Top 15 Things to Do in Nha Trang - Beaches, Islands & More

Nha Trang is a really good sea-side city situated on the south-central coast of Vietnam, famous for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and interesting history. Be it a full package of adventure, the exploration of historical importance, or just relaxation-this guide shows the main things one could do and see in Nha Trang for a great trip.

People just think it's all about islands in Nha Trang but there are tons of other things to do in Nha Trang.
And yes it's true in the last few years due to rapid commercialization and tourism, there are way more tourists now and it might feel a bit touristy in the main town but the places in this list that are still quiet are the ones that take an hour to reach.

P.S There is another popular spot besides Nha Trang called Phu Quoc island which is among the most visited places in Vietnam, and where a 30-day visa exemption applies. The conditions matter: you have to arrive in Phu Quoc directly from outside Vietnam by air or sea, and stay on the island. Fly in via Hanoi and clear immigration there, or come overland from Cambodia, and it does not apply.

Relax down on the beaches.

Nha Trang is considered to have some of the finest beaches in Vietnam, ultra clear waters, and soft sandy vibes. Rent a motorbike which might cost you around 150k VND ($6) and ride on!
Some popular spots:

• The Nha Trang Beach is perfect for sunbathing and beachside dining.
• Doc Let Beach is a quiet beach getaway for swims.
• Jungle Beach: A chill spot amidst the greenery which you would love if you are tired of relentless sun during the day.

Which beach depends on what you want, and they are genuinely different:

• Nha Trang Beach is the six-kilometre city strip. Loungers, bars, jet skis, hotels behind it. Convenient, busy, and the water is not the clearest in the bay.
• Doc Let is about 50 km north, white sand and shallow water a long way out, which is why it is the one people bring small children to.
• Jungle Beach is further again and deliberately undeveloped. Shade, trees, almost nothing to buy. Go if the city strip is not what you came for.

One thing worth knowing before you plan a beach week: the province changed. Ninh Thuận was merged into Khánh Hòa on 1 July 2025, so Vĩnh Hy bay and the Phan Rang coast are now the same province as Nha Trang rather than the next one down. It makes no difference to the driving, but it does change what shows up when you search by province, and older guides still split them.

Go Island Hopping

Check out the 19 islands around Nha Trang!

• Hon Mun Island: The best coral in the bay, and the most restricted. Hon Mun sits inside the Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area, and after the reefs were reported badly degraded in 2022 the city suspended swimming, diving and glass-bottom boats around the island outright while the coral recovered. Access has since been reopened under rules, but which operators can go where changes, so check when you book rather than assuming. There is nothing on the island itself. No resort, no mud bath, no restaurant. If a listing offers you a mud bath on an island it means Hon Tam, which is a different island.
• Monkey Island: The family favorite featuring hundreds of monkeys and oodles of fun activities. Careful about your expensive stuff like wallets and mobile phones as there have been incidents before where monkeys have grabbed these items from tourists and ran away!

Visit some historical and cultural places.

Discover the area's cool history through these landmarks:

• Po Nagar Cham Towers: These are some 7th-century temples that reflect traces of Cham architecture. Should be open around 9 am so go early if you want to avoid the crowd and get a better opportunity to take some cool instagram shots!
• The Long Son Pagoda is home to an enormous white Buddha and great views of the city.

Just ensure to follow basic rules in Vietnam to not be disrespectful to local culture.

Take a rejuvenating mud bath.

Enjoy a rejuvenating experience in the Nha Trang mud baths. You're gonna love it, trust us!

• Thap Ba Hot Springs: Exhilarating mineral mud bathing and relaxing spa treatment. This activity is best done in the early morning if you can.
• I-Resort: Luxury spa offering mud baths and hot springs.

Ba Ho Waterfalls

Ba Ho Waterfalls are 20 km away from town; this is a nature retreat with three sets of cascading waterfalls perfect for trekking and swimming, but most of all, cliff-jumping.

