Choose from 14 Fun Things to Do in Nha Trang
ShowingFilter 1-14 of 14 listings.
Stone Church (Nha Tho Nui)
The towering spire of Stone Church—a cathedral that’s known by many names to locals—can be seen from almost anywhere in Nha Trang. Despite how it’s humbly known, this stunning stone structure is one of the most striking architectural wonders in this Vietnamese city and a nod to European influence in this land that’s otherwise filled with Hindu and Buddhist temples.
The church’s clock tower sits high above a beautiful archway with a circular window inlaid with stained glass. And while the exterior of this church is undeniably beautiful, it’s the towering interior that’s worth marveling at. Two separate paths lead visitors to the entrances of Stone Church and names of the dead are carved along the way in a call for prayers.
Practical Info
Stone Church is located in the center of the city on the way to Supermarket MaxiMark. Services do not take place in English.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 65
Dam Market
Built in the early 1900s, this massive market is a hub for local life in Nha Trang City. Originally constructed on a seven hectare pond, Dam Market was damaged during the Vietnam War and later resurrected as a three-storey building that’s jam packed with souvenirs, meat and fish stalls. Locals make their way to the popular market in the earliest hours of the morning and comb through stalls manned by friendly men and women in search of the day’s freshest. Travelers will find just about everything inside this eclectic marketplace that’s ripe with all of the energy and excitement of Nha Trang City life.
Practical Info
This bustling market is open daily from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 18
Nha Phu Bay
This peaceful bay offers travelers picturesque views of crystal blue water and lush green landscapes. Clusters of islands dot the sea and hopping from one to another on a tour of Nha Phu Bay is perhaps the best way to experience this isolated bit of Vietnamese magic.
Whether it’s checking out the untouched sandy shores at the beach of Thi Islet, where travelers can tuck into tasty plates of fresh fish grilled tableside or taking a tour of Thi Island, where ecological diversity means easy access to plenty of indigenous plants and animals—there’s something for every sort of traveler at Nha Phu Bay.
Check out the orchid caves at Hoa Lan Spring, where brilliantly beautiful blooms hang from rocky interiors or sunbathe at An Binh Beach before heading to the nearby wildlife sanctuary where peacocks and deer roam on protected land. A day spent touring Nha Phu Bay will be a truly memorable outdoor experience.
Practical Info
Nha Phu Bay is located about 15 kilometers from Nha Trang Beach.
Address: Nha Phu Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam
From $ 74
National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam is located around five kilometers from Nha Trang’s city center in a grand old French-colonial building. It has a large collection of marine life and other items, including numerous jars of pickled specimens, stuffed birds and sea mammals, plus plenty of fishing related artefacts.
The displays are arranged across two floors. The ground floor is home to various sized tanks housing countless varieties of marine life, including reef sharks, turtles, anemones, pufferfish, lionfish, clownfish, seahorses, and a whole array of colorful coral. Upstairs is where to find the exhibiting specimens, local boats, and various fishing articles, not to mention an 18-meter-long skeleton of a whale.
Themed rooms chart the history, science, and technology associated with marine life, with exhibits focusing on things like algae and phytoplankton, as well as the history of fishing in Vietnam, plus natural disasters at sea and around the coast.
Practical Info
The National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam is located in the port village of Bao Dai, approximately five kilometers from Nha Trang. The best way to reach it is via taxi or motorcycle.
Address: 1 Cau Da Street, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Hours: Open daily 6am-6pm
Admission: Adult: 30,000 dong; Child: 12,000 dong
From $ 18
Nha Trang Beach
Sometimes called the beach capital of Vietnam, Nha Trang is known for its scenic shores and few are more delightful than the yellow sandy stretch of Nha Trang Beach. This 6-km destination is ideal for swimmers, sunbathers and snorkelers, who will likely find uninterrupted turquoise blue waters to explore on their own. While a slightly more social scene can be found at jumping beach joints like Sailing Club and the local brew house, deserted island vibes can be found further down towards the south side. A popular promenade offers a scenic place for an evening stroll and the nearby town comes alive with plenty of entertaining nightlife options once the sun goes down.
Practical Info
Rains tend to spoil the otherwise stunning beaches between October and December so sun-worshipers and snorkelers may want to avoid Nha Trang Beach during this time of year.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 27
Long Son Pagoda
Founded in the 19th century, the Long Son Pagoda has been attracting travelers thanks to its stunning façade, traditional peaked roofs and ornately decorated mosaic dragons. Its peaceful interior pays homage to seven monks who lit themselves on fire during the 1960s in an act of protest. Travelers will find hand-carved busts of these men surrounding a massive white seated Buddha, who’s perched in a lotus blossom looking out at these martyrs.
