and you can pick and choose what you want to do so you only pay for what you use.

Recommended tour: Nha Trang: Hot Spring and Mud Spa Package Half-Day Tour

18- Go Shopping

Considering Nha Trang is the perfect mix of modern city and traditional culture, the city is a hub for shopping and a great place for retail therapy.

Whether you want to browse a local market for food, handicrafts, clothing or souvenirs, or hit a shopping centre for designer goods, new shoes or a home comfort meal at a fast food chain, Nha Trang has it all.

For local stalls, try Nha Trang Market, where crafts and souvenirs are abundant, while at the shopping mall Lotte Nha Trang, you’ll find proper shops but owned by locals.

Need to stock up on snacks? Try Maximark Supermarket which sells both Vietnamese and Western food, in case you need some chocolate or soft drinks for a long bus journey.

High street and designer shops, as well as Western food courts can also be found in the glossy Vincom Plaza and the Nha Trang Centre, where brands like Adidas, Nike and H&M can be found.

19- Excursion To Dalat

Dalat is a destination all in itself and many people include it on their Vietnam itinerary.

However, if you’re tight on time and are keen to see the beautiful central highlands, doing a day trip to Dalat is a great idea.

While there, you can see the incredible rolling hills where the local coffee plantations are , and visit waterfalls such as Datanla.

Also check out Bao Dai King Palace, and ride the city’s famous cable car which has spectacular views of Vietnam’s largest monastery.

There are also intricately carved pagodas, a beautiful local village covered in thousands of flowers and French-influenced architecture, not to mention fantastic restaurants and cafes, where you can sample the coffee that the region is so famous for.

20- Nha Trang Snake Farm

A bit of an unusual excursion and certainly not for those with a fear of snakes, Nha Trang Snake Farm is a common site on many Vietnam tours and worth visiting yourself, if you dare.

At the farm, you can watch the popular snake shows, where locals charm and play with the snakes, such as cobras or pythons, which terrifyingly, haven’t been milked for poison.

After the show, you can learn about the uses of snake venom in pharmaceutical medicine and herbal remedies.

You can also opt to drink rice wine with a snake heart in it – which, no pun intended, is not for the faint of heart.

Other items such as cosmetics and even snake leather can be bought as souvenirs, making it one of the most unusual experiences in Nha Trang. 

For more things to do in Vietnam, read:

• 20 Things To Do In Ho Chi Minh City
• 15 Things To Do In Hanoi
• 15 Things To Do In Hoi An
• Things To Do In Hue
• Vung Tau Travel Guide
• Vietnam River Cruise
• Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City
• 20 Beaches In Vietnam
• 20 Vietnam Cities
• Where To Stay In Hanoi
• Where To Stay In Ho Chi Minh City
• Where To Stay In Hoi An
• 20 Things To Do In Phu Quoc
• 20 Things To Do In Nha Trang
• 20 Islands In Vietnam
• 20 Things To Do In Danang
• 20 Things To Do In Dalat
• 20 Things To Do In Sapa
• Everything You Need To Know About Living In Vietnam
• 15 Things Vietnam Is Famous For
• 20 Beachfront Villas and Overwater Bungalows in Vietnam