Check out Van Phong Bay.

The less-known Van Phong Bay is a silent place with hidden beaches and tranquil waters. Highlights:

• Diep Son Island: Famous for its unique sandbar walk. You would literally feel like walking in the middle of the sea!

• Whale Island: Ideal for diving, ideal for relaxation. Although it can get pretty sunny and hot in the afternoon, so maybe try to reach there early in the morning or late evening during sunset.
  

If Nha Trang Turns Out Not to Be Your Kind of Place

Some people arrive in Nha Trang and find it is a resort city with a Russian-menu strip and a theme park on an island, and that is not what they flew for. If that is you, the answer is not another beach.

Phong Nha is a long way north, an overnight bus to Da Nang and on again, or a flight to Dong Hoi. It is a village with a national park behind it and the largest caves on earth underneath it, and it is close to the opposite of Nha Trang in every respect that matters.

Our Elephant Cave and Ma Da Valley day trek is the one-day version, out in the morning and back mid-afternoon.

Local food is worth trying

Sample Nha Trang's culinary delights:

• Seafood: Much fresh catch is found on the beach. Oh and you are free to do bargaining and it's quite accepted in Vietnam. Just be reasonable!
• Street Food Tours: Taste local delicacies in Nha Trang like banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) and bun cha ca (fish noodle soup).

Trip to the National Oceanographic Museum

Perfect for families, this museum offers a variety of marine life, even rare species such as sea horses and sharks, together with historic maritime objects.

Go see the Dam Market.

For authenticity, head to Cho Dam Market for some local purchases of fresh produce, crafts, and more. It is a very good place to meet the locals and try some snacks of Vietnamese street food.

Check out VinWonders Nha Trang!

Located on Hon Tre Island, this amusement park offers thrilling rides, a waterpark, an aquarium, and cultural performances. Accessible by the Vinpearl cable car, 3,320 metres over the water. It is often still described as the longest of its kind, and it was, until Phu Quoc opened the Hon Thom line in 2018 at 7,899.9 metres, which is the one Guinness now recognises. Yes, it might feel a bit similar to Disneyland and a bit touristy too but if you are with family or just want a chill time at one location without travelling much, then this is the spot to be.

Take a romantic sunset cruise

Take in the view this evening over Nha Trang Bay with a sunset dinner cruise: great food, comfortably Vietnamese-style on the deck. Try to book the cruise in advance to get a better price and if you are in a group you can do good bargaining.

Hon Khoi Salt Fields

The Hon Khoi Salt Fields are worth the early alarm. Workers rake and carry salt from first light, and by mid-morning the heat has ended the shift and there is nothing to see. This is the place where you can get that viral instagram reel ;)

Visit local villages

Take a guided tour to see the rural side of Nha Trang: spend time in traditional fishing villages, see rice noodle factories, and learn about Vietnamese customs and crafts.

Kayaking on the Cai River

Paddle or kayak down the Cai River amidst dense scenery for a non-buzzing yet adventurous experience. It can get a bit challenging at some points down the river so ensure you book with a reliable operator who is extra careful about safety.

Check out Nha Trang Cathedral

Check out the Gothic bones of this great church; it's like a chill-out spot right on the hill with killer views of the city.

Travel Tips to Nha Trang

• Best Time to Visit: February to May offers pleasant weather for outdoor activities.

• Getting Around: Motorbike rentals and Grab taxis are the best options for city explorations. If you know how to drive, then just go with Motorbike (cost around $6 per day excluding petrol). You can go wherever you want, stop whenever you want and its way cheaper than a taxi in Nha Trang. Also the traffic here is way better than Hanoi/Ho chi minh city so it won’t be too difficult to drive in the city.

• Where to Stay: Beachfront resorts offer luxury, while hostels are available in the city center for budget travelers.
  If you want to save money, just book a few blocks away from the beach so you can just walk to the beach and yet save 30%-50% on hotel cost!