Visitors can explore the grounds and make their way to the top of the hill and platform surrounding the massive Buddha, where incredible views of nearby towns and the Vietnamese countryside do not disappoint.
Practical Info
The pagoda is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and then from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Visitors should be aware of a popular scam that’s run by children outside the pagoda, in which they offer to show tourists around for free and then demand money at the end. Locals recommend turning them away.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 18
Hon Mun Island
This stunning island is located in close proximity to the hot-sea currents that rise from the equator. As a result, it’s home to incredible underwater coral reefs that attract topical fish, sea turtles and other rare and beautiful marine life. The warm waters that draw diverse wildlife also bring researchers, oceanographers and snorkelers to the shores of Hon Mun Island.
It’s possible to explore the waters from the safety and comfort of a glass bottom boat, but travelers say that dipping below the surface and getting up close with local wildlife is the best way to truly experience the beauty of Hon Mun. Almost every dive shop in the vicinity offers trips to the crystal clear waters of Hon Mun, where visibility is almost always ideal. Rainbow Reef and Tiger Wall are two of the most popular dive sites near Hon Mun Island.
Practical Info
The island is located in a marine protected area on the southern part of Nha Trang Bay in the Khanh Hoa Province.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 35
XQ Historical Village
Though the name sounds old, XQ Historical Village was actually founded in the early 1990s by artists Vo Van Quan and Hoang Le Xuan as a way to showcase needlework and painting to travelers from overseas. More than 2,000 women work to create the intricate masterpieces that are put on display in this and other villages like it through Vietnam.
Quan and Xuan utilized age-old needlework traditions that hale from China and were once used to tell stories of the Orient, to instead tell the tales of Vietnam through brightly colored, handmade items. Visitors to this historically inspired village can witness craftswomen working in pairs over silk-draped tables creating some of the most colorful and intricate designs around. Travelers can purchase lavish wall hanging for their home or decorated scarves and greeting cards from the local shop. The picturesque tea garden offers the perfect place to check out more of the handmade works and relax in the natural beauty of XQ’s picturesque surroundings.
Practical Info
This historical village is located at 64 Tran Phu Street in Nha Trang City in the Hoa Province. It is situated at the corners of Tran Phu and Biet Thu streets.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 155
Hon Mieu Island
Around a half-hour boat ride from Cau Da Port in Nha Trang is the small island of Hon Mieu. Much of the island won’t be of particular interest to the average tourist, although there are a few pleasant beaches plus a sprinkling of seafood restaurants close to where the ferries come in.
The main attraction on Hon Mieu however is the Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique boat-shaped building that, along with its surrounding waters, houses a large variety of fish and other marine life, including giant shrimp, sharks, and turtles. Visitors can even climb to the ‘top deck’ to check out the views.
Practical Info
Hon Mieu is located around five kilometers southeast of Nha Trang, with regular ferries running from the dock at Cau Da to the island throughout the day. Hon Mieu is also included within most island-hopping tours of the area.
Address: Hon Mieu Island, Nha Trang, South Vietnam, Vietnam
Hours: Tri Nguyen Aquarium: 7:30am to 5pm
From $ 25
Hon Chong
Along the mountainous coastline north of Nha Trang, Hon Chong (Husband Rock) is made up of huge rock formations piled on top of each other that run from the land down into the sea.
The views are what people come here for, with a fantastic landscape of rocks, beach, ocean, and neighboring islands to feast your eyes on. Around 300 meters south of Hon Chong lies
the tiny Hon Do (Red Island), which features its own Buddhist temple. To the northeast is Hon Rua (Tortoise Island), so called because of its tortoise shape, while the two islands of Hon Yen (Bird’s Nest Island) lie out to the east.
As the area is not particularly large and won’t take long to see, many visitors combine a trip here with a visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers, which are around a five-minute taxi ride away.
Practical Info
Hon Chong is around a 10-minute drive north of Nha Trang along the coast. It can be easily reached by taxi or motorbike. There’s a coffee shop close by to stop for a drink while taking in the views.
Address: Vĩnh Phước, Nha Trang, South Vietnam, Vietnam
Admission: VND 22,000
From $ 38
Thap Ba Hot Springs
The Thap Ba Hot Springs are a destination for travelers who want to experience Vietnamese thermal mud baths as a reasonable rate. Travelers can choose from communal, individual or couple options and sit back and relax into the steaming hot mud of this ancient site. The relaxing oasis offers visitors access to several pools ideal for a quiet swim, as well as a nearby waterfall perfect for unwinding after a serious mineral soak. A couple of on-site restaurants, massage facilities and comfortable sun beds make Thap Ba Hot Springs the perfect place to spend an entire day. Travelers say the helpful staff knows little to no English, they’re still somehow able to always point visitors in the right direction.
