You can’t miss the ‘Big Smoke’ coastal city of Nha Trang on your next visit to Vietnam. There are many awesome things to do in Nha Trang that are suitable for all kinds of travellers from around the world. Nha Trang is famous for its long stretch of white sand beaches, reputable diving sites, ancient Buddhist temples and offshore islands!
The best time to visit Nha Trang is between the summer months of January – August. Try to avoid the wet season which is September – December.
WHERE IS NHA TRANG & HOW TO GET THERE
Nha Trang is located on the South Eastern coastline of Vietnam.
Domestic flights operate daily in and out of Cam Ranh International airport from Hanoi, Dan Nang and Ho Chi Minh. I use Skyscanner to book all of my flights as they always have the best prices – click HERE to check availability.
From Cam Ranh Airport you will have to take a 1-hour taxi ride north to Nha Trang for approximately $10.
Alternatively, from Ho Chi Minh City you can take a 7-hour train which costs approximately 360,000 dong ($15) or you can take a 9-hour bus which costs approximately 200,000 dong ($9). Click HEREto check schedules and availability.
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN NHA TRANG
1. LONG SON PAGODA – BIG BUDDHA STATUE
The Long Son Pagoda, also known as Chua Long Son, is a sacred Buddhist Temple on the foothill of Trai Thuy Mountain. Long Son Pagoda is one of the top things to do in Nha Trang City and it is most famous for the large white Buddha statue that can be seen from almost everywhere in town.
The Long Son Pagoda boasts beautiful Taoist architecture and stone carvings of mythical animals and sculptures of Taoist gods. You will also find a large reclining Buddha statue on the 2nd level of the Chua Linh Phong temple grounds. Magnificent stone carvings and frangipani trees compliment the reclining Buddha.
To enter inside the temples you are required to wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and thighs. Footwear is also to be removed before setting foot inside the temples.
Entrance fee to The Long Son Pagoda is FREE and opening hours are Monday – Sunday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
The Big Buddha Nha Trang
The reclining Buddha inside the Chua Linh Phong temple
Magnificient Taoist architecture
2. THÁP BÀ PO NAGAR – CHAM TOWERS NHA TRANG
A visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers was one of my favourite things to do in Nha Trang. The Cham Towers were built in medieval times, somewhere between the 7th and 12th centuries. Commonly known as Tháp Bà, the Po Nagar Cham Towers are still actively used for worship by the Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists.
Cham is an ancient civilization that was influential in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. The Cham ruled Vietnam for 10 centuries, their unmistakable architecture and art style has spread widely across the country.
There are 4 towers inside the complex, the largest one standing 28 meters high. The Po Nagar Cham Towers was constructed in honour of Yang Ino Po Nagar, the goddess of the Dua (Liu) clan, which ruled over the southern part of the Cham kingdom.
Entrance fee to the Po Nagar Cham Towers is 22,000 dong ($1) and opening hours are Monday – Sunday from 7:00am to 7:00pm.
Cylindrical stone pillars at the foot of Po Nagar Cham Towers
A stone cauldron at the entrance of the Cham Towers
The 4 towers inside the Tháp Bà Po Nagar complex
3. NHA TRANG BEACH
Who doesn’t love a beach day?! One of the best things to do in Nha Trang is to head to the beach for some fun in the sun. Nha Trang beach is rated number 29 of the most beautiful bays in the world – ultimate postcard material.
Head on down to famous esplanade resort strip along Nha Trang Bay and pick a spot under a shady palm tree to perch up for the day. Along Nha Trang beach you can find a number of restaurants, cafes, bars and water sports activities to keep you happy and entertained.
The best time visit Nha Trang beach is early morning and late afternoon to avoid the tourist crowds and the blazing midday heat.
The Esplanade – Nha Trang Beach
Umbrella huts on Nha Trang Beach
NHA TRANG ACCOMMODATION
Nha Trang offers accommodations for both budget backpackers and luxury travellers. To find an accommodation that best suits your needs you can click HERE to check the best rates and availability.
MAP OF NHA TRANG
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST IN VIETNAM
Vietnam Itinerary – 4 Week Adventure Guide
Ho Chi Minh – Top 7 Things To Do
Vinh Hy Binh Tien – Scenic Coast Road In Cam Ranh
Mui Ne Sand Dunes – Sunrise Jeep Adventure
Fairy Stream Mui Ne – The Grand Canyon Of Vietnam
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and if you have any questions about the Top 3 Things To Do In Nha Trang please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Adventuring 🙂
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