Practical Info
The hot springs are open daily from 7 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and are located at 25 Ngoc Son about 7 km northwest of Nha Trang. Wooden mud baths are available for 250,000VND per person or 500,000VND for a couple. Communal baths are 120,000VND.
Address: Vietnam
From $ 82
Vinpearl Amusement Park
Set amid the tropical greenery of Hon Tre Island, Vinpearl Amusement Park transforms the beach resort of Nha Trang into a destination perfect for families and thrill seekers. The excitement begins before you even reach the entrance of the park, as you ride a record-breaking 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) cable car suspended above the South China Sea.
The Basics
Most Vinpearl Amusement Park tours include round-trip transport from the mainland, which eliminates the hassle of arranging multiple transfers. Admission tickets include either a 1-way or return trip on the cable car, and access to the theme park, water park, and aquarium that is home to more than 300 species of marine life.
The island resort also features a giant shopping mall, an international food court, a beach, and a giant amphitheater that can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A must-visit for families and thrill seekers.
- You’re likely to do a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen.
- Performances that involve street magic and fire shows occur throughout the day: Be sure to check times on arrival.
- Wi-Fi is available throughout the theme park.
- The resort is also home to a 5-star hotel, if you want to stay the night.
How to Get There
Vinpearl Amusement Park is accessible by either the Vinpearl Cable Car, one of the world’s longest cable car routes, or by the Vinpearl speedboat, which is also included in your admission ticket. Speedboats depart regularly from Nha Trang pier. Taking the cable car there and the ferry back gives you the best of both worlds and allows you to enjoy views of Nha Trang Bay from the water and the air.
When to Get There
The park is open year-round, but opening times vary depending on the season. High season falls from June to August, when Vietnamese schools close for the holidays. To beat long lines for rides, try to arrive at the park as early as possible and tick off the main roller coasters before cooling down in the midday heat at the water park.
White-Knuckle Rides for Adrenaline Junkies
If you’ve got an appetite for adventure, head straight for the Extreme Carousel, a spinning carousel that flips you upside down, and a manual roller coaster that allows you to control your speed.
Address: Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Admission: Varies
From $ 38
Po Nagar Cham Towers
Situated at the mouth of the Cai River in Central Vietnam, just a few kilometres north of Nha Trang, is the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers complex. Constructed between the 7th and 12th centuries by the Cham people who once ruled the central plain of Vietnam, the towers were built in honor of Yan Po Nagar, the ruler of this area, who later came to be identified with the Hindu goddess, Bhagavati.
Today, only four of the original towers in the complex remain. The tallest of the temples, Po Nagar Kalan, is the most impressive in terms of architectural prowess. It stands at over 25 meters tall and, according to the inscriptions, was the place where Po Nagar was worshipped, with animal sacrifices made in her honor.
In the center of the complex is at the Cri Cambhu tower, representing the goddess of fertility, with the remaining two temples serving as shrines to the Hindu gods, Shiva and Ganesh.
Practical Info
The Cham Towers are located just a few kilometres north of the city of Nha Trang and can be easily reached via the Tran Phu Bridge along the beachfront road. The towers are still used as active places of worship and, as such, visitors should be sure to dress respectfully.
Address: 2 Thang 4 Road, Nha Trang, Vietnam
From $ 18
Monkey Island
Lao Island, more popularly known as Monkey Island, gets its nickname from the troops of monkeys who roam its woodlands and sandy beaches. Travelers will find that it's common to spot a few dozen lolling about near the ferry dock.
Located just off the coast of Nha Trang, the island is a popular stop on island-hopping boat trips but can also be visited independently by taking a ferry from a pier just outside the city. Guests on the island can soak up the sun from a beach chair, zip down a waterslide, stroll through some gardens, and visit the handful of shops and restaurants.
Practical Info
Monkey Island is located just over a mile north of Nha Trang. Please be aware that the monkeys on Monkey Island can be aggressive, particularly where food is involved. Travelers should note that they are wild animals—for your safety and theirs, it's best not to touch them. Although Viator tours do not include this activity, tickets to a dog and monkey show are available for purchase on the island for an additional fee.
Address: Lao Island, Nha Trang, Central Vietnam, Vietnam
From $